Spring Edition Viking Explorer Society Magazine

V I K I NG

E X PL OR ER

SOCIET Y NEWS

Welcome Back to the World Explore picture-perfect Provence Experience the thrill of the Northern Lights Discover the magic of the Great Lakes

I S S U E 13

S P R I N G 2021

@BACKROADPLANET

@KARENBURNSBOOTH

@SASHAEATS

@SHEILADAVIES

@JODIEB

@TRAVELINGWITHS

@KELLYSTILWELL

@SHEILADAVIES_

@GEOFOTOF

#M Y V IK I NGS TOR Y While we may not be able to travel just at the moment, we all have memories to share – and inspiration to get us planning! Connect with Viking on social media and don’t forget to hashtag your Viking journey and share with us: #VikingCruises #MyVikingStory 2

VIKING.TV VikingAUNZ VikingCruises VikingRiverCruises

VIKING

Left: Aerial shot over Niagara Falls, Canada

WELCOME TO

V IK ING E X PLOR ER SOCIET Y NE WS

W

ell, as we enter spring it looks like there may finally be some light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. With more positive news about border openings and a return to travel on the horizon, Viking is ready to welcome you back to the world. The past two years have been challenging to say the least but they have definitely helped us appreciate what is important and we know for many of you that is exploring the world with like‑minded people, and we can’t wait to help you do just that in 2022 and beyond.

As you can see from our front cover, we have given Viking Explorer Society News a makeover and this issue is bigger than ever; packed full of in‑depth travel articles and recipes to inspire your next Viking journey. Whether you want to go in search of the Northern Lights, explore picturesque Provence or join us on board our first expedition ship Viking Octantis to explore the unspoiled wonderland of North America’s Great Lakes, we have you covered.

There are still opportunities to travel on board our award‑winning fleet in 2022 and many 2024 sailings are also now open, making it even easier to plan your return to travel. Now is your time to make up for lost time.

Warmest regards,

Michelle Black Managing Director, Viking Australia & New Zealand

viking.com

3

14

44

26

CONTENTS 10 BACK ON BOARD WITH KARINE Viking's Executive Vice President Karine steps back on board Viking Star and Viking Jupiter

V I K I NG

E X PL OR ER

SOCIET Y NEWS

14 BRIGHT LIGHTS On the cover: Pont Saint-Bénézet, Avignon, France

Welcome Back to the World Explore picture-perfect Provence Experience the thrill of the Northern Lights Discover the magic of the Great Lakes

I S S U E 13

4

AU T U M N 2021

Also known as the Pont d'Avignon, this medieval bridge was built between 1177 and 1186 and once boasted 22 arches and spanned 900 metres

Journalist Sarah Knapton’s adventure to the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights

20 4 8 HOURS IN BERGEN Top tips for exploring the gateway to the fjords

22 THE THRILL OF THE CHASE

Discover how compelling aurora hunting can be!

24 A FAMILY TRADITION

A piece of family heritage on every ship

26 THE MEDITERRANEAN

Uncover the treasures and must‑see regions of the centre of earth

30 HISTORY ON BOARD

Our Viking Resident Historian program focuses on cultural enrichment for our guests

32 AMAZING ASIA

Viking guests share their remarkable journey from Bangkok to Tokyo VIKING

74

52

82

40 TOP 10 PLACES TO ENJOY PRIVILEGED ACCESS

62 NOT QUITE YOUR TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA...

44 JOURNEY TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE

65 MY ST. PETERSBURG HIGHLIGHTS

Discover cultural treasures around the world exclusively for Viking guests

Explore the beauty of Provence

50 4 8 HOURS IN PARIS

Your guide to the City of Light

52 THE DOURO

Learn about the River of Gold

58 MISSISSIPPI MAGIC

Highlights of the iconic American waterway, the Mississippi River

61 MISSISSIPPI CITIES

Uncover the unique towns on the banks of this mighty river

viking.com

Join Bruce Piper from Travel & Cruise Weekly as he cruises Russia’s Volga River

Karine Hagen’s top tips for this beautiful Russian city

66 RETURN TO CRUISING

Viking guests Nigel and Veronica share their return to travel

68 THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Our ships bring nature to you with our inviting outdoor spaces

74 MAGIC OF THE GREAT LAKES

See the treasures within the natural chain of lakes that lie between the U.S. and Canada

80 4 8 HOURS IN TORONTO

The best things to see and do in Canada’s largest city

82 EXPLORING THE OUTER EDGE

Our new state-of-the-art expedition ships and itineraries

86 EXPEDITION ENRICHMENT

Enjoy a level of onboard education never before seen on a cruise ship

88 MY ANTARCTIC

Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, Head of Science and Sustainability at Viking Expedition reveals his passion for the region

90 THE THINKING PERSON’S EXPEDITION

A new style of exploration, making expeditions accessible for everyone

5

VIKING NEWS Hot off the press – for your travel inspiration – here is our latest news and updates so you can start planning your future voyage.

SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO CRUISING

May marked our return to cruising for fully vaccinated UK and US guests. After 14 long months, we launched our Welcome Back collection of voyages in England, and have since began sailing in Bermuda, Iceland and the Mediterranean, plus river cruises in Portugal and France.

LAST REMAINING OCEAN 2022 CABINS

Many of our best-selling 2022 ocean itineraries are already sold out but for those wanting to explore once again in 2022, limited cabins do still remain on some of our most popular itineraries including Ancient Mediterranean Treasures and Empires of the Mediterranean.

138 DAYS, 28 COUNTRIES AND 57 PORTS

Due to the 2021 and 2022 World Cruises selling out in record time – Viking for the first time will offer a choice of two departure dates for its 2023-2024 World Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to London.

Both ships will sail the identical itinerary in parallel; Viking Sky departing 20 December 2023 and our newest ship Viking Neptune departing 23 December.

6

VIKING

VIKING MARS FLOATS OUT

Our newest ocean ship celebrated this major construction milestone moving into its final stage of construction. Launching in early 2022, Viking Mars will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe before embarking on voyages in Asia and Australia.

SELECT 2024 VIKING ORION SAILINGS NOW OPEN

Viking has opened for sale a selection of ocean itineraries in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Alaska departing up to April 2024, on the 930‑guest Viking Orion. Forward planners should get in quick to take their pick of staterooms.

VIKING POLARIS MEETS WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME

Our second expedition ship, Viking Polaris floated out in July and has now joined her sister ship Viking Octantis for their final fit out in Norway. Esteemed explorers Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft will be honored as ceremonial godmothers when these ships debut in 2022.

EXPLORE TV BACK ON AIR

Tune into 9Life to re‑watch all 12 episodes of Explore TV, airing nationally from Sunday 3 October. From the comfort of your couch, discover some of our most popular cruises including Into the Midnight Sun and Grand European Cruise.

viking.com

7

Discover our new ITINERARIES

See more of the world with Viking with these new itineraries for 2022 and beyond. Our new voyages offer something for everyone and bring you into the heart of even more destinations. Explore below...

VIEW ITINERARY

Passage to India Athens – Mumbai or vice versa 21 Days | 9 Tours | 6 Countries VIEW ITINERARY

Scandinavia & the British Isles Stockholm – London or vice versa 29 Days | 22 Tours | 13 Countries VIEW ITINERARY

Atlantic Ocean Passage Barcelona – Ft. Lauderdale 14 Days | 2 Tours | 2 Countries

8

VIEW ITINERARY

Across the Bay of Bengal Mumbai – Bangkok or vice versa 16 Days | 8 Tours | 5 Countries VIEW ITINERARY

British Isles & Iceland Explorer Reykjavík – London 27 Days | 20 Tours | 8 Countries VIEW ITINERARY

Mid-Atlantic Crossing Lisbon– Ft. Lauderdale 12 Days | 2 Tours | 3 Countries

VIEW ITINERARY

Pacific Coast Explorer Los Angeles – Vancouver or vice versa 9 Days | 5 Tours | 2 Countries VIEW ITINERARY

Western Mediterranean Explorer Rome – Lisbon 13 Days | 10 Tours | 5 Countries VIEW ITINERARY

Mediterranean Explorer & Crossing Rome – Ft. Lauderdale or vice versa 24 Days | 12 Tours | 7 Countries

VIKING

Welcome to VIKING.TV When the world first faced COVID-19, we immediately stopped sailing our ships in order to protect Viking guests and employees. But just because we could not travel did not mean we had to stop exploring, just that this exploration would happen through Viking.TV. Talking with three of our Viking ship godmothers, astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher and explorers Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft, one piece of advice was clear: people need routine to get through isolation. So, we scheduled livestream interviews to give people something to look forward to. We categorised each day of the week by subject, from arts and culture to science and wellness, which meant there would always be something of interest for everyone. With technology, we have managed to continue to share the world with our guests.

viking.com

MONDAYS

Museum directors and curators host tours behind closed doors for Privileged Access to cultural institutions around the world, including the Munch Museum in Oslo.

TUESDAYS

Viking Resident Historians share informative lectures. Special sessions also feature Viking Resident Photographer Alastair Miller, who chats with leading filmmakers, writers and photographers.

WEDNESDAYS

In the spirit of exploration, sessions feature explorers of the past and present, as well as showcase Viking journeys around the world.

THURSDAYS

Iconic British broadcast journalist Anne Diamond interviews guests who lead extraordinary lives.

FRIDAYS

Whether it is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon at Highclere Castle, the historic estate that is the setting for Downton Abbey, or a regional recipe from a member of the Viking team, Fridays give you the chance to explore a local perspective somewhere different each week.

SATURDAYS

Against a serene backdrop of the ocean, Mona Therese takes us through gentle yoga exercises to balance the mind and body each week.

SUNDAYS

Enjoy performances by Norwegian soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø, Viking ship godmother, as well as onboard Viking musicians.

9

BACK ON BOARD with Karine

Executive Vice President of Viking, Karine Hagen, recalls her time on board Viking Star and Viking Jupiter

Clockwise, from above: Karine catching up with the crew of Viking Jupiter; Karine serving Norwegian dish pølse og lompe

10

I

n February, I was fortunate to bring Finse and Charlie with me on board Viking Star and Viking Jupiter for a ten‑day work trip in Kristiansand, where two of our six ocean vessels were in warm layup awaiting the restart of operations. After almost a year of COVID confinement, I admit I was secretly looking forward to delicious prepared meals, and having my bed properly made by someone else, but I quickly discovered that what I had missed more, much more, than the luxury of service, or the comfort of the ships, was human contact. Being on board, protected by our health

protocol of daily, simple, non‑ invasive saliva PCR testing, gave me a sense of freedom I had not felt on land for an entire year.

While our ships have been in warm layup, our crew has been busy, keeping them shipshape and ready to restart at short notice. Having ships on standby hopefully only happens once in their lifetime (and once in ours!), and as hard as this year has been on the world, we must try to find some silver linings.

A silver lining for me – being on board – was getting to know some of our crew much better. Heartfelt conversations about their families,

lives and homes, their childhoods and growing up in different parts of the world, allowed my mind to travel the world, without moving my body an inch.

I travelled with video technician Mahesh, to his family’s modest mango farm in the village of Madhavamala, in southern India, where his bride is waiting to meet VIKING

him for the first time when he returns home next month.

He shared with me pictures of his new family home, and the Hindu housewarming ritual of having a cow be the first to enter the home, ideally “doing its business inside” as Mahesh said politely, to bring good luck to the marriage.

Hotel manager Sujith joined our conversation and said that in his home town in India, the cow has to enter backwards for the luck to really last!

Within minutes of my mind in southern India, I was transported to the tropical island of Carabo in the Philippines, talking with Hilda viking.com

about her childhood growing up on this tiny exotic island with no electricity, apart from the night light from the moon and the fireflies; where their toys were found in nature; and where she would hang off the outrigger on the island canoe – used to go grocery shopping on the neighbouring, larger island – to learn how to swim in the crystal‑ clear waters, with an empty gallon and old rope tied around her waist as a life vest. A childhood that was bereft of material surplus, but absolute paradise to Hilda and all of us listening, and a place that is now top of my travel bucket list

after seeing her eyes shine with delight in describing her privileged upbringing and recalling stories from her childhood. I wasn’t actually travelling anywhere physically but in a matter of minutes my mind had travelled around the world.

To fear another person for no reason, but the air between us, is a strange mindset we have all had to live with throughout the duration of this pandemic. And I think it has become clear to many of us, after having been by ourselves for such a long time,that human contact is indeed a fundamental need, quite essential to our wellbeing.

Clockwise, from top left: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Viking umbrellas on Viking Star; Finse and Charlie make some new friends; Hilda encounters snow for the first time and tries on expedition gear; Carabo Island, in the Philippines

11

LC OM E B E AC W K

TO

T

W OR L D E H

DISCOVER A SELECTION OF SPECIAL OFFERS ON OCEAN, RIVER & EXPEDITION CRUISES 12

VIKING

The last two years have helped us appreciate what's truly important and what defines a well-lived life.

As a Viking, we know travel isn't just something you do; it's who you are, and you need to explore the world again.

Finally, after what feels like a long winter, spring is here, and it's time to welcome back your sense of curiosity, reawaken your explorer's spirit and get ready to create new connections with like-minded people.

Now is your time to make up for lost time – and we don’t want you to waste another precious moment.

So, we’ve been preparing to welcome you back to the world The Viking Way. With profoundly enriching journeys, immersive experiences, no kids, no casinos, and the industry’s best Health & Safety Program, so you can travel the world with complete confidence.

We have carefully curated a collection of ocean, river and expedition voyages and exclusive offers, including flight offers and savings of up to $8,000 per couple, for our 2022, 2023 and 2024 journeys.

Whether you dream of wandering through the fjord-rimmed cities of Scandinavia, taking part in treasured traditions of eastern European cultures, sailing the crystal-blue waters of the Mediterranean or marvelling rare wildlife in Antarctica; your journey starts today.

LEARN MORE

viking.com

13

The northern lights glow spectacularly and dance across the sky above

14

VIKING

BRIGHT LIGHTS Journalist Sarah Knapton is joined by her parents on an adventure to the Arctic Circle in a bid to witness the northern lights

viking.com

15

Opposite: Highlights of Sarah΄s journey included encounters with reindeer, stunning seascapes and the inviting interiors on board Viking Sky

16

My father (John, 69) and I have been talking about a trip to the Arctic for the past decade, but my mother (Carole, 70) has bad knees, so we did not think such a physically demanding expedition would be possible.

However, when I learned that Viking was cruising up the coast of Norway looking for the northern lights it seemed an ideal solution, giving us all the chance to be as adventurous or relaxed as we felt like.

Our 13-day journey would begin in Bergen, then cross the Arctic Circle to Narvik before venturing farther up to the world’s most northerly city, Alta. The return would see us pass through Tromsø, Bodø and Stavanger before sailing home to Tilbury in London.

On the first day I spent a peaceful evening in the beautiful Explorers’ Lounge. My parents arrived on board later that evening to be greeted by welcoming glasses of champagne and reviving soup and cold cuts in Mamsen’s, the ship’s cosy deli named after the mother of Chairman Torstein Hagen.

In fact, the whole ship is designed with comfort in mind. The Scandinavian-inspired lounges, with their reindeer pelt–covered chairs, are perfect for hunkering down during the star-studded Arctic nights when temperatures plummet and a cold wind blows outside.

All around are bookshelves stocked with exciting tales of Shackleton, Amundsen and Nansen. The Nordic theme continues in the excellent restaurants and even The Spa, where a steam room, sauna and Snow Grotto allow for the full Scandinavian bathing ritual of fire and ice.

But it is the chance to see the elusive northern lights which is the big draw to this voyage.

Witnessing the phenomenon is by no means guaranteed. Conditions have to be just right, with the sun ejecting enough plasma toward a cloudless, moonless night on Earth for the lights to firstly form, and then be visible from below. The whole crew is permanently on aurora watch, with even the bridge officers poised to announce sightings via the ship’s public address system.

Yet even without the northern lights, the scenery is spectacular. We left Bergen on a sunny afternoon after spending a relaxing morning listening to a piano recital at the home of Edvard Grieg, and our first chance to explore the sleepy snow-dusted Arctic wilderness came at Narvik, the little shipping port which saw the first victory against the Nazis during World War II. My dad and I chose to visit the nearby 110-acre Polar Park, home to lynx, wolverine, brown bears, musk oxen, elk and, most excitingly, wolves. Wolves that can be petted.

