Riviera Travel has launched five new itineraries for solo travellers for 2026 in response to “unprecedented growth” in its Solo Holidays category.
With a significant increase in the number of solo passengers travelling year-on-year, the multi-award-winning cruise and tour operator is harnessing “ambitious plans” for the year ahead to keep this segment of its overall customer base growing.
Recent findings show that solo travel with Riviera Travel is particularly popular with those aged between 50 and 80 years.
Another trend that has stood out amongst booking data from the last few years is that at around 80%, the majority of the company’s solo customers are currently female – with the Riviera Travel team keen to encourage more male customers to try a Solo Holiday.
Furthermore, a ‘solo survey’ conducted by Riviera Travel in May 2024 established three key findings:
- Single person supplements and destination are the most important factors for solo travellers when choosing a holiday provider
- If destinations and availability were comparable, 64% of customers would prefer to travel on a solo-exclusive trip rather than joining a classic group tour
- However, more than one third of those surveyed were still happy to travel on a classic group tour, if it meant having a larger range of destinations and departure dates to choose from
Standing out for exclusively offering solo river cruise itineraries, as well as land-based touring, data has also shown that Riviera Travel’s repeat rate for solo travellers is higher than average.
The company’s Top 10 best-selling Solo Holidays for the last financial year were all European destinations, with “Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains for solo travellers”, and “South Africa for solo travellers” being the highest performing worldwide itineraries.
Riviera Travel’s Top 5 Solo Holidays
- Classical Spain for solo travellers
- The Blue Danube River Cruise for solo travellers
- The Douro, Porto & Salamanca River Cruise for solo travellers
- Lake Maggiore, Orta & Como for solo travellers
- Malta Uncovered for solo travellers
Vicky Billing, Head of Trade & Partnerships UK & Ireland, said: “We have seen a much higher demand for solo travellers this year, which is great, and to support the trade even further we now pay commission on solo supplements across all our classic tour products.
“It’s important that we recognise all the hard work that our trade partners put into selling our solo product, hence the rationale around paying on all non-commissionable items. We also have some exciting enhancements heading your way on the Riv Explorer – so watch this space!”
Below, Riviera Travel has shared details of its new Classic European Solo Tours for 2026.
Puglia & Basilicata: Lecce, Alberobello & Matera for Solo Travellers – 8 days from £1999 pp
Guests will embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through some of Italy’s most captivating destinations.
The Puglia & Basilicata: Lecce, Alberobello & Matera For Solo Travellers tour is available to book via www.rivieratravel.co.uk/escorted-tours/puglia-basilicata-lecce-alberobello-matera-solo-travellers.
Hidden Italy: Padua, Vicenza and Mantua for Solo Travellers – 6 days from £1469 pp
Guests will enjoy wandering through the elegant streets of Padua, where history and culture intertwine in every corner.
The Hidden Italy: Padua, Vicenza and Mantua for Solo Travellers is available to book via www.rivieratravel.co.uk/escorted-tours/hidden-italy-padua-vicenza-and-mantua-solo-travellers.
Discover Northern Cyprus for Solo Travellers – 8 days from £2499 pp
Guests will embark on a captivating journey through Northern Cyprus, discovering its rich history and breathtaking landscapes.
The Discover Northern Cyprus for Solo Travellers tour is available to book via www.rivieratravel.co.uk/escorted-tours/discover-northern-cyprus-for-solo-travellers.
Tuscany, Florence and Siena for Solo Travellers – 8 days from £2329 pp
Guests will journey through the heart of Tuscany, discovering its most iconic cities, medieval towns, and artistic treasures.
The Tuscany, Florence and Siena for Solo Travellers is available to book via www.rivieratravel.co.uk/escorted-tours/tuscany-florence-and-siena-solo-travellers.
To stay up to date with the latest news, connect with Riviera Travel on social media via Facebook (UK), Facebook (IRE), and email at agents@rivieratravel.co.uk.
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