Holidays to Europe

The Euro is the official currency of Europe, with 20 countries adopting the currency. These include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. 

Other currencies include the Swiss franc, the Danish krone, the Swedish krona, the Norwegian krone, the Czech koruna, the Polish zloty, the Ukranian hryvnia, the Hungarian forint, the Belarusian ruble, the Moldavian leu, the Serbian dinar, the Turkish lira, the Albania lek, the Macedonian denar and Bosnia-Herzegovina uses the convertible mark. 

Italy 

Italy is filled with riches from spectacular cities, ancient ruins, world-renowned museums and beautiful natural scenery. It also has the most World Heritage sites in the world so there's plenty to explore! 

France 

Famous landmarks in Paris, fine cuisine in Bologna and some of the world's best wines in Bordeaux, all this and more await on a visit to France.  

Greece 

Sun-bleached ruins set against azure skies, the balmy Aegean kissing endless beaches and beautiful coastlines, and the legacy of ancient Greece still visible in the culture and the people. It's no wonder Greece is such a popular European destination. 

Spain 

Travel to the heart of Spain to discover the culture, history and cuisine of some of its most stunning cities or head out into the countryside for captivating small towns, spectacular scenery and delicious Spanish wines.  

Austria 

Chocolate box towns and villages punctuate lush alpine meadows set against the backdrop of sky-high mountains. Spend a few minutes here and you'll understand why it's inspired some of history's most famous artists and musicians. 

These may be some of the world’s most popular countries to visit but there’s so much more to discover. Let us show you. 

Climb the Eiffel Tower 

Enjoy an incredible panorama of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower then return in the evening to see it, and many other Parisian landmarks light up the night sky. You'll soon understand why Paris has earned the moniker 'The City of Lights'.  

Discover the history of the Colosseum  

With a history that spans nearly 2,000 years, the Colosseum is a symbol of Rome's rich culture, representing the city's legacy as the heart of the Roman Empire.  

Step back in time to Ancient Greece at the Acropolis 

The Acropolis is a unique symbol of the city's long history. Dating back to the 5th century BCE, the incredible architecture, statues and ancient temples were the home of kings and gods and a religious centre for this early civilisation.  

Visit the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein  

Rumoured to be the inspiration for the Disney classic, Cinderella (1950), Neuschwanstein Castle was built by Bavaria's most famous monarch, King Ludwig, who modelled himself after France's King Louise XIV. Neuschwanstein was constructed with pink granite, a symbol of Ludwig’s self-belief as divinely chosen for kingship and in homage to his idol, Wagner! The architecture inside is equally impressive, with marble everywhere; the design draws freely from different architectural styles, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic.  

See the Matterhorn  

The Matterhorn is the ultimate Alpine peak. Yet it’s remarkably shy until you reach the end of the village, turn a corner, and the Swiss national symbol is revealed in all its unrivalled glory. This is truly one of life’s ‘wow’ moments. For the best views possible, take a ride on the cog railway up 10,000 feet to the summit of Gornergrat. 

Europe covers an area of 3.93 million square miles, which is 2% of the Earth's surface and 6.8% of the land area. Due to its vast size, the weather in Europe varies from country to country and region to region. On the whole, most of Western Europe has an Oceanic climate, with cool to warm summers and cool winters with frequent overcast skies. In contrast, Southern Europe has a distinctively Mediterranean climate, with warm to hot, dry summers and cool to mild winters, and frequently sunny skies.

Europe encapsulates many countries, and every region has distinct flavours and dishes.  

Love food? Check out our foodie holidays. 

It varies, depending on where in Europe you are but an average of 5 - 15% is appreciated in cafes and restaurants, especially with table service and where service is good. For taxis, tips can range from rounding up when paying in cash to 10% and in most countries, 10% for tour guides is greatly appreciated. 

On our European river cruises, you'll have the opportunity to tip the onboard crew at the end of your journey, should you wish to. There are no compulsory gratuity add-ons with Riviera Travel river cruise – any thank you for excellent service is entirely at your discretion. If you do wish to tip the crew (and it’s worth knowing that tips are shared between staff), consider leaving €5 to €10 per day. 

According to recent studies, the main religion in Europe is Christianity with over 76% of the population identifying as such. Generally speaking, Europe is divided into three religious lines: Protestant in the north and west, Catholic in the south and Orthodox in the east. 18% of people polled identify as unaffiliated, 6% follow the Islamic faith, and Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism are all under 1%. 

According to the United Nations, there are 44 countries in Europe today, including Russia - the largest country in the region - Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Hungary, Belarus, Austria, Switzerland, Serbia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Croatia, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Lithuania, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Latvia, Estonia, Luxemburg, Montenegro, Malta, Iceland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Holy See. 

River cruises put you in the heart of the country, allowing you to enjoy the luxuries onboard – 4 course a la carte menus featuring local fare in our onboard restaurants, evening entertainment (think Austrian string quartet, not a Las Vegas-style performances) and spacious cabins and suits. You don’t have to stay in one location or unpack day-to-day. You can enjoy the landscapes from a unique perspective while sipping a crisp glass of wine on the sun deck as we sail, often mooring in the heart of our destination so there’s less time travelling by coach and more time exploring.