So on a bitterly cold January morning we found ourselves kneeling in their enclosure, gloveless and hatless (wolves will pilfer anything that is not firmly attached to your body), awaiting the pack. Sadly the wolves seemed uninterested in hanging out with a semicircle of shivering humans, but luckily the keeper had a trick up her sleeve. Cupping her hands, she howled an eerie call into the wilderness. Within seconds the wolves had answered, baying in reply and hurrying over to let us warm our frozen fingers in their fur.

The next port of call was Alta, which, at nearly 70 degrees north, is the world’s most northerly city. It is known as the “City of Northern Lights” — a good sign, if any, that the aurora may show itself. This time my mother joined us as we took a nighttime excursion into the mountains, where the sky was pitch black, offering the best chance of a glimpse of the spectacle away from the lights of the town. But although we had an enjoyable evening, lounging around birchwood fires and sipping hot chocolate under a blanket of stars, the aurora remained absent.

The following day we visited the Sami — the indigenous people who still herd reindeer in the mountains and believe the northern lights emanate from the souls of the dead. They traditionally refused to go outside when the aurora was in the sky.

After bouncing along on a reindeer sleigh ride across a frozen river, we were served a warming bowl of bidos, or reindeer stew, inside the Sami communal tents, called lavvu, where we were entertained with fascinating tales of life in the frozen north.

Although the aurora again remained hidden, as we sailed further south toward Tromsø our hopes began to lift when the forecast showed a spike in the solar winds, indicating that the light-generating plasma was on its way to Earth. We were playing Scrabble® in the Atrium when the announcement everyone had been hoping for came from the bridge. “The northern lights have been sighted on the starboard bow.”

There had been several false alarms that evening already and this time my mother was not budging.

However, my dad and I snatched up our coats and headed out onto the deck.

The wait was worth it. Glowing streaks of green darted and swept across the sky, then vanished in an instant to be replaced by swirling ribbons of blue and purple. Arcs framed the mountains and great smoky waves of light drifted from the peaks like an eruption of emerald lava.

Not wanting my mother to miss it, I raced back down to the lounge where she was sitting and insisted VIKING

viking.com

17

18

VIKING

she join us outside on the deck. We got lost on our way back up and ended up coming out on a different level of the ship. But her face upon seeing the spectacle was worth it. The lights appeared directly above the ship for around an hour, then moved off south and were gone entirely.

We found my father in a corridor comparing pictures with other delighted guests. Experts from the Royal

browsing the chic stores and coffee shops before setting sail across the North Sea and back home to the UK. As we disembarked at Tilbury — unexpectedly simple compared to most cruises — we all agreed we could have stayed longer, and had made some fabulous memories. Captain Bengt-Owe Gustafsson insisted on saying goodbye to each guest as we left.

Clockwise, from above: Viking Sky sails close to the Lofoten Islands; mountains dusted in snow form an atmospheric backdrop to this adventurous journey

GLOWING STREAKS OF GREEN SWEPT ACROSS THE SKY, THEN VANISHED, ONLY TO BE REPLACED WITH RIBBONS OF PURPLE Astronomical Society and some of Britain’s best universities had been on hand throughout the previous days with photography tips, and it had paid dividends.

The lights were so bright that evening they were seen as far south as Aberdeen, in Scotland. And they returned the night after for a briefer yet similarly impressive performance.

The next day we sailed on to Stavanger. There was plenty to do on board, from yoga classes to massages and beauty treatments, games, concerts, wine tasting, films and talks, to name but a few.

Off the ship, optional excursions included concerts, ice fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, helicopter rides, curling lessons, dogsledding and even a stay in Alta’s famous Igloo Hotel.

By the time we reached Stavanger it felt like a gentle re-entry into real life. The ship docked right in the centre of town, and we spent an enjoyable morning viking.com

VIEW ITINERARY

Norwegian Sea

Alta Tromsø Narvik Bodø

NORWAY

North Sea

Bergen Stavanger

N

ENGLAND London (Tilbury)

Cruise Overnight in Port

GETTING THERE: The 13-day In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary sails from Bergen to London, or in reverse.

From $6,995pp in Veranda stateroom Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on In Search of the Northern Lights

19

48 HOURS IN

BERGEN

NORWAY

60.3913° N, 5.3221° E

Bergen

Named one of the secret capitals of Europe by Time magazine, the spirit of the Vikings lives on in this ancient Norwegian city known as the “Gateway to the Fjords” Nestled between mountains and spectacular fjords, Bergen was settled by the Vikings hundreds of years before its official founding in 1070 AD. The capital of Norway until 1300, it flourished as a city of commerce and trade. For four centuries, merchants of the Hanseatic League traded fish on Bryggen wharf, and today the timber buildings that remain from the 18th century are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Protected from the North Sea’s winds by a collection of islands, Bergen’s climate is never overwhelmingly cold, and the views from nearby Mt. Fløien are breathtaking.

Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on cruises that go to Bergen

20

VIKING

WHAT TO SEE AND DO With 62 original timber-clad houses painted in ocher, oxblood, mushroom and white, Bryggen wharf is one of Bergen’s major attractions, and the Schøtstuene Museum provides a fascinating glimpse of medieval life in the days of the Hanseatic League. The museum is located in a building owned by a local merchant during the late 19th century and features a recreation of a trading room, along with the merchant’s office and sleeping quarters for sailors and guests.

Opposite Bryggen wharf is Bergen Fortress, once the royal residence and one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved castles.

Many of its buildings date back to the 1240s; one excavation revealed structures from 1100 — remnants of the Viking Age. The spectacular 13th-century Håkons Hall is the largest surviving medieval secular building in Norway. It was once the palace of King Håkon IV, one of the most important kings in Norway’s history, and is now a museum.

Near the pretty Festplassen is Grieg Hall, a remarkable feat of architecture dedicated to the composer and a centrepiece of Bergen’s cultural district. Just north of the Festplassen are

two of Bergen’s old churches — Domkirken, or Bergen Cathedral, and Korskirken, or Holy Cross Church — built in a style unlike anything else in Europe.

It is well worth exploring the surrounding countryside, too. You can trek over to the city’s southern suburbs and see Gamlehaugen, the residence of the Norwegian royal family in Bergen. More of a castle than a palace, the seclusion of the building and the untouched nature surrounding it make for a spellbinding journey; you feel as if you have stepped back in time to the Middle Ages.

The majestic Hardangerfjord, located near Bergen, is known for its stunning Vøringsfossen waterfall and the 78-square-mile Folgefonna glacier, the third largest on Norway’s mainland.

Also just outside Bergen is Troldhaugen, the garden house where Grieg lived for 22 years and composed many of his most renowned works.

For the best vista of Bergen, take the funicular railway (Fløibanen) up Mt. Fløien to almost 1,000 feet above sea level. From here, you can see Bryggen wharf, the harbour and the nine-mile-long Byfjorden.

WHERE TO SHOP

WHERE TO DINE

There are a lot of stores in Bergen, but for distinctly Norwegian products including trolls, ceramics, knitted sweaters and silver, head for Bryggen wharf. Norway is known for its innovative design, and at Røst (Bryggen 15) you will find collectible design pieces.

From freshly made fish dishes to cinnamon buns, Bergen is a feast for the taste buds. A glass of aquavit (a Scandinavian spirit flavoured with herbs) is a must.

Another delicacy worth trying is kjøttboller — meatballs seasoned with ginger and nutmeg, served with mashed potatoes and drizzled with a cream sauce or gravy.

viking.com

Clockwise, from left: Bergen boasts many colourful wooden houses; Hardangerfjord scenery; a writing table from the Hanseatic era; the Norwegian flag has an indigo blue Scandinavian cross at its centre

21

22

VIKING

The thrill of

THE CHASE

On a shore excursion in Tromsø, Norway, writer Chrissie McClatchie heads off In Search of the Northern Lights and discovers just how compelling aurora hunting can be

T

he anticipation had been building ever since Viking Star had pulled out of London Tilbury five nights earlier.

Leaving the bustle of the Thames in our wake, our route curved up across the North Sea to Norway. Every nautical mile covered meant we were inching closer in search of the northern lights.

In Stavanger, our first stop, I stretched my sea legs with a game of curling, followed by a stroll along the fairytale alleyways of Gamle Stavanger, the city’s old town. Bad weather cancelled our stop in Bodø, but the extra day on board was a welcome one: time spent listening to astronomy lectures and picking up photography tips in the ship’s theatre.

With our arrival in Tromsø came the first real chance to glimpse the fabled aurora borealis. Of course, there's no guarantee they'll make an appearance but, in February, dusk falls mid-afternoon above the Arctic Circle and it’s prime aurora viewing season. By mid-evening, the anticipation was building as I waited with my fellow passengers to be called to board the buses queued up outside.

I'd chosen the minibus tour from the list of shore excursions, reasoning that as a small group of 12 we would be nimble and able to change direction at a moment's notice. Our guide for the evening, Jenka, explained to us that the previous night's chase had taken them into Finland. But this evening, she said, the odds felt better close to home.

The lights of Tromsø started to fade behind us as we followed the coastal road to Grøtfjord, a fjord 35 kilometers away. As we focused on the sky, Jenka reminded us that it was mother nature who would decide the course of the evening.

Opposite: Highlights of Chrissie's journey to outside of Tromsø awaiting the northern lights; image credit to Pukka Travels

THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THE LIGHTS, OF COURSE, ONLY ADDS TO THEIR MYSTIQUE. It was the right time of the year, but other factors, such as light activity and clear skies need to align, she said.

On the shoreline, deep in snow, we lit a fire and held our mugs out for a serve of Jenka’s lucky charm, reindeer soup. The moon glowed, revealing a cover of clouds. Some of the group huddled around their cameras while others remained faithful to the power of the naked eye.

Then we saw them. Instead of the great swirls of fluorescent green that fill the inky skies, these lights were more muted — single brushstrokes of emerald green that were best seen through the lens. Nonetheless, spirits remained high as we returned to the vessel in the early hours of the morning, captivated by the aurora’s ethereal glow. And, with another week of cruising left on the itinerary, it felt like the chase had only begun.

G o online: Watch a video of the In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary at voc.com/videos viking.com

23

A family

TRADITION

When Viking Executive Vice President Karine Hagen found her grandmother’s dishware, an unlikely coincidence led to a timely reinvention

24

VIKING

Located in the Explorers’ Lounge on each of our ocean ships, Mamsen’s is a very special dining venue named in honour of my grandmother and best friend, Ragnhild Hagen. “Mamsen” is the Norwegian word for “Mum,” and many of the dishes served are based on recipes from her cookbooks, so they are very reminiscent of my own childhood.

It was her embrace of life’s basics and her loving nature that made her such a beacon and safe harbour for me growing up. Sincere and honest, Mamsen was hardworking and liked to keep things simple. In the kitchen, as in all things, she was also a perfectionist. Her character embodied the same qualities that we strive to bring to Viking ships, and to Mamsen’s itself.

“Man tager det man haver,” was one of her favourite sayings, meaning “you use what you have.”

And that is precisely what we have done, creating a menu that reflects simple Norwegian traditions.

Mamsen’s own kitchen celebrated nutritious, home-cooked food using ingredients she had on hand, from winter’s hearty soups and stews to summer’s lighter fare of cured meats and fish, and open sandwiches. And all year round, the most special of treats were her heart-shaped waffles, which are now always available when Mamsen’s is open on board.

After Mamsen passed away, I was

packing up her apartment and came across her old tableware. When I turned one of the plates over, I found it was stamped with the logo “Tor Viking.” The coincidence was impossible to ignore, so we got in touch with the original producer — Figgjo, a Norwegian company — to see if we could replicate the pattern to use on our dishes in Mamsen’s.

The company still uses traditional craftsmanship and was delighted to reproduce the pattern for us, but we decided to modernize the discontinued pattern to make it a little whiter, and the colours a little brighter. We are delighted to have been able to add such a meaningful touch to Mamsen’s, and this tableware is yet another reminder of a very special and treasured lady.

The only dining rule at Mamsen’s is to finish the food on your plate.

Wasting food was sinful to my grandmother (and much of her generation), so help yourself to as much as you like — just be sure to clean your plate!

It is in that spirit that we say, “Velkommen til bords!” or “Welcome to the table!”… so if you travel on board any of our ocean ships, I hope you enjoy the food, atmosphere and, of course, the tableware in Mamsen’s — a little taste of Norway in memory of my beloved grandmother.

Clockwise, from top left: A treasured photo of Mamsen; Mamsen’s daughter Marit Hagen wearing the bunad (traditional Norwegian dress) as a young woman; a childhood photo; Karine’s grandfather; Mamsen’s on board Viking ocean ships

MAMSEN’S WAFFLES

The legendary waffles we serve at Mamsen’s are based on my grandmother’s recipe.

Serve with jam or Norwegian brown goat cheese, which has a caramel flavor, or both, and enjoy a taste of authentic Norway.

SERVES 4–6 250g all purpose flour 2 tbsp sugar 2 eggs 300ml milk 90g butter Pinch ground cardamom ½ tsp vanilla extract

viking.com

1 In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, eggs and milk to make a smooth batter.

2 In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter, then whisk into the batter along with the ground cardamom and vanilla.

3 Cook with a Norwegian waffle iron or lightly oil a grill pan, heat to medium and cook 4-5 tablespoons of the mixture for each waffle.

4 Cook the waffles until bubbles start to form on the surface, then flip over and cook until both sides are golden brown.

Serve with jam, cheese or berries.

25

The MEDITERRANEAN Uncover architectural and historic treasures, and sample the region’s delicious cuisine on a culturally enriching voyage through these “must‑see” areas of the Mediterranean

26

VIKING

HISTORY

For more than 5,000 years, the Mediterranean has been at the centre of history (its name literally means “amid land,” or “the centre of earth”). Some of the earliest civilizations were born in the middle of the Mediterranean region on one of its largest islands, the Greek island of Crete. Crete and Greece as a whole form an integral part of Mediterranean history, as the ancient Greeks set out to establish colonies across modern Europe and North Africa, with settlements everywhere from France to Sicily and even Crimea.

The birthplace of democracy, Athens’s influence spread across the sea. Following Alexander’s conquest of the Persian Empire, Athenians established modern-day Greece, the Middle East and Egypt as Greek speaking, which they would remain until their ultimate annexation by the Romans.

This Roman Republic became an empire that ruled every corner of the Mediterranean, or Mare Nostrum (“Our Sea”). The legacy of the Romans can be felt everywhere in Europe, with ruins, roads and, of course, aqueducts, but also the more subtle legacy of Latin, the root of most widely spoken languages in Europe.

The empire split and Rome declined, with the West ultimately falling in 476 AD, but the Roman Empire lived on in the East, centred around the “Queen of Cities,” Constantinople (now Istanbul).

This was the greatest city in the world until it was besieged in 1204 by the Crusaders, who set about capturing, looting and destroying parts of it. Istanbul was also split by faith — between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox viking.com

Churches, a difference that becomes apparent the farther east you go.

The Holy Land is a feature of the Mediterranean and includes Israel, which became a state in 1948.

You can trace the routes taken by Crusaders who sailed from Europe into what is now modern-day Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Israel, and fought against the Islamic world for nearly 200 years.

Britain took the Suez Canal in the 1800s and established control over Egypt. British rule over Gibraltar continues today, and its control of Malta, Gibraltar and the Suez was instrumental in the defeat of Benito Mussolini’s Italy and his German allies during World War II. Recent history has seen the birth of dozens of new countries; today, the Mediterranean remains a strong symbol of possibility and freedom around the world.

ARCHITECTURE

The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by 22 different countries and territories. As a result, the architecture of the area is often diverse. However, the varying architectural styles do share some similarities due to the climate and conditions. While there are large disparities among settlements on the Mediterranean coasts, there are certain defining features that distinguish the architecture of the region.

Throughout its history, this sea coast has always been vulnerable to influences from the outer areas by means of maritime trade and migration. All these influences — combined with regional styles, the natural environment, the use of locally available building materials and a certain way of life — have led to a recognizable architectural style.

