Riviera Travel has made two appointments to its agency sales team. Martin Page has joined as a new Key Account Manager. He will be field-based and manage a number of accounts, to help grow Riviera Travel business and develop new relationships. Ashley Walker will be re-joining Riviera as Agency Sales Administrator. Ashely will be office-based, and cover off agent questions and enquiries. He will additionally work alongside Darren Mussell, Assistant Manager Agency Sales, and the on-the-road Riviera team, to help them grow the firm’s group business. Page was previously Strategic Account Manager at Classic Package Holidays. Prior to this he was Business Development Manager for trade sales at Attraction Tickets. Ashley briefly left Riviera to work outside of travel. He originally joined in 2016 as a Travel Consultant and progressed to Account Manager. They will report to Thomas Morgan, Head of Agency Sales UK & Ireland. Riviera’s trade team is now eight-strong. “It’s an exciting time to be joining the Riviera Travel team; with a well-established portfolio. I can't wait to be back out on the road,” Page said. ‘I am delighted to have Martin and Ashley joining the agency sales team. Martin is well-known and respected among agents and will be a massive asset. We have worked with Ashley before and are thrilled he is re-joining,” Morgan said.

Riviera Travel has introduced a ‘Signature’ escorted tour collection for 2023, 40 upgraded European and worldwide itineraries being introduced.  The tours are for groups of a maximum 25 guests, and include up to three new experiences, which will be added to Riviera’s established touring itineraries. The programme spans Italy, Spain, Croatia, Austria, Canada and Morocco. Joanne Lynn, Head of Product Europe at Riviera Travel, said: “Signature tours will be an exclusive option and offer the very best in immersive, engaging travel.” Guests on a week-long tour will have up to three signature experiences included, with tour less than seven days having up to two signature experiences. Riviera will also offer its current ‘classic’ escorted tour options next year. Riviera’s full European escorted tour programme is now on sale for 2023. 2023 fares have been frozen to July.

  Riviera Travel has introduced a ‘Signature’ escorted tour collection for 2023. 40 upgraded European and worldwide itineraries are being introduced.   The tours are for groups of a maximum 25 guests, and include up to three new and enhanced experiences, which will be added to Riviera’s established touring itineraries.   The programme covers countries across the world, including Italy, Spain, Croatia, Austria, Canada and Morocco.   Joanne Lynn, Head of Product Europe at Riviera Travel, said: “Signature tours will be an exceptional, exclusive option and offer the very best in immersive, engaging travel. Guests can go from discovering the secret to how traditional Argan oil is made in Morocco, to gliding over Vancouver in a seaplane, to visiting a tranquil lemon grove on the Amalfi coast to learn about the local gastronomic secrets and tradition.   “We're incredibly excited to offer our guests the opportunity to experience even more of the places we visit. Our team of experts have worked tirelessly to find the right blend of enhancements and bring out the essence of what makes travelling the world so special."   Guests on a week-long tour will have up to three signature experiences included, with a tour of fewer than seven days having up to two signature experiences.   Riviera will also offer its current, established ‘classic’ escorted tour options next year. These are experiences at excellent value that similarly allow guests to get to the heart of their chosen destination.   Riviera’s full European escorted tour programme is now on sale for 2023.   2023 fares have been frozen to July 31, to ensure everyone booking receives the lowest price by booking early. Guests are also protected by Riviera’s ‘price promise’, meaning if fares are reduced they will be refunded the difference.   For more information, visit rivieratravel.co.uk or contact your Riviera Travel account manager.   Riviera Travel signature tour   Itinerary: Lake Maggiore, Orta and the Matterhorn Departure date: May 9, 2023 Duration: Eight days Price: From £1539pp Comprises: Travel through the Swiss Alps to see the Matterhorn; tour of Lake Como; cruise to the islands of Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella; visits to Lake Orta, Cannobio and Locarno Additional signature experiences: Evening cruise around the Borromean Islands; visit the gardens of the Villa Pallavicino; enjoy drinks at the region’s only sky bar What's included: Return flights and transfers, half board, programme of daily tours and visits, expert tour manager throughout For more information: Lake Maggiore, Orta and the Matterhorn | Riviera Travel / 01283 523431

Riviera Travel has added ten three-day European city break extensions to its 2023 river cruise itineraries. The extensions feature a stay in a centrally-located hotel, hand-picked by Riviera, with guests then free to explore the city at their own pace. Riviera has partnered with online travel platform holibob so guests can also book recommended tours and experiences. As part of the booking price, all city breaks include return flights with a choice of UK regional departures, transfers from the ship to the hotel and hotel to the airport, and daily breakfast. The move comes as an increasing number of guests have requested to stay on independently after their river cruise. Riviera offers European cruise options to the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhône, Moselle and Seine. The ten city stay extensions include Amsterdam, Basel, Cologne, Frankfurt, Lyon, Vienna and Munich. Riviera also currently offers five fully escorted tour extensions on its 2022 and 2023 European river cruise itineraries. These include Blue Danube with Budapest or Prague extension, and Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence with Lake Geneva and Golden Pass extension.

