Vast landscapes. Iconic landmarks. Endless entertainment.
We’re the experts on holidays to North America
Crafted with care and a whole lot of love, our holidays to the USA and Canada are designed by our team of travel specialists and led by Tour Managers who know all the local secrets. It’s no wonder Riviera is the go-to for unforgettable holidays to North America.
Our Product Managers, Linda Harris and Yvonne Gillot, are huge fans of travel in North America. ‘People sometimes dismiss the USA as a travel destination, thinking of it as modern, full of chains and with less history and culture than other countries,’ says Linda. ‘However, the USA has so much to offer, including some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ll see anywhere in the world. One of my favourite places is Monument Valley. It’s a Navajo reservation and may look familiar to you as it has featured in many films, such as Once Upon a Time in the West, Forrest Gump and The Lone Ranger. It’s hard to put into words how I felt there, but it was magical and one of my most memorable travel experiences.’
And what about the USA’s northern neighbours? ‘Canada is an incredible country,
the people are friendly and welcoming, and of course, the scenery is amazing,’ says Yvonne. ‘The highlight is the 2-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer winding through mountain passes, lakes and farmlands. You get to enjoy incredible landscapes in very comfortable carriages while listening to stories from the onboard hosts and enjoying some delicious cuisine.’
Our Product Managers explain the differences between our thoughtfully crafted holidays to North America...
14-day USA tours
‘Our Classic California tour covers the highlights of California with visits to vineyards, taking in natural wonders like Yosemite and the coastal routes through Monterey, as well as the main cities of California – this tour offers it all.’
‘The Iconic National Parks of America tour visits all the iconic national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Arches and Bryce Canyon, as well as further north to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. It is definitely a tour for nature lovers.’
‘Our Deep South USA plus Texas tour differs from our competitors’ as it includes both Texas and the Deep South. Our visits to Nashville and Memphis will appeal to music enthusiasts, while history lovers will appreciate visits to the Civil Rights Museum, the Sixth Floor Museum and more.’
Canada tours
‘Sit back and relax on our 8-day Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer tour, which features 3 nights in Banff visiting the iconic Lake Louise and Columbia Icefields, and 2 days travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer Train.’
‘Our 11-day Maritime Canada tour is a relaxing journey taking in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We visit the famous Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and enjoy a scenic drive along the famous Cabot Trail.’
Longer-length Grand tours
‘The 16-day Grand Journey on Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer & Alaskan Cruise combines our 8-day Canada tour with a 7-night cruise in Alaska with Holland America.’
‘If you’re looking to extend our Classic California tour, choose our 17-day Grand Tour of California & the Golden West, which spends an additional 3 nights in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, and includes visits to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.’
‘Enjoy 18 days exploring the USA’s Deep South with additional days travelling along the worldfamous Route 66 on our Grand Tour of the Deep South to Route 66.’
Our group sizes are getting smaller to a maximum of just 36 guests on worldwide tours from 2026.
Yvonne – Product Manager
Monument Valley
Our expert Tour Managers
Our Riviera Tour Managers are passionate about North America and bringing the destinations we visit to life. The true stars of the show, they take care of all the little details while looking after you every step of the way.
Jayne, California and the Golden West
‘My career has taken me from a travel agent to air crew, and now l love being a Tour Manager on our Golden West tour of California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. We enjoy such varied scenery from the blue Pacific Ocean to the dry deserts. The helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon is majestic and Zion a real treasure. We are privileged to drive onto a Navajo reservation and experience Monument Valley via jeeps led by Navajo drivers and guides. We finish in lively San Francisco, where the Golden Gate Bridge is always a highlight. l feel very lucky to have seen such wonderful sights!’
When to visit
Caroline, Grand Journey on Canada’s
Rocky
Mountaineer & Alaskan Cruise
‘The Rockies are awe-inspiring and the Canadian people are so friendly. The opportunity to see a bear and her three cubs slowly walk across the road in front of our coach still gives me goosebumps. Alaska gives a sense of peace; getting back to nature, we follow the Inside Passage on our ship and the scenery is stunning! We see whales and bald eagles in their natural environment. The holiday we provide is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’
Similar to the UK, the USA is a four seasons destination, with spring – March to May, summer – June to August, autumn – September to November and winter – December to February. Due to its vast size and diverse landscapes, temperatures across the USA can vary but overall offers an excellent year-round destination with warmer weather in California. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit the Deep South, with pleasantly warm days and cool nights offering perfect conditions for sightseeing.
Linda, Deep South USA
‘The Deep South USA tour is a great combination of vibrant cities, gripping history and diverse cultures, all represented by a wide selection of musical genres and local cuisines. Step back into music history with tours of Sun Records, Studio B and Graceland; visit the Grand Ole Opry, home of Country music, or stroll through New Orleans, where there are live jazz musicians on every corner. Sip a mint julep on the porch of a Southern plantation house, try traditional Tex Mex in San Antonio right next to the Alamo, or taste the mouthwatering Memphis-style barbecue at BB King’s Blues Club. This is not just a tour, it’s a feast for the senses!’
