Avoid Riviera as they don’t tell you the group sizes can be 40 people plus!
My dealings with Riviera during our holiday and afterwards will mean we will never travel with them again. We visited the Amalfi Coast with them for an escorted holiday in September and were disappointed and annoyed to find that the group size comprised 49 people! Most people were not impressed due to the complexities of such a large group getting around in a busy resort, not to mention sightseeing of often small buildings, use of the toilet and the resulting queues – everything took ages even getting on and off the coach. Interestingly when I called to enquire about the group size before booking, I was advised that usually the size is 16 – 20 people. When I wrote on return to complain apparently there is no record of my telephone call.
A key element of our holiday was a trip to Capri. However, what they don’t tell you is that your first day of your holiday will result in you having a 2 hour hard-sell of ‘extra trips’ and ‘additions’ you shouldn’t really miss. We didn’t want to buy the extra tour to Capri which, with lunch for both of us was 94 Euros. Everyone else did as the Tour Rep made it very clear that it is difficult to get around Capri on your own, buses aren’t very scheduled, and you may not get on one and own travel may not tie in with the group timetable. We asked if we could have our boat tickets and do our own thing – “no way” apparently. Riviera profited from us not going on the tour, as the boat tickets aren’t purchased until the day of departure. Riviera advised that we should have been given a booklet and a map – we were given nothing.
Interestingly, following our complaint made twice in writing, once by email (in resort) was finally answered, in part, and although a refund of the tickets was promised, this has never been forthcoming. Good to see they also go back on their promises.
Our written complaint was basically fobbed off and not answered. Of course I should have known as it was pointed out to me in their letter – they offer good value holidays, yes group sizes are large, however Italy is popular and they try to ensure they deliver value for money. We hadn’t booked the holiday on the understanding that it was a ‘value for money’ holiday. Indeed their advertising positions it as mid-market break and at a cost of £1000 per person the price does not reflect this being a value holiday. Had we have known upfront, we were booking a ‘value break’ we wouldn’t have booked with them.
Essentially we paid for a mid-market break and were delivered a ‘value’ holiday. The hotel although superb in many ways offered the Riviera guests a special menu which can only be described as budget food.
I do think the luck of the draw depends on which Tour Rep you are assigned. Having read many reviews I have noticed a number of their Tour Reps get excellent reviews, what a shame we weren’t allocated one of the excellent representatives as opposed to a Dutch lady who was frankly not interested.