Explore More UK - Spring 2021

EXPLORE more 

See more of the world with Viking / Spring 2021 £3.95 

SPIRITUAL VOYAGE 

Natural beauty and heritage in Japan 

READERS’ 

EDITION 

• GUEST REVIEWS 

• HOME COOKING 

• BOOK CLUB 

OUTDOOR 

LIVING 

Discover the design 

behind the onboard 

exterior living spaces

Embark on the ultimate adventure 

to the Arctic or Antarctica 

Discover the true Arctic on a journey to the top of the world, where polar bears reign 

and blue ice floats serenely on the horizon. Or explore Antarctica, the Last Continent, 

that is covered in ice and teeming with penguins, seals and whales. 

Our new expedition journeys Arctic Adventure and Antarctic Explorer reveal a 

breathtaking view of the planet in its purest state, and take you to pristine landscapes 

to see wildlife in its natural habitat. 

To allow you to best explore these unrivalled destinations, we have assembled a 

world-class expedition team to lead you on engaging shore landings, and esteemed 

scientific partnerships to develop enriching onboard programmes. 

The expedition ship perfected, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are home to just 378 

guests, and build on our legacy of exploration, with many industry firsts. Availability is 

limited and we are now taking bookings for our 2022 voyages. Join us on the ultimate 

adventure aboard a ship that offers the ultimate in comfort. 

Find out more about our extraordinary expedition ships and our 

equally extraordinary journeys to the Arctic, Antarctica and the 

Great Lakes. Call 0800 014 7538 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk

WELCOME 

Welcome to our Spring edition of Explore More 

To celebrate a new season, and to mark the start of an exciting new chapter as we gear up for 

travelling once again, we are delighted to bring you a new issue in which you – our guests 

and readers – are centre stage. 

In this special reader edition, we have gathered reviews from guests who have travelled with 

us to regions all over the world. We have loved reading about your travel experiences, learning 

what your highlights have been, and gaining an insight into a few of the things you are most 

looking forward to when it comes to future trips. We have also enjoyed seeing photographs of 

the recipes you have cooked up, inspired by your travels, and we have loved your thoughtful 

book reviews. Thank you so much for all your contributions! 

For those of you dreaming of new adventures, we have rounded up ten of our favourite 

sights to see in Egypt, and we take a look at the history and geography of the Douro River as 

it winds its way across Spain and Portugal. For those of you at home, Paul Hervey-Brookes has 

plenty of gardening advice, and we find out what Opera Holland Park is planning this summer. 

Above all, we hope that this issue finds you well, and we very much look forward to 

spending time with you all on board again soon. 

With best wishes, 

Managing Director, Viking UK 

Tweet us: 

@VikingCruises 

Like us: 

facebook.com/VikingCruisesUK 

Follow us: 

instagram.com/vikingcruises 

 

Email us: 

uk-marketing@vikingcruises.com 

Find out more 

about the 

Viking Explorer 

Society 

on our website 

SPRING 2021 | VIKING.COM 3

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Contents 

IN THIS ISSUE... 

EXPLORE more 

See more of the world with Viking / Spring 2021 £3.95 

SPIRITUAL VOYAGE 

Natural beauty and heritage in Japan 

READERS’ 

EDITION 

• GUEST REVIEWS 

• HOME COOKING 

• BOOK CLUB 

14 TOP 10 EGYPT Highlights from the ancient world 

18 A TASTE OF SALAMANCA Kay Wilkie reports back 

from her first visit to the ancient university city 

24 ON DECK Exploring the outdoor spaces on Viking ships 

32 ALASKAN ADVENTURE Viking guests Sheila and Ed 

Davies discover the majestic landscapes of Alaska and Canada 

70 

FEATURES 

10 VENICE TO ATHENS Travelling friends Val Hills and 

Ann Gregory reminisce about their Adriatic voyage 

20 AMAZING ASIA Lindsay and Fiona Robinson share 

their experience of travelling from Bangkok to Tokyo 

30 IN THE GARDEN Award-winning garden designer, Paul 

Hervey-Brookes, marks a new season with historical anecdotes 

36 A CULINARY JOURNEY Delectable dishes inspired 

by Viking’s voyages across the world 

13 

REGULARS 

6 VIKING NEWS The latest news and events as well as an 

interview with Lizze Cho, CEO of London-based charity Nova 

13 CITY GUIDE: ATHENS Greece’s capital is one for the 

bucket list, blending urban cool with ancient spectacles 

23 CITY GUIDE: TOKYO Futuristic skyscrapers and 

ancient temples, the city of Tokyo fuses old and new 

40 SPRING FLING Bright colours and fun accessories 

to bring your wardrobe to life this season 

OUTDOOR 

LIVING 

Discover the design 

behind the onboard 

exterior living spaces 

44 NIGHT AT THE OPERA We find out more about 

the new outdoor setting at Opera Holland Park 

41 INSPIRING PEOPLE The composer Debbie Wiseman 

discusses her wide-ranging musical career 

66 VIKING BOOK CLUB Readers review a selection 

of novels to accompany you on your next adventure 

Cover: Mount Fuji, in Japan, is 

framed by overhanging branches 

60 DISCOVERING THE DOURO An exploration of the 

river that weaves its way through Portuguese countryside 

70 GREAT LAKES EXPLORED The secrets of the 

Great Lakes that border Canada and the US 

54 MY ANTARCTIC Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith reflects 

on his connection to this icy world 

56 COME FLY WITH ME Artist Susan Beal tells us about 

her latest project, sculpting 100 polar birds out of felt 

68 KARINE’S COLUMN Executive Vice President Karine 

Hagen shares her experiences of being back on board 

74 CITY GUIDE: TORONTO An in depth look at Canada’s 

largest city, known for its cosmopolitanism and arts 

4 VIKING.COM | SPRING 2021 


NEWS 

Viking NEWS 

A round-up of the latest travel news and events from the world of Viking 

BEST IN SHOW 

WE WERE THRILLED TO BE NAMED RIVER CRUISE LINE OF THE YEAR IN THE 2020 FOOD AND TRAVEL 

MAGAZINE READER AWARDS RECENTLY. THE WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED AT A VIRTUAL CEREMONY EARLIER 

THIS YEAR AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO VOTED FOR US, THANK YOU! 

“OUR READERS KNOW THEIR STUFF WHEN IT COMES TO CRUISES, SO TO CROWN VIKING THE CHAMPION 

IN THIS CATEGORY FOR FIVE YEARS IN A ROW IS A TRUE MARK OF EXCELLENCE,” SAID THE JUDGES. 

THE LONELINESS 

OF THE SOUL 

We are excited to announce 

that the Royal Academy will 

be re-opening to the public 

on 18th May, meaning 

visitors will have the chance 

to view the Viking-sponsored 

Tracey Emin/Edvard Munch: 

The Loneliness of the Soul 

exhibition in person, after it 

was extended until 1st August. 

The exhibition features 

more than 25 of Emin’s 

works including paintings, 

some of which are on display 

for the first time, as well as 

neons and sculptures. These 

works, which explore the 

loneliness of the soul, have 

been chosen by Emin to 

sit alongside a carefully 

considered selection of 18 

oils and watercolours drawn 

from MUNCH’s rich collection 

and archives in Oslo, Norway. 

NILE NEWS 

Viking Aton, a new state-of-the-art river vessel, will be the latest addition 

to Viking’s Egypt fleet. Inspired by the design of the award-winning 

Viking Longships, and built specifically to navigate the Nile, Viking Aton 

is scheduled to debut in September 2022, sailing on the popular 

Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. 

Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, Viking Aton will join its sister ships 

Viking Osiris and Viking Ra in Egypt, where Viking is the first and only 

Western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile. 

“Egypt remains a top destination for many of our guests who are 

inspired to discover the rich history and beauty of the region,” said 

Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “The addition of Viking Aton is 

a reflection of our continued investment in Egypt; we look forward 

to introducing the country’s cultural treasures to even more Viking 

guests in the future.” 

SUMMER SHOWTIME 

RHS Hampton Court Palace challenges and there’ll be a brand 

Garden Festival is set to return new RHS Flower Market. 

this summer, after the Royal 

“After months of planning 

Horticultural Society confirmed it and uncertainty we can’t wait 

will take place 5 – 11 July. We are to return to what we do best, 

delighted that Viking will continue putting on our famous RHS 

its long-standing relationship with Flower Shows for all to enjoy,” 

the RHS, and will be the headline said Helena Pettit, RHS Director 

sponsor of this year’s event. of Gardens and Shows. 

Visitors to the shows will 

“We have seen a huge increase 

be able to discover innovative in people taking up gardening 

gardens and fantastic florals and growing in the last year. 

alongside a shopper’s paradise Bringing the horticultural world 

of plants, tools, sundries and together again will be significant 

accessories to decorate all for the industry and we are 

gardens, big or small, plus continuing to plan for different 

plenty of activities, talks 

scenarios to ensure we can open 

and demonstrations. 

our gates safely and implement 

Show gardens will shine a light social distancing measures if 

on key issues and environmental still necessary.” 

VIKING VENUS 

GODMOTHER 

We are pleased to announce that 

British journalist and broadcaster Anne 

Diamond will be the godmother of 

Viking’s seventh ocean ship, Viking 

Venus, due to debut this spring. 

Anne is well known for her career in 

television that has spanned more than 

40 years, as well as her pioneering cot 

death campaign, following the death 

of her own son Sebastian. 

Over the last year, Anne has been a 

key figure on Viking’s award-winning 

enrichment channel, Viking.TV. 

“Back in March 2020, at the start 

of the global lockdown, I rang my 

good friend Karine to ask if there was 

anything I could do,” recalls Anne. 

“Never did I think it might lead to such 

a fascinating journey. But exhilarating 

journeys are what Viking is all about!” 

“We are delighted and honoured 

to have Anne serve as the godmother 

of Viking Venus,” said Karine Hagen, 

Executive Vice President of Viking. 

“Since the day we paused 

operations, Anne immediately 

volunteered to help our guests and 

crew manage through this period of 

uncertainty and became the face of 

Viking.TV on her weekly Thursday 

livestreams, brightening the days of 

nearly two million viewers. There is no 

one more deserving to become the 

godmother of Viking Venus.” 

