10 of our favourite Signature experiences
The idea behind our Signature Tours was to create a collection of upgraded small group tours with enhanced experiences added for a truly exceptional holiday – the kind of holiday that takes you deep under the skin of the places you're travelling to, to spots only a local might know, so that you're not just visiting a destination but living it too.
On most of our tours, you'll enjoy the benefit of not just one but two local guides - the experience will be second to none. We'll never forget that whilst you're travelling with a Riviera group, you'll always be an individual, and we want to deliver an exceptional holiday that's personal to you.
Our Signature Tours allow you even more flexibility and choice to ensure an incredibly memorable holiday that's perfect for you. A Sicilian lunch whilst sampling the wines of Mount Etna or discover more about India's tiger conservation from an expert. From riding a bicycle-driven rickshaw through the historic markets of Chandni Chowk to exploring the Royal Alcázar of Seville, you'll have the opportunity to try something different or learn something new with a whole host of exciting and imaginative experiences that'll excite every explorer, whatever your penchant.
Our favourite Signature experiences:
1. Visit a Lavender Farm in Provence
Since ancient times lavender has been used to purify, perfume, and soothe. And in Provence, this fragrant flower holds significant cultural and economic importance - so much so that it's become a symbol of the region's identity. It attracts tourists from all around the world and exports lavender-based products, like essential oils, perfumes and more, worldwide. So what better place to get to know this important facet of the local life than at a lavender farm?
On our Timeless Provence and Grand Tour of Provence, the French Riviera & Monaco Signature tours, we visit an organic lavender farm in Aix-en-Provence. If you're lucky enough to visit while the flowers are in bloom, which usually occurs from June to August, you will experience a feast for the senses. The gentle slopes are covered with vibrant purple hues, a delicate floral scent wafts through the air, and the soft hum of pollinators fills the atmosphere. (If it sounds like paradise, that's because it truly is!) As well as the opportunity to walk through the fields, we'll enjoy a soap-making workshop with local experts - allowing you to capture the lavender's pleasing scent for yourself and take it home with you in the form of your handmade souvenir.
2. Explore the Alcázar Palace in Seville
Originally developed as a fort in 913, Seville's Alcázar is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe and was recognised by UNESCO in 1987 as a World Heritage Site. Stepping into the opulent palaces is like stepping into the soul of Spain, where 11 centuries of Spanish history, politics, art, and religion come together. It's renowned for its architecture which showcases how different cultures - Islamic, Christian, and Jewish - shaped the country’s identity over centuries. From the Arabic calligraphy and geometric tilework to the Christian coats of arms and Renaissance touches every room and courtyard tells a story of cultural fusion.
On our Highlights of Andalucia: Seville, Córdoba & Granada and Grand Tour of Spain’s Andalucía: Seville, Granada & Malaga Signature tours, you'll enjoy an afternoon to explore the palace at your own pace. Inside, the opulent Salón de Embajadores (Hall of Ambassadors) - originally a throne room - stuns with its gilded domed ceiling and the Alcoba Real (Royal Quarters) features intricate plaster and tile-work. And outside there's plenty to admire outside too. Most notably, at the heart of the palace is the Patio of the Maidens, which features a sunken garden restored from the original Islamic-era design, surrounded by beautiful arches, plasterwork and tiling. The gardens consist of formal gardens with pools and fountains which sit closest to the palace, a raised gallery with porticoes fashioned in the 16th century out of an old Islamic-era wall, a hedge maze and a grotto.
3. Discover the Magic Ice Bar in Bergen
Our The Best of Norway: Oslo to Bergen Signature tour offers a Signature experience that seems wholly unique from other itineraries. We venture into the fridged climates of a walk-in freezer-cum-bar-cum-art gallery. Made entirely of ice and snow, this winter wonderland showcases spectacular ice sculptures inspired by Norwegian culture, folklore, and famous artworks - each one is beautifully lit to create an ethereal atmosphere. You’ll sip your drink from a glass made of ice, wrapped in a cosy complimentary cape and gloves, surrounded by shimmering frozen art.
