About Rita Ryan

Rita Ryan, Founder and CEO of Rita Ryan Travel LLC and RR Custom Travel LLC, is a certified travel advisor and specialist. She is a member of The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Raised between Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region and New York, Rita developed an international perspective at an early age. After permanently moving to the United States, she continued making regular trips back to Germany to visit family while exploring cities and cultures throughout Europe. Those experiences sparked a lifelong passion for travel and cultural discovery, ultimately leading her to establish Rita Ryan Travel LLC.

Today, Rita channels that lifelong passion into her work as an independent travel advisor. Having explored dozens of destinations across the world, she skillfully brings firsthand knowledge to every itinerary she designs. From Iceland’s dramatic volcanic landscapes to the winding canals of Venice to the ancient Mayan ruins of Mexico, Rita is able to offer clients insights that go beyond guidebooks and travel brochures.

In 2026, Rita fused her love of music and travel into the European River Music Cruise Series, a unique collaboration between Absolutely Live Entertainment LLC and RR Custom Travel LLC. The concept reimagines a music festival cruise within the intimate and luxurious setting of a European river cruise. Designed for travelers who share a love of music, culture, and exploration, the series creates opportunities for meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences along some of Europe’s most beautiful waterways.

Rita’s passion for music and community extends beyond travel. She is the host of LocalMotion on WVKR 91.3 FM, a radio program dedicated to showcasing local and independent artists throughout New York’s Hudson Valley. LocalMotion is available on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

Whether you’re dreaming of a European river cruise, a Caribbean escape, a cultural journey through Europe, or a once-in-a-lifetime expedition, Rita is committed to transforming your travel vision into an exceptional and memorable experience.

Ready to begin your next adventure?

Photo Credit Eric Delmar Photography

  • Certified European River Cruise Specialist
  • Certified with Celebrity Cruises
  • Certified Gold Status with Virgin Voyages
  • Certified with Viking River Cruises as a River Certified Expert
  • Certified with Viking Ocean Cruises as an Oceans Certified Expert
  • Certified as a Specialist with Globus | Cosmos | Avalon River Cruises
  • Certified as a Specialist with Club Med
  • Certified Centrav Air Specialist
  • Fluent speaker of German and English

Rita is an exceptional travel agent and my husband and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to organize a vacation. She is extremely detail-oriented and dedicated to providing her clients with a personalized planning experience. Her recommendations and travel tips were spot-on which allowed us to explore our destination to the fullest extent. We were absolutely thrilled with the vacation that Rita planned for us and we would not hesitate to work with her again for future trips!

Trip of a Lifetime to Italy!!
Rita, our trip to Italy was bellissimo and fantastico. I cannot thank you enough for all you did to make our dream come true.
Beginning with the options on what we could do and helping us select the best tour for what we wanted to see and do; and then booking our flights, and answering all our questions – any there were many!!; and even giving us tips and guidance and what to bring, time zones, weather, options for excursions and then booking them.
Your reminders, your thoughtfulness, your expert guidance, patience and your communication were truly appreciated. You made it so easy for us from start to finish. Thank you so very much for helping create a wonderful and unforgettable travel experience.
You are AMAZING!! I look forward to working with you again on our next trip!!

Rita helped us book a dream family vacation, a cruise of a lifetime.
Even after we booked it she still keeps finding us deals on it saving us $$$.
Don’t be silly by using those online travel sites, you will save $ by going through Rita and she is such a great person to speak to as well so it will be a great experience for you.
Thank you Rita Ryan Travel, LLC!!!

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