15 October 2024
Riviera Travel has added three new tours and four dedicated solo options as part of its 2026 worldwide escorted touring programme.
The operator has also announced the addition of five Signature tour departure dates to a select range of existing itineraries. Signature tours have an average group size of 22 people and offer enhanced experiences.
For travel agents, Riviera is offering a £30 voucher for all escorted tour bookings secured until October 31, 2024. Agents need to register their bookings on the Riviera agent portal, at rivieratravel.co.uk/agents.
New tours for 2026 comprise:
* 13-day Classic Egypt, Cairo, Luxor & Nile Cruise, departing February to November. Includes visits and tours to the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx; Egyptian Museum; temples of Karnak and Luxor; ‘Double Temple’ of Kom Ombo; sightseeing in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile; and Aswan.
* 13-day Highlights of South Korea, departing April to October. Includes visits to Seoul; the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Dosan Seowan, Hahoe Village, Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple and Gyeongju; the Korean Demilitarised Zone; Busan; and the KTX high-speed train. Signature experiences include the chance to learn how to cook a South Korean dish, bulgogi and a night tour of Gyeongju.
* 15-day India and Nepal, departing February to October. Visits and tours include Delhi and Kathmandu; Varanasi; the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; Chitwan National Park; riverboat experience down the Ganges; and Gupteshwor Cave, Devil’s Fall; and Lake Phewa in Nepal. Signature experiences include the opportunity to experience Ganga Aarti, an ancient Hindu ceremony; a sightseeing flight over the Himalayas; and an early morning trip to Sarangkot Hill to see the sun rising over the Annapurna Mountains.
Signature tour dates have been added to the following 2026 departures:
* Eight-day Imperial Cities of Morocco, departing February to November. Includes a visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting; La Maison Arabe’s world-renowned cooking workshop; and rooftop drinks in Marrakesh’s old town.
* Seven-day Jordan and Petra, departing March to November. Includes a 4×4 drive through the desert of Wadi Rum; traditional Bedouin tea during a visit to the ancient site of Petra; and drinks overlooking the Dead Sea at sunset.
* 13-day Best of Japan, departing May to November. Includes a night tour of the Shinjuku area in Tokyo; visit to the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum; and Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima.
* 16-day South Africa, departing February to October. Includes a sundowner drink overlooking the river at the Hippo Hollow hotel; sunset safari in the Kruger National Park with dinner; and the opportunity to learn about life during the apartheid era through the personal stories of former residents of District Six.
* 15-day Southern India’s Coastal Route: Tamil Nadu to Kerala, departing February to November. Includes a visit to the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, a birdwatching excursion and a speciality dinner in Chennai.
For dedicated solo itineraries, Riviera has launched the following:
* 11-day Maritime Canada, departing May to September. Visits and tours include a journey along the Cabot Trail; drive through Cape Breton Highlands National Park; colonial towns such as Charlottetown and Lunenburg; Halifax; and the Fort Anne National Historic Site, among others.
* 13-day Costa Rica, departing April to October. Visits and tours include Tortuguero National Park; the area around the perfect cone of the Arenal Volcano; and Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
* 14-day Classic California, departing April to October. Visits and tours include Yosemite National Park; Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego; and California’s Pacific Coastline.
* 13-day Classic Egypt, Cairo, Luxor & Nile cruise, departing April and September. Visits and tours include the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx; Egyptian Museum; temples of Karnak and Luxor; ‘Double Temple’ of Kom Ombo; sightseeing in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile; and Aswan.
In total, Riviera will offer 45 worldwide tours in 2026, encompassing destinations such as Asia, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, India, Morocco, the USA, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Ecuador and the Galapagos.
Will Sarson, product director at Riviera, said:
“These new 2026 worldwide tours have been hand-crafted to provide guests with an array of options taking in some of the globe’s most fascinating destinations and experiences. We’re always listening to feedback and we’re confident these itineraries will appeal to both repeat and new-to-Riviera guests. The new solo tours add yet another dimension to our offering, ensuring those travelling alone can explore and experience the joy of a Riviera tour alongside like-minded travellers.”
All Riviera escorted tours include return flights and transfers, accommodation, tours and visits, select meals, local taxes and an expert tour manager throughout.
For more information, visit rivieratravel.co.uk, call 01283 523431, or speak to a regional trade representative.