Clockwise, from left: Viking Sea sails past Dubrovnik; the Erechtheion Porch at the Acropolis, Athens

There are exceptions, but these are the key elements to look out for: • High ceilings, which allow for proper ventilation, light and flow • Stucco, which is often used to protect and decorate exterior walls • Arches for entrances are popular, as are roofed patio spaces • Courtyards and fountains are both decorative and useful

CULTURE

Each country in the Mediterranean has its own distinctive traditions, and certain traits are common across the region. For example, the balmy climate and long, hot summers mean that many people tend to rise early in the morning, and eat and socialize late into the evening. And sharing meals and local wines is an important part of the lifestyle.

Mediterranean countries are home to some of the finest art in the world, from the sculptures and mosaics of ancient Greece and Rome, to the paintings of the Renaissance and the impressionists, to the flamenco of southern Spain and world-famous theatres, operas and cinemas.

27

Our top MEDITERRANEAN cruises

The Mediterranean boasts enough treasures to fill several lifetimes of travel. Explore its glittering turquoise waters with Viking in 2022 and 2023 and uncover iconic cities, awe-inspiring architecture and delicious cuisine.

Venice

CROATIA

ANCIENT ADRIATIC TREASURES

Dubrovnik Split

ITALY

Adriatic Sea

MONTENEGRO Kotor Istanbul GREECE

Corfu (Kérkyra)

Aegean Sea

Ionian Sea

N

Troy (Çanakkale) TURKEY

Katakolon Athens (Piraeus)

Ephesus (Kuşadasi) Rhodes

Mediterranean Sea

Cruise

Heraklion Crete

VIEW ITINERARY

Discover Adriatic and Aegean treasures on this journey that begins with an overnight amid Venice’s iconic canals, then call on the magnificent walled city of Dubrovnik. Walk through Kotor’s medieval streets, marvel at Olympia’s ancient ruins and overnight in historic Athens. Explore Troy’s archaeological marvels, a UNESCO site, before ending with two days in intriguing Istanbul.

15 Days | Venice – Istanbul or vice versa from $9,595pp in Veranda stateroom

Overnight in Port

SLOVENIA

EMPIRES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

Koper CROATIA

Venice

Zadar Dubrovnik MONTENEGRO Adriatic Kotor Sea GREECE

ITALY

Corfu (Kérkyra)Aegean Sea Athens (Piraeus) Katakolon Mediterranean Santorini Sea (Thíra)

N

Ionian Sea

Cruise Overnight in Port

MONACO Venice Monte Carlo ITALY Marseille

FRANCE

Šibenik Split Dubrovnik Florence/Pisa MONTENEGRO (Livorno) Adriatic Kotor Sea Bari Rome GREECE Naples (Civitavecchia) Corfu (Kérkyra) Crotone

Montpellier (Sète) Barcelona SPAIN

Mediterranean Sea

N

CROATIA

Messina Sicily

Katakolon

Athens (Piraeus)

Ionian Sea

Cruise

CROATIA

Šibenik Split MONTENEGRO Adriatic Sea Dubrovnik Rome Kotor (Civitavecchia) Naples

N

Bari Crotone

GREECE Corfu (Kérkyra)

Messina Sicily

Cruise

Ionian Sea

Katakolon

10 Days | Venice – Athens or vice versa from $6,695pp in Veranda stateroom

MEDITERRANEAN & ADRIATIC SOJOURN

VIEW ITINERARY

From ancient Athens and Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian Coast to the rustic shores of Italy and the glamorous French Riviera, you will immerse yourself in rich cultures and traditions and marvel at spectacular coastal beauty. Overnight stays in Venice, Florence and Barcelona help you delve more deeply into this historic and legendary region.

ITALY, THE ADRIATIC & GREECE

ITALY

Mediterranean Sea

Cruise the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in the riches of this fabled region.

On a journey bookended by iconic Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu, and visit Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.

22 Days | Barcelona – Athens or vice versa from $13,895pp in Veranda stateroom

Overnight in Port

Venice

VIEW ITINERARY

Athens (Piraeus)

VIEW ITINERARY

On land and on board, you will uncover the rich cultural traditions of Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy on one enriching cruise, featuring scenic cruising among the emerald islands of Dalmatia, an overnight in romantic Venice and a circumnavigation of Italy’s boot. You will not want to miss such an in-depth exploration of this fabled region.

15 Days | Athens – Rome or vice versa from $9,495pp in Veranda stateroom

Overnight in Port

28

VIKING

EXPLOR E ANCIENT WONDER S & R ICH CULTUR ES 29 DAYS | 8 COUNTR IES | 23 GUIDED TOUR S BARCELONA | ROME | VENICE | ATHENS | ISTANBUL

VIEW ITINERARY

MONACO Monte Carlo

Venice CROATIA Dubrovnik ITALY Šibenik Split MONTENEGRO Adriatic Kotor TURKEY Sea Barcelona Florence/Pisa GREECE Bari (Livorno) Istanbul Aegean SPAIN Corfu Sea Troy Rome Naples Crotone (Kérkyra) (Çanakkale) (Civitavecchia) Athens (Piraeus) Ephesus Messina Ionian N Mediterranean (Kuşadasi) Sicily Sea Sea Rhodes Katakolon Heraklion Crete Cruise Mediterranean Sea Overnight in Port

HAGIA SOPHIA, ISTANBUL , TURKEY

FRANCE

Marseille Montpellier (Sète)

MEDITERR ANEAN’S ICONIC SHORES BARCELONA – ISTANBUL or vice versa

29 DAYS | 23 GUIDED TOURS | 8 COUNTRIES SET SAIL APR – SEP 2023 From

From

$18,995pp in Veranda stateroom $24,495pp in Penthouse Veranda

Cruise with Viking and explore the world in Scandinavian comfort, on modern spacious ships with only 930 guests.

With the added comfort of industry leading health and safety protocols, this iconic Mediterranean itinerary will give you peace of mind in this new age of cruising, whether it be your first time or the next.

Explore coastal gems, ancient ruins, legendary cities and the sun‑kissed shores for which the Mediterranean is renowned and or which people return year after year.

Simply unpack once and settle in, with privileged access to numerous sights and attractions, world class dining choices, award winning service, and a unique on board enrichment program.

E N J OY, I T ’ S A L L I N C LU D E D PRIVATE VER ANDA STATEROOM | NORDIC SPA FACILITIES | SHORE EXCURSIONS | CHOICE OF 8 DINING OPTIONS WINE & BEER SERVED WITH LUNCH & DINNER | 24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE | WI-FI & GR ATUITIES NEWEST SMALL SHIP FLEET | INDUSTRY-LEADING HEALTH & SAFET Y PROGR AM *Conditions apply. Prices are per person, in Australian dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts and correct at time of printing. Mediterranean’s Iconic Shores based on 4 August 2023 departure. These offers are valid on new bookings made between 1 October – 24 December 2021 unless sold out prior. For full terms and conditions visit viking.com.

History

ON BOARD

It is wonderful to tour a destination, to read the guidebooks and visit the museums, but to truly immerse yourself in the history of a place, a little expert knowledge can go a long way Our focus on cultural enhancement has taken a step deeper into the history books with our Viking Resident Historian® program, designed to provide an enhanced level of enrichment for all our guests on board our ocean ships via lectures, small-group seminars and history-themed dinner discussions. “Our guests are explorers — they are curious travellers who want to learn,” explains Executive Vice President Karine Hagen, who leads the enrichment efforts at Viking. “Having a fundamental understanding of iconic historical events in the destinations our guests visit helps bring a deeper understanding of the present — and perhaps also a better perspective on the future.”

The Viking Resident Historian lectures are exclusively produced under the tutelage of Dr. Charles Doherty, PhD, Chief Viking Resident Historian. Dr. Doherty has lectured in more than 60 countries for National Geographic, the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History.

Dr. Doherty received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and attended the Courtauld Institute in London as a Fulbright Scholar.

The Viking Resident Historians provide guests with a framework for understanding the major chapters in world history and they conduct seminar-style roundtables­— smaller, more intimate forums where

ICONIC LECTURES Explorers — The Age of Discovery The Bayeux Tapestry The Hanseatic League History of Navigation The Italian Renaissance The Venetian Republic How the Spice Trade Changed the World The Vikings Vikings on the Move

30

the Viking Resident Historian examines in-depth subjects related to their own area of specialization as well as the particular areas of interest of the guests.

Ensuring guests achieve the optimum knowledge they wish to receive when on their cruise, the Viking Resident Historians provide a history course as a refresher, which is supplemented by onboard guest lecturers who contribute their particular expertise (architecture, art, music, etc.) of the region.

The responsibilities of Viking Resident Historians extend well beyond just lectures. During each cruise, they present iconic lectures (examples in Europe and Scandinavia include “The Roman Empire”; “The Vikings”; “The Hanseatic League”; and “Imperial Russia”); lead focused discussions (such as “The Elgin Marbles”; “Women of Exploration & Discovery”; and “Venetian Naval Power”); and they are available for guest questions and interactions outside lectures and office hours throughout the sailing.

The Viking Resident Historian program is just one of the onboard cultural offerings that sets Viking apart as The Thinking Person’s Cruise® — giving traveller immersive experiences on board and on shore, and Privileged Access experiences through exclusive partnerships.

Facing page, clockwise from top: The gilded interior of the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg; historic notebooks; Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy; the standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar, Orkney Islands, Scotland; a Viking Resident Historian chats with a guest Left: Totem poles on display at the Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska

VIKING

viking.com

31

Amazing Asia

Lindsay and Fiona look back at a remarkable journey of contrasts, from Bangkok to Tokyo

32

VIKING

T

wo years ago some friends suggested that we joined them on the very first Viking cruise from Hong Kong to Tokyo.

We thought it would be a great experience and, in addition, we decided to add on the preceding sector from Bangkok to Hong Kong which would allow us the opportunity to explore even more of Asia.

We visited huge and spectacular mega cities and saw a way of life under attack from the relentless pace of change. We also experienced the thoughtful resilience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the unimaginable horror experienced by those who lived there just over 70 years ago.

The countries came thick and fast with glimpses of Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea and the chance to see Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan in much more depth. We saw countries at very different stages of their development. Cambodia – struggling to escape from the poverty of a destroyed economy and education system – was not easy to see but we appreciated going, seeing and trying to understand what it was going through. We were astonished by the fast pace of growth, the creative architecture, ambitious infrastructure and changing lifestyles. We saw countries ruined by war in the last 75 years, resurrected from the ashes.

viking.com

Busan in Korea, Ho Chi Minh City, Hiroshima and Nagasaki have all been transformed after their destructions and the Asian economic miracle is clear to see!

CONTRASTS

As well as mega cities, we were privileged in many places to see life as it was, and, where – in just a few places – it remains unchanged. A two-day trip into the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City allowed us to see the people and lifestyles in this special environment. In Ha Long Bay we took trips into the bay over two days to see the fishing villages and the economic development that sustains traditional communities.

Fun street markets in Hong Kong provided the chance to work on our negotiating skills. There were many opportunities to see traditional craftsmen at work and to enjoy local entertainment. The two breath-taking cable car trips across the bay in Ha Long Bay and the other from Lantau back to Honk Kong were a contrast.

PEOPLE

The people of Asia are a revelation and are what make the experience - welcoming, hardworking, young, fun, spirited and engaging. We had some very knowledgeable tour guides, met the most friendly people, even in the poorest of places, and as we travelled through Japan, every port put on a special show to welcome us and bid us farewell.

Unexpected moments of course are the best: the floating shopkeeper who came to sell us delicious fruit in Ha Long Bay; the Japanese girls dressed in their gorgeous kimonos celebrating their new emperor during the Golden Week celebrations; and the delightful free guide who took us around a beautiful garden in Hiroshima in the pouring rain, and who wouldn’t even accept a tip! In Shimizu, we were stunned to find there was a carnival atmosphere for our arrival and 24-hour stay in the shade of Mount Fuji.

This page, clockwise, from top right: Kinkaku‑Ju temple in Kyoto; Lindsay and Fiona Robinson; dressing up for Golden Day in Kyoto Opposite: The epic landscape surrounding Ha Long Bay

33

PLACES

In Japan, we travelled with the locals as they celebrated their new emperor. Vast crowds thronged religious sites and cities were in the midst of special celebrations. Kyoto was perhaps the busiest place we saw – our tour managed to get us into the three most spectacular sites, the Kinka-Ji Golden Temple, Arashiyama and the bamboo grove, and the Fushimi Inari complex with its 10,000 tori gates. The gardeners even cut the grass with scissors to leave a stunning moss carpet. I don’t

34

think that will be repeated in our garden! In Sihanoukville, we saw the challenge of starting out again after the Pol Pot genocide – we visited the Ream National Park where attempts have been made to encourage sustainable tourism, but also saw a culture where rubbish is not collected, investment is in very short supply and pockets of real poverty and deprivation still exist.

We are glad Viking did not airbrush out this part of our experience.

VIKING ORION

Viking Orion was the same beautiful and relaxing place we know so well.

We enjoyed Asian-themed food, gracious service, making new friends, and well-produced entertainment. We particularly enjoyed relaxing in the Living Room bar in the evening as the pianist Geza played effortlessly hour after hour and of course the enthusiastic vocalists who sang in the Star Theatre most evenings. The lectures followed the usual Viking pattern, but on this cruise there was something different. We were

privileged to attend lectures with the multi-talented and highly knowledgeable Dr. John Freedman.

Never have I seen a lecturer work so hard and be so engaging.

Sometimes he lectured twice a day and there was standing room only in the Star Theatre for his accessible contemporary history and culture lecture programme!

Clockwise, from top left: Kyoto, Japan at the bamboo forest; welcoming children in Ream National Park; Asian‑themed food, such as sushi, was part of the experience

AND FINALLY

There were so many highlights that it is difficult to pick a few that stand out. For us, we loved the beauty of Japan, the welcoming people, the stunning architecture and visiting the places where new cities have grown out of unbelievable horror, with forgiveness and understanding.

We were fortunate to have Viking Orion as our base from which to explore and there is no question if we could do it all again tomorrow we would be there without a second thought! It is a life experience we will never forget.

VIKING

Clockwise, from top left: Haianese chicken dish from the Restaurant; Houses in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; Shishi-odoshi fountain, found throughout Japan; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Lotus farmer in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam; Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan, South Jizo statue, found throughout Japan; Kinka-Ji Golden Temple, Kyoto, Japan

viking.com

35

SWEET & SOUR PORK INGREDIENTS: Oil for frying 450g pork loin, cubed 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated 1 red capsicum, deseeded and chopped 1 green capsicum, deseeded and chopped 1 spring onions, white part only, chopped 100g pineapple, chopped 1 tbsp tomato purée 1 tbsp plum sauce 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp Chinese rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp oyster sauce 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp pineapple juice

1 Mix together the marinade ingredients and stir in the pork. Allow to marinate for half an hour, mixing occasionally.

2 Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan and fry the pork until golden brown, then remove and set aside.

3 Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and fry briefly.

Add the peppers and scallions and cook until softened, then add the pineapple pieces and finally the pork.

4 In a bowl, mix together the tomato purée, plum sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rice wine vinegar, oyster sauce, honey and pineapple juice, then pour into the pan. Cook just until the sauce thickens, then serve immediately with rice or noodles.

SERVES 4

MARINADE: 1 tsp soy sauce ½ tsp cornflour 1 tsp Chinese rice wine

36

VIKING

BEEF PHO

viking.com

INGREDIENTS: 1.4 liters veal or beef stock 1 onion, chopped 2 whole star anise ½ cinnamon stick 1 clove ½ tsp whole peppercorns 1 thick slice fresh ginger 2 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp fish sauce 1 pack flat rice noodles 250g sirloin steak

1 Make the aromatic broth by heating the stock in a saucepan and adding in the onion, star anise, cinnamon stick, clove, peppercorns, ginger, sugar, salt and fish sauce. Allow the broth to simmer for at least 30 minutes, then strain and return to the pan, discarding the spices.

GARNISH: Sriracha Hoisin sauce 1 onion, thinly sliced Fresh coriander, chopped Bean sprouts Sweet Thai basil leaves Thinly sliced spring onions Limes, quartered

SERVES 4

2 Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles until soft, according to packet instructions.

3 Slice the steak as thinly as possible, then place some noodles into each bowl and top with a few raw beef slices. Ladle the boiling broth over the beef and noodles and serve with the garnishes and sauces.

