Riviera Travel has announced that four of its 2024 river cruises will offer three-night extended land stays as part of their itinerary.
The itineraries were introduced last year and have been offered again following positive demand and feedback from guests. They are:
Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence River Cruise with Lake Geneva and Golden Pass Extension
Comprises a seven-night Rhone cruise, and three nights in a centrally-located hotel in either Lausanne or Montreux.
The cruise offers seven visits and tours, including Lyon, Arles, Avignon and Vienne; a wine tasting in Beaune; and excursions to the Ardèche Gorges, Popes’ Palace and the Pont du Gard.
The extension includes four additional visits and tours including Chillon Castle, a Lake Geneva cruise, a climb to Glacier 3000 and a journey on the Golden Pass train.
Available from April to October, prices start from £2578pp.
Rhine Cruise to Switzerland with Glacier Express Extension
Comprises a seven-night Rhine river cruise, and a three-night hotel extension: one night in Chur or Davos and two nights in the Alpine resort of Zermatt.
The cruise offers seven visits and tours including guided tours of Strasbourg, Koblenz, Rüdesheim and Speyer; a drive through the Black Forest to Titisee; a full-day excursion to Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland; and a visit to Breisach.
The extension is available pre- or post-cruise and includes the opportunity to experience the Glacier Express railway, which travels across the Alps.
Also available is an optional excursion to Gornergrat via cog railway for views of the Matterhorn.
Available from June to September, prices start from £2898pp.
Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise with Lisbon Extension
Comprises a seven-night Douro cruise, and a three-night hotel stay in the heart of Lisbon.
Includes eight guided visits and tours, lunch and a flamenco show; a guided tour of Porto with wine sampling; tasting at a Portuguese Quinta; visits to Castelo Rodrigo, Mateus Palace gardens and Lamego; and the chance to experience a Portuguese folk music show.
The extension includes a guided tour of Lisbon and the Monastery of Jeronimos; visits to Sintra and Fatima; and a tour of Coimbra University.
Available from April to October, prices start from £2128pp.
The Blue Danube with Budapest extension
Comprises a seven-night Danube river cruise and a three-night post-cruise hotel stay in Budapest.
The sailing departs from Budapest and visits Vienna, Salzburg or Linz, Dürnstein (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Esztergom (Hungary).
Includes visits to the city’s Parliament Building, National Gallery and Palinka Brandy Museum with tasting; a scenic drive through the outskirts of Hungary’s Great Plain, a famous Equestrian Park for a horse show and traditional Hungarian lunch; and an optional visit to Széchenyi Spa Baths.
Available from April to October, prices start from £1878pp.
All river cruises are full board with welcome cocktails and a Captain’s Dinner.
Prices cover the cruise and hotel stays, and flights and transfers. Cruises have an expert cruise director and concierge throughout.
The extensions have an accompanying tour manager at all times, with all hotels offering breakfast.
Katja Hildebrandt, Riviera Travel Head of Product River and Ocean Cruise, said:
“These cruise and land tour itineraries have proved a real hit with guests.
“They provide the best of both worlds, perfectly combining our upscale river cruises, with authentic local experiences, in the heart of eye-catching European destinations.
“From a journey on the breath-taking Glacier Express railway to the historic sites of Lisbon to cruising across picturesque Lake Geneva, we’re confident these extensions will create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Riviera Travel has previously announced it is offering a free tour or city break extension on October 2023 river cruises to the Danube or Rhine.
Customers booking any upper deck cabin, or deluxe or superior suites across all decks, can take advantage of a free three-night tour extension or independent city stay after their sailing.
This is equivalent to 10 nights for the price of seven.
For more information, visit www.rivieratravel.com
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