6 VIKING.COM | SPRING 2O21 

SPRING 2O21 | VIKING.COM 7

NEWS 

VIKING.TV 

UK CRUISES RESTART 

HAVING BEEN THE FIRST CRUISE TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS AT THE 

BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, VIKING WILL RESTART OPERATIONS 

IN THE UK IN MAY, WITH THREE SPECIAL SAILINGS ALONG THE COAST 

OF ENGLAND. AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FOR UK RESIDENTS, THE 

NEW EIGHT-DAY ITINERARY – ENGLAND'S SCENIC SHORES – WILL BE A 

ROUNDTRIP FROM PORTSMOUTH. GUESTS WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST 

TO SAIL ON BOARD VIKING'S NEWEST OCEAN SHIP, VIKING VENUS. 

Earlier this year, in March, our online experience programmes focused on the British Isles. In May, 

channel, Viking.TV, celebrated its first birthday. With we’ll take a closer look at the Caribbean region for 

livestream shows every day, as well as an extensive a week, and we’ll also be appreciating all things 

library of on-demand programming, including short Portuguese. Each of these topics and areas will be 

documentaries, interviews, lectures and musical explored in more depth, with shows touching on 

performances, viewers can continue to explore the history, culture, cuisine and traditions, as well as a 

world with Viking from the comfort of home. range of inspiring guests with fascinating life stories. 

Coming up in April, there will be a week of 

Visit Viking.TV to discover a wide variety of 

art-related content, as well as a week of 

online content to inspire a sense of wanderlust. 

We love hearing from you, so please do send your comments and suggestions to uk-marketing@viking.com 

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT 

We are proud to be supporting the London-based charity 

Nova, which works with individuals, communities and 

organisations looking to achieve their potential and 

seeking a better future for themselves and the wider 

society. CEO, Lizzie Cho, gave us some 

more insight into their work: 

What do you hope to accomplish 

at Nova? 

Our work at Nova is based on the three 

pillars of social cohesion – social mobility, 

social inclusion and social capital. As CEO of 

Nova, my ambition is to create a blueprint 

for a way of working that supports other 

organisations and individuals to connect 

across boundaries for the collective good and creating pathways for all 

people, irrespective of background. 

Throughout the Covid pandemic we have been busy delivering laptops, 

food, vitamin D tablets, SIM cards and activity packs and over 1,000 hours 

of 1-1 support. If we can inspire as many people as possible to change 

the little bit of the world around them through our work, I’ll be happy! 

What do you love most about your job? 

There is a lot I love about my job so it’s hard to pick out what I most love! 

The grassroots work is incredibly rewarding – seeing people 

improving their lives through education and being supported towards 

employment. Our reach work is also immensely satisfying – joining 

up dots across business, government and civil society for wide-scale 

societal improvements. 

It’s incredible working with a fantastic range of partners from Imperial 

College to the Natural History Museum to The Jo Cox Foundation and 

Viking, whose values match our own and by working together we 

profoundly improve experiences and outcomes across the board. 

What is on the horizon for Nova this year? 

We have been busy launching a podcast and our Visionaries Giving 

Scheme, as well as expanding our work with families and our events 

programme – our second TEDx Ladbroke Grove main stage event 

is in May 2021. 

This year we aim to reach over 2,500 people and connect with more 

partners. We’ll be offering nearly 6,000 hours of dedicated 1-1 support, 

300+ activities for children and families (greatly enhanced through 

our partnership with Vking), 600 adult learning sessions through our 

grassroots work and around 40 events via our reach work. 

For more information, and to donate, please visit novanew.org.uk 

We receive some amazing feedback, 

which acts as a kind of rocket fuel 

for us. Here are some recent quotes: 

“They stopped me going over the edge when 

I was at my lowest.” 

"Nova has really helped to keep our 

spirits up in these unprecedented times. 

They have been extremely helpful in 

my time of need.” 

“Thank you for providing a safe place for my 

family that has helped us through the lockdown.” 

“All services and support we receive 

is amazing, and a unique opportunity 

for our children.” 

“To know there is somewhere like Nova when 

you are going through a problem…it is literally 

an oasis in the desert. It’s about someone giving 

up their time and being concerned about your 

plight. It’s very hard to put into words. They go 

the extra mile.“ 

“I learned so many 

things about 

myself by coming 

to Nova classes. 

I have seen the 

impact on my 

mental health 

and speaking 

ability, and 

communication 

skills." 

8 VIKING.COM | SPRING 2O21 

SPRING 2O21 | VIKING.COM 9

REVIEW 

Time travel 

Friends Val Hills and Ann Gregory reminisce about 

the historical highlights of their Adriatic voyage 

The opportunity for 

two ladies of a certain 

age to be a part of 

the maiden voyage 

of Viking Sun was too good to 

miss and she didn’t disappoint! 

We had chosen this journey as it 

takes us through history – from 

the Venetians to the Romans 

and ancient Greece. 

The ship was glorious: sleek and 

modern, with a hint of Scandi. Our 

stateroom would have to wait – we 

were off to explore Venice, to plan 

our next day, taking the waterbus 

shuttle arranged by Viking. 

A whole day in Venice to look 

forward to! On the way back from 

our recce, we noticed how elegant 

the ship looked from the water and 

we couldn’t wait to explore her. 

Our stateroom was near 

Mamsen’s and this quickly became 

our favourite place for breakfast 

– the pancakes were divine – and 

the adjacent Explorers’ Lounge is 

a wonderfully stylish and sociable 

space, ideal for enjoying views. 

Next day, the water bus to 

St. Mark’s Square worked a treat, 

with Viking staff and their big 

red brollies very visible, to help 

us find our way. We began with 

the included tour, then made our 

way off the beaten track. Venice 

is always busy around St. Mark’s 

Square and the Rialto bridge, so 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK 

we would recommend the Hidden 

Venice on Foot tour, unless you are 

confident enough to go it alone. 

There is so much to see – little 

streets, almost alleys really, opening 

into wonderful old squares, nearly 

all with an ancient church; canals 

criss-crossed by little hump-back 

bridges. And all the while, the 

ebb and flow of 

Venetians living their 

lives around you. 

The colourful market 

near the Rialto bridge 

reminds you that this 

is a living, breathing 

city where people live and work; it 

is not Disneyland. 

The Lion of Venice, the 

ancient winged lion statue that is 

synonymous with the city, would 

be our constant companion on 

most of our journey. Sailing away 

from the Venice lagoon is simply 

wonderful. From the top deck, we 

could see the islands on both sides 

as Viking Sun glided slowly through 

the lagoon, before breaking out 

into the Adriatic Sea. 

The next morning, we woke up 

in Split, Croatia with a fantastic 

view of Diocletian’s Palace directly 

opposite our balcony. After 

breakfast, we headed out to the 

coach which took us to the Krka 

National Park. This really is a jewel 

of Croatia, with spectacular scenery 

and stunning waterfalls. Our tour 

guide Harry’s knowledge was 

extensive, and his witty delivery 

made the outing great fun. 

Krka National Park really is a jewel 

of Croatia, with spectacular scenery 

and stunning waterfalls 

That evening, we ate in 

Manfredi’s Italian restaurant and 

can honestly say that the steak was 

the best we’ve tasted - and that’s 

some feat! It was so good we went 

there twice in a week! 

From one “Game of Thrones” 

backdrop to another: it’s onwards 

to the pearl that is Dubrovnik, 

certainly a ‘must see’ of the 

Adriatic. Surrounded by thick, 

medieval walls that tower over 

the city and the sea, it is a sight to 

behold. The included tour took us 

high above Dubrovnik, which gave 

a fantastic view of the city and the 

Isles beyond. Our 

tour guide gave us 

a real insight into 

life in medieval 

Dubrovnik 

(formally Ragusa) 

including the 

origin of the word 

‘quarantine’. We had no idea it 

began here in 1377, 

when a mandatory 

offshore period of 40 

days was introduced to 

stave off the plague. 

Walking on the 

walls is a must for 

more intimate views of the city. 

The difference between the new 

red pantile roofs and the older ones 

reveals the extent of the damage 

and trauma suffered by this city 

during the war of the early 1990s. 

Kotor beckoned the next day as 

we sailed on down the Dalmatian 

coast into the beautiful fjord-like 

inlet. This small Montenegrin city 

is a relatively new destination. 

The ancient narrow streets give a 

sense of its past and the need for 

protection against pirates. It was 

October and the days were getting 

warmer as we travelled south. 

This page, left 

to right: Early 

morning in the 

Piazza San 

Marco, Venice; 

Val and Ann 

enjoy a drink on 

board Viking Sun 

Overleaf, left to 

right: Grand Canal 

palace façades 

viewed from the 

fish market; a 

stunning waterfall 

spotted in Krka 

National Park 



REVIEW 

So, we returned to Viking Sun in 

the afternoon to enjoy some of its 

many delights and eventually found 

ourselves sitting in the sun chatting 

to new friends over a cocktail. 

We headed down the coast 

towards Corfu, to the 

island’s old town and 

fortress. We took to the 

water again, this time 

in a small boat to visit 

Paleokastritsa and it’s 

wonderful coastline. 

Our little boat inched its way into 

a cave where sunlight somehow 

shone through an underwater cave 

from the other side, to reveal a 

remarkable bright turquoise splash 

of water called ‘The Eye’. The last 

full day of our journey loomed 

as our beautiful ship cruised into 

the Ionian Sea and we arrived in 

Katakolon. It was to be one of the 

most memorable days. Absolutely 

There is so much to see – little streets 

opening into wonderful old squares, 

canals criss-crossed by little bridges 

compelling was our visit to 

Olympia, the home of the Olympic 

games, whose origins go back to 

nearly 800 BC and took place 

every four years for the next 1100 

years till 400 AD. That’s like us 

still watching the Olympic games 

every four years that were started by 

William the Conqueror! 

The site is vast, and it was 

interesting to see the place where 

the present-day 

Olympic torch is 

lit. The museum is 

wonderful: the Greeks 

were true masters of 

stonemasonry and 

sculpture. Here we 

found out that the Greeks were the 

first to create statues with a relaxed 

hip where one leg is bent slightly, 

a legacy passed on to Michelangelo 

and evident in his David statue. We 

both came away truly awestruck by 

the spectacle and size of the site. 

Back on Viking Sun, we went 

to a discussion about the Elgin 

Marbles led by the onboard 

resident historian; there was an 

extensive programme of historical, 

geographical and political talks 

during the trip to suit all interests. 

All too soon our journey was 

over but we had a fabulous time. 

Everything about the ship, her 

staff and our journey was truly 

memorable. We loved it so much 

we are booked to do it again! 

Above: Katakolon, 

a small town on 

the coast of the 

Ionian Sea 

Below: The 

monastery of 

Paleokastritsa 

in Corfu 

The 8-day 2022 Venice, the 

Adriatic & Greece journey, 

from Venice to Athens, 

starts from £2,740pp. 

12 VIKING.COM | SPRING 2021

CITY GUIDE 

Athens 

Europe’s classical capital beckons with an 

electrifying blend of urban grit and ancient 

grandeur, delicious food and sweeping vistas 


Athens is where the 

ancient and modern 

worlds collide to create 

something utterly 

spectacular. Centuriesold 

Byzantine churches and classical 

buildings line cobbled streets, and 

sprawling neighbourhoods play 

host to buzzing bars, restaurants 

and cafes, where people pour 

out into the streets and bask in 

the heat of the day. The city’s art 

scene has abounded in recent 

years, with commercial galleries 

like The Breeder and Goulandris 

Foundation favoured hot spots for 

art enthusiasts. Athens exudes a 

charming energy and chaos, and at 

its heart, the gleaming marble of the 

Acropolis, which sits on a hill and 

is visible from almost all corners of 

the city – an ever-present reminder 

of the country’s age-old history. 

Don’t miss 

• The National Gardens, tucked 

away in the heart of the city, 

have offered a serene retreat from 

the hustle and bustle of the city 

since the 19th century. 

• The Museum of Cycladic Art is 

rich in ancient statues, figurines, 

vases and sculptures, with more 

than 3,000 artefacts of Cycladic, 

ancient Greek and Cypriot origin, 

connecting Greece to its past. 

• Head to the neighbourhood of 

Monastiraki for your fun fix of 

rooftop bars, markets, buzzing 

restaurants and cafés and peruse 

shops filled with antiques and 

handmade jewellery 

• Be sure to visit Anafiotika, a 

charming Cycladic village clinging 

to the northern slopes of the 

Acropolis. Cats snooze among the 

geraniums and whitewashed houses 

reflect the sun’s golden glow. 

Fast facts 

• Athens is Europe’s oldest capital 

city, with its origins dating back 

to 3,000 BC, and is regarded as the 

birthplace of democracy, with the 

political system enacted in 500 BC 

where eligible citizens could vote 

directly on laws. 

• The marathon came from the 

story of Pheidippides – a Greek 

soldier who ran from Marathon, 

Greece, to Athens in 490 BC. His 

long run has inspired the famous 

26.2-mile event today. 

• Athens was named after Athena, 

the Greek goddess of wisdom and 

war, although it was nearly named 

after Poseidon, the God of the sea. 

Athena won with her gift of an 

olive tree. 

INSIDER TIPS 

Changing of the guards 

The Hellenic Parliament 

stands in the heart 

of the city. It’s here 

that two guards take 

up residence, dressed in 

traditional costume. 

Café culture 

Experience Grecian café 

culture by heading to 

the neighbourhoods of 

Pangrati and Exarhia, 

where locals spill out 

from tavernas to play 

games of backgammon. 

Above: The 

Acropolis 

dominates the 

ancient cityscape 

of Athens 


DISCOVERY 

THE SECRETS OF 

THE PYRAMIDS 

Egypt’s pyramids are its 

most iconic treasures. 

Discover the necropolis 

of Sakkara, thought 

to be the first pyramid built in 

ancient Egypt. At Giza Plateau, 

the most spectacular are the Great 

Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and 

Menkaure. Also on the list is Abu 

al-Hol – the Sphinx that guards 

the entrance to the tombs. 

TOP 10 

DESTINATIONS IN EGYPT 

We’ve rounded up the highlights of this ancient land, a 

place where the remains of an ancient civilisation blend 

with the hustle and bustle of modern-day life 

LUXOR TEMPLE 

This striking temple 

sits on the fringes of the 

modern town of Luxor. 

Known as the Southern 

Sanctuary, the interiors 

boast ancient hieroglyphs 

telling of the festival of 

Opet which was held 

annually in ancient 

Egypt. Visit the Great 

Court of Ramses II, 

whose walls are adorned 

with the names and titles 

of his 17 sons. 

CITADEL OF SALAH EL DIN 

The medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo is perched on a hill 

that looms over the city. Its spectacular dome and minarets shoot 

up to dominate the capital city’s skyline while its imposing gateways 

and high defending walls show its purpose during a time of warfare. 

The citadel is one of Cairo’s main attractions and one of the most 

popular non-pharaonic monuments – along with the Mohamed 

Ali Mosque – it today houses various museums, and is the most 

prominent and photographed spot within the complex. 

4 

DENDERA TEMPLE 

EXPLORATION 

The complex of Dendera is one of 

Egypt’s best-preserved sites and is 

situated on the west bank of the 

Nile. It dates all the way back to the 

mid-4th century BC and is thought 

to be a shrine to the goddess of 

love, Hathor. Inside, the temple 

boasts examples of Ptolemaic 

Egyptian art, and a replica of the 

Dendera Zodiac – a sculpture from 

the Greco-Roman period that charts 

stars in the ancient sky. 

TEMPLES OF PHILAE 

Founded around 280 BC, the 

Temples of Philae were an important 

centre for the cult of Isis, and later 

were of great significance to the 

Greeks and Romans. The temples 

are now a UNESCO site, and have 

been moved, block by block, to 

Agilka Island. Discover the sites 

of the temples, staying for the 

evening to catch the light show 

that creates a dramatic kaleidoscope 

of light and shadow, bringing 

the figures displayed on 

the walls to life. 

PHOTOS: ©AWL IMAGES; ISTOCK; ALAMY5 



DISCOVERY 

6CAIRO MARKETS 

Egypt’s pulsating souks 

are feasts for all the 

senses where you’ll find 

everything from crafts 

and intricate jewellery 

to aromatic and unusual 

spices and foods. A trip to Cairo isn’t complete 

without a visit to the famous Khan El-Khalili 

market where visitors wander its narrow 

walkways on a quest for that ultimate souvenir. 

The souk sits on the site of what was once an 

ancient trade route and so today’s atmosphere 

isn’t unlike what it was during the times of 

the Berbers and Turks who would trade 

after journeying on camelback. 

OLD CAIRO 

Discover the narrow 

alleyways of Coptic Cairo 

– the final stage of ancient 

Egypt that can be characterised 

by its Christian faith. Visit the 

Christian Quarter of Cairo, the 

Coptic Museum, which holds the 

largest collection of Christian artifacts 

in the world and is built on the ruins of 

the Roman Babylon Fort. Old Cairo is 

also home to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, 

originally a Coptic church until it was 

sold to the Jewish community. 

DISCOVERING ASWAN 

The Aswan High Dam is a 

masterpiece of engineering that 

protects the Nile’s surrounding 

fields. A modern undertaking 

finalised in the 1960s, its 

damming established the 

300-mile-long Lake Nassar 

which now provides electricity 

and water for all Egypt. 

THE VILLAGE OF ESNA 

A charming town off the beaten 

track that offers its own fascinating 

quirks. Along the waterfront sit 

quintessential 19th-century houses 

with traditional mashrabiya – wooden 

lattice screens. Esna was once the site 

of Latopolis, and its ancient temple remains, devoted 

to the guardian of the source of the Nile, Khnum. 

The temple is thought to be one of the last built 

by the Egyptians, and it is here visitors will find the 

last-known hieroglyphic inscriptions recorded by the 

Roman emperor Dios in 250AD. Towering columns 

are still adorned with intricate carvings that tell 

Khnum’s story. 

10 

THE TEMPLE OF HORUS 

This particular temple was built in Edfu, on the west bank of the Nile, during the Ptolemaic 

Dynasty. Totally submerged by desert sands for two centuries, the temple remains one of the 

best preserved of all Egypt’s temples. A shrine to the falcon-headed god of light, the entrance 

is flanked by two falcon statues. Inside, you’ll spot a colonnaded courtyard, hieroglyphics and 

rows of lotus columns. The stairway to the roof was once used in the annual New Year’s festival 

when priests carried a statue of Horus so it could be revitalised by the year’s first sun. 

PHOTOS: ©GETTY; ISTOCK 



REVIEW 

A taste of 

Salamanca 

Kay Wilkie reports back from her first visit to the 

ancient university city of Salamanca, in Spain 

This page, 

clockwise, 

from above: 

The magnificent 

skyline of 

Salamanca; 

spotting storks 

nesting in the 

rooftops is 

thought to bring 

good luck 

We thoroughly 

enjoyed revisiting 

Lisbon and Porto 

on our Portugal’s 

River of Gold cruise, however 

our favourite destination was 

the Spanish university city of 

Salamanca. Viking Osfrid moored 

at Vega de Terrón, the furthest 

navigable point on the Douro, 

and we set off. Although we had 

holidayed in Spain many times, 

we had never visited Salamanca 

and my knowledge of the city was 

limited to vaguely-remembered 

history lessons about the 19thcentury 

Peninsula War. A goldenstoned 

city with many fine 

buildings, including two cathedrals 

and the 13th-century university, 

there has been a settlement on the 

site on the Rio Tormes since 

pre-Roman times. 

The excursion began in one of 

Salamanca’s food markets where 

we sampled local cured meats, 

cheeses and olives, accompanied 

by a glass of locally produced 

red wine. From there we headed 

to the Plaza Mayor where we 

were free to explore. For centuries, 

these main squares have been 

central to the life of many Spanish 

cities, being part town square, 

part theatre, part residential and 

part gathering place. Built in the 

18th century, the Plaza Mayor in 

Salamanca is one of the largest 

and finest in Spain. Surrounded 

by Baroque buildings, it provides 

a stunning backdrop for lively 

Salamancan life. 