4. Listen to the Three Tenors in Sorrento
Sorrento, located on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, has a rich musical tradition. The region is deeply associated with Neapolitan music, a romantic, lyrical style that heavily influenced opera and classical crossover music. The original operatic singing trio, The Three Tenors - Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras - frequently performed Neapolitan songs, including “Torna a Surriento” (“Come Back to Sorrento”), during their concerts alongside opera arias.
In Sorrento, we enjoy a homage to the operatic singing trio, on our The Wonders of Pompeii, Herculaneum & the Amalfi Coast Signature tour. This unique cultural experience combines world-class musical talent with a truly enchanting setting. The concert takes place in a beautiful museum, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The tenors perform a carefully chosen programme that appeals to melomaniacs and novices alike, accompanied by a string quartet and piano, creating a captivating performance that is both emotional and entertaining.
5. Dine in Berlin's Reichstag building
Germany's Reichstag building makes a powerful architectural statement - a neoclassical base, with subtle Baroque influences in its Corinthian columns and arched windows, topped with a gargantuan glass dome. Home of the Bundestag (German federal parliament), the building was redesigned by British architect Sir Norman Foster (the mind behind London's Gherkin skyscraper) in the 1990s after reunification to emphasise transparency, accessibility, and openness in the democratic process. The glass dome on top of the Reichstag, with a spiral ramp that the public can climb, lets you literally look down into the debating chamber - a fitting metaphor for the people overseeing the government.
Beside it, on the rooftop terrace is the Käfer Dachgarten-Restaurant - the only restaurant in a parliamentary building in the world that is open to the public. Its position reinforces the idea that democracy belongs to everyone as the building is accessible to all - not just politicians. On our Discover Berlin & Dresden Signature tour, you'll get a sense of the gravity of this architectural and political statement as we sit down to enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking Berlin's skyline.
6. Cruise along the Bosphorus in Istanbul
The Bosphorus is the natural strait that separates the European and Asian, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, which then leads to the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. But in Istanbul, the Bosphorus isn’t just a body of water - it’s the soul of the city. It flows through the city like a living, moving boundary.
On our Ancient Turkey: Cappadocia, Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy Signature tour, we'll glide along the border that separates two continents. Istanbul can be charmingly chaotic, but a cruise offers a peaceful escape. The breeze, the water, the view - it’s calming and refreshing. Perfect for catching your breath after a day of exploring the Basilica Cisterna and the Blue Mosque.
The European side is more historic - home to Sultanahmet, Taksim, and old Constantinople. You'll see Istanbul from a new perspective. The skyline is brimming with historic landmarks, including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. The Asian side is more residential, local-feeling, with charming neighbourhoods, like Üsküdar and Kadıköy.
7. Enjoy a musical performance in Helsinki
In Helsinki, we enjoy the romantic compositions of Jean Sibelius during a live musical performance in the historic Balder Hall. To the Finnish people, Jean Sibelius isn’t just a composer - he’s a cultural cornerstone. His music, especially pieces like Finlandia, played a powerful role in shaping Finnish national identity during the country's struggle for independence from Russia in the early 20th century and he was instrumental in establishing a foundation for Finnish classical music. Nowhere is that more evident than in Helsinki where his name lives on in the prestigious university, The Sibelius Academy. The city also celebrates his legacy with a modernist sculpture made of over 600 steel pipes, like a giant organ, located in Sibelius Park (Sibeliuspuisto) which we see during our time in Helsinki. The live musical performance on our Charms of the Baltics: Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga pays homage to his legacy and evokes Finnish landscapes - dark forests, icy lakes, northern light - and listening to it in a quiet, acoustically resonant space, like Balder Hall, makes the experience deeply atmospheric offering you a way to feel, rather than just hear, his artistic vision.