Tex-Mex blends Mexican and Texan flavours, featuring ingredients like yellow cheese, flour tortillas, and ground beef. Fajitas are a Tex-Mex invention, originating in Texas in the 1930s.
Linda – Tour Manager
Jayne – Tour Manager
Caroline – Tour Manager
Glacier Bay, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park is a true natural wonder, with eight actively calving glaciers – the most on Earth! Set against the snow-capped 10,000-foot peaks of the magnificent Fairweather Range, Glacier Bay’s nutrient-rich waters are home to humpback whales and teeming with salmon. On land, black bears, moose and wolves roam in this wild, pristine paradise.
Glacier Bay
The Koningsdam is a Holland America Line ship that accommodates up to 2,650 passengers. Onboard, you’ll find everything you need, including multiple restaurants (there’s even a demo kitchen where you can learn to cook like a pro), a theatre, piano bar, sports bar, spa, hydrotherapy pool and so much more!
Banff National Park, Canada
The breathtaking Banff National Park offers iconic scenery, such as the breathtaking Lake Louise framed by towering peaks, arguably the Canadian Rockies’ most photographed spot. Don’t miss the Columbia Icefield, the largest in the Rockies, stretching over 200 square miles with depths reaching over 1,000 feet – a true alpine marvel!
Yosemite National Park, USA
Famed for its colossal granite cliffs like El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park is a must-see. Spanning 750,000 acres, Yosemite is home to ancient sequoias – some over 2,000 years old – and a wealth of wildlife. Discover its wonders on our Classic California tour.
Hoover Dam, USA
At 60 stories tall and as wide as two football fields, Hoover Dam is a must-see colossal feat of engineering! Walk across the top for sweeping views of the bridge, Lake Mead and the surrounding landscape. Vital for water, power, and flood control, it serves millions of Americans in the Southwest.
Banff
National Park
Yosemite
National Park
Hoover Dam
Banff
Lake Louise
CANADA
Totem poles in North America are symbolic carvings –telling stories, honouring ancestors, depicting legends, or representing a family’s totem animal, bird, or spirit.
USA
New Orleans, USA
The dazzling birthplace of jazz pulses with live music at every corner. The French Quarter’s Bourbon Street boasts historic bars and Creole charm. Don’t miss a beignet – a sweet, powdered sugar pastry that’s as iconic as the city itself. Experience New Orleans’ very many charms on our Deep South USA plus Texas tour.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is nicknamed the ‘Birthplace of Confederation’ because it hosted the 1864 conference that eventually led to Canada’s formation.
Cape Breton National Park
Cape Breton National Park, Canada
The Cabot Trail, which winds through Cape Breton National Park, offers a mesmerising drive through some of Canada’s most stunning landscapes. From dramatic coastal cliffs and lush valleys to sweeping ocean vistas, this iconic route showcases Cape Breton’s rugged beauty and is a must for nature lovers and budding photographers alike.
New Orleans
Peggy’s Cove
Charlotte Town
Calbot Trail
Outstanding journeys
Our Grand Journey on Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer & Alaskan Cruise includes not just one, but two extraordinary journeys. First, experience the Canadian Rockies aboard the renowned Rocky Mountaineer train and enjoy their impeccable SilverLeaf service, which includes everything needed to experience the majesty of the landscape in luxury: panoramic views, gourmet meals and beverages brought right to your seat, and friendly hosts.
Then board Holland America’s Koningsdam for their eye-opening ‘Inside Passage’ cruise from Vancouver to Alaska’s Ketchikan and back, during which you’ll witness spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords and scattered islets to towering peaks and calving glaciers.
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer
Iconic National Parks of America
Outstanding hotels
An attraction in its own right, the pyramidshaped hotel and casino shoots a beam of light high into the night sky over Las Vegas. The Luxor Hotel is an Egyptian themed architectural wonder on the Las Vegas Strip! You’ll stay here on our Grand Tour of California & the Golden West
A well organised trip. The local guides and the Tour Manager were both excellent and ensured we got a glimpse of this amazing place. Had experiences and saw sights that would have been extremely difficult to arrange independently.
My husband and I tried to imagine what the holiday would be like, and it exceeded anything and everything that we expected, it was amazing. Our tour guide Caroline was exceptional, her depth of knowledge and professionalism were a credit to Riviera Travel, she is a very kind and helpful lady who ensured that everything went smoothly and fell into place. Our driver in Canada was Alistair, we felt completely safe on the coach at all times, again a credit to your company.
Christine
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise
June 2024
Code: JAN25NAI
Published 01/25