Discover the cultural highlights of Europe with Riviera Travel

15 July 2024

Imagine stepping back in time to an era of grand voyages, where the joy of travel was found in the act of exploring, learning, and immersing yourself in the wonders of the world. Riviera Travel's European Grand Tours offer you the chance to relive that golden age of travel on luxurious 9 to 13-day adventures. If you're a lover of art, culture, and history, these tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll cherish forever.

Discover the cultural highlights of Europe with Riviera Travel

Italy’s icons, from Venice to Rome

11 nights from £2,999pp – Departing April to September 2025

Begin your adventure with three days in Venice, where you'll marvel at mesmerising art and centuries-old architecture. Enjoy a classic gondola ride through the canals before heading to Bologna, the foodie paradise of Italy. With an included gastronomic tour with a local guide, you’ll get to sample all the best local delicacies. Alongside beautiful Florence, you’ll also explore lesser-known gems such as Siena, Perugia, and Orvieto before completing your trip in the culture-drenched Italian capital.

Discover enchanting Andalucía

9 nights from £1,999pp – Departing March to October 2025

With sights like Granada’s Alhambra and the Mezquita mosque in Córdoba, this tour is the perfect way to experience Andalucía’s magical fusion of Spanish and Moorish cultures. Starting in Mijas, you’ll travel to Seville to wander vibrant streets with a local guide before exploring the majestic Alcázar Palace. In Ronda, see one of Spain’s most dramatically beautiful cities, perched high on a mountaintop above a deep gorge. You’ll visit Málaga’s historic port and beautiful Botanical Gardens, as well as a few lesser-known but equally worthy spots like Cómpeta and Sayalonga along the way.

Croatia’s picturesque islands

11 nights from £2,999pp – Departing May to October 2025

Embark on an unforgettable journey along Croatia's stunning Dalmatian coast, exploring picturesque islands and ancient landmarks. Start in Split, a city where Roman ruins coalesce with lively modern markets. Your tour includes guided visits to the idyllic Plitviče Lakes, the artistic Mestrovic Gallery, and the charming streets of Trogir. Enjoy the unique experience of wine-tasting in Vrbinik and indulge in a Croatian delicacy during lunch at a truffle restaurant in Bani. As you travel north towards Istria, stop in the Slovenian countryside to visit a local winery and savour the region’s exquisite flavours.

What’s included on your European Grand Tour?

Aside from wonderful locations, every European Grand Tour with Riviera Travel includes direct flights and transfers, along with unbeatable excursions led by experts and local guides to ensure you see the best of every destination you visit. From sampling traditional dishes with the locals to getting small group tours of must-visit gardens, castles, and palaces, as soon as you return from one tour, you’ll be wanting to book your next one.

To book your Riveira Travel European Grand Tour, contact your Travel Counsellor today.

Why Shizuoka, Japan, deserves to be on your bucket list

10 February 2026

Shizuoka is one of those places that quietly delivers on everything people love about Japan, without the intensity that often comes with it. Perfectly placed on the Golden Route between Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s easy to reach yet rarely feels overrun. This is a region where everyday life and travel experiences blend naturally, giving you space to explore at your own pace, whether that’s over a long weekend or as part of a wider journey across the country.

A modern take on Kyoto tradition at Capella Kyoto

09 February 2026

Kyoto’s Gion district is well-known for its heritage and character. Capella Kyoto places guests right in the heart of this cultural scene, surrounded by genuine traditions and the real rhythm of Kyoto life. With celebrated landmarks on all sides - Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo, where geiko and maiko keep age-old performing arts alive, Kenninji Temple, a peaceful retreat and the city’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple, and Ebisu Shrine for good fortune - every walk from the hotel gives you an immediate sense of the history of this part of Japan.

A family-friendly way to experience Mount Fuji

09 February 2026

Japan has a way of rewarding travellers who slow down, and Hanz Outdoor Resort is especially well suited to families looking for space and ease. Set in the Lake Kawaguchiko area, it offers clear views of Mount Fuji while remaining straightforward to reach from Tokyo. Rather than packing days with long journeys, families can settle into one place and let the mountain become part of daily life, from relaxed mornings to evenings spent outdoors together. It’s a base that works just as well for first visits to Japan as it does for families returning to explore further.