Twilight Hippo Encounters, Kerala Houseboats and Rainforest Wake‑Up Calls

Travel

Posted on March 22, 2026

Early planners can enjoy 10% off Riviera’s newly released 2027–2028 holidays as part of the Open for Discovery campaign, running until 17 May 2026.

With advance planning increasingly shaping how Britons approach travel, Riviera Travel is launching its 2027 and 2028 holiday collection (earlier than ever before), inspired by a clear shift in how Britons choose and plan their trips. According to ABTA’s Holiday Habits research, 87% of UK adults took a holiday last year, the highest level since before the pandemic.

Riviera’s own booking insights echo this renewed momentum: when customers purchase long‑haul holidays, the average number of days between booking and departure has risen by 14% in the past six months, signalling a strong move towards earlier planning and securing future once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences.

Meanwhile, YouGov data shows that the experiences and activities on offer now influence 24% of travellers’ booking decisions, reflecting a growing appetite for authentic, meaningful and discovery‑led travel. This shift sits at the heart of Riviera’s new Open for Discovery campaign.

Riviera Travel’s new ‘Open for Discovery’ campaign responds to these emerging trends, spotlighting the immersive moments travellers plan ahead for, from watching hippos graze outside a lodge at breakfast in South Africa, to drifting through Kerala’s backwaters on an overnight houseboat, waking to the natural chorus of Costa Rica’s rainforest, or sampling local wines on the fertile slopes of Mount Vesuvius.

With many 2026 departures already nearing capacity, Riviera is opening its books early so travellers can secure these sought‑after experiences well in advance. The brand is offering 10% off all 2027 and 2028 holidays until 17 May 2026, alongside a collection of newly launched itineraries designed to inspire deeper discovery across Europe and worldwide.

OPEN FOR DISCOVERY: The Signature Sensory Experiences Shaping 2027 & 2028

ALL SENSES: Soul-Restoring Travel in Southern India

Kerala Houseboat, India

A Kerala houseboat journey engages every sense: the gentle rhythm of the backwaters, the scent of spices drifting from the onboard kitchen and the soft rustle of palms brushing the water’s edge. Guests drift through quiet canals where birdsong carries across the stillness, a sound consistently shown in research to enhance mood, reduce stress and support cognitive restoration. Studies from the University of Surrey and others highlight how natural soundscapes such as birdsong, wind and water are widely perceived as restorative, improving mood and reducing arousal.

SEE: Big Visual Moments & Extraordinary Wildlife

Hippo Hollow, South Africa

At Hippo Hollow, evenings unfold with extraordinary sensory richness: the low grunts of hippos grazing across the lodge lawns, the murmur of the river below, and the ambient hum of the bush at dusk. Elephants moving along the far bank add a quiet, grounding presence.

Research published in The Lancet shows that positive soundscapes, especially those dominated by natural acoustic elements, are strongly associated with higher well-being scores.

HEAR: Refined Eco-Adventure in Costa Rica

Aninga Eco-Lodge, Tortuguero

Here, nature becomes the soundtrack: open‑air bungalows allow the rainforest’s layered acoustics to fill the space, from dawn’s bird chorus to the soft patter of evening rain on the canals. Days begin with the uplifting sound of tropical birds,

which studies in environmental psychology consistently identify as one of the most restorative natural sounds, associated with stress recovery and improved mood.

TASTE: Cultural Depth and Volcanic Roots

Slopes of Mount Vesuvius, Italy

The Amalfi coastline is a feast for the senses, but one of Riviera’s most evocative moments lies on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Here, guests step into a warm, family‑run vineyard surrounded by organic vines rooted in mineral‑rich volcanic soil. The air carries herbal notes from the surrounding landscape and the atmosphere hums with quiet countryside soundscapes that research has shown to be deeply restorative and mood‑enhancing.

A guided tasting of Lacryma Christi wines, born from the region’s unique terroir, paired with fresh Campanian dishes, creates a multi‑sensory encounter where geology, history and flavour come together in a way that feels truly transportive.