Having admired and 

photographed the square, we 

headed down one of the narrow 

streets until we reached a 

building with two towers and a 

dome, the Pontifical University 

of Salamanca, a private Roman 

Catholic University. Hearing our 

accents, the curator switched to 

English and told us that his wife 

came from Glasgow and that he 

had lived there for several years. 

He advised that, despite the many 

steps, we should be sure to go right 

to the top of the towers for the 

magnificent view. He didn’t lie, 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK/AWL 

about the view or the steps! 

The golden city basked in the 

sun, and an unexpected bonus was 

a close-up view of several storks’ 

nests in the neighbouring towers. 

I was fascinated by the small heads 

popping out from the clutter of 

sticks. Storks nesting on a rooftop 

are thought to bring good luck. 

From the towers we noticed that 

the walls of the building opposite 

were decorated with scallop shells, 

the badges of pilgrims en route to 

Santiago de Compostela. The Casa 

de las Conchas, again built around 

a central courtyard, was once the 

home of Rodrigo Maldonado, a 

knight of Santiago, and is now 

a library. After exploring it we 

strolled along the narrow streets, 

then across the gardens to the 

cathedral, or rather the cathedrals, 

the new cathedral being built 

alongside the old. As Viking 

guests we had free entry to this 

magnificent Renaissance building. 

The Plateresque design is specific 

to Spain, so called as the detailed 

sculpting on the stone resembles 

elaborate silverwork. The highlight 

of the new cathedral is the multipanelled 

altarpiece surrounding 

a statue of Salamanca’s patron 

saint. We left through the 

12th-century Romanesque 

cathedral, but didn’t linger as 

there was a wedding in process; 

a beautiful bride and a handsome 

groom with a congregation of very 

fashionably-dressed guests. 

From there, we made our way 

down to the River Tormes. The 

Roman bridge still has 15 of its 

original 26 arches and gives a 

superb view of Salamanca. 

Returning to the cathedral 

gardens, we noticed that they were 

now filled with people, some in 

robes and some stylishly dressed. 

We quickly realised that this was a 

truly joyful occasion – graduation 

– the celebration of several years’ 

hard work, the beginning of a 

new chapter in life and a cause 

for family pride. Unlike British 

robes – where the subject and class 

of degree are denoted by different 

coloured hoods – the Spanish 

robes had fabric triangles featuring 

different colours for different 

faculties, on which subject and 

degree level were visible. Much to 

my husband’s embarrassment, I 

enjoyed looking out for different 

subjects and classifications, mostly 

Life Sciences and Pharmacology. 

By now in need of sustenance 

before joining the afternoon 

walking tour of the 16th-century 

university buildings, we were 

fortunate enough to find two 

seats along with new graduates 

and their proud families in one of 

the bustling outdoor restaurants. 

We ordered some snacks to share 

– gambas pil pil, croquettes de 

serrano, patatas bravas, tortilla and 

albondigas with a plate of pimentos 

de Padron on the side, laughing 

and spluttering when one of us 

got a hot one. As we enjoyed a 

glass of Ribera del Duero with our 

tapas, a group of music graduates 

and lecturers went past, in medieval 

dress, playing lutes, guitars and 

other stringed instruments. 

A truly memorable day. 

A 10-day 2022 Portugal’s River 

of Gold trip, from Lisbon to 

Porto, starts from £2,195pp. 

This page, 

clockwise, from 

top left: Kay 

enjoyed the local 

delicacies on offer; 

the ecclesiastical 

architecture was 

a highlight; the 

University of 

Salamanca from 

a spectacular 

viewpoint 



REVIEW 

Amazing 

Asia 

Lindsay and Fiona Robinson look back 

at a remarkable journey of contrasts, 

from Bangkok to Tokyo 

PHOTOS: © ADOBE STOCK; ISTOCK 

Two 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. 

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, 


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 


REVIEW 

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 

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 Asianthemed 

food, gracious service, 

making new friends, and wellproduced 

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! 

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. 

A 15-day 2022 Southeast Asia 

& Hong Kong trip starts from 

£5,290pp, and a 15-day 2022 

Far Eastern Horizons journey 


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 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK/ AWL 


CITY GUIDE 


Tokyo skyscrapers, 

Electric, sprawling, everchanging, 

Tokyo is a 

fascinating city known 

for its sleek skyscrapers, 

pop-coloured 

billboards, buzzing nightlife 

scene and fast-paced lifestyle. On 

the horizon, Mount Fuji looms, 

reminding us that as futuristic as 

Tokyo feels, it is steeped in history. 

Visitors to Tokyo can still find a 

taste of time gone by, and head to 

its more sleepy neighbourhoods, 

where bright lanterns hang from 

wooden buildings, seeking to 

preserve the culture and history of 

the country’s feudal era. Amidst 

the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, 

tranquillity and stillness can be 

found, too. The district of Asakusa 

is home to the city’s oldest Buddhist 

temple, Senso-Ji, and traditional 

stalls along Nakamise street. Along 

the Kanda River, the French 

Quarter, Kagurazaka, is home to 

cobbled streets and Zen paradise 

gardens. In springtime, Shinjuku 

Gyoen National Garden’s cherry 

blossoms are a must-see. 

Tokyo is a feast for all senses with its futuristic 

ancient temples, and vibrant markets 

Don’t miss 

• For an authentic experience of 

Tokyo, head to Tsukiji fish market. 

Get there early and you will catch 

all the action, and enjoy the full 

experience with a sushi breakfast. 

• For a historical tour of Tokyo, 

head to Edo-Tokyo Museum and 

discover how the 15th-century 

village of Edo transformed to 

become one of the largest cities 

in the world. 

• For panoramic views of the 

city, make your way up the 

Tokyo Metropolitan Government 

Building, known as Tochi in 

Japanese. On a clear day, you can 

see as far as Mount Fuji from the 

observation deck on the 45th floor. 

• Tokyo is famed for its gaming, so 

head to the arcades of Ikebukuro 

and watch gamers in action at the 

multi-story arcades. 

Fast facts 

• The cherry blossom is the national 

symbol of Japan. In April, the trees 

flower for a two-week spectacle, 

known as Hanami. 

• Tokyo has the world’s highest 

volume of Michelin stars. 

• The city is home to about 10 per 

cent of Japan’s entire population. 

If you include the greater Tokyo 

metro area of Kanagawa, Saitama 

and Chiba, the population amounts 

to around 38 million people. 

INSIDER TIPS 

Sky high 

Opened in 2012, 

the Tokyo Skytree 

broadcasting tower is 

an iconic landmark, with 

several observation decks 

open to the public. 

Row and relax 

Several districts are 

home to boating lakes, 

moats and ponds where 

visitors can rent rowing 

boats by the half hour. 

Glide off to find your 

very own peaceful oasis. 

Above: Tokyo 

by night has 

an electric 

atmosphere 


DISCOVERY 

The GREAT 

OUTDOORS 

We highlight the variety of inviting outdoor 

spaces on board Viking ships 

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. 

The 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! 



DISCOVERY 

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. 

FINSE TERRACE 

This beautiful space on the Viking expedition ships 

offers the ultimate in outdoor comfort. Inviting sofas 

with feather-filled 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. 



DISCOVERY 

OWNER’S SUITE ON VIKING 

EXPEDITION SHIPS 

The largest suite onboard our expedition ships 

offers 1223 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. 

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. 


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. 


GARDENING 

This page: A lush 

courtyard area 

caught in bright 

spring sunshine; 

award-winning 

designer Paul 

Hervey-Brookes 

SPRING celebration 

Award-winning garden designer, Paul Hervey-Brookes, marks 

the new season with historical musings and gardening tips 

At this time 

of year, each 

day seems 

to lengthen, 

and noticeably so, until 

by the end of April, 

it seems that spring 

has finally sprung, in 

all its decadence and 

blossom-laden wonder. 

The first day of 

April, known to many 

as ‘April Fools’ Day’, 

is the day when the morning can 

be spent playing tricks on friends 

and family – all light-hearted fun. 

Ask almost anyone and they will 

find its origins quite obscure, but 

they are in fact French. In the 

16th century, New Year’s Day was 

marked on April 1st and celebrated 

with parties, dances and garlands 

of blossom and spring flowers. 

However, in 1582, Pope Gregory 

introduced a revised Christian 

calendar which moved New Year’s 

Day to January 1st. Of course in 

a world without telephones and 

computers, news was slow to travel 

and New Year’s Day continued 

to be celebrated for some time in 

April. People who accepted the 

new date gradually began playing 

tricks on those they called April 

fools which was the foundation of 

a new tradition that travelled with 

European settlers around the world. 

The saddest part of this story 

for a gardener is the lack of flowers 

available for January’s celebrations. 

But we can still celebrate the end 

of April with another ancient 

celebration, Walpurgis Night, 

marking the eve of the Christian 

feast day of Saint Walpurga. 

Thought to be of Scandinavian 

origin, Walpurga was born in 

Britian in the early 8th century, and 

later in life travelled to Germany 

where she founded the Catholic 

Convent at Heidenheim. She died 

in 779 and was made a saint on 1st 

May later the same year. By Papal 

chance, her saint’s day falls on the 

same date as ancient Viking fertility 

celebrations and allowed the pagan 

ritual and the Catholic celebration 

to intertwine, hence the night-time 

parades to ward off evil that follow 

a day of bell tolling and prayers. 

Again flowers were an 

integral part of this festival, 

used in headdress garlands and 

as adornments throughout 

the dwellings. April has an 

abundance of blooms – from 

bluebells, blossom and even wild 

orchids – ensuring that these 

festivals, complete with incense 

and reverence, must have been 

a sight to behold. Our own 

celebrations in the garden start 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK; ALAMY 

with the joy of bulbs we planted 

last autumn appearing alongside 

spring flowering perennials such 

as Pulmonarias, Brunnera and 

emerging Aquilegia. 

April is the first month of the 

year where the ground is warm 

to the touch, and seeds sown 

directly will germinate within days. 

