Riviera’s Themed European River Cruises

Famous battlefields, opulent palaces, impenetrable fortresses, grand capital cities, valleys dotted by vineyards and breathtaking countryside await you while local guides and experts bring history to life during included tours and talks on each region's storied past when you cruise with Riviera River Cruises on one of their new themed voyages, launching in April 2025. 

A wide range of departures exploring the Danube, Rhine, Rhône and the Douro rivers are available for you to choose from. Please find a small sample of available itineraries below:

The Douro may be one of Europe's best-kept secrets but the food that is grown and eaten along its banks is not. The Portuguese are renowned for their love of good food - the flavours are fresh and wholesome (and locally grown) and you can expect sweet treats, flavourful dishes and, of course, plenty of wine. Visit the Roman city of Porto, the home of Port wine, and sample Portuguese wine in historic quintas. Taste the delicious almond products that Castelo Rodrigo is famous for while following in the footsteps of St. Francis and hop over the border to Salamanca for a delicious tapas lunch in one of Spain's oldest cities. And that's just the onshore adventures awaiting  you. Portugal’s once-wild river may have been tamed by locks but there's still an untouched wildness to the valley’s breathtaking rolling hills.

Gastronomy of the Douro — from Portugal to Spain
8-days Porto Roundtrip
April 13, July 13, July 27 & August 17, 2025
Highlights include: Mateus Palace Gardens and a dinner at the Quinta da Pacheca estate; food tasting at Castelo Rodrigo; Pastel de Nata demonstration on board; a guided tour of Salamanca with a lunch of Spain’s most notable tapas dishes; a traditional Douro Valley lunch and wine tasting at Quinta de Avessada; food tasting at Lamego; traditional folk music show on board; a guided tour of Porto and a visit to port wine producer with tasting. 

Follow in the footsteps of some of history's greatest composers on a musical journey along the Danube where the beautiful landscapes and cities along the shores of this legendary river have inspired many famous melodies. Riviera’s majestic cruise will take you to the fascinating cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Salzburg - home to the world's most well-known musical maestros. You can learn more about their incredible lives in the company of Riviera’s local knowledgeable guides, experience the joy of live music in atmospheric locations and visit the home of the greatest composers - all while enjoying the beauty and splendour of the Danube.

Music of the Blue Danube
8-days Budapest Roundtrip
April 18, July 11, August 22 & October 7, 2025
Highlights include: Visit to Esztergom Basilika, a classic music performance in Bratislava; guided tours of Dürnstein & Melk Abbey; a piano recital and a guided tour of Mozart’s Salzburg; a visit to the Vienna Boys Choir and a live classical recital, visit to the House of Music in Budapest and a traditional Hungarian music performance.

Journey through France and explore the unrivalled natural beauty of the Rhône river as it runs its course through sun-soaked landscapes from Lyon to Avignon. Step ashore to explore a beautifully restored historic garden and discover the gorgeous vistas and charming parks that inspired the artistic genius of Van Gogh. Wander through Lyon, Vienne and Beaune with an expert local guide, enjoy the beautiful fragrance of Provençal lavender and gaze in awe at the stunning Ardèche Gorge and its remarkable suspended gardens - all accompanied by a glass or two of Burgundy's finest wine.

Gardens and Natural Beauty of the Rhône
8-days Lyon to Avignon
April 24, May 22, July 30 & August 21, 2025
Highlights include: Guided tour of Lyon with a visit to Parc de la Tête d'Or; a tour of Beaune with wine tasting; a guided tour of The Garden of Eden in Tournon; a visit to a local lavender museum in Ardèche Gorges; visit to Pont du Gard; a guided tour of Avignon and Rocher de Doms plus a performance by local pianist. 

Hidden among some of Europe's loveliest landscapes is a world of art, music and architecture that's just waiting to be uncovered on Riviera’s spellbinding cruise along the Rhine river. Start with a journey into the verdant and wild countryside of Switzerland that inspired some of Mendelssohn's finest compositions and wander through the Black Forest - a dark pine forest steeped in fairytales - where we'll explore a world of traditional handicrafts. In France, discover more about life in Strasbourg before heading back into Germany to enjoy a world of mechanical musical instruments in Rüdesheim and visit Bonn, the birthplace of Beethoven. 
 

Music, Arts & Crafts of Switzerland and the Rhine
8-days Basel to Cologne
May 13, July 8, August 28 & October 16, 2025
Highlights include: Visit to a glass manufacturer and a cable car ride to the top of Stanserhorn; a drive through the Black Forest to visit a cuckoo clockmaker and an on-board performance by violin soloist; a guided tour of Strasbourg with a visit to the Alsatian Museum; visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet and an on board Rhinish folklore performance; a guided tour of Bonn in the footsteps of Beethoven. 

Taste superb Swiss mountain cheeses and indulgent Black Forest treats (perhaps washed down with a delicious glass of Alsace wine or a decadent Rüdesheimer coffee) and take your tastebuds on a sweet adventure at one of Europe’s finest chocolate museums. Meet vintners and artisans who are passionate about the production of the finest food and wine and enjoy authentic culinary experiences in the most traditional of surroundings. 

Gastronomy of Switzerland and the Rhine
8- days Basel to Cologne
May 23, July 24,  August 12 & October 3, 2025
Highlights include: Cabrio cable car ride up to Stanserhorn for a lunch in its revolving restaurant and a guided tour of Lucerne; a drive through the Black Forest with a Black Forest Gateau tasting and a live musical performance on board; a guided tour of Strasbourg including popular food stops; a tour of vinegar distillery in Speyer; vineyard tour of Rüdesheim and a local folk performance in Koblenz; visit to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne

Riviera’s floating luxury boutique hotels feature spacious accommodations ranging from 160 to 269 square feet of living space (83% of these offer a full or French balcony), fine dining with meals prepared by professional chefs and served by attentive international staff, and unlimited wine and beer at lunch and dinner plus cocktails, mocktails, house spirits and mixers from 6pm to midnight. Engaging and informative excursions are included in your fare and led by experienced tour leaders and local guides, complimentary bicycles for you to take on shore explorations, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship to stay connected to family and friends.

In 2025, Riviera will launch two new ships, including the first in a new generation of ships with a split-level bar and restaurant, giving it an even more spacious feel, a third restaurant with unique tasting menus, the line’s largest-ever suites and certification for high environmental standards. The new ships, Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose, will also share the line’s name for the first time for improved branding, moving away from using the names of famous British authors. 

•    All meals on board from dinner on your day of arrival through to breakfast on your day of departure
•    Unlimited wine and beer at lunch and dinner plus cocktails, house spirits and mixers from 6pm to midnight
•    Welcome dinner and the Captain’s Dinner
•    A packed lunch during full day sightseeing trips
•    Five-star service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
•    Complimentary on-board tea, coffee and water
•    Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
•    Services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge
•    All port charges and taxes
 

Contact your Travel Professional for details or visit here.