37

2023-2024

V I KIN G WORLD CRUI SE

INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

ENGLAND MONACO London ENGLAND ENGLAND MONACOMONACO Monte Carlo Dover London London Paris Monte Carlo English MonteRome Carlo Dover Dover (Le Havre) Paris ChannelEnglish Paris English Rome Rome ITALY (Civitavecchia) (Le Havre) (Le Havre) FRANCE Channel Channel Naples(Civitavecchia) ITALY (Civitavecchia) ITALY Istanbul FRANCE FRANCE Atlantic Naples Naples GREECE IstanbulTURKEY Istanbul Barcelona Ocean Atlantic Atlantic TURKEY TURKEY GREECE GREECE SPAINBarcelona Ocean Ocean Barcelona Ephesus Ionian SPAIN SPAIN (Kusadasi) Sea IonianEphesus Ephesus Ionian Lisbon Rhodes (Kusadasi) Sea Athens Sea(Kusadasi) Haifa PORTUGAL Lisbon Lisbon Murcia Sicily Athens Rhodes Rhodes ISRAELHaifa (Piraeus) Athens Haifa PORTUGAL PORTUGAL (Messina) (Cartagena) Sicily Sicily Murcia Murcia (Piraeus) (Piraeus) ISRAEL ISRAEL Suez Canal (Messina) (Messina) (Cartagena)(Cartagena) Strait Suez Canal Suez Canal Aqaba Luxor Straitof Strait Mediterranean Luxor Aqaba JORDAN (Safaga)Luxor Aqaba MYANMAR of of Gibraltar Mediterranean Mediterranean Sea JORDAN JORDAN (Safaga) EGYPT (Safaga) INDIA MYANMAR MYANMAR Gibraltar Gibraltar Sea Sea INDIA INDIA EGYPT EGYPT Pacific Yangon OMAN Arabian VIETNAM Red PacificOcean Pacific Yangon Yangon OMAN Arabian OMAN Sea ArabianMumbai Bay VIETNAMVIETNAM RedSea Red Ocean Ocean Sea Sea Bay Bay of Mumbai Mumbai Salalah Sea Sea ofBengal of Salalah Salalah South Bengal BengalTHAILAND Goa SouthChinaSouth THAILANDTHAILAND Koh Samui Goa Goa (Mormugao) China Sea China Gulf Koh Samui (Nathon) (Mormugao) (Mormugao) Koh Samui Sea Sea Gulf of Gulf (Nathon) (Nathon) Cochin Ho Chi Minh City of Aden of Cochin Andaman Cochin Ho Chi Minh Ho City Chi Minh City Laccadive Aden Aden Andaman Andaman Laccadive SeaLaccadive Sea Sea Sea Phuket Sea Sea Phuket Phuket Colombo Colombo Colombo Malacca Strait SRI LANKA Malacca Strait Malacca Strait SRI LANKA SRI LANKA Singapore INDONESIA Singapore Singapore INDONESIA INDONESIA SINGAPORE Java SINGAPORE SINGAPORE Java Sea Java Java Sea Thursday Island Arafura Sea Java Java Thursday Island Thursday Island ArafuraSea Arafura Semarang Bali Timor Sea Sea SemarangSemarang Bali(Benoa)Bali Timor SeaTimor Komodo Indian (Benoa) Komodo (Benoa) Komodo Sea Sea Indian OceanIndian Ocean Ocean Cairns Coral Cairns Cairns Coral Coral Sea Sea Sea Whitsunday Islands Whitsunday Whitsunday Islands Islands Beach) ZEALAND (Airlie(Airlie Beach) (Airlie Beach) NEW NEW ZEALAND NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA Bay of Islands Brisbane Bay of Islands Bay of Islands Brisbane Brisbane (Waitangi) (Waitangi) (Waitangi)

15

PER COUPLE

NO

$9,000

V 2022

SAVE UP TO

Milford Sydney Milford Milford Sydney Sydney SoundSound Sound Eden EdenEden Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne Tasman Tasman Island PhillipPhillip Island Phillip Island Tasman Sea Sea Sea Hobart Hobart Hobart TASMANIA Doubtful TASMANIA TASMANIA Doubtful Doubtful SoundSound Sound

B

Y

W

HE

N PA I D I N F U

LL

*Conditions apply. Except where stated, all prices shown are in Australian dollars. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts and correct at time of printing. 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise pricing based on 23 December 2023 departure, 2024 Viking World Journeys pricing based on 9 January 2024 departure. Shore excursion and shipboard credit amounts are listed as US dollars and will be converted

(T

W

CHOOSE FROM 2 JOURNEYS OF A LIFETIME:

2023-2024 Viking World Cruise CHOOSE FROM 2 JOURNEYS OF A LIFETIME: 138 DAYS | FORT LAUDERDALE – LONDON

2023-2024 Viking World Cruise SET SAIL 20 DEC 2023 or 23 DEC 2023

$87,995pp in Veranda stateroom From 138 DAYS | FORT LAUDERDALE – LONDON SET SAIL 20 DEC 2023 or 23 DEC 2023 From

2024 Viking World Journeys 121 DAYS | LOS ANGELES – LONDON

2024 Viking World Journeys

SET SAIL 6 JAN 2024 or 9 JAN 2024

$81,995pp in Veranda stateroom From 121 DAYS | LOS ANGELES – LONDON SET SAIL 6 JAN 2024 or 9 JAN 2024

V I E W in I TVeranda I N E R A RY $87,995pp stateroom

From

V I E W IinT Veranda I N E R A RY $81,995pp stateroom

N N

INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

USA USA Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Los Angeles Los Angeles

Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Gulf Ft. Lauderdale Gulf Ft. Lauderdale of of MEXICO Mexico Mexico MEXICOCozumel Cabo San Lucas Cabo San Lucas Cozumel Caribbean Caribbean Sea Sea Léon Cartagena Léon (Corinto) Cartagena (Corinto) NICARAGUA NICARAGUA Colón COLOMBIA Puntarenas Colón COLOMBIA Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) PANAMA PANAMA (Puerto RICA Caldera) Panama COSTA Panama COSTA RICA Canal Canal

Kauai (Nawiliwili) Kauai (Nawiliwili) Oahu Oahu (Honolulu) (Honolulu)

Napier Napier Wellington Wellington

• Shore excursion in every port

• Specialty coffee, tea and bottled water

• Onboard meals and beverages; including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Complimentary 24‑hour room service

• Choice of 8 dining options — no charge for alternative dining venues • Unlimited Wi‑Fi

• Culture Curriculum: Lectures and performances of music, art, dance, cooking and history • All onboard gratuities, port charges and taxes

• Access to LivNordic Spa facilities including sauna, hydrotherapy pool and Snow Grotto • No credit card surcharges

• Industry‑leading Health & Safety Program PLUS, BOOK BY 31 DECEMBER 2021 & RECEIVE: • US$2,000 per person shore excursions credit, which can be used toward optional shore excursions or overland tours

FRENCH FRENCH Bora Bora POLYNESIA Bora Bora POLYNESIA (Vaitape) (Vaitape) Tahiti Moorea Tahiti Moorea (Opunoha Bay) (Papeete) (Opunoha Bay) (Papeete)

Auckland Auckland Rotorua Rotorua (Tauranga) (Tauranga)

ENJOY, IT’S ALL INCLUDED: • Private veranda stateroom with king‑size bed

• US$1,000 per person shipboard credit, which can be used toward spa services, onboard shops and laundry

South South Pacific Pacific

• Additional US$1,000 per person shipboard credit for all Viking Explorer Society Members

MAP KEY

Overnight in port Select cruise & tour destinations

+

2023-2024 Viking World Cruise 2024 Viking World Journeys

BONUS INCLUSIONS: • 1 night complimentary accommodation in Ft. Lauderdale (2023-2024 Viking World Cruise only) • Business class international air1

• Ground transfers to/from the ship; private car transfers for Explorer Suite and Owner’s Suite guests2 • Our Silver Spirits Beverage Package, including virtually all drinks on board • Complimentary visa services3

ADDITIONAL SAVINGS: • Save 25% on the Single Supplement — available on selected stateroom categories • Pay in Full and Save — Pay in full by 15 Nov 2022 and save up to $9,000 per couple

to Australian dollars on passenger documentation. Pay in full by 15 November 2022 for Special Pay in Full Bonus. These offers are valid on new bookings made between 1 October – 31 December 2021 unless sold out prior. (1) Within the embarkation and disembarkation cities only. (2) Business Class Air from listed gateway cities; call for details. (3) When using Viking recommended Visa service. For full terms and conditions visit viking.com

TOP 10 PLACES

To enjoy PRIVILEGED ACCESS

From world-class museums to private musical performances, we share some of our exclusive Privileged Access excursions offering access to cultural treasures around the world

1

GÖTTWEIG ABBEY, KREMS, AUSTRIA

Journey to a working abbey where Benedictine monks have lived and worshipped since 1083. Enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling apricot wine and a short Viking-exclusive film about monastic life. Then, delve deeper into the monastery’s rich history and splendours as you are guided through its church, museum and imperial rooms.

2

VIENNA BOYS’ CHOIR, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Tour Palais Augarten, a baroque-palace-turnedboarding-school, and meet the world-famous choir after a private concert.

The perfectly pitched ensemble of around 100 young choristers continues a tradition dating to the Middle Ages.

40

VIKING

3

LOBKOWICZ PALACE, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

This stately residence opens its doors to you, unveiling the priceless collection of one of the region’s most avid patrons of the arts. As tales of the family’s 400-year history regale you, survey its art and musical masterpieces. Lunch and a private concert are included.

4

MODERN ARISTOCRACY, WERTHEIM, GERMANY

Two fairy-tale castles offer a glimpse into the life of 21st-century nobility. At Schloss Mespelbrunn, home to Countess Gräfin Hedwig Margarete, enjoy finely smoked trout and see the regal Knights’ Hall. And at Schloss Löwenstein, the estate of the Prince of LöwensteinWertheim-Rosenberg and heir Princess Stephanie, sample the family’s wines and signature wild boar specialties.

5

HIGHCLERE CASTLE, OXFORD, ENGLAND

Go behind the scenes during an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle, the home of TV’s Downton Abbey. Featured in select cruise extensions, the estate recalls the drama of the fictional Granthams and history of its real‑life owners, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

viking.com

41

6

TOP OF COLOGNE, COLOGNE, GERMANY

On this backstage tour, head up to the roof of Cologne’s astonishing cathedral with a local guide who is part of the restoration crew. Visit the restoration workshops and venture out on the roof to see the cathedral’s Gothic architecture up close. Beyond, gaze out over the old-world rooftops and waters of the Rhine far beneath.

7

THE HERMITAGE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

Get a private view of one of the world’s greatest art collections. The museum boasts some 3 million works of art and historic artefacts precious to Russia’s heritage. Only a fraction are on public display; the rest are locked away in a carefully monitored facility.

Join a local guide for a tour of the public collection before transferring off-site to witness what lies within the secured vaults with a historian.

8

A TASTE OF COGNAC: CAMUS, COGNAC, FRANCE

Drive with your guide through the scenic countryside to the town of Cognac, where the historic Camus distillery awaits.

Following a three-course lunch and a private tour, a master blender reveals the secrets of Cognac blending before helping you create your own personal blend to take home.

42

VIKING

9

MUNCH MUSEUM, OSLO, NORWAY

Get a sneak peek at the inner workings of the museum dedicated to Edvard Munch, Norway’s beloved expressionist artist. With your expert art historian, discover the life and works of this captivating artist. You will also have an opportunity to view the museum’s private collection and meet the skilled craftsmen who painstakingly prepare masterpieces for viewing.

10

GAUDÍ: THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF MODERNISM, BARCELONA, SPAIN

Witness the evolution of Antoni Gaudí’s creative genius as you view some of his distinctive works — from Casa Vicens, the architect’s first commission, to his unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. End the day at Casa Batlló, admiring its curved façades and the elaborate design within.

viking.com

43

Journey to the

SOUTH OF FRANCE Explore exquisite villages, bask in warm, golden light, sample fine food. Picturesque Provence is best explored slowly, from a luxury Longship on the Rhône, writes Monica Crouch.

44

VIKING

viking.com

45

I

s there anything fresh to say about Provence, the home of vineyards and van Gogh? Well yes, it turns out. I fell madly in love with the south of France without sighting so much as a row of lavender or taking a sip of Beaujolais, though this was all on offer had I wanted to. I explored seven locales in eight days during a record-breaking heatwave.

My secret? Simple. I drifted through it – on a river cruise along the Rhône, on Viking Delling.

A 135-metre longship constructed in 2014, the Delling has just 95 staterooms accommodating a maximum of 190 guests. Throughout the week, we 46

traversed the 280 kilometres between Arles in the south and Lyon in the centre at a stately pace, stopping daily to explore picturesque villages, gothic churches, grand chateaus and Roman ruins. Viking offers a complimentary shore excursion each day, and you can add more if you like. I added many.

The Delling features Viking’s signature minimalist palette of blonde woods and bright, white linens – far more inviting than the dark mahogany and heavy brocades of other ships I peered into along the way. There’s a lounge, bar and terrace on the upper deck, and a restaurant on the middle deck

(floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views). It’s comfortable but not ostentatious. My stateroom has a balcony and ample space to unpack and stash my overstuffed luggage. If you’d like more space, you can always take a Veranda Suite with a living room, or splurge on an Explorer Suite at 41 square metres.

We embark in Avignon, where our ship is docked just a few hundred metres from the ruins of the famed 12th century Pont d’Avignon (a medieval bridge). The city also boasts the Gothic Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the papal seat for 70 years in the 14th century, and wandering its sprawling maze was a welcome VIKING

Left to right: Pont du Gard, VersPont-du-Gard; Café La Nuit, Arles; St. Antoine food market, Lyon

viking.com

respite from the warmth outside. In the vast dining hall with vaulted ceilings, I pick up a tasty tid-bit: during the time of Pope Clement VI (1342-52), the Pope himself was the only person permitted to hold a knife.

Avignon's annual performing arts festival is in full swing within the city's encircling medieval walls when we visit. More than 120 productions are running concurrently, and there's drama everywhere I look. Actors roam the narrow streets in full costume, enticing passers-by to their plays. A trio resplendent in Belle Epoque finery strolls along singing operetta; we turn a corner to find a young woman in voluminous red taffeta playing a grand piano; a dashing young actor invites me to see the cleverly titled "Yes we Kant".

We set sail in the wee hours while I’m still sleeping. Our ship is named after the Norse god of the dawn, and awakening to find we’re gliding silently as first light strikes the wide, glassy river is a singular delight. We’re in van Gogh country – green fields, golden hay, grapevines, sunflowers, rosé. And that legendary light. I reach for my camera but think twice, instead sitting still and quiet. It is truly a highlight.

In Arles, we pause awhile in the Roman amphitheatre, the subject of van Gogh’s Les Arènes. Sister to

Rome’s Colosseum, it was originally a gladiator arena and is still in use for bullfighting. Despite our guide’s tales of murder and mayhem, today it is mercifully peaceful, and the only animal we see is a local cat, stretching languidly in the sun. We amble along to the church of St. Trophime, fascinated by its ornate, Romanesque portal, and stop for a coffee at Café La Nuit (also known as the Café van Gogh), made famous by the Dutch master’s work, Café Terrace at Night.

But this is all in a morning’s work. After lunch I again alight our ship, this time for Le Baux and Carrières de Lumières – which I chose simply because it sounded so beautifully French. Le Baux de Provence, I am to discover, is a tiny medieval citadel clinging to a rocky outcrop 244 metres above sea level.

Only 22 people live in this little village owing to its inaccessibility to cars.

We wander Le Baux’s steep, cobblestoned streets, poking our heads into tiny shops selling blocks of artisanal nougat, lavender sorbet, pretty soaps, and that superlatif first-press olive oil for which the south of France is so well known.

But the best kept secret about Le Baux is the Carrières de Lumières (quarry of lights), a vast former limestone quarry carved out of the mountain. It is here that the medieval meets the ultramodern. In

this huge and blessedly cool space, we’re immersed in an audio-visual extravaganza: van Gogh’s works are projected onto every inch of the quarry’s 7,000 square metres of blank, white space. The stone above us and beneath our feet, the 15-metre walls and pillars are transformed into a monumental canvas, all to a carefully selected soundtrack.

The lights reflected on the water in Starry Night over the Rhone shimmer beneath our feet to a violin concerto from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Sunflowers, irises and almond blossoms bloom on the walls and ceiling. Miles Davis accompanies The Café Terrace at Night and Bedroom at Arles. The intense self-portraits emerge to Nina Simone crooning Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood. The effect is magical: we are wide-eyed, like children.

We’re so entranced we stay to see this extraordinary installation through twice.

It’s little wonder Viking describes itself as “the thinking person’s cruise”. You can delve into the history and architecture of each destination, hunt for truffles, bake olive bread, take a painting class, sample Beaujolais, see silk made. All our guides are locals, with deep knowledge and dedication to their subject. There are no kids or casinos on board, but there is an excellent little library thoughtfully stocked by 47

London bookseller Heywood Hill, in which I could have spent days.

I do, however, spend an edifying cocktail hour in the lounge learning a little conversational French. Our vivacious program director, Mia, takes us through greetings and good manners and the etiquette of alternate-cheek kissing. We learn that the British have “bats in the belfry”, Australians have “a kangaroo loose in the top paddock” but the French “avoir une araignée au plafond” – have a spider on the ceiling. We practise our new linguistic skills over a selection of delicious French cheeses.

A warm afternoon of scenic cruising is a blissfully refreshing way to take in the storied Provençal countryside. Yet as the week progresses, I spend more time off the ship than on. And that’s the beauty of it: sailing into each location makes the sightseeing easy; there’s no taxing packing and unpacking; no tedious map reading.

48

I tag along through Tournon-surRhône, with its houses butting up against the 14th century church of St Julien, and take a scenic steamtrain ride through the lush Doux Valley. Some head off to Chateauneuf du Pape for wine tasting, others to the Camargue region to see flamingos. I visit the highest of all Roman aqueducts, the Pont du Gard, built in the first century AD. I look on as local lads leap recklessly into the Gardon River below.

A leisurely walk through the little village of Viviers, with its medieval and renaissance architecture, is an absolute joy.

Time has all but stood still here.

Narrow houses sit cheek-by-jowl on steep, cobblestoned streets, and it’s unbelievably pretty. Our guide, who greets everyone we meet by name, tells us some scenes from the movie Chocolat (2000) were filmed here.

We enjoy a relaxing reverie at the peak.

Returning to the ship is always a pleasure. The easy-going evenings provide plenty of opportunity to meet other guests. Our cohort is educated and over 50; many are repeat customers. While the dinner hour is decidedly convivial, for me, nothing beats breakfasting solo on the sunny terrace. I pile my plate with fresh fruit and French pastries; a waiter materialises with a pot of coffee; a chef whips me up an omelette while chatting amiably.

As we sail into Lyon, the legend of late chef Paul Bocuse towers over the city as tall as the shimmering gold statue of the Virgin Mary at the Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière. With soft rain falling, we form a walking group of just five, and the finest of guides, Corinne, a self-confessed “history nerd” with an infectious love of Lyon. The Lumière brothers made the first motion picture here in the 1890s, she tells us, and indeed, with its terracotta roofs and fin de siecle architecture, Lyon lends itself to the cinematic.

Always up for defending its culinary traditions through a good competition, Lyon hosts the World Pastry Cup every two years, and the city’s chefs have attempted to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s largest cheese platter and biggest brioche – for which a special oven was constructed. At the St. Antoine food market, Corinne declares, “Zis will take you to ze heaven!” And she’s right. We feast our eyes on wheels of cheese, piles of apricots, punnets of raspberries, tubs of tomatoes, pastries, chocolates, spices, breads. Lyon is our last stop, and leaving does not prove easy.

At Sydney airport, someone dear is waiting for me. I’m tired but still happy, despite the long haul flight.

“It’s lovely to see you with the south of France in your eyes,” he says.

Months later, I hardly need a mirror to know it’s still there.

Left: Roman amphitheatre in Arles

VIKING

EXPLOR E THE R IVER S OF FR ANCE

AVIGNON, FR ANCE

CHÂTEAUX, RIVERS & WINE

Gold Beach Giverny Omaha Beach Les Andelys La Roche-Guyon Rouen Paris NEW Juno Beach SEINE SEINE SHIPS Mantes-la-Jolie Le Pecq

GIRONDE

Blaye

Tournon Bordeaux Arcachon Saint-Émilion Viviers Cadillac Libourne GARONNE

MAP KEY

Lyon Vienne

PARIS – PARIS 8 DAYS | 6 GUIDED TOURS | 1 COUNTRY From $3,495pp in Standard stateroom

Avignon Arles

Paris & the Heart of Normandy Lyon & Provence +

+

VIEW ITINERARY

PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY

RHÔNE

Châteaux, Rivers & Wine

Cruise embarkation & disembarkation Train

LYON – AVIGNON or vice versa 8 DAYS | 7 GUIDED TOURS | 1 COUNTRY From $3,495pp in Standard stateroom

SAÔNE

Bergerac

VIEW ITINERARY

LYON & PROVENCE

FRANCE

Cognac Bourg DORDOGNE

Port destinations

BORDEAUX – BORDEAUX 8 DAYS | 7 GUIDED TOURS | 1 COUNTRY From $3,995pp in Standard stateroom

France’s Finest

VIEW ITINERARY

Combine both Paris & the Heart of Normandy and Lyon & Provence river cruises:

FRANCE’S FINEST

PARIS – AVIGNON or vice versa 15 DAYS DAYS || 13 13 GUIDED GUIDEDTOURS TOURS| |1 1COUNTRY COUNTRY VIEW ITINERARY From $6,495pp in Standard stateroom

E N J OY, I T ’ S A L L I N C LU D E D RIVERVIEW STATEROOM | SHORE EXCURSIONS | ALL ONBOARD MEALS | WINE & BEER SERVED WITH LUNCH & DINNER UNLIMITED WI-FI | TIPPING & GR ATUITIES | INDUSTRY-LEADING HEALTH & SAFET Y PROGR AM *Conditions apply. Prices are per person, in Australian dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts and correct at time of printing. Châteaux, Rivers & Wine based on 11 November 2023 departure, Lyon & Provence based on 7 November 2023 departure, Paris & the Heart of Normandy based on 26 November 2023 departure, France’s Finest based on 7 November 2023 departure. Flight credit included up to the value of $500 per person. Economy class flights included up to the value of $1,800 per person. Included Flights and Flight Credits will be booked by Viking and with Viking’s choice of airline from major gateway cities in Australia. These offers are valid on new bookings made between 1 October – 24 December 2021 unless sold out prior. For full terms and conditions visit viking.com.

48 HOURS IN

PARIS

FRANCE

48.8566° N, 2.3522° E

Paris

The City of Light; timeless Paris is the heart of French culture, cuisine and architectural splendour Elegant Paris has long been considered Europe’s most glamorous city. A city of contradictions – deeply traditional and yet famously cosmopolitan.

The most tangible and visible pleasures of Paris are found in its iconic monuments, artistic treasures, lamp-lit bridges spanning the Seine and street life.

Gastronomic overload lines every boulevard and the city’s closeness is what you will find within this timeless beauty, making it a must to explore. Home to the Louvre and over 130 other museums and galleries; see world-famous paintings, the Mona Lisa, works by Van Gogh and Claude Monet, Renoir just to name a few. Take in the beauty of the Seine River which has inspired artists and writers for centuries.

Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on cruises that go to Paris

50

VIKING

WHAT TO SEE AND DO Paris is a famed destination for very good reason. History buffs will be delighted by the many historic buildings and monuments, art lovers will be impressed, fashionistas will be pleased to shop in the trendiest boutiques and gourmands will be thrilled to sample the outstanding food and wine.

The cloud-piercing, wroughtiron Eiffel Tower, is a must-see when you come to Paris. This iconic landmark is the tallest structure in the city and provides magnificent views. Board the elevator for a ride up to the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant to enjoy views over the famous rooftops of Paris as you dine.

Just alongside you will find Parc du Champ de Mars, perfect for a leisurely walk and nearby in the Latin Quarter, you can discover local bistros and bookshops.

Stretching from vast Place de la Concorde, where Louis XVI was guillotined in 1793, is Paris' most famous boulevard, the plane tree-shaded Avenue des Champs Elysees, flanked by luxury shops and showrooms. At its western end is the mighty Arc de Triomphe

– where you can climb its 284 steps for another incredible panorama of the city.

At the Louvre, wander the hallowed halls of a French institution, entering through the spectacular glass pyramid.

The Louvre has dominated Paris since the 12th century and was the home to royal families for centuries. It has been a repository of some of the world’s greatest art since 1793.

Galeries Lafayette, the grand department store complex in central Paris, is a great place to take visitors—and not just for shopping. It must be seen for its architectural masterpiece: a neo-Byzantine dome designed by artists of the Art Nouveau school of Nancy, in north-eastern France, early in the 20th century.

And for the culinary inclined why not take a chocolate and pastry walking tour through the Marais or Saint-Germain. Get hands on and learn the secrets of making macarons. Or indulge in a wine and champagne tasting near the Louvre with a Master Sommelier.

WHERE TO SHOP

WHERE TO DINE

Once you have seen the incredible dome of Galeries Lafayette pop over to Le Bon Marché, Paris’ oldest department store. Also, top-notch is the adjoining Grande Epicerie food hall. And you can’t leave Paris without some colourful macaroons to take home, we especially enjoy the beautiful pastel packaging from Ladurée.

Home to many a Michelin-starred restaurant including Le Cinq at the Four Seasons, Epicure, Guy Savoy, and Arpège. Paris has no shortage of restaurants and dining options.

Experience Paris by River on a dinner or lunch cruise at Ducasse sur Seine or for a more low-key but delicious experience try Creperie des Canettes.

viking.com

Clockwise, from left: The plane treeshaded Avenue des Champs Elysees;Galeries Lafayette, the grand department store complex in central Paris; explore many of Paris' cafés and dining options.

51

52

VIKING

The DOURO The winding river that weaves its way through sleepy Portuguese villages, past historic wine cellars and out to sea at the city of Porto

T

Left: An aerial view of the Douro River meandering its way through the countryside viking.com

he Douro was named ‘River of Gold’ by the Romans and the Phoenicians, who mined the precious metal in this arid corner of Portugal and used the waterway to transport the ore to the coast. A more romantic theory as to the origins of the name is that the river reflects the golden sunshine that warms the hillsides.

The Douro rises to the north-east of Madrid, flowing west across central Spain before creating a natural border between Spain and Portugal for 96km, and turning west at Barca d’Alva, from where it flows in a series of gentle curves towards the Atlantic, just beyond the city of Porto. High in the hills, sleepy villages are guarded by ruined castles and beyond the sheer-sided river valley sprawl lavish, whitewashed country homes belonging to port-growing families.

The navigable stretch of the Douro has been tamed today by a series of dams and deep locks, so ships can sail to the Spanish border. The scenery is some of the most spectacular on the Iberian peninsula, the sheer slopes either side of the river, lush with vines producing the region’s port grapes.

Portugal has a long association with Britain and although the Romans cultivated grapes here in the first instance, it was the wealthy British merchants settling in the city of Porto towards the end of the 17th century who began to produce port. In the early 18th century, the river was crammed with flat-bottomed rabelo boats, each one with a single sail, transporting thousands of barrels of port downstream from the country estates to the cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia, sprawling elegantly over the steep bank opposite the city of Porto. You will still see the occasional rabelo on the river today but their purpose now is solely decorative; grapes are now transported by truck. In 2001, the entire region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its beauty and historic interest. Porto 53

itself is the second largest city in Portugal. The famous metal bridge spanning the Douro, Dom Luís, is strongly reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in its architecture; and the designer, Théophile Seyring, studied under Eiffel.

A highlight of any Douro voyage is a day in Salamanca, Spain’s ‘golden city’ and university town.

Tucked away in a quiet, rural corner of Castile-Leon, a couple of hours’ drive from Vega de Terrón, the limit of the Douro’s navigable stretch, the city’s sandstone walls and spires blaze in the sunshine.

The university was founded in the 13th century and was considered one of the finest in Europe. The old library houses 150,000 ancient volumes so precious that visitors are only allowed to peer through glass.

The scenery is some of the most spectacular on the Iberian peninsula, the sheer slopes either side of the river, lush with vines Most of the towns visited along the Douro are located in the rolling hills beyond the river valley.

Bustling Lamego is dominated by the sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, perched on top of a hill overlooking the town with ornamental steps cascading down the wooded hillside. Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo is a tiny, 12th-century walled village high in the mountains, surrounded by olive groves and wild lavender, while Vila Real is the site of the magnificent baroque Mateus Palace, made famous by the Mateus Rosé wine labels.

Lavish interiors aside, the palace is set in formal gardens featuring cedar-lined walkways, sculpted hedges and serene ornamental ponds.

The narrow river valley itself is mainly uninhabited, save the occasional hamlet or whitewashed house overlooking the vineyards, which is part of the joy of sailing here. An exception is sleepy Pinhão, which has one of the world’s most exquisite railway stations, adorned with blue-and-white azulejos tiles, depicting colourful scenes from the port industry in the 1930s and a reminder of how dramatically life on the river has changed over just a few decades.

54

This page, clockwise, from top left: Port wine barrels, wine cellar of a winery in Gaia, Porto; the blue and white tiles so synonymous with Portuguese architecture; the colourful city streets of Porto, as seen from across the River Douro Opposite: The enchanting back streets of old Salamanca

VIEW ITINERARY Atlantic Ocean

DOURO RIVER Régua Porto

Lamego

Barca d’Alva Vega de Terrón Pinhão

Coimbra

Cruise

Motor coach

Salamanca SPAIN

PORTUGAL Lisbon

ETTING THERE: The 10-day Portugal's River G of Gold itinerary sails from Lisbon to Porto From $4,995pp in Standard stateroom Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on Portugal's River of Gold VIKING

viking.com

55

BACALHAU À BRÁS INGREDIENTS: 450g dried salted cod 450g waxy potatoes Olive oil 1 large white onion, halved, then thinly sliced 2 bay leaves 4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 4 large eggs 30g black olives, pitted

1 Cover the dried salted cod in cold water and soak for

GARNISH: Dash of Tabasco® Lemon wedges

4 Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add the

about 48 hours, changing the water frequently.

2 Place the cod in a large pot and cover with water

again. Boil for about 15 minutes, then drain. Allow to cool, then flake and set aside.

3 Peel the potatoes and cut them into matchsticks. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a nonstick pan and fry the potatoes in batches. Keep the cooked matchsticks warm in a low oven.

bay leaves. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and onions to the pan. Sauté until translucent. Discard the bay leaves, then add in the parsley and the flaked cod.

5 Mix the eggs with a fork, then add to the pan. Keep

stirring until the eggs are scrambled. Combine the fries with the cod mixture, then stir in the olives. Season to taste and finish with a dash of Tabasco. Garnish with lemon wedges.

SERVES 4

56

VIKING

PASTÉIS DE NATA INGREDIENTS: 250ml milk 1 lemon, zest only 1 cinnamon stick 100g caster sugar 2 tbsp plain flour 75ml water 3 large eggs, yolks only 320g all-butter puff pastry

1 Preheat the oven to 245°C. Gently heat the milk with 2 to 3 strips of lemon zest and the cinnamon stick to a simmer, then remove the lemon and cinnamon.

2 Mix the flour with a little of the milk to form a smooth

paste, then stir in the rest of the milk. Return to the heat, whisking constantly for a few minutes until thick.

3 Place the sugar and water in a saucepan, stirring until

the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 3 minutes, then whisk into the milk mixture.

4 Place the egg yolks in a bowl and slowly add the milk

mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer to a jug and allow to cool slightly.

5 Lightly butter all the holes in a 12-hole muffin tin. Roll

the puff pastry out into a rough rectangle, then roll each rectangle up from the bottom to the top. Cut each roll into 12 discs. Place one disc flat into the base of each muffin hole, then, with wet thumbs, gently press out until the pastry comes about halfway up each hole.

6 Pour the custard into the pastry cases, then bake for

about 15 minutes, until set and caramelized. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, then serve while still warm.