Riviera Travel has launched its ocean cruise programme for 2023, with a total of 10 itineraries available for booking now. New for next year include  an ‘Aegean Odyssey’ voyage on the Star Flyer, which comprises a seven-day sailing, two nights in Istanbul and a night in Athens, with guided tours in both cities. The 16-sail, 162-guest Star Flyer is a reconstruction of a 19^th century, four-masted vessel. There will be two voyages on the new Ocean Albatros expedition ship. An ‘Arctic & Spitsbergen’ eight-day sailing, with a pre and post stay in Oslo, departs on June 7. It includes the opportunity to experience the midnight sun from within the Arctic Circle, visit the glaciers and fjords of Spitsbergen, and sail along the rim of the Arctic pack ice. A ‘Buenos Aires & Voyage to Antarctica’ ten-day sailing departs on December 2, which additionally includes three nights in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires and one night in Ushuaia. The sailing will give guests the chance to experience the mountainous terrain of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. City stays include a sightseeing drive of Buenos Aires, a full day ranch visit, and an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. The 194-guest Ocean Albatros is currently under construction and being built specifically to navigate the Arctic and Antarctica. Due to positive guest feedback and demand, there are six Adriatic yacht cruise itineraries, for up to 38 guests per sailing. The specially-chartered yachts offer eight-day voyages, with a total of 91 departures from May to October. Itinerary options include: Split, Hvar and the Delights of Dalmatia, Split, Rab and Undiscovered Islands of the North, and Dubrovnik, Mostar and the Secrets of Dalmatia. All itineraries include return flights and transfers, a programme of guided tours and visits, select meals and an expert tour manager. Katja Hildebrandt, Riviera Travel head of product river and ocean cruise, said: “We’re pleased to make several favourite sailings available again, as well as introduce three new and exciting options.” Riviera Travel has a limited number of places available on select 2022 ocean cruises, all departing in September including Coastal Gems of France, Spain and Portugal’ from Portsmouth to Lisbon.

Riviera Travel announced t Simon Michaelides will join the cruise and escorted tour specialist as Chief Customer Officer.  The newly-created role will bring together marketing, customer service and communications, direct sales, insight and analytics. The role will enable the business to strengthen customer communications, marketing and sales performance. Michaelides reports to Phil Hullah, Riviera Travel CEO Michaelides is currently Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at UKTV, a BBC Studios company. He has held a wide range of senior marketing and commercial roles in organisations including Procter and Gamble, PepsiCo and Kantar Consulting. Phil Hullah said: "I am delighted that Simon is joining our team. He brings a wealth of consumer and marketing knowledge, a real passion for customers as well as a great deal of commercial and operation experience." Simon is expected to join Riviera in August this year.

Riviera Travel announced three 2023 river cruises will once again offer three-night extended land stays as part of their itinerary. These itineraries are a Rhine cruise to Switzerland with Glacier Express extension, a Blue Danube cruise with Budapest or Prague extension, and Douro, Porto and Salamanca with Lisbon extension. Prices cover the cruise and hotel stays, and applicable flights and transfers. Cruises are full board with welcome cocktails, a welcome dinner and the Captain’s Dinner. Sailings include an expert cruise director and concierge throughout, and complimentary on-board tea and coffee. The extensions have an accompanying tour manager, with all hotels offering breakfast. Katja Hildebrandt, Riviera Travel head of product river and ocean cruise, said: “We’re delighted to once again enhance our river cruises with extended stays in four of the most memorable places in Europe. Our extensions offer tours and experiences that perfectly complement our river cruises.”  

Tour and river cruise operator Riviera Travel is expanding its trade visit programme. Since January, its frontline sales team have increased agent appointments by 10% compared to the same period in 2020, and vow to maintain this level throughout the course of the year. Riviera’s on-the-road sales team is headed up by Tom Morgan, who is supported by three account managers covering the UK and Ireland. The team were first back visiting agents as soon as restrictions eased in May 2021. “We are absolutely committed to the trade and want our travel agent partners to know we are always on hand to support them, including via our enhanced face-to-face visits,” Morgan said. “We know just how valuable that time in-person is, so are continuing to hit the road as much as possible. Video calls are helpful tool for keeping in touch, but nothing beats meeting and greeting agents.” To book a visit with Riviera Travel, email [email protected]

