40 Years of Exceptional Journeys
As the UK's leading river cruise line, Riviera Travel brings over 40 years of expertise in creating thoughtfully curated journeys by land, river, and sea. What began with a single coach tour has grown into a globally recognized travel company known for exceptional service, immersive experiences, and outstanding value. Today, we operate in 66 countries, offering everything from European river cruises to luxury yacht tours and worldwide escorted vacations. Wherever you go with Riviera, you can expect more from your vacation.
Our History
- 1984: Founder Michael Wright launches Riviera Travel with a coach and camping tour in southern France, including the first coach journey to Paris in collaboration with the Burton Mail.
- Early 2000s: The company begins offering escorted land tours to global destinations such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
- 2009: Riviera takes a bold step into river cruising, launching itineraries along the Rhine and Moselle.
- 2014: Riviera carries over 110,000 guests globally and reaches £130 million in turnover, becoming the UK’s largest escorted tour operator and a major river cruise provider
- 2017: The company is acquired by private equity fi rm Phoenix Equity Capital, fueling growth and market expansion.
- 2024: Riviera celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Paris event aboard MS Jane Austen; the company now offers nearly 1,000 departures yearly across 65 countries.
- 2025: Riviera expands its fleet, debuting two new ships - Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose - and also adds themed itineraries, cruise and tour combinations, and enhances onboard offerings like curated drinks.