No wonder our ancestors of old 

saw this as a fertile month and 

celebrated it. 

I like to direct sow Nigella 

seed in April or, if I forget and 

am slightly late, in early May. It is 

perhaps one of the most dazzling 

of the easy annuals you could 

choose. I love the soft blues of the 

ordinary Nigella damascena, known 

commonly to many as ‘Love in the 

Mist’, but the ‘Bridal Veil’ variety 

has large faded white petals and 

highly pronounced black anthers, 

so it really does look like a bridal 

gown of old. 

Nigella damascena comes from 

Syria, and was brought to Europe 

in the 1500s, most likely by the 

Crusaders. Its seeds can be collected 

and are often used in cookery and 

its soft, fragile-looking flowers dry 

well and can be kept for up to five 

years before fading completely. 

The other must-have easy annual 

I grow is the humble marigold, 

Calendula officinalis. Again this 

can be sown directly in-between 

perennials in the open border, in 

containers and in cutting beds 

during April, May and June. 

Calendula, often known as ‘English 

Marigold’ comes in many colours, 

from brilliant yellow and burnt 

orange to the softer pastel shades 

and the beautifully bi-coloured 

‘Neon’, whose petals are darker on 

the reverse, giving a subtle colour 

even though the name suggests 

something much brighter. Calendula 

is an ancient potherb, meaning its 

flowers have been used to garnish 

salads and other dishes since ancient 

Greek times. 

In India and the Middle East, 

where the flowers were used as a 

substitute for saffron, a chance 

discovery was made. The poor, 

hard-working woman whose hands 

should have been calloused and 

worn from work instead had soft, 

gentle hands, the envy of their 

rich masters. The reason seemed 

to be cultivating and harvesting 

the flowers and stems of Calendula 

for food and as a dye plant. This 

discovery lead to an explosion in 

demand for Calendula which began 

in the Middle Ages, when plants 

that had been exported to Europe 

were closely guarded by the monks 

in their monastery gardens. Today, 

the plant is just as popular and used 

in many skincare products. 

One of the other great delights of 

the season is rhubarb, forced sweet 

pink stems are utterly delicious and 

unique. Their sister stems later in the 

year need heavy baking and sugars 

to render them edible. Rhubarb also 

THE ESSENTIALS 

With so much to celebrate in the garden, it is 

easy to overlook the more humble of gardening 

happenings. Keep on top of the weeds now and 

spend time rooting out annual weed seedlings 

as they germinate to reduce work later on. If 

you grow fruits such as currants and raspberries, 

reduce your weeding and watering work by 

adding a thick mulch now. Wood chips and even 

lawn cuttings will work well and you will be 

thankful for one less job as the weather starts to 

get hotter. 

As soon as the frosts have passed in your area 

you can plant out dahlias into the borders. These 

queens of the later summer garden are loved by 

slugs, so mulch thickly and set the odd bear trap 

to ensure you enjoy the plants and flowers and 

the slugs do not. 

had an interesting history, for this 

strange, prehistoric looking plant 

once cost, gram for gram, more 

than gold. 

Rhubarb had been an important 

and valuable medicinal plant since 

2700BC in China, but during the 

later years of the Sung Dynasty, one 

Emperor believed that a daily dose 

kept his Empress thin, beautiful 

and youthful of complexion. The 

Empress was indeed beautiful 

and as the secrets of her beauty 

escaped the palace so the demand 

for rhubarb rose, along the Silk 

Route the news travelled, and in 

Russia the craze was so intense that 

at one stage it was punishable by 

death to take rhubarb out of Russia. 

Smuggling the wonder food was 

profitable business, ensuring that 

in Europe it cost more than gold 

for a time. 

The bubble eventually burst and 

rhubarb was relegated for some 

time to depressed English steamed 

puddings and school dinners, but 

its health properties have been 

proven of recent times and with its 

superfood status restored, demand 

is again increasing. The sweetest 

variety to grow is of course a secret 

but I’ll let you in on it, the species 

form Rheum tanguticum produces 

both delicious slim sweet stems, has 

attractive cut foliage and its flowers 

which come in mid to late summer 

are followed by ruby red seed 

capsules – worth looking out for. 

Above: A Nigella 

damascena 

‘Persian Jewels’ 

seedhead 

Below: The 

superfood rhubarb 

once cost more 

gram for gram 

than gold 



REVIEW 

Alaskanadventure 

Seasoned Viking guests Sheila and Ed Davies venture 

into the icescapes of Alaska and Canada 


This was our 22nd Viking 

(river and ocean) cruise. 

We were just as excited 

about joining our ship 

Viking Orion as we were when we 

joined our first Viking cruise, and 

we were certainly not disappointed. 

Prior to embarking on our 

cruise we were fortunate enough 

to join the Rocky Mountaineer 

Journey pre-cruise extension and 

what an experience that was. Before 

boarding the train we spent three 

days in the beautiful city of Banff 

and enjoyed the included tour of 

the area and the optional tour to 

the Columbia Icefield where we 

were taken to the Athabasca Glacier 

in a huge all-terrain Ice Explorer. 

On the way we visited the Peyto 

Lake – the turquoise water has to 

be seen to be believed. 

As we waited for the Rocky 

Mountaineer train to pull into 

the station and take us from Banff 

to Vancouver, I have never seen 

so many excited people eagerly 

waiting to get on board. The 

GoldLeaf service was excellent, as 

was the view from the glass-domed 

upper deck of our exclusive Viking 

carriage, giving us a perfect view of 

the outstanding scenery along our 

route. After two days on board, we 

left the train to spend two nights 

in the beautiful city of Vancouver 

where we enjoyed the included 

tour. We would highly recommend 

this pre-cruise extension. 

Then it was time to join our 

ship. It was just like coming home 

and we were quickly settled in to 

the familiar surroundings of what 

was to be our comfortable home for 

the next eleven days. 

Cruising on day one allowed us 

to relax and enjoy the wonderful 

scenery of the Inside Passage. On 

arriving at Sitka we went on a 

whale watching trip with another 

couple. We were fortunate to see 

some marvellous scenery and a 

family of grey whales that circled 

the boat – at times they were so 

close we could almost touch them. 

At Skagway we joined the 

optional excursion to the Denver 

Glacier to experience the fun of 

dog sledding. What an experience! 

The helicopter ride up to the glacier 

was fabulous, as was the scenery. 

We all had a turn at standing on 

the back of the sled and the feeling 

was exhilarating. Finally, we met 

some puppies for a cuddle and 

would have run off with them if 

no-one was looking. On returning 

to Skagway, we enjoyed a walk 

around the beautiful town. 

The next day was spent scenic 

cruising in the Yakutat Bay to 

view the Hubbard Glacier and we 

were stunned by its vastness and 

colours against the water – it was 

truly magnificent. The Captain was 

able to cruise reasonably close to 

the glacier allowing everyone the 

opportunity to have a good view 

of it. It was amazing to see the 

glacier calving and the many small 

icebergs floating around the ship. 

It was also a great experience 

to visit all the other ports of call, 

to appreciate how the locals live 

and to understand the culture of 

the Alaskan people. All too soon 

our cruise came to an end and it 

was time to go home. But we have 

brought many happy memories 

home with us and are so pleased to 

have cruised with Viking again. 

An 11-day 2022 Alaska & the 

Inside Passage journey, from 

Vancouver to Seward, starts 

from £4,790pp. 

This page, 


top left: Mount 

Edgecumbe, near 

Sitka, in Alaska; 

Ed and Sheila 

Davies next to 

a British flag at 

Columbia Icefield 

Opposite, 


top left: Ed 

meeting the dog 

sledding puppies 

in Skagway; a 

dog sledding 

experience in the 

snow; Icy Strait 

Point in Hoonah; 

whale watching 

in Sitka; Viking 

Orion docked in 

Skagway; sailing 

the Inside Passage 

at night; a sea 

otter in Sitka; 

Hubbard Glacier 

Yakutat Bay; Ed 

and Sheila at 

Columbia Icefield 



COOKING 

New York Cheesecake A Viking set-up 

sent in by Christine and Christopher Gandy 

Your 

World 

Chicken Pörkölt 

A hearty Hungarian 

stew rustled up by 

Wendy and Nick Atkin-Smith 

Chicken Pörkölt Jenny Miah served 

her chicken recipe alongside pasta 

Poached salmon and Cucumber Salad David Thomas 

enjoyed making this Norwegian dish at home 

Churros and chocolate sauce 

Lynne Morris baked these 

delicious Spanish treats, 

perfect for dipping in chocolate! 

Flavours 

of the 

world 

Our readers have been busy exploring 

the world from their kitchens... 

Mamsen’s Waffles Everybody’s favourite, Lynne Morris 

paired her waffles with fresh raspberries 

Alaskan Salmon Ella Mitchell 

used a brown sugar glaze 

for this baked dish 

Goulash Mary Crisp tried creating 

this Hungarian classic at home 

Borscht 

Angie Heini cooked this beetroot-based 

soup popular in Eastern Europe 

Tarte Tatin 

Mrs Baker conjured 

up this apple tart, a 

staple of French cuisine 

Smørrebrød (open sandwiches) 

A Danish favourite, David and Louise Harrison 

combined salmon gravlax with a mustard dill sauce 


RECIPES 

Japan 

TEMAKI SUSHI 

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 200g (7oz) sushi rice 

• 60ml (2 fl oz) rice vinegar 

• 1 tbsp sugar 

• ½ tsp salt 

• 1 pack sushi nori sheets 

FOR THE FILLINGS: 

• Sushi grade fresh tuna 

• Salmon roe 

• Teriyaki chicken 

• Avocado 

• Cucumber 

• Shrimp 

• Wasabi 

• Sushi ginger 

1. Cook the rice according to the 

packet instructions. Mix the rice 

vinegar, sugar and salt and stir 

through the rice. Allow to cool. 

2. Cut the nori sheets in half and 

assemble all the fillings, cut into 

small 10cm (4 inch) strips. 

3. To assemble the temaki, spread 

a layer of rice over each nori sheet, 

then add fillings to taste. Roll into a 

cone shape, and moisten one edge 

before pressing to seal. 

Croatia 

A culinary journey 

Join us in creating new dishes that celebrate the 

amazing variety of local produce and foreign 

flavours from these fascinating destinations 


TROLLKREM 

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 egg whites 

• 6 tbsp lingonberry jam 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

• 1 tsp caster sugar 

TO GARNISH: 

• Lingonberry jam 

Norway 

1. Place all the ingredients into 

the bowl of a food mixer (make 

sure the bowl is really clean). 

2.Whisk on the highest setting 

until the mousse increases in 

volume and forms soft peaks. 

3. Serve piled into individual 

glasses and garnish with some 

extra lingonberry jam. 

BLACK RISOTTO 

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 450g (1 lb) cherry tomatoes 

• 2 tbsp olive oil 

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed 

• 450g (1 lb) squid, prepared and sliced 

• 2 tbsp olive oil 

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

• 1.2l (2 ½ pints) fish stock 

• 2 tbsp butter 

• 1 small onion, chopped 

• 355g (12 ½ oz) Carnaroli risotto rice 

• 150ml (5 fl oz) white wine 

• Salt and pepper 

• 1 x 4g sachet squid ink 

1. Prepare the cherry tomatoes. Blanch briefly 

in boiling water, then remove with a slotted 

spoon, peel and chop. 

2. In a frying pan, heat the olive oil, then add 

the crushed garlic and the squid. Sauté really 

fast and remove from the pan as soon as the 

squid starts to curl. Reserve and keep warm. 

3. In the same pan, add a further 2 tbsp of 

olive oil and the chopped garlic. Fry the garlic 

until golden and then add all of the chopped 

cherry tomatoes. Cook gently until reduced 

and thickened, then add in the squid. Season 

with salt and pepper, then keep warm. 

4. For the risotto, heat the fish stock in a 

saucepan, then in a heavy-based pan melt 

the butter, add the onion and cook for 

five minutes until soft without colouring 

the onion. Add the rice and stir well, 

coating in the oil, then add the white wine. 

Cook the rice until all the wine has been 

absorbed, stirring all the time. 

5. Begin to add the warm fish stock, a ladle 

at a time, stirring the risotto constantly and 

never allowing it to dry out. Add the squid 

ink to the risotto and keep stirring, then keep 

adding the stock until the rice is just tender 

and the risotto is slightly runny. This should 

take approximately 15 minutes or so. 

6. Serve the risotto and top with the squid 

in tomato sauce. 


RECIPES 

VIKING BURGER 

Serves 6 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 6 sesame-seeded buns 

• 6 slices cheddar cheese 

• 6 slices pancetta 

• Smoky barbecue sauce 

FOR THE BEEF PATTIES: 

• 900g (2 lb) minced beef 

• 1 egg, beaten 

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

• 70g (2 ½ oz) dry breadcrumbs 

USA 

FOR THE ONION RELISH: 


• Pinch salt 

• 6 red onions, sliced 

• 175ml (6 fl oz) orange juice 

• 100ml (3.5 fl oz) red wine vinegar 

• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 

• 4 tbsp honey 

• 1 small beetroot 

TO SERVE: 

• French fries 

• Coleslaw 

• Lettuce and tomato 

• Sweet pickled gherkins 

1. To make the burger patties, 

mix the minced beef, egg, 

Worcestershire sauce and 

breadcrumbs together in a large 

bowl. Shape into six generous 

burgers, then chill until required. 

2. For the red onion relish, melt the 

butter in a heavy-based pan and 

add in the onions. Sprinkle over 

the salt, then cook gently until soft 

and translucent, but not coloured. 

Add in the orange juice and both 

vinegars, then stir in the honey 

and the thinly-sliced beetroot. 

3. Continue to cook gently until 

all the excess liquid has evaporated 

and the mixture has thickened. 

Allow to cool. 

4. Season the burger patties with 

salt and pepper, then grill for 

about 3-5 minutes on each side 

(depending on your preferences). 

5. Meanwhile, toast the burger 

buns and add a slice of cheddar to 

the bottom half. Place the cooked 

burgers onto the cheese. As you 

remove the burgers, add the slices 

of pancetta to the grill to crisp up. 

6. Top each burger with a spoonful 

of the onion relish and a squeeze 

of barbecue sauce. Finish with the 

crispy pancetta before adding the 

top half of the bun. Serve with 

French fries, coleslaw, crunchy 

lettuce and slices of tomato, and a 

few sweet-pickled gherkins. 

TARTE TATIN 

Serves 6 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 100g (3 ½ oz) caster sugar 

• 55g (2 oz) butter 

• 6 dessert apples 


• 320g (11.2 oz) puff pastry 

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C. 

Heat the sugar and butter over a 

medium heat until it turns a deep 

golden brown. Don’t allow the 

caramel to burn. 

2. Peel and halve the apples, 

scooping out the seeds with a 

spoon. Place all the apples in 

the caramel and cook, moving 

France 

them around in the caramel, for 

approximately 10 minutes. Next, 

in a 23cm (9 inch) diameter oven 

proof dish or pan, arrange the 

apple halves, rounded side down. 

Fill in any gaps with cut apples and 

dot with small pieces of butter. 

3. Roll the pastry out into a circle, 

slightly larger than the pan and 

about 5mm (0.2 inch) thick. 

Place the disc of pastry over the 

caramelized apples, tucking the 

edges in all around the dish. Brush 

with melted butter. 

4. Bake for around 30 to 40 

minutes, or until the pastry is 

golden brown and the caramel is 

starting to ooze from the tart. Leave 

to cool for an hour before serving. 



FASHION 

The 

Bright Side 

Mix and match your colours for 

a fresh new look this spring 

Leather purse 

White Stuff, £35 

Pink chinos 

From a selection at Next 

Blouse 

Next, £35 

Sandals 

Accessorize, £22.50 

Cardigan 

Tu Clothing, £20 

Paper hat 

National Trust, £20 

Denim midi skirt 

M&Co, £35 

Raincoat 

Regatta, £75 


Trainers 

Marks & Spencer, £39.50 

Sunglasses 

Oliver Bonas, £24

INTERVIEW 

INSPIRING PEOPLE 

Debbie Wiseman 

The celebrated composer discusses her wide-ranging 

musical career, and her inspirations 

Did you grow up as part of 

a musical family? 

There is an unsubstantiated 

rumour that one of my great-great 

grandfathers may have been an 

opera singer, but apart from that, I 

was the first in the family to show a 

real interest in playing an instrument 

– and it was quite a surprise to my 

parents because they weren’t musical 

at all! From the moment I started 

to learn to play the piano at 7 years 

old, I think I knew even then that I 

wanted to be a musician. By the time 

I got a place at the Guildhall School 

of Music and Drama I knew I wanted 

to be a composer. 

How did your career get started? 

Although the Guildhall composition 

course was a purely classical training, 

there was interaction with the drama 

department, so I was involved in 

some of the productions there. I 

knew I wanted to write film and TV 

scores, so I put together a showreel 

of music and sent it out to hundreds 

of directors and producers – pretty much 

every film and TV company in the country! 

After almost two years I received a reply 

from a director who was making a film 

for Channel 4. He bravely took a chance 

on a new composer and I’ll always be 

grateful for that. 

Who or what inspires you, and why? 

When I’m writing for a film or production 

then I have the inspiration on screen which is 

a real gift for a composer! When I’m writing 

an album, on the other hand, I’ll have a 

concept in mind and that will kickstart 

the writing process. The Viking signature 

music was composed following visits to the 

beautiful ocean and river ships – which 

was the perfect inspiration! 

Who would you like to dine with? 

Mozart and Beethoven! I would love to 

spend even 5 minutes in their company. 

What kind of food do you love most? 

I love all types of fish – and simple pasta 

dishes too. Why? Because that’s pretty much 

all I can cook, except for apple crumble – 

and despite my husband’s insistence to the 

contrary, we can’t eat that all the time! 

Do you have a memory that stands 

out from a trip abroad? 

I have so many lovely memories, but I 

enjoy anywhere that takes me to the sea. 

Listening to the sounds of the ocean and 

watching the ever-changing waves is relaxing 

and invigorating at the same time. It’s no 

coincidence that so many great works of 

art and pieces of music have been inspired 

by the sea. 

What was the inspiration for the 

podcasts you’ve recently produced 

for Viking? 

We thought, wouldn’t it be great to be able 

to escape virtually for an hour or so and 

go on one of the cruises from the comfort 

of our own homes! The wonderful cellist 

and writer Justin Pearson worked with us 

to create this 6-part series which takes in 

several Viking cruises, and we’ve built a 

light-hearted story around the adventures 

and mishaps of musician Elizabeth 

Drinkwater. It was such fun 

recording the series! 

What has been your career 

highlight? 

Looking back, each project I’ve 

worked on has been the highlight 

of my career at the time; the next 

step along the way, if you like… 

I’ve been so lucky to have been 

involved in so many brilliant things 

over the years – films, TV series, 

concerts, Royal events – so I can’t 

possibly raise one above the rest! 

What are you currently 

working on? 

I’m writing a new orchestral 

album for Decca to mark the 

Queen’s 95th birthday, which will 

be released in June. It features 

music specially composed to 

reflect the reigns of 12 selected 

kings and queens, culminating in 

a celebratory piece for HRH Queen 

Elizabeth II. I’ve also written and 

will present a show for Classic FM – Music 

for Monarchy – which will look at the hugely 

varied music that’s been composed for 

royalty through the ages. There will be 

new scores for the BBC and Channel 4 for 

several upcoming television series. All of 

these projects were postponed last year, so 

I can’t wait to get going again! 

From top: Composer Debbie Wiseman, OBE; Debbie 

conducts the National Symphony Orchestra while 

recording The Traveller at Abbey Road Studios 


REVIEW 

Making memories 

From her home in Scotland, Susan Robertson crossed into 

the Arctic Circle for an unforgettable adventure 

This page, 


above: Viking Sky 

illuminated by the 

northern lights; 

a sledge ride was 

one of the many 

highlights of 

the trip 

When I thought about 

which memories to 

write about I was 

spoilt for choice, 

but I decided on our last ocean 

cruise, In Search of the Northern 

Lights. My husband, Andrew, and I 

live in the north of Scotland, where 

we get very cold and snowy winters 

and our friends thought we were 

mad going to Norway for an even 

colder holiday. However this cruise 

proved them wrong! 

