VIVA Cruises Unveils 2028 Luxury River Cruise Programme Across France And Italy With Gourmet Travel Experiences

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VIVA Cruises has announced its 2028 French and Italian luxury river cruise program and culinary experiences.With its newly designed boutique vessels, VIVA will offer food and wine enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the culture, and assisted by local experts, explore the picturesque landscape of the European region. The extended program will offer travelers the opportunity to explore different cultural-historical sites along the Italian and French waterways, the Seine and the Italian peninsula.

VIVA Cruises is expanding its European river cruise portfolio with the launch of its 2028 VIVA Boutique programme, introducing a new season of immersive journeys across France and Italy. The upcoming programme will operate for 11 months, offering travellers a selection of three to seven-night cruises focused on regional culture, culinary traditions, historic destinations and luxury experiences.

The 2028 collection will be operated by two boutique vessels, Viva Beyond in France and Viva Unique in Italy. While Viva Beyond will explore the scenic waterways of France, including the Seine River, Viva Unique will take guests through Italy’s renowned cultural and gastronomic regions.

The programme continues VIVA Cruises’ focus on smaller-scale river travel, where guests can experience destinations through local flavours, heritage sites and carefully curated excursions.

New 2028 Programme Connects Travellers With Europe’s Food And Wine Heritage

The upcoming VIVA Boutique season will place greater emphasis on culinary discovery, with journeys designed around regional food traditions and European wine culture.

Selected cruises will feature enhanced dining concepts, destination-inspired menus and wine experiences linked to the landscapes visited along the routes. Guests will have opportunities to explore regional specialities while sailing through some of Europe’s most celebrated food and beverage destinations.

The combination of river scenery, local cuisine and cultural exploration reflects the changing expectations of luxury travellers who increasingly seek meaningful experiences rather than traditional sightseeing alone.

Viva Unique Introduces Italian Journeys From Venice To Culinary Regions

The Viva Unique will bring travellers closer to Italy’s artistic heritage, historic cities and world-famous cuisine through a series of specially designed itineraries.

The “Italy for All the Senses” cruise will offer a seven-night roundtrip journey from Venice starting in March 2028. The itinerary will explore the Venetian Lagoon, highlighting the region’s architecture, traditions and culinary identity.

Another highlight will be the new “La Grande Cucina” sailing from Venice to Cremona, scheduled between October 1 and October 8, 2028.

This seven-night voyage will focus on the culinary landscapes of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, two regions recognised for their exceptional food and wine heritage. Travellers will discover iconic Italian products, including Amarone wine, Parmigiano Reggiano and traditional Aceto Balsamico.

For guests seeking additional time on land, selected Venice departures will offer a two-night Verona extension. The package will include accommodation, breakfast, guided exploration, dinner and an opera experience, allowing travellers to further discover one of Italy’s most historic destinations.

Viva Beyond Showcases France Through Gastronomy, Art And Scenic River Routes

In France, the Viva Beyond will introduce a collection of Seine River journeys highlighting the country’s culinary traditions and cultural landscapes.

The “A Taste of Normandy” itinerary will provide a seven-night roundtrip voyage from Paris beginning in May 2028. The cruise will showcase Normandy’s regional cuisine, countryside scenery and local heritage.

Another featured journey, “In the Light of the Impressionists,” will begin in April 2028. The seven-night cruise from Paris will follow the Seine through landscapes that played an important role in inspiring the Impressionist art movement.

Travellers will have the chance to experience destinations connected with artistic history while enjoying the natural beauty and cultural richness of the French countryside.

New Seine Cruise Celebrates Champagne And Sparkling Wine Traditions

Viva Beyond will introduce a dedicated “Champagne & Sparkling Cruise” during the 2028 season, adding a new wine-focused experience to its French itinerary collection.

The seven-night voyage, scheduled from July 29 to August 5, 2028, will combine wine discovery, regional cuisine and cultural excursions along the Seine.

The journey will highlight Champagne, Crémant and cider traditions through tastings, specially prepared menus and educational experiences. Guests will also visit the Champagne region, explore Giverny’s famous gardens and discover the Normandy coastline.

The itinerary will bring together French gastronomy, history and scenic travel, creating a distinctive river cruise experience.

VIVA Cruises Strengthens Boutique European River Travel Offering

The 2028 VIVA Boutique programme represents a major expansion of VIVA Cruises’ luxury river travel experiences across Europe.

By combining boutique ships, destination-focused itineraries and culinary-led journeys, the programme offers travellers new ways to explore France and Italy beyond traditional tourism routes.

From the vineyards and cuisine of Italy to the artistic landscapes and flavours of France, the 2028 season will provide a diverse collection of river journeys built around authentic regional experiences and European discovery.