MAKES ROUGHLY 12

viking.com

57

MISSISSIPPI As Viking announces its expansion into the American interior, we take a look at some of the highlights that line the iconic Mississippi waterway

Clockwise, from above: Viking Mississippi has been purpose built for this magical river; great egrets on a misty morning; relax and soak up the views in the Explorers’ Lounge

58

F

rom the headwaters in Minnesota to its delta in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River stretches for 2,350 miles and winds through America’s heartland.

The river was formed when the last ice age ended, about 10,000 years ago. Water from the melting ice sheet gathered in a vast network of north-to-south channels that carved out the Mississippi Valley.

HISTORY

Native Americans have lived along the Mississippi’s banks for thousands of years. First to use the river for commerce, the earliest Native Americans established a network of trade routes; later, large population centres, including a metropolis across from present-day St. Louis called Cahokia, were formed. And it was the Algonquianspeaking people who named the river: Misi-ziibi, roughly translated as the “Great River” or “Father of waters”.

American history is bound with the Mississippi. When the Revolutionary War ended, the river became the new nation’s western border. That changed in 1803, when the Louisiana Purchase ceded control of the river – and the lands west of it – to the United States.

New communities formed, supported by paddle-wheel steamboats that facilitated commerce and transportation.

Control of this valuable resource was critical for both sides during the Civil War.

LOGISTICS

Controlling the waterways that make up the Mississippi has challenged government leaders and the Army Corps of Engineers for more than 100 years. A system of 29 locks and dams in the Upper Mississippi help facilitate barge traffic and regulate water levels.

And on the more heavily trafficked Lower Mississippi, the river is restrained by levees and dikes to help control seasonal flooding.

Today the Mississippi remains one of the world’s hardest-working waterways, generating more than $400 billion in annual revenue, supporting 1.3 million jobs and powering local economies. Low barges transport cotton, grain and other agricultural products from the heartland. And revitalised riverfronts along the Mississippi VIKING

A NEW ERA OF EXPLORATION Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking No other waterway has played such an important role in the country’s history, commerce and culture, which makes it the perfect setting for a collection of exciting new Viking itineraries which will be launching in 2022.

Growing up in Norway, Torstein Hagen – the young boy who would one day become Viking Chairman – was inspired by Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn’s adventures along the Mississippi River. And as a result, the area continued to interest him later in life.

“When I was older and moved to America during my undergraduate studies, I became fascinated with the Upper Mississippi and the Midwest, a region so many Norwegian immigrants chose as their new home,” says Mr. Hagen. So it is fitting that Viking guests will now be able to explore the region.

“These itineraries will offer a different kind of cross‑country journey for the curious explorer – one that allows you to be immersed in American history and culture,” adds Mr. Hagen.

From 2022, guests will be able to explore the Lower Mississippi by joining the 8‑day Heart of the Delta trip, from New Orleans to Memphis, or the 8‑day Southern Celebration roundtrip from New Orleans. The Upper Mississippi will be served by the America’s Heartland itinerary, an 8‑day journey from St. Louis to St. Paul.

And for travellers keen to explore the length of the waterway in its entirety, the epic 15‑day America’s Great River covers the Mississippi from Minnesota to Louisiana.

In addition to this, a new ship, Viking Mississippi, inspired by the award‑winning Viking Longships and ocean vessels, will be built in the United States. Purpose‑built for the Mississippi, it will feature sleek Scandinavian design, spacious staterooms, al fresco dining areas and extensive viewing areas, and will cater for 386 guests as they explore this endlessly‑intriguing waterway.

viking.com

59

provide new opportunities for tourism and commercial activities.

This mighty river, with its unique history, heritage and culture, offers the ideal backdrop for a modern era of American exploration and discovery. Viking’s state-of-the-art new vessel, Viking Mississippi, has been designed specifically for this waterway and is the perfect home-from-home.

and year-round wildlife, ornithologists will love the range of birds to spot. The upper portion of the river is home to beavers and pelicans and the delta area features many endangered species such as the Louisiana black bear, the green sea turtle and piping plover, a small sand-coloured coastal bird. And secluded swamps are the perfect place to spot alligators.

BIODIVERSITY

CULTURAL LEGACY

As one of the world’s major river systems in size, biological activity and habitat diversity, it is called the “Mighty Mississippi” for good reason. Bisecting America’s heartland, it serves as a natural border for 10 states and is home to 360 species of fish, 326 species of birds, 145 species of amphibians and 50 species of mammals.

With an abundance of migratory

2024 DATES ADDED

St. Paul Red Wing WISCONSIN MINNESOTA La Crosse IOWA Dubuque Quad Cities (Davenport) Burlington Hannibal

The river’s cultural legacy has inspired artists and writers such as Maya Angelou, Tennessee Williams and Mark Twain, whose depictions of the Mississippi are a constant companion to his iconic hero, Huckleberry Finn.

In his memoir about life as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War, Twain observed, ‘it is not a

commonplace river, but on the contrary is in all ways remarkable’.

The concept of the river as a symbol of freedom and liberty has continued and is a theme running through many novels and historical non-fiction books today.

Unique culinary traditions are also bountiful, from barbecue in St. Louis and Memphis, to Cajun and Creole in New Orleans. There are food options to delight every palate, and the welcoming fare is at the core of Mississippi culture and heritage. The community nature of the cuisine is evident in the number of heirloom recipes and family-run restaurants.

And the river’s impact on American music styles – including Delta blues, jazz, gospel, country, folk and rock and roll – can be felt deep in the soul of the music which continues to evolve and delight.

VIEW ITINERARY

Nashville TENNESSEE

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

MISSOURI

LOUISIANA

TENNESSEE Memphis

Cruise

60

VIEW ITINERARY

Memphis MISSISSIPPI RIVER

St. Louis

LOUISIANA

Left to right: An aerial view of Memphis; colourful trolleys are a fun way to get around in New Orleans

MISSISSIPPI Vicksburg Natchez Baton Rouge New Orleans

MISSISSIPPI Vicksburg Natchez Baton Rouge New Orleans

Cruise

Overnight in Por t

ETTING THERE: The 15-day America's Great G River itinerary sails from New Orleans to St. Paul, or in reverse.

From $16,295pp in Veranda stateroom

ETTING THERE: The 8-day Mississippi G Holiday Season itinerary sails from Memphis to New Orleans, or in reverse.

From $5,995pp in French Balcony stateroom

Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on America's Great River

Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on Mississippi Holiday Season VIKING

MISSISSIPPI CITIES Discover these picturesque destinations that have flourished and evolved on the banks of the mighty river

BATON ROUGE

Capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge paints a historic picture on the Mississippi’s eastern bank. Its remarkable cultural diversity is displayed in Cajun and Creole music, cuisine and arts.

BURLINGTON

Burlington grew into an economic powerhouse with the arrival of steamboats and the railroad.

Today, it is home to numerous historic buildings including the art deco Capitol Theatre.

DARROW

The Lower Mississippi region is dotted with historic mansions, and Darrow is your gateway to these National Historic Landmarks renowned for their noted architecture and landscaping.

DUBUQUE

Dubuque is often called the “Masterpiece on the Mississippi” for its 19th-century ingenuity and modern-day cultural evolution.

HANNIBAL

Hannibal is the birthplace and childhood home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, or Mark Twain, and the inspiration for his beloved stories of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

LA CROSSE

La Crosse enjoys a deep connection to the towering viking.com

bluffs and rolling farmland of its Norskedalen, where a Norwegian immigrant population carved out a unique culture over generations.

MEMPHIS

Memphis is the celebrated birthplace of Memphis blues, a centre of civil rights history and home to Elvis Presley’s Graceland.

NATCHEZ

Natchez is home to one of the highest concentrations of historic Southern estates in the world; more than 200 perfectly preserved homes line its broad avenues.

NEW ORLEANS

Birthplace of American jazz, historic New Orleans exudes a festive atmosphere, especially in the French Quarter. The city’s French, African and other influences flavour its vibrant culture and Creole cuisine.

ST. FRANCISVILLE

Originally built on a narrow ridge overlooking the Mississippi, today St. Francisville boasts more than 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

ST. LOUIS

Clockwise, from top left: Beale Street in Memphis; Jambalaya is a culinary highlight; the iconic Gateway Arch stands out in the St. Louis skyline

Crossroads for 19th-century explorers, St. Louis is home to rich architectural treasures including the iconic Gateway Arch.

ST. PAUL

A base for westward settlers heading to the Dakotas, St. Paul is now a modern metropolis and the capital of Minnesota.

VICKSBURG

Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the historic site of the Civil War’s most pivotal battle.

The small town is the epitome of Southern heritage and charm.

QUAD CITIES

Straddling the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers, the Quad Cities area rests amid “America’s Breadbasket” – the nation’s most expansive and scenic agricultural region.

RED WING

Red Wing, known for its American-made shoes and pottery, has a history of farming skills and craftsmanship brought by its New England, German, Irish and Scandinavian immigrants.

61

Not quite your traditional AFTERNOON TEA...

The best thing about travel is the often unexpected surprises encountered along the way. Bruce Piper from Travel & Cruise Weekly cruised Russia's mighty Volga River with Viking and discovered that out in the countryside, locals often prefer something a little stronger than just a cuppa

M

oscow, Red Square, The Kremlin, St Petersburg, The Hermitage. Russia evokes so many preconceptions for us Westerners who grew up through the Cold War and then the collapse of the USSR — but one of my favourite memories of a trip to this mysterious nation was sitting around a dining table in a small town way off the beaten track, having afternoon tea (well, actually vodka) with an elderly couple who had seen it all.

Our group, which had arrived in Yaroslavl on Viking Akun as she journeyed her way between Moscow and St. Petersburg, sat with 62

anticipation in the family home.

Fortunately our guide, one of the enthusiastic Viking team, was on hand to translate as we were all given a shot glass with some of the local tipple - and then another, and another. To go with the bracing liquor, the table was covered in treats carefully curated by our hosts — pickled cucumbers from their lush garden, black bread, cakes and more. We were in the home of a husband and wife, both engineers, who were born in the Stalin era and raised their family through successive regimes, while working in the local state-owned watch factory.

Yaroslavl is about 250km from Moscow, where we started our

odyssey with a three night stay aboard the ship, taking in all the sights and sounds — the Moskva River, stunning architecture, Lenin’s tomb, shopping, art, the Cosmonaut Museum, the fascinating subway system and of course plenty of culture. And then we set forth on our voyage which allowed us to discover the ‘real Russia’ as we cruised the massive Volga river system right across the country to St. Petersburg.

Along with the small group home encounters in Yaroslavl, our odyssey along the river included other fascinating local encounters in other remote towns. A school visit in Vologda saw us escorted by a very precocious student who clearly VIKING

Clockwise from top left: wild horses cross the Volga River; afternoon tea with a home‑hosted visit in Yaroslavl; school visit in Vologda with local performances

enjoyed practising her excellent English. The (mostly) enthusiastic children showed us their work, and honour rolls on the wall highlighting top performers seemed to us to be indicative of the Russian selection system for future Olympians.

We cruised past fascinating ruins, surrounded by watery fortifications which must have provided good protection from viking.com

marauders of a past age. A shore excursion in Kuzino showcased the Kirillo Belozersky Monastery, packed with artefacts from the White Russian era, and our ship docked on the island of Kizhi, famous for its wooden architecture and the Church of the Raising of Lazarus. Kizhi showcases traditional ways of life, but also provided a curious juxtaposition when we came across a hovercraft used by some of the few local residents to get to the shops!

Along the way there were regular onboard lectures from our tour guides, who managed to cleverly distil Russia’s complex ancient and more modern history for us, giving us their full and frank opinions of the fall of the Soviet system and their personal experiences as they lived under successive leaders over the turbulent years while the country moved to a market-based economy.

Our final stop before arriving in St. Petersburg was the island of Mandrogi — a popular arts and crafts-focused tourist attraction on the Svir River, where passengers were able to get hands on in a variety of activities including painting our own Matryoshka dolls, watch a blacksmith creating metal artworks, taste some of what must be the world’s largest collection of vodka, or for something completely different take in an authentic Russian sauna experience - complete with a bracing dip in the icy river water.

Three nights in St. Petersburg wrapped up our Viking experience, giving us the opportunity to explore this incredible destination including a behind-the-scenes visit to The Hermitage and its amazing array of artworks, not to mention the Faberge Museum with some of those famous bejewelled eggs.

63

Clockwise from top left: Pogost, Kizhi; Faberge Museum, St. Petersburg; Ascension Church, Yaroslavl

64

All incredible, and I feel so fortunate to have seen so much of Russia in such a short space of time. But I still hark back to the simplicity of that home visit in Yaroslavl, and the generous hospitality of the couple who opened their arms to us. Like The Hermitage, their rooms were also adorned with plenty of artwork, but they weren’t masterpieces by greats like Leonardo da Vinci, Cezanne and Rembrandt. In contrast, the entire wall of the dining room had been curiously wallpapered with a cityscape, and as we left one of our group raised up enough courage to ask which skyline it depicted.

“Chicago,” our host proudly proclaimed, adding that “it was a special gift from our children many years ago”.

We asked why they had chosen, in a country town in the middle of Russia, to permanently live with a backdrop of a major American city? “Well when we were all communists, there wasn’t a lot of choice in the shops,” came the answer.

VIEW ITINERARY

FINLAND

Helsinki

Kizhi LAKE LADOGA SVIR RIVER

LAKE ONEGA

Mandrogy

St. Petersburg NEVA RIVER

VOLGA–BALTIC WATERWAY

RUSSIA

Kuzino RYBINSK RESERVOIR VOLGA RIVER

VOLGA RIVER

Cruise

Overnight in Por t

MOSCOW CANAL

Yaroslavl Uglich

Moscow

GETTING THERE: The 13-day Waterways of the Tsars itinerary sails from St. Petersburg to Moscow, or in reverse.

From $7,995pp in Deluxe stateroom Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on Waterways of the Tsars VIKING

My ST. PETERSBURG highlights

Having lived in this beautiful Russian city for many years, Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking, shares her top tips Q: How long did you live in St. Petersburg?

A: I lived in the city for about ten years, on and off.

I first lived there when it was still called Leningrad.

Q: What do you love most about the place?

A: Its people. The kindest, most cultured people I know.

Q: What do you like to eat when you're there?

A: I love Russian food, and one of my favorite dishes is borscht.

I recommend trying it cold.

Q: Which are your favorite museums and galleries?

A: St. Petersburg is my top art destination as it has so much choice. I am particularly impressed by the storage facilities at the Hermitage.

Viking guests can take a Privileged Access: The Hermitage Behind Closed Doors guided tour for exclusive access to these

secured vaults to see the many treasures within. My talisman, and the piece of jewelry I have worn for the past 20 years, is a gold Scythian stag — a replica from the Gold Room and a symbol of the Hermitage.

Q: What do you like to do in the evenings?

A: I go to the Mariinsky Theatre, especially if my good friend Xander is performing. The first British dancer to sign with the Mariinsky, he rose quickly to become a soloist

and was recently honored by the Queen with the rank of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his service to United Kingdom and Russian cultural relations.

Q: Do you have a favorite place to walk in the city?

A: I love the Field of Mars — it is peaceful and symbolic of everything that the city has had to live through. An eternal flame burns in the center, commemorating the victims of the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Clockwise, from top left: Karine Hagen in front of the worldfamous Hermitage Museum; the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood is a landmark in the city; the Hermitage and Karine Hagen; seeing the ballet is a highlight

Q: What is your top tip for the first-time visitor?

A: I would take a canal trip.

There are around 100 canals and tributaries in the city, and over 800 bridges. As many of the grandest buildings are situated along the banks of the canals, it is the best way to see the city!

Go online: Watch a video of The Hermitage Privileged Access tour at vrc.com/videos viking.com

65

A welcome return to

CRUISING

Guests Nigel and Veronica recently returned from their first Viking cruise post COVID‑19 and share their experiences about life onboard and the added health and safety benefits.

66

VIKING

What were the highlights of your recent voyage to Portugal?

Veronica: For me the highlight of our trip was actually cruising on the Douro River. I very much enjoyed calmly gliding down the river, watching the lovely vineyards, olive trees and traditional houses on the banks.

I loved seeing the locals out working, the trains going by and other boats passing us. We even waved to the captain’s mother.

The captain sounded the horn and she came out for us all to wave at, it was a special moment for us.