8. Taste Rome's gastronomic heritage on a food tour of the Trastevere region
Italy is famous for its food - pizzas, pasta, gelato, tiramisu (... need we say more?). Many of these staples and their ingredients can be traced all the way back to Ancient Rome. The Romans valued fresh, seasonal ingredients and used olive oil, wine, and grains liberally, they had access to spices, grains, and produce from across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East leading to the sophisticated blend of food that influenced cuisines across the continent. In Rome, eating is not just about nourishment, it's about heritage, ritual and connection to the past - what better way to get under the skin of the Eternal City than on a gastronomic food tour? On our Wonders of Italy: Rome, Florence & Tuscany Signature tour, you'll explore Trastevere, the historic Jewish Quarter, which was once a working-class, bohemian district across the Tiber River, home to artisans, labourers, and fishermen. Here they honed la cucina povera - the poor kitchen - a style of Italian cooking where limited resources and a focus on using what's available led to resourceful and flavorful dishes. The region preserved authentic Roman dishes long before they became globally known - you can thank it for Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara and many more beloved Italian dishes.
9. Taste Sicilian wine on Mount Etna
Mount Etna is one of the most significant places in Sicily, impacting the landscape, culture, economy, and history. It has inspired artistic and literary works and played a key role in Sicilian folklore and mythology. Though destructive, the volcano's eruptions bring the island fertile soil, supporting agriculture which in turn affects the economy and the island's gastronomic legacy. Bronte pistachios are a perfect example - they're smaller, sweeter and carry a more intense flavour than regular pistachios, making them a staple in many dishes from pasta to desserts. The mountain also supports the cultivation of chestnuts, mushrooms, citrus fruits, and prickly pears, all of which find their way into Sicilian cuisine. And, of course, the climate and rich soil make the slopes of Mount Etna the perfect place to cultivate wine the varieties grown here have been celebrated since the 500s. And since the late 1960s, Etna was recognized as the Controlled Denomination of Origin which guarantees the quality and authenticity of the wine, ensuring that the wine reflects the unique terroir and characteristics of the region. Needless to say, the wine here is some of the finest in the world. But don't take our word for it - on our Signature Treasures of Sicily tour, you can discover the mineral and earthy backbone of the reds and whites grown on Etna's slopes for yourself.
As you look down on Etna's verdant slopes carpeted in vineyards and groves, you'll sip on a local varietal of red as the sommelier points out the notes of sour cherry, pomegranate, wild berry, and herbaceous flavours. Then you'll sit down to a delicious lunch of dishes made with local produce.
10. Explore Bobbli Gardens
The Medici Family are one of prominent families in Italian history - their vast wealth, banking prowess, and patronage of the arts and sciences shaped the Italian Renaissance. They rose to Dukes of Florence and later the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, ruling the city and transforming it into a cultural hub. Sites like Palazzo Medici, Palazzo Pitti - both Medici residences - and the Uffizi Gallery - home to many of the family's ancient statues and busts, jewellery, vases, scientific instruments, and paintings - stand as a testament to their enduring legacy. Boboli Gardens is another of the family's many contributions to the beauty of Florence. Built in 1418, when Luca Pitti bought the land, and extended by Cosimo Medici II, these gardens created the Italian garden style that became a model for many European courts. Its formal symmetrical layout, features a manicured topiary and clipped hedges, ornate fountains and statues half hidden in the foliage.
We visit the Boboli Gardens on our Highlights of Tuscany: Florence, Pisa, Lucca & Siena Signature tour. Wandering its pathways, you're struck by a sense of history; you're following in the footsteps of men and women who laid some of the core foundations of the present-day political system in Europe, and supported some of the Renaissance's most prominent artists. And to top it all off, it offers a tranquil oasis in the middle of a bustling city.
With an average of 22 guests on our Signature tours – and a maximum of 25 – you'll be travelling with a smaller group of like-minded individuals than on our classic tours, creating a little more intimacy - yet you'll find the typical sociable ambience of a Riviera holiday still pervades, and rest assured there'll be the opportunity to make new friends.
Every detail has been carefully curated by our team of experts. You'll stay in excellent hand-picked hotels and enjoy the same included visits and guided tours as on our standard tours but with the added benefit of some extra-special additions as well. There'll be wow moments to give you goosebumps and truly 'under the skin' experiences that'll allow you to feel totally immersed in the culture. What's more, you'll enjoy the expert insight from two knowledgeable local guides on most tours, allowing for a much more personal service.
These experiences are just a taste of what we offer. Find your favourite experiences, view the full range and learn more about our Signature tours:
