What makes us unique?

We’re half-way through Riviera Travel‘s epic Rhône River cruise. A journey from Avignon to Lyon, through vine-clad hills and the ghosts of Roman civilisation. Countless stories of history and art, accompanied by superb cuisine and excellent wines, continue as we join the Saône after Lyon. History is being ticked off; we’ve seen the majesty of Avignon’s papal palace, Arles’ Roman amphitheatre and the towering Pont du Gard aqueduct.  We’ve done equally well on Art. Two Van Gogh oils introduced an Arles contemporary exhibition. Whilst the Ardeche’s 36,000-year-old Chauvet cave painting, has a strong claim to be the “World’s First Masterpiece.” Throw in some Botticellis in Avignon too. These experiences are thoughtfully curated with Riviera’s 40 years of travel experience. Unsurprisingly drawing guests from all over the world to a luxurious ship: the majority are from the UK, but others have travelled from Ireland, America, Australia, Canada, China and Spain.  Day 5 – Vienne As our arrival in Vienne is not scheduled until around 2pm, it’s an opportunity for a lie-in and a relaxed breakfast. Alongside the boulangerie, charcuterie, patisserie, fruit buffet and hot buffet, there are also eggs cooked to order. Then, Diana, the Course Director, gives us an introduction

Sailing upstream on the Rhône from Avignon to Lyon, on Riviera Travel‘s MS Thomas Hardy, is one of the world’s epic river cruises.  It is an eight day voyage from Avignon that concludes in Lyon. Cruising through time from caveman’s woolly rhino drawings, past crumbling relics of Roman conquests to Second World War destruction, this is more than a luxurious river cruise, it is a voyage through the very essence of civilisation.  Rich in history, both beautiful and brutal, the Rhône displays the arrow-slit architecture of war; where even the papal palace was crenelated and where church bell towers were fortified. Stories from the history of art abound. Through Chauvet’s cave drawings, Botticellis in Avignon and contemporary works in Arles’ Vincent Van Gogh Institute. Day 1 – From London to Avignon Riviera Travel arrange flights, from Heathrow in our case, booking us on a British airways flight, though other cruisers fly from regional airports or take Eurostar followed by the rapid TGV to Avignon. At Marseilles airport we are met and taken on a coach, for 70 minutes, through a landscape of olives, rosemary and thyme, towards hills that have hosted the Tour de France. We do not see our

I have dreamed of visiting Kenya and Tanzania since I was a very small child. Wild places like the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater have been top of my bucket list for more years than I care to remember – and despite working in the luxury safari industry for nearly thirty years, somehow I had yet to experience the Serengeti or the Crater! So when I finally had flights booked, I set about arranging some of the additional experiences I had been told were not-to-be-missed, just in case it’s another 30 years till I get back! Embracing Maasai history and culture In addition to the obvious wildlife highlights of the Masai Mara, what can truly make a trip even more memorable is immersing yourself in the regional culture and meeting the local people.  At Mara Bushtops, you know you are in Kenya the minute your ALS flight touches down at Siana airstrip, as your Maasai guide and spotter/tracker welcome you in full traditional costume including bright red Shukas and adorned with beautiful beadwork!  Our Maasai guide Daniel and spotter Frederik guided us throughout our stay, spotting game effortlessly, having lived and guided safaris in the region for