Nigel: I enjoyed going through the locks. We went through five locks and it was fascinating to watch the ship rise and fall in the concrete chamber and just fit under the bridges. I think in one of my pictures we are about 50cm from the bridge. They provided us handouts on the locks with information on them and the different heights. It was great fun to watch the wheel house sink into the ship to fit under the bridges too.

We also both enjoyed the enrichment aspect of the cruise.

The constant theme of the Douro River about Port wine, development of the trade and how it all works, really helped us to appreciate the country and river we were cruising on.

Overall we both really enjoyed the cruise and the captain was very welcoming, letting us knock on his door any time to ask questions. We loved sitting on the top deck of the ship or popping down for a coffee or tea at any time. It was a small cruise also so it was wonderful getting to know everyone and feel comfortable on board.

Why did you choose to travel with Viking for your first cruise post-COVID-19?

We have travelled before with Viking and loved it. As we were ready to travel again we opted for a river cruise as these were resuming more quickly than ocean cruises. We also wanted to travel to one country, rather than have to deal with different COVID‑19 measures if travelling to multiple countries, so our Douro cruise was a perfect choice for us. viking.com

How did you find the extra health and safety features on board?

Excellent! As everyone was fully vaccinated and daily testing was carried out we felt like we were in a protected environment on board.

The daily testing was non‑invasive and low key making it very comfortable.

We had a couple on board who mentioned to us they felt safer onboard than back home in their country. At the end of our cruise we were even provided a full PCR test and documents confirming we were fit to fly which saved us going and paying a local laboratory on shore before our flight.

We had a couple on board who mentioned to us they felt safer onboard than back home in their country What would you say to friends or family who were hesitant about booking a cruise at this time?

If you are worried about safety, definitely travel with Viking. Viking has a high COVID‑19 surveillance of the ship and everyone is very well protected, probably even better than in daily life. We watched videos by Viking’s Chairman before we left and after being on board, the remarkably high level of testing was much appreciated.

Are you planning to cruise again, if so where and why?

Nigel has his eye on the Rhine cruises, with fantastic scenery and cities along the river it would be hard not to find that interesting every day.

Overall we had a wonderful time on our cruise. Everything from the helpful staff and quality of the guides, to the chefs who cooked with local ingredients and made sure there were many Portugal dishes to try, to the Viking coaches that transported us on our daily excursions — everything was of the highest quality. We enjoyed getting to know everyone, playing cards and having some bubbles. We even made some new friends from America who we plan to catch up with in New Zealand in the future.

Opposite page: Lisbon, Portugal Top to bottom: Highlights from Nigel and Veronica's cruise through Portugal

67

The GREAT OUTDOORS We highlight the variety of inviting outdoor spaces on board Viking ships

T

he great outdoors is especially energising when you’re at sea or on the river. The breeze is fresh, the air is clean, and it’s the perfect place to take a stroll on deck, relax and restore a sense of equilibrium. We’ve gathered some of our favourite outdoor places on board our award-winning ocean ships, Viking Longships and new expedition ships. Pull up a sun lounger or a comfy chair – we’ll see you there!

68

VIKING

AQUAVIT TERRACE

First designed for Viking Longships, this outdoor terrace has been reimagined for our ocean ships, where it is set around the Infinity Pool. By day, it’s a relaxing lounge area, at night it transforms into a magical space where your destination is your dining room. Likewise, on Viking’s expedition ships, the Aquavit Terrace is a sociable, relaxing space, where you can take in the views or take a dip in a choice of three pools.

viking.com

69

FINSE TERRACE

This beautiful space on the Viking expedition ships offers the ultimate in outdoor comfort. Inviting sofas with featherfilled cushions wrap around a Nordic-style fire pit, and plush blankets add to the warm ambience. Everywhere you look, you are met with spectacular views of stunning scenery.

70

VIKING

PRIVATE VERANDA

Step out of your stateroom straight onto your private veranda. On the river and at sea (where every room comes with a veranda), your outside retreat is the perfect spot to relax and take in the fresh air, or take breakfast, lunch or dinner – our ocean ships offer 24‑hour room service, all included, of course.

viking.com

71

THE MAIN POOL ON VIKING OCEAN SHIPS

A haven for relaxation, swims and soaks, the heated main pool, with its overhead retractable roof, is a calming oasis in all weathers. By night, it transforms into a magical venue for stargazing and for watching a classic movie, or enjoying opera under the stars.

72

VIKING

OWNER’S SUITE ON VIKING EXPEDITION SHIPS

The largest suite onboard our expedition ships offers 1,223 sq. ft. of exceptional space and amenities, including a private garden lounge area, complete with badestamp, a traditional wooden-sided hot tub. Perfect for relaxing after a busy day of exploring.

SUN DECK AND LOUNGE

The top deck on the Viking Longships offers a walking track, organic herb garden, and panoramic views that change with every bend in the river. This space on Viking’s ocean ships is an outdoor living area with comfy sofas, and you can practise your swing on the putting green and make use of the fitness equipment. viking.com

73

MAGIC GREAT LAKES

of the

Oonagh Turner explores the natural beauty of the chain of lakes that lie between the USA and Canada

74

VIKING

viking.com

75

L

ike great inland seas, these bodies of fresh water are fringed by quaint lakeside villages, thick woodland, lighthouse-dotted beaches and mighty cities. Providing a natural border between Canada and the US, the Great Lakes are a series of interconnected masses of water that flow from Lake Superior.

The journey starts life as precipitation, filling up the great scars in the north American landscape that were left by receding glaciers. The water passes the sleepy Canadian villages of Lake Huron, laps the shores of isolated islands, meanders down and criss-crosses the border to America where it provides a scenic backdrop for electric cities like Chicago and Detroit. The water flows into Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes, before it takes a plunge over the Niagara Falls to reach its final lake – Lake Ontario.

The lakes are a natural spectacle and together encapsulate the essence of American and Canadian culture.

LAND OF ADVENTURE

On Lake Superior, the northern shores are peppered with the expansive national parks of Canada – Lake Superior Provincial Park, Pukaskwa National Park – dense forests that look out over rocky shores and rolling hills that cater to 76

keen hikers. The largest of the lake’s islands is Isle Royale, home to its own isolated bays and lakes offering kayaking and scuba diving opportunities. At Thunder Bay, keen adventurers can try out the trails of the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, with its sweeping vistas and towering granite cliffs.

Elsewhere, on the northern shores of Lake Huron, the water is sheltered by the land that juts in and forms Georgian Bay. This area of land - the Bruce Peninsula - divides Georgian Bay from the rest of Lake Huron and is home to Flowerpot Island – famous for its bizarre sea stack rock formations – pillars of limestone shaped by years of erosion from the elements. Known for its windswept pines, plentiful fishing and endless beaches, the summer months are popular with tourists keen for a taste of lakeside life out on the bay. The north of Huron quietens around September, when the tourists have left but the water is still warm enough for kayaking out among the bay’s 32 historic lighthouses and 30,000 islands. Visitors take advantage of the bay’s aquatic highway and access the region’s top attractions by boat, or visit the Fathom Five National Marine Park – the first park of its kind in Canada which offers visitors the opportunity to see 22 underwater shipwrecks,

Top: Big Tub Lighthouse, on the confluence of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, Tobermory, Canada

either by diving or on a glassbottomed boat.

On Mackinac Island, in Lake Huron’s US side, a charming island awaits, known as a haven for cyclists as vehicles are banned. Visitors might want to opt for horse-drawn carriage for an historic discovery, visiting sites like the Grand Hotel – a Victorian-era building with the world’s largest front porch.

NIAGARA FALLS

Adventure-seekers might also wish to head for where the water passes from Lake Erie and funnels into Lake Ontario, straddling US and Canadian territory and flowing under the Rainbow Bridge. After its lengthy journey, it’s here where the water rushes and thunders over three iconic natural waterfalls. The most spectacular and famous of the three is Horseshoe Falls, so named for its rounded formation. The movement of water and its sheer power creates a spellbinding mist that rises and soaks the smiling faces of every tourist who visits. Holiday makers can take elevators to a lower vantage point behind the falls for a real feel of the falls’ force, with the added option to board a boat for a closer look. The dramatic waterfalls marks the water’s final flurry before it narrows to all but disappear along the St. Lawrence River and out to sea.

VIKING

Clockwise, from top left: The ethereal beauty of Lake Superior; a mesmerising cityscape on the shores of Lake Ontario; sunset over Lake Michigan; wild grasses on the edges of Lake Michigan; the view of the lakes, as seen from space; a lighthouse on Lake Erie; Chicago’s skyscrapers towering over the city; the clear waters of Lake Superior

viking.com

77

CITY BUZZ

On Lake Michigan, the bustling cities that cling to the water’s edge are the peak attractions and feel a million miles away from the silent and hushed shores of Canada.

Chicago is famed for its high-flying architecture, like the stratospheric glass-floored Willis Tower, or the neo-Gothic skyscraper Tribune Tower, while on street level, wind tunnels through the streets give it its affectionate name – The Windy City. Top chefs and street food vendors alike put this city on the foodie map, and every year the city comes to life with rollicking music festivals, with thousands making their way to Chicago especially for

the occasion.

Milwaukee, also on Lake Michigan, offers much to discover but is often overlooked in favour of the dazzling lights of neighbouring Chicago. Settled by the Germans in the 19th century, it is to this day known for its beer-making. It also plays host to a plethora of museums and galleris, with state-of-the-art architectural landmarks like the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Harley-Davidson Museum. Come evening time, walk the city streets and you’ll discover a throng of stylish restaurants.

At Sarnia, Lake Huron’s water flows through a small gap of land and past Detroit to make its way ONTARIO CANADA

Thunder Bay Lake Superior MINNESOTA

Duluth

Houghton

Soo Locks Killarney

Apostle Islands (Bayfield)

MICHIGAN

Little Current

Mackinac Island

Alpena

Parry Sound

Georgian Bay

Lake Huron

Traverse City WISCONSIN

Toronto Welland Canal Niagara Falls

MICHIGAN

Milwaukee

Detroit Point Pelee

USA Chicago

78

Lake Michigan

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario

into Lake Erie. Another electric city, Detroit attracts with its arts scene and boutique, hipster cafés, galleries and chocolate shops. Art Deco skyscrapers punctuate the skyline and at night, sultry jazz clubs beckon as music floats down the city streets.

On Lake Ontario, Toronto hugs the shoreline. A Canadian capital, the city’s multiculturalism manifests in its foods, languages, night life and arts scene, and a spectacular 200 cultures are represented here.

Toronto’s CN Tower is one of the city’s most iconic structures, but there are plenty of others to discover.

All the while, the water of the Great Lakes provides a mighty backdrop, lazily flowing on its way out to sea.

Clockwise, from top right: Niagara Falls; views from the Aula, the stunning panoramic al fresco auditorium; a map detailing the geographical location of each lake, and the US-Canada border

VIKING

EXPLORE our itineraries GREAT LAKES

Explore the unspoiled wonderland of the Great Lakes in 2022. Home to fascinating wildlife and some of the most interesting cities in North America, these itineraries provide the perfect opportunity to discover the largest freshwater ecosystem on earth.

ONTARIO CANADA Thunder Bay MINNESOTA Duluth

UNDISCOVERED GREAT LAKES

Lake Superior Soo Locks

Houghton

Apostle Islands (Bayfield)

MICHIGAN Mackinac Island Lake Huron

WISCONSIN

N

Milwaukee

Cruise Overnight in Port

MICHIGAN Lake Michigan

Chicago

ONTARIO CANADA Lake Huron

Alpena Traverse City

Toronto

MICHIGAN

Welland Canal Niagara Falls

WISCONSIN Milwaukee

Cross the width of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Soo Locks, exploring the Apostle Islands and Keweenaw Peninsula. Gain insight into the unique features and ecosystems of remote wilderness islands and admire Kakabeka Falls, the "Niagara of the North." Step back in time at historic Fort William and on the quaint, car-free streets of Mackinac Island.

8 Days | Thunder Bay – Milwaukee from $9,795pp in Deluxe Nordic Balcony

USA

MICHIGAN Mackinac Island

N

VIEW ITINERARY

Lake Michigan

Detroit USA

Chicago

Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

NIAGARA & THE GREAT LAKES

VIEW ITINERARY

Discover North America’s wilderness alongside renowned cultural attractions while cruising the striking waterways of the Great Lakes. Immerse yourself in the lakes’ compelling shipping history, experience the power of the thundering Niagara Falls and keep watch for scores of migratory birds at Point Pelee.

8 Days | Toronto – Milwaukee or vice versa from $8,795pp in Deluxe Nordic Balcony

Point Pelee

Cruise

ONTARIO CANADA

Thunder Bay Lake Superior

Soo Locks

MICHIGAN Mackinac Island

Little Current

Killarney

Lake Huron

WISCONSIN

N

GREAT LAKES EXPLORER Parry Sound Georgian Bay

MICHIGAN Milwaukee

Cruise Overnight in Port

Lake Michigan

8 Days | Milwaukee – Thunder Bay from $9,495pp in Deluxe Nordic Balcony

USA

Sept-Îles

QUÉBEC

NOVA SCOTIA

Québec City Trois-Rivières

Lake Ontario

L’Anse aux Meadows Gulf of St. Lawrence Cap-aux-Meules

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Charlottetown

Saguenay St. Lawrence River

Halifax

USA

North Atlantic Ocean

N

NEW YORK New York City

CANADIAN DISCOVERY

VIEW ITINERARY

Discover this region’s rich colonial past amid stunning natural settings and admire the unparalleled beauty of the rugged coast of the Canadian Maritimes.

Cruise along the wide expanse of the St. Lawrence River and marvel at the dramatic cliffs and wildlife of the Saguenay River Valley.

13 Days | New York City – Toronto or v.v. from $12,995pp in Deluxe Nordic Balcony

Toronto

viking.com

Discover the maze of granite islands that comprise Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve while hiking and kayaking through its tranquil beauty. Discover Mackinac Island and venture into the boreal forests of Lake Superior's Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Explore coastal wetlands replete with birdlife, comb pristine beaches and get acquainted with native cultures of the northern Great Lakes.

Chicago

CANADA

ONTARIO

VIEW ITINERARY

Cruise Overnight in Port Seaway Locks

79

48 HOURS IN

TORONTO

CANADA

43.6532° N, 79.3832° W

Toronto Canada’s largest city is known for its cosmopolitan charm, varied arts scene and splendid foodie offering On the western fringes of Lake Ontario sits bustling Toronto, a multicultural city where more than 200 cultures are represented in the city streets. With residents having roots in all corners of the globe, world foods, cultures and customs come together seamlessly to make the city what it is. Toronto’s arts scene is unrivalled, with a bountiful array of museums, theatres and galleries like the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the shard-like structure of the Royal Ontario Museum, which unveils a fascinating history of Canada and beyond.

Elsewhere, architecture dazzles, with old red brick juxtaposing against glass, and King Street West next in the pipeline with Frank Gehry designs for twisting skyscrapers extending up to 289 metres in the sky.

Come evening time, the sun sets and casts a pink glow across the lake and twinkling city lights flicker on and set the stage for its nightlife.

o online: Visit viking.com/expedition for more G information on cruises that go to Toronto

80

VIKING

WHAT TO SEE AND DO In Toronto you must experience art, rich and diverse food, and the outdoors. Visit the bohemian neighbourhood of Kensington Market, where Victorian buildings house boutique shops and arts spaces and don’t miss Graffiti Alley, near Queen Street and Spadina Avenue, which features seven blocks of vibrant outdoor art, or the renowned Art Gallery of Ontario—this stunning building houses Canada’s greatest art collection of 95,000 works and includes paintings by European Masters such as Peter Paul Rubens, as well as photography, sculptures and rare books. The museum’s highlight is its vast number of works by the renowned Group of Seven, pioneered by several Canadian painters that were inspired by the Great Lakes region’s beautiful landscapes.

With over 8,000 restaurants, it would take you some 22 years to try them all if you tried a new one every night. A melting pot of cultures, Toronto’s cafés, restaurants and eateries feature influences from all corners of the globe. Explore the St. Lawrence

Market, a paradise for foodies, you will sample a selection of international favourites as well as Canadian specialties such as peameal bacon sandwiches and Montreal-style bagels. Check out the Distillery District, perched east of Downtown, it is one of the city’s most successful rejuvenation projects and today is visited for its hip bars, boutiques and outdoor galleries.