Having packed all our thermal 

underwear and woolly jumpers we 

joined Viking Sky in London to 

start our adventure. After a relaxing 

overnight cruise we woke in 

Stavanger. Having visited before on 

a Viking Homelands cruise we took 

the opportunity to explore more of 

this town by ourselves. A trip to 

the Oil Museum was a must as we 

live near Aberdeen, the oil capital 

of Europe. The visit was fascinating 

as we were able to relate to a lot 

of the exhibits. 

With clear blue skies and 

no sign of snow we began to 

wonder when we would need all 

our winter gear. We needn’t have 

worried because the further north 

we cruised the more snow we saw 

and the colder it became. There was 

great excitement as we approached 

the marker for passing the Arctic 

Circle and we all had cameras at 

the ready to capture the occasion. 

Our certificates are pinned up in 

our kitchen to remind us. 

The wind was strong so we 

sailed on to Tromsø and were able 

to enjoy an extra day there. I really 

wanted to buy a reindeer hide and 

when we went shopping we 

were amazed to find that the 

pavements are all heated to keep 

them snow-free. Feeling full of 

energy, we decided to go up and 

down in the cable car above the 

town and walk back to the ship. 

What superb views over the whole 

area we had from the top and we 

were so lucky to have such clear 

blue skies. After a beautiful concert 

in Tromsø cathedral we got our 

first show of northern lights. A 

lovely end to the day. 

PHOTOS: © SHUTTERSTOCK 

The next day was a real highlight 

for us. This was the trip to the 

Sámi to find out all about their way 

of life and to meet their reindeer 

and ride on a sledge. What a lovely 

family and so welcoming to us all. 

Andrew and I also had a very fast 

ride on the back of their skidoos 

as father and daughter raced each 

other. A bit speedier than the 

reindeer sledge! 

Our next stop was Alta in the 

far north. A day out to see huskies 

and experience a ride almost as fast 

as the skidoo. Wandering around 

the town we were impressed by the 

wonderful ice sculptures, especially 

a full-size tractor, before going to 

the market where we chatted to a 

stall holder who travels all the way 

from Sweden to sell his goods. 

In the evening we set off in 

buses to search for the northern 

lights. We weren’t sure whether 

they would dance for us as the 

weather was a bit cloudy but 

suddenly they appeared and we 

were mesmerised. What a spectacle 

to witness. Soon it was time to 

board the ship and start going back 

down south again but we still had 

Narvik and Bergen to look forward 

to before the end of the cruise. 

From Narvik we had opted to 

visit the Polar Park where we had 

knowledgeable guides who told us 

about the animals. It was wonderful 

to see moose, bears, wolves, musk 

ox and lynx fairly close by, although 

I wouldn’t like to meet any of them 

without the fences. 

Almost the end of the cruise 

but we still had Bergen to explore. 

Having been before we decided to 

take the funicular up the mountain 

and have a guided walk. It was a 

beautiful clear day and the views 

were magnificent. A fitting finale to 

a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

I had one last treat the next 

morning – my waffle in Mamsen’s 

before we said goodbye to newfound 

friends and the wonderful 

Viking crew. However, every time 

we look at my reindeer hide draped 

over the couch we are reminded 

of the unforgettable experiences 

we had on our In Search of the 

Northern Lights trip. 

A 13-day 2022 In Search of 

the Northern Lights journey, 

from London to Bergen, or in 

reverse, starts from £3,990pp. 

This page, 


above: The Arctic 

Cathedral in 

Tromsø; an aerial 

view of Tromsø, 

Norway; a reindeer 

was one of the 

many animals that 

Susan spotted on 

the journey 



CULTURE 

This page: Soprano 

Lauren Fagan 

debuts as Violetta 

in La traviata at 

Opera Holland Park 

A BREATH OF 

FRESH AIR 

Opera Holland Park’s Anna Picard celebrates 

the company’s new outdoor setting and 

introduces the 2021 summer season 

Twenty-five years old this 

summer, Opera Holland 

Park is the only opera 

company in London to 

enjoy the ease of access that comes 

with a central urban location and 

the natural beauty of surrounding 

gardens and woodland. Its global 

reputation is twofold: as a company 

that balances stylish productions 

of core repertoire and operatic 

rarities with year-round awardwinning 

community and education 

work; and as a place where artists, 

creatives and audiences feel 

equally at home. 

This year there is a fresh twist 

to the summer season, which 

marks the company’s return to 

full productions after a year in 

which the arts fell silent. Beneath 

the theatre’s iconic canopy roof, 

a new 400-seat auditorium is 

being built to accommodate 

flexible socially-distanced seating 

that will be arranged each night 

according to the size of the ticket 

holders’ bubbles. The space has 

been reimagined by the acclaimed 

set designer, takis, to maximise 

the connection to the greenery of 

Holland Park, with an extended 

stage, a boutique feel, and 

reclaimed and sustainable materials. 

The upcoming season is set to 

begin on 1 June and sees the return 

of music theatre to Kensington 

with five full productions by 

Opera Holland Park. 2021 also 

marks the tenth anniversary of 

Opera Holland Park’s famous 

Young Artists scheme, which 

identifies and nurtures talented 

singers, directors, conductors and 

designers The first production of 

the season, Mozart’s The Marriage 

of Figaro, features six graduates of 

the scheme, now emerging stars 

in their own right. The material in 

the opera is juicy: a marriage on 

the rocks, a wedding in peril, a riot 

of teenage hormones, and some of 

Mozart’s most sublime music. 

Written in 1786, The Marriage 

of Figaro has never grown stale 

or fallen out of fashion. Perhaps 

because the trials of love, lust, 

infatuation, infidelity, jealousy 

and reconciliation are so familiar. 

In the course of a single hectic 

day on Count Almaviva’s estate, 

Aguas Frescas, three couples are 

united or reunited in marriage, 

while a fourth pairing is hinted 

between Cherubino and Barbarina, 

youngest members of the 

household. Expect bursts of insight 

into human nature, a faultlessly 

constructed comedy, and music 

as fresh as a summer breeze. 

Of the five works in Opera 

Holland Park’s 2021 season 



CULTURE 

only one has an urban setting. 

La traviata is Parisian to its core, 

a fierce critique of conventional 

morality played out in the French 

capital’s hedonistic demimonde. 

Verdi’s opera is as much an exercise 

in realism as it is a romance. Two 

forms of consumption drive the 

tragedy: the pulmonary tuberculosis 

from which Violetta Valéry is in 

remission when we first meet her, 

and the conspicuous consumption 

involved in maintaining her 

position as the most celebrated 

courtesan of her age. 

Glittering dances and 

exquisite arias are contrasted in 

this powerful drama of love and 

loss. Champagne, cut flowers, 

high fashion, gambling, dining 

and dancing come at a price, 

whether funded by entertaining a 

consortium of lovers or a single, 

extremely wealthy benefactor. 

So, alas, does happiness. Violetta 

abandons her apartment, her 

friends, her profession for Alfredo. 

After three short months in the 

country with him, ‘revived by the 

breath of love’, her money runs 

out. Verdi’s music reminds us that 

the city does not care, that its 

appetite for distraction and luxury 

is unstoppable. Even as Violetta 

lies dying back in Paris, longing 

for Alfredo’s return, the hedonism 

continues outside on the streets, a 

raucous mardi gras chorus. 

Set in the vineyards and 

orchards of Alsace, L’amico Fritz 

is another opera in which nature 

plays a critical role. Suzel’s gift of 

a bunch of violets is the first signal 

that Rabbi David’s choice of bride 

for his bachelor friend, Fritz, is the 

right one, despite their age gap. 

Fritz is moved by Suzel’s gesture, 

but remains reticent until 

David devises a scheme 

in which to bring the 

lovers together. 

Mascagni’s fragrant, 

airy writing blossoms into 

something warmer and richer in the 

‘Cherry Duet’ between Fritz and 

Suzel. Laced with charming arias 

and echoes of Jewish folk melodies, 

this new production of L’amico 

Fritz, a rarity in other houses, 

marks the welcome return of an old 

favourite to Opera Holland Park. 

A happy ending is also assured 

in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedy, 

The Pirates of Penzance. 

Co-produced with Charles Court 

Opera, this family favourite is 

famous for its wordplay, as romance 

blossoms amid the daisies and 

willows of Cornwall, despite the 

interventions of the police and 

the Pirate King. 

The space has been reimagined 

to maximise the connection to the 

greenery of Holland Park 

The greenest and wildest of the 

five operas in the 2021 season is 

The Cunning Little Vixen. Here, two 

sets of characters, one human, the 

other a cast of animals and insects, 

live, love, grow up and grow 

older as the seasons change in the 

Moravian forest. Chief among the 

human characters is the Forester, 

who first sees Vixen Sharp-Ears 

when she is a cub and wants her for 

a pet. Any hope of taming her 

is quickly lost. Teased by the 

Forester’s children, she dodges 

the attentions of a lustful dog, 

radicalises the chickens, 

humiliates the cockerel and 

finally escapes to the forest. 

Janáček was too wise 

an observer of nature to 

sentimentalise his animal 

characters but he did 

make them loveable, 

real and recognisable. 

With the accompaniment of 

Janáček’s exuberantly rhythmic 

score, The Cunning Little Vixen 

captures the joys, thrills, fears 

and sorrows of our existence – 

whether or not we have a tail. 