  Riviera Travel has announced that three of its 2023 river cruises will once again offer three-night extended land stays as part of their itinerary.   The itineraries, which go on sale today, are:   * Rhine cruise to Switzerland with Glacier Express extension.   Comprises a seven-night Rhine river cruise, and hotel stays in the Alpine resorts of Zermatt (two nights) and Chur (one night). The cruise offers seven tours and visits including guided tours of Strasbourg, Koblenz, Rüdesheim and Speyer; a drive through the Black Forest to Titisee; full-day excursions to Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland; and a visit to Breisach.   The extension is available pre- or post-cruise and includes a journey on the Glacier Express and a stay at the foot of the Matterhorn.   Cruise only from £1569pp May to October, plus extension from £799pp May to September.   * The Blue Danube with Budapest or Prague extension.   Comprises a seven-night Danube river cruise and three-night post-cruise hotel stays in either Budapest or Prague. The sailing departs from Budapest and visits Vienna, Salzburg or Linz, Dürnstein (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Esztergom (Hungary).   The Budapest extension includes visits to Visegrád and Szentendre, guided tours of the Parliament Building, National Gallery, Royal Palace and gardens at Gödöllő, and a Puszta tour with performances by some of the region’s most acclaimed horsemen.   The Prague extension includes guided tours of the Castle District and Lodi Brewery, and visits to Europe's only boat brewery and the nearby city of Brno.   April to October, cruise only from £1519pp, plus Budapest extension from £599 or Prague extension from £549pp.   * The Douro, Porto and Salamanca with Lisbon extension.   Comprises a seven-night Douro river cruise and three-night post-cruise hotel stay in Lisbon. The cruise offers eight guided tours and visits, including tours of Porto and Salamanca; dinner at a traditional Portuguese quinta; and visits to Castelo Rodrigo, Mateus Palace Gardens and Lamego.   The Lisbon stay includes tours of Coimbra University, the Holy Shrine of Fatima, the Royal Palace in Sintra and Jeronimos Monastery, as well as the city's squares, cathedral and castle.   March to November, cruise only from £1569pp, plus Lisbon extension from £449.   Prices cover the cruise and hotel stays, and flights and transfers. Cruises are full board with welcome cocktails, a welcome dinner and the Captain’s Dinner. They have an expert cruise director and concierge throughout, and complimentary on-board tea and coffee. The extensions have an accompanying tour manager, with all hotels offering breakfast.   Katja Hildebrandt, Riviera Travel head of product river and ocean cruise, said: “We’re delighted to once again enhance our river cruises with extended stays in four of the most memorable places in Europe. From the magnificent snow-covered Alpine region, to eye-catching Prague, to fascinating Budapest, to historic Lisbon, our extensions offer tours and experiences that perfectly complement our stunning river cruises.”   All three extended cruises are similarly available in 2022 and are open to book now.

  Riviera Travel, the leading UK tour and river cruise operator, is expanding its trade visit programme. Since January, its frontline sales team have increased agent appointments by 10% compared to the same period in 2020, and have pledged to maintain this level throughout the course of the year.   Riviera’s on-the-road sales team is headed up by Tom Morgan, who is supported by three account managers covering the UK and Ireland. The team were originally back visiting agents as soon as restrictions eased in May 2021.   Tom said: “We are absolutely committed to the trade and want our travel agent partners to know we are always on hand to support them, including via our enhanced face-to-face visits.   “We know just how valuable that time in-person is, so are continuing to hit the road as much as possible. Video calls are helpful tool for keeping in touch, but nothing beats meeting and greeting agents to help build relationships and offer product insight and know-how.”   To book a visit with Riviera Travel, email [email protected]

Riviera Travel has launched a new one-off Star Clipper cruise for 2022. The voyage will sail the Italian Mediterranean coast, departing on 30 September. Guests will stay on-board for seven nights, with an overnight stay in Rome included either side of the sailing. The ship has 83 cabins and accommodates up to 166 guests and 74 crew. It features two salt-water swimming pools, a sun deck, restaurant, tropical outside bar, library and lounge. The 16-sail Star Clipper is a reconstruction of a 19th century, four-masted vessel. It offers eight tours and visits, all in Italy. It includes guided tours of Pompeii, Taormina and Lipari, and visits to Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento and Ponza. Optional visits to Vulcano Island, Mount Etna and Ravello are also on offer. The overnight stop in Rome at the start of the cruise includes a guided tour, while guests have time to explore the Italian capital on their own for the second overnight call. Prices start from £2,399pp. Bookings include return flights; full breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and an à la carte dinner while on-board; and a tour manager throughout.

Riviera Travel has revealed its full Africa and Middle East 2023 tour programme, which is now on sale. It features14 itineraries with a total of 101 departures on offer, including options exclusively for solo travellers. The itineraries run from January to November and include a 16-day South Africa tour, including a full-day safari in Kruger National Park, as well as six South Africa tours exclusively for solo travellers. There is an eight-day Jerusalem, Galilee and the Dead Sea tour, an 11-day Victoria Falls, Botswana Safari and Cape Town tour, and an 11-day Wonders of the Nile cruise from Cairo to Luxor. Other tours range from Jordan and Petra; the Silk Road; Marrakesh; and Morocco. Prices include return flights and transfers, all accommodation; tours and visits, select meals; and an tour manager throughout. All Africa and Middle East itineraries are similarly departing in 2022 and are available to book now.