Get outdoors and see how people are reconnecting with nature on the shores of Lake Ontario, where more than 1,000 acres of land have been reclaimed, creating one of the best wildlifewatching areas in a large city.

Explore Tommy Thompson Park by kayak or bike as you discover a surprising wealth of plant and animal life, including more than 300 species of birds.

Finally, you must visit the iconic CN Tower. One of the city’s most iconic structures offering the best views over the surrounding landscape. Head up for sunset and watch as the whole city bathes in a golden orange hue.

WHERE TO SHOP

WHERE TO DINE

Home to several vibrant shopping districts. Our top three are the Yorkville neighbourhood at Bay and Bloor Streets and the Eaton Centre where you’ll find your premium and department stores and Queens Street West for your more eclectic shopping. There’s also historic Yonge Street; a major thoroughfare since 1794, which runs from the harbour, north toward Bradford.

Toronto is best known for its diverse food that take cues from its environment. From pocket restaurants that experiment in new dining experiences; Sri Lankan, Tajik and Ethiopian to premium restaurants like Scaramouche, a Toronto favourite for 35 years, Canoe for haute Canadiana, or Richmond Station for flavourful and unpretentious dishes.

viking.com

Clockwise, from left: The Toronto skyline is dominated by the CN Tower, a communications and observation tower; Flatironstyle Gooderham Building; eat fresh Canadian dishes at the St. Lawrence Market; discover the bohemian neighbourhood of Kensington Market

81

Adélie penguins in Antarctica

82

VIKING

EXPLORING

THE OUTER EDGE

Journey with Viking to untamed destinations as we reveal our state-of-the-art expedition ships and new itineraries for curious travellers

viking.com

83

Antarctic Explorer Antarctic This ultimateExplorer adventure takes

This ultimate takes you along theadventure spine of the you along the spine of the Antarctic Peninsula. Your Antarctic Peninsula. expedition ship was Your designed expedition ship was designed to sail remote routes such as the to sail remote routes suchto asthe the legendary Drake Passage legendary Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, with its Antarctic Peninsula, with its calving glaciers, crackling calving crackling icebergsglaciers, and unrivalled wildlife icebergs and unrivalled wildlife encounters. encounters.

VIEW ITINERARY

South America & South America & Antarctic Discovery Antarctic Discovery Embark on a journey of extremes, Embark on a journey of extremes, from tropical Rio to icy from tropical Rio to icy your Antarctica, completing Antarctica, completing voyage in Ushuaia.

Call your on voyage in Ushuaia.

Call on vibrant Buenos Aires and vibrant Buenos Aires and experience gaucho life in experience gaucho lifewindswept in Montevideo.

Visit the Montevideo.

Visit the windswept Falkland Islands before venturing Falkland Islands before Peninsula. venturing to the snowy Antarctic to the snowy Antarctic Peninsula.

Visit viking.com for more information

VIEW ITINERARY

84

If you have ever dreamed of discovering truly remote wilderness, you need look no further.

Viking has created the ultimate expedition itineraries, designed to take you to Antarctica — home to towering mountains, glacial plateaus and colonies of penguins — and the arctic archipelago of Svalbard, land of polar bears, walruses and soaring fjords.

Both locations offer dramatic landscapes that have drawn explorers throughout history.

From crackling icebergs to rugged mountains plunging into glacier-carved fjords, these remote places will unfold before your eyes as you relax in the comfort of your state-of-theart stateroom.

Viking Resident Scientists — including naturalists, geologists, polar experts and expedition leaders — help bring the regions we visit to life, from insightful lectures and workshops to unparalleled opportunities to VIKING

ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a time of intense international interest in Antarctica. In 1910, a party of explorers led by Norwegian Roald Amundsen became the first to reach the South Pole, followed by a party led

by British naval officer Robert F. Scott just five weeks later.

More widely known is the triumphant survival story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew. In 1914, Shackleton led the crew of the ship Endurance on a quest to traverse Antarctica via the South Pole. When their ship became trapped in ice, the team was forced to abandon the mission. While Shackleton’s objective was not achieved, he was able to bring all 27 men back alive — a feat that has entrenched him in international polar exploration lore forever.

experience them up close and personal.

Viking offers a variety of ways for you to experience your destinations by both land and sea, according to your interests and activity level. Expedition equipment — from RIBs and kayaks to specialty land equipment — gives you an unparalleled vantage and is included with each excursion.

After a day of exploring, you can return to your ship to enjoy panoramic views in open, viking.com

relaxing Scandinavian spaces offering comfortable furnishings and refined finishes not usually found on expedition ships. Settle in to the Aquavit Bar for an afternoon glass of wine, or visit the Explorers’ Lounge to catch a piano performance. Recharge in the sauna and enjoy the Nordic bathing ritual of alternating between hot and cold, from our sauna to our snow shower.

Clockwise, from top left: Humpback whales; expedition team on shore; explorer Roald Amundsen; Adélie penguin; zodiac excursion to see icebergs

85

Expedition ENRICHMENT Enjoy a level of onboard education and enrichment never before seen on a cruise ship

THE AULA

The world’s most advanced venue for learning at sea, The Aula is a stunning panoramic al fresco auditorium inspired by the University of Oslo’s famed ceremonial hall, the former venue for the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. Used for lectures, daily briefings, and films, this unique space features an 8k laserprojected panoramic screen which can retract to expose floor-to ceiling windows and 270° views. In addition, the large bottom windows of the stage wall slide open, providing al fresco access and an indoor-outdoor experience with nature taking centre stage.

86

EXPEDITION CENTRAL

Manned by our Expedition Team, Expedition Central is a key onboard area for guests at which they can plan and book their excursions, verify landing and “go to gate” times or get answers to questions about upcoming excursions and landings. Guests can also learn more about their destination by viewing a real‑time ship tracker, examining the chart table highlighting the areas through which we sail, and reviewing AECO and IAATO information about landing regulations and biosecurity standards for the sensitive environments to which we sail.

THE LABORATORY

This well-appointed laboratory, developed in consultation with Cambridge University and other academic partners, supports a range of research activities and is equipped with wet-dry laboratory facilities, a sample-processing area, comprehensive microscope optics, and space for analysis-specific instruments. Guests will receive supervised access to learn from and participate with scientists undertaking primary research, an experience unique to Viking.

VIKING

THE STUDIO

This onboard area offers a multipurpose space facilitating enrichment experiences with the Viking Resident Scientists. On the wall are felt replicas of the primary avian species that inhabit or migrate to the locations we visit. Here, guests can learn to identify different birds, practice photography techniques, or learn more about their various habits with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s ornithologists — part of our Viking Resident Scientists program. viking.com

VIKING RESIDENT SCIENTISTS

Selected by our academic partners, the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a group of scientists will be on board every journey, providing lectures, advice and insight to guests in areas such as biology, botany, geology, glaciology, oceanography, ornithology.

VIKING RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Part of our Viking Expedition team, our onboard photographer will accompany shore landings and RIB/zodiac excursions, as well as offering lectures and workshops to provide insight and techniques for capturing wildlife and landscapes in the remote locations we visit, so guests can optimize their images.

Opposite page: The Aula Clockwise from top right: The Laboratory; join scientists for on board lectures; our onboard photographer; The Studio; Expedition Central

Go online: Visit viking.com/expedition for more information

87

My ANTARCTIC Clockwise, from above: Damon and his wife Hannah; beautiful Antarctica; Damon emerges from an ice hole with a plankton sample; Damon (back row, second from right) with the British Antarctic Survey wintering team, Signy Base, 1993; Damon’s 1993 diary entry describing a (cold!) water polo match

88

“I

Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, Head of Science and Sustainability at Viking Expeditions, reflects on his emotional connection with this icy wilderness

was an Antarctic diver.” A simplified description of my early career, yet when mentioned in social settings nearly thirty years after I first successfully applied for work as a marine biologist with the British Antarctic Survey, I still feel a tingle of excitement and the sense of immense privilege to have had the opportunity to experience the greatest wilderness on the planet.

In 1992, I graduated from a marine biology degree at university and was immediately plunged into the extensive preparations required

for a deployment to Signy Base in the South Orkney Islands. With some pleasing symmetry, it included spending the summer in the (Northern) Orkney Islands, training in commercial diving within the deep and swirling waters of Scapa Flow. I couldn’t quite believe I was being paid to explore this diving Mecca of scuttled warships and Celtic mystery.

After the course, I spent a weekend with friends by the coast on the South of England. It was October, and we were jumping in and out of the seasonally frigid sea, and I was the one complaining the

most about feeling cold. I was teased about my impending choice of subaquatic career and was privately crushed by shivering doubt that I was making a monumental mistake.

However, the Southern Ocean beckoned and I was swept along with the regimented excitement of the long flights south, then boarding an ice-strengthened ship across the fearsome Scotia Sea to eventually reach our island home for the next three years. Myriad adventures followed – of discovery and selfdiscovery – with thirteen colleagues and many thousands of penguins and seals.

VIKING

My research investigated the planktonic, drifting larvae of the underwater invertebrate animals that thrive in Antarctic waters and I immersed myself in endeavouring to understand their way of life.

However, my overriding memory of that time is the morning ritual of donning a neoprene drysuit and breathing apparatus and lowering myself through a hole chain-sawed through the sea ice. Swimming down, down. I can close my eyes and it is as vivid as yesterday, recalling those wind-swept icy sledge trips to our dive sites and the calm blue world beneath.

By 2005, my Antarctic love was expressed through seasonally working on an expedition ship as a specialist guide and expedition leader, indeed where I first met Jorn Henriksen, now Viking’s Director of Expedition Operations. Jorn and I were requested to supervise the viking.com

in-water safety of a world-record swimming attempt in Antarctic waters by the remarkable athlete and ocean protection advocate, Lewis Pugh. Watching Lewis as he meditated prior to his recordbreaking swims vicariously evoked my own profound emotions of connecting with this wildest of briny places.

Being in Antarctica is a visceral experience, and so hard to describe to those who have not (yet) had a chance to visit. My partner has patiently listened to my tales of polar adventures, yet my words and the media images of the White Continent cannot truly convey its majesty. And so, in 2019, we travelled South together and were married, in the old Whalers church in Grytviken, South Georgia. We continued on to the Antarctic

peninsula, and it was a joy to see my wife splash into the sea for a most brief of ‘polar plunges’. Once again, memories of diving under the ice fill my mind.

I am now sitting at my desk in Cambridge in 2021, cocooned in the pandemic-induced isolation we have experienced recently. Remotely, I work with Viking colleagues to prepare our expedition vessels in readiness for voyages next year and beyond – and I am once again reflecting on cold waters. My wife has found that swimming in our local rivers has been her salvation. I am once again teased for finding the local waters rather too cold, and yet I still dream of the White Continent. “I am an Antarctic diver.”

89

The Thinking Person’s

EXPEDITION

Viking Expeditions bring you a new style of exploration.

Here are just some of the unique experiences you will only find on a Viking expedition voyage

MORE COMFORT

• From the moment you step foot on board, you’ll discover a distinctly Viking experience and all the comforts of our award-winning ocean ships, serene Scandinavian design and refined finishes.

• Marvels of technology, our expedition ships promise a smoother and more stable journey, while still being nimble enough to take you into the heart of every breathtaking location.

• Viking will be the only passenger vessels to use U-Tank stabilisers; reducing rolling while stationary by nearly 50%.

• The Viking expedition ships will be faster than most expedition ships, allowing swifter travel across the Drake Passage and more time for our guests in each destination.

• Enjoy more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than any other expedition vessel.

• Every room is a viewing platform with �oor-to-ceiling windows throughout, transforming each corner of the ship into an observation deck. You will feel so immersed in your destination, you could never leave the ship and still experience the best of each destination.

• An industry‑first, each stateroom has the innovative Viking Nordic 90

Balcony. The Nordic Balcony features floor‑to‑ceiling, distortion‑free glass that lets you take in the views while keeping the elements out. The top of the panoramic glass can lower down to transform your stateroom into a sheltered al fresco look out.

• Experience the world’s most advanced venue for learning at sea.

The Aula is a stunning panoramic 270º auditorium that opens to an indoor‑outdoor al fresco experience – complete with a fire pit.

• Soak up the view from the heated sanctuary of three pools, each set at different temperatures, featuring an “inside‑out” pass‑through swimming experience.

MORE EXCURSIONS

• Enjoy more excursions with each itinerary designed to offer you a choice of up to two to three daily excursions, subject to mother nature.

From RIB sailings and zodiac landings to tranquil kayak outings and underwater submarine dives, you will enjoy a diverse selection of excursions to choose from daily.

• Our optimally‑sized vessels house a �eet of world-class expedition equipment to facilitate next‑level exploration including military pro zodiacs, convertible RIBs, two‑seater

•

•

•

•

•

kayaks and two yellow six‑seater submarines – at no extra charge.

Our dynamic positioning mode will let us “hover in place” and anchor in the best locations while protecting sensitive wildlife habitats.

Another innovative industry first, The Hangar is a groundbreaking internal marina that will let you embark and disembark expedition RIBS in complete comfort and safety from inside the ship.

The Viking Expedition Kit provides all the gear you need to explore in comfort including the use of boots, binoculars, waterproof pants, safety equipment, trekking poles, snowshoes, skis and a Viking outer jacket that you get to take home on our polar expeditions.

No detail overlooked, your stateroom will also have a heated drying closet to warm and dry expedition gear quickly.

The Viking Expedition App will give you the freedom and flexibility to manage your excursions and onboard experiences in real time from anywhere on the ship.

Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on Expedition cruises VIKING

VIEW ITINERARY

VIEW ITINERARY

ARGENTINA

Buenos Aires Ushuaia

Beagle Channel

Cape Horn

Rio de Janeiro Paranaguá BRAZIL URUGUAY

Atlantic Ocean

Buenos Aires ARGENTINA

Drake Passage ANTARCTICA

N

Chartered flight Example expedition destinations

Half Moon Island Whalers Bay Brown Bluff Damoy Point Antarctic Peninsula Lemaire Cuverville Island Channel Neko Harbor Petermann Island

Ushuaia

Weddell Sea

Port Stanley Falkland Islands

Beagle Channel

Drake Passage

Montevideo

Atlantic Ocean

N

Cruise ANTARCTICA

Half Moon Island

Yankee Harbor Whalers Bay

Chartered flight Overnight in Port Example expedition destinations

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

SOUTH AMERICA & ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY

13 DAYS | 2 COUNTRIES

18 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES

BUENOS AIRES – USHUAIA – BUENOS AIRES SET SAIL NOV – DEC 2022; JAN – MAR 2023 From

From

$19,995pp in Nordic Balcony $26,995pp in Nordic Penthouse

RIO DE JANEIRO – USHUAIA – BUENOS AIRES SET SAIL OCT – NOV 2022 From

From

$26,595pp $32,595pp

in Nordic Balcony

in Nordic Penthouse

E N J OY, I T ’ S A L L I N C LU D E D NORDIC BALCONY STATEROOMS | CHOICE OF 6 DINING OPTIONS | WINE & BEER SERVED WITH LUNCH & DINNERS SHORE EXCURSIONS & OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES | ENRICHING LECTURES | ACCESS TO TWO SUBMARINES & MULTIPLE RIBS NORDIC SPA FACILITIES | WI-FI & GRATUITIES | ALL INTERNAL FLIGHTS | INDUSTRY-LEADING HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM *Conditions apply. Prices are per person, in Australian dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts and correct at time of printing. Antarctic Explorer based on 13 November 2022 departure, South America & Antarctic Discovery based on 5 November 2022 departure. Economy class flights included up to the value of $2,500 per person. Included Flights will be booked by Viking and with Viking’s choice of airline from major gateway cities in Australia. These offers are valid on new bookings made between 1 October – 24 December 2021 unless sold out prior. For full terms and conditions visit viking.com.

NO KIDS | NO C ASINOS | VOTED WORLD’S BEST

138 747 (AU) 0800 4 47 913 (NZ) VIKINGAUNZ VIKING.COM

OR CONTAC T YOUR LOC AL TR AVEL AGENT

EXPLORE THE WORLD VIRTUALLY WITH VIKING .T V