It couldn’t be easier to journey 

to Seville, Paris, the Alsace, Moravia 

and Cornwall this summer, with 

Opera Holland Park. 

www.operahollandpark.com 

Above, from 

top: An artist’s 

impression 

of the new 

flexible seating 

arrangements at 

Opera Holland 

Park; the canopy 

protects audiences 

from the elements 

whilst enjoying 

an al fresco 

performance 

PHOTOS: © OPERA HOLLAND PARK 

BECOME A MEMBER AT 

OPERA 

HOLLAND 

PARK 

WITH AN EXCLUSIVE 

FREE TRIAL FOR 

VIKING SUBSCRIBERS 

Enjoy a summer of al fresco 

opera in our new socially 

distanced theatre 

The Marriage of Figaro Mozart 

La traviata Verdi 

The Cunning Little Vixen Janáček 

L’amico Fritz Mascagni 

The Pirates of Penzance Gilbert & Sullivan 

As a member you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits 

throughout the summer, including: 

◗ £8 off every ticket to our main-stage productions 

◗ 10% off all food and drink at the theatre 

◗ Discounts across our pre-season events 

◗ No booking fees and free ticket exchanges 

No commitment or payment necessary. 

To redeem visit the Opera Holland Park website 

CULTURE 

operahollandpark.com/viking-offer 


REVIEW 

REVIEW 

Russia 

by river 

Chris Purnell travelled the waterways of Russia, 

enjoying everything from vodka to ballet 

Clockwise, from 

above: A stunning 

view of Moscow 

from the river; the 

famous domes 

of St. Basil’s 

Cathedral; sunset 

on the River Volga; 

Kizhi Pogost, the 

famous site on 

Kizhi Island 

We arrived at our 

ship, Viking Akun, 

on a beautiful 

May morning. 

It was such a lovely day that I 

had no coat on and I will always 

remember the shudder of one of 

the crew members at my bare arms. 

She told me “Madam, you are in 

Russia!” We later found that she 

was the Hotel Manager, the lovely 

Karoline. She reminded me often 

during the cruise about that first 

encounter. That was the start of a 

very memorable cruise, a fantastic 

experience that turned lifetime 

dreams into treasured memories. 

Our first full day on board 

found us visiting the sumptuous 

Catherine Palace at Pushkin. We 

were the first group to arrive so 

had early access to the palace 

and wandered the rooms and 

halls before strolling through the 

vast grounds. We returned to 

Viking Akun for lunch, had a lazy 

afternoon exploring the ship and 

then on to the Cossack show in the 

evening, a fun-filled experience not 

to be missed. My husband, Bob, 

was persuaded up onto the stage 

to join in, great fun. 

St. Petersburg is fabulous. We 

toured the Hermitage on day two 

and although we had been once 

before it was still a great treat. An 

even bigger treat that evening was 

a visit to the ballet. Swan Lake was 

performed and was wonderful, an 

amazing included excursion and 

another forever-memory made. We 

returned to the ship quite late and 

found that the chef had prepared a 

goulash supper for us. Viking really 

does think of everything. 

A kommunalka visit on day 

three was a real eye opener – an 

authentic look at how the residents 

live. Tea and cakes were served by 

our hostess and an interpreter. As 

we sailed from St. Petersburg that 

night, we had no idea just how 

many treats were waiting for us 

along the river. The next day we 

stopped at Mandrogy where we 

visited the open air craft museum 

and saw many local craftspeople 

displaying their skills. We also 

visited the vodka museum which 

was eye-popping! So many varieties, 

so little time, but we did our best! 

PHOTOS: © SHUTTERSTOCK 

Kizhi Island the next day was 

another lovely experience, the 

onion-domed churches and village 

buildings were beautiful against a 

bright blue sky 

– we all took 

a lot of photos 

that day. Back 

on board a sailaway 

party had 

been prepared. 

We all needed 

a sleep in the 

afternoon, the 

extra-large balconies providing the 

perfect spot. 

The cruise continued with 

memories being made both on 

and off the ship. The wheelhouse 

tour with lovely Captain Vladimir 

was both fun and informative. The 

scenic cruising for part of every day 

was very welcome after the walking 

tours. On day seven, we visited the 

14th-century Kirillo-Belozersky 

Monastery and a local school. It 

We also visited the 

vodka museum. So 

many varieties, 

so little time...but we 

did our best! 

was interesting to note the great 

differences between this school 

and schools in the UK. 

One of the most welcome 

surprises was on the next day, when 

we visited Yaroslavl, a fabulous 

city. After a very long walking tour 

we arrived at the local market. We 

admired the local produce and 

as we turned the corner found a 

Viking stand, complete with chef 

Leonidas and crew, ready with 

much-appreciated drinks and 

snacks for us. 

The next day we arrived at 

Uglich, a pretty town with a cluster 

of churches alongside the river. 

After visiting the churches we were 

taken by local bus, complete with 

icons, curtains and cushions, to 

visit a local family in their home. 

We enjoyed snacks and homebrewed 

vodka, at 10.30am, whilst 

chatting about our lives. 

That night we sailed for 

Moscow. Arriving at lunchtime, 

we were taken on the fabulous 

metro system into the city centre 

for our walking tour. After the 

tour we were treated to a classical 

folklore concert – it was such a 

wonderful evening. The sound 

of Lara's Theme 

performed on the 

balalaika will stay 

with me forever. 

We also visited 

The Pushkin 

Museum of Fine 

Arts on the next 

day, a real treat! 

Our last day 

came far too soon but saw the 

culmination of a dream I have 

had since childhood, to stand 

alongside St. Basil’s Cathedral in 

Red Square. It didn’t disappoint! 

We then toured Red Square, the 

Kremlin and the gigantic GUM 

department store. This was truly 

a cruise-of-dreams, made possible 

by Viking, and made even more 

special by travelling with lovely 

friends, Sue and Carl, who we 

met several years ago on a Viking 

cruise. The itinerary was fabulous, 

the staterooms excellent, the crew 

amazing, as usual. Thank you 

Viking, we can’t wait to see you 

again and make more memories. 

A 13-day 2022 Waterways 

of the Tsars journey from 

St. Petersburg to Moscow, or in 

reverse, starts from £3,095pp. 



TRAVEL 

Love 

AFFAIR 

Catherine Collins celebrates the 

ever-changing views, photographed 

on a journey to Norway with Viking 

My love affair with 

the sea began a long 

time ago in New 

Zealand where I 

was born. We were never far from 

it and despite a near miss with it 

as a toddler, it became my best 

teacher. I learned to swim, sail 

and fish in it. I discovered the 

delights of moonlight on water 

and phosphorescence, and giant 

stingrays cruising in the calm water 

of early morning and evening. 

Our young lives were ruled by 

tides and weather; when to 

launch and retrieve the boats 

featured heavily. 

In my early 20’s I moved 

to London. No sea. I missed 

it terribly, but I embraced 

other interests, predominantly 

photography and design. Now 

I live by the sea again, and it’s 

as if I’d never left it. 

This page, 

clockwise, 


A view of land 

looming on the 

horizon; sunset 

view from deck; 

Geirangerfjord 

in the distance 

It brought my love of photography, 

design and the sea together in 

15 days of utter perfection 


TRAVEL 

Above: Built 

in 1842, 

Geirangerfjord 

church is known 

for its traditional 

Norwegian style 

Below: Light casts 

beautiful shadows 

on the land 

From the moment I stepped on 

board, I was transfixed by the 

beauty of the ship whose every 

aspect is impeccably considered 


top left: The ship 

passes serene 

rocky bays; a 

glimpse of the 

midnight sun from 

deck; an aerial 

view of the ship, 

Viking Sea 

In 2019, I began another love affair. 

I did something I had never 

done before. I went on a cruise 

with Viking, to Norway, Into the 

Midnight Sun. It somehow brought 

my love of photography, design 

and the sea together in 15 days 

of utter perfection. 

From the moment I stepped 

on board, I was transfixed by the 

beauty of the ship whose every 

aspect is impeccably considered and 

exquisite. But the views completely 

blew me away. I don’t think any 

photograph or description could 

ever do them justice. What could 

be more rewarding than travelling 

the world in the best floating hotel 

imaginable. Thank you Viking, for 

being the company you are, and 

for giving us the possibility to 

realise our dreams. 

A 15-day 2022 Into the Midnight 

Sun trip, from Bergen to London, 



DISCOVERY 


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 

“I when mentioned in 

My ANTARCTIC 

was an Antarctic diver.” 

A simplified description 

of my early career, yet 

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 

Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, Head of Science and 

Sustainabilty at Viking Expeditions, reflects on his emotional 

connection with this icy wilderness 

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 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK; DAMON STANWELL-SMITH 

and self-discovery – with thirteen 

colleagues and many thousands of 

penguins and seals. 

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 

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.” 



DESIGN 

Come fly 

WITH ME 

Having combined a love of the natural world with the art of 

needle felting, Susan Beal tells us more about her latest 

project, sculpting 100 polar birds for Viking expedition ships 

This page: An 

arctic tern made 

using sheep’s 

wool and beeswax 

I 

have done many different 

things in my life, but I’m 

happiest making beautiful 

things with my hands. For the 

past eight years I have been making 

lifelike bird sculptures from sheep’s 

wool and beeswax using the 

simple process of needle 

felting. It’s like the best 

aspects of carving, painting, 

crochet and embroidery 

rolled into one. 

Needle felting is low tech 

and peaceful – no noisy machines, 

dust or fumes, no expensive, fancy 

equipment. My dogs Bodi and 

Tulsi, and cats Elfin and Lili, like to 

hang out with me while I work. I 

can hear the calls and songs of birds 

outside while I sculpt, often the 

same species that I’m sculpting. 

Needle felting involves using a 

special needle with tiny barbs along 

its length that, when poked into 

wool over and over, felt or compact 

the fibers. It’s akin to sculpture or 

carving, but instead of removing 

Why birds? They’re like flying, 

singing flowers and they lift my 

heart with their beauty 

material as with wood or stone, 

the wool is compressed and shaped 

into the desired form, somewhat 

like with clay, but becoming denser 

the more it is felted. Think of 

what happens with cotton candy 

if you squish it…it’s a bit like that. 

Detailed markings are made by 

adding different coloured wool, 

or by applying lightfast ink for 

exceptionally subtle markings 

and colourations that are difficult 

to achieve with felting. 

Much of my inspiration comes 

from where I live, in the 

house I grew up in, on a 

farm in Vermont that has 

been in my family for four 

generations. I make my 

birds in the studio where 

my father used to paint. 

I grew up in a creative family, 

surrounded by my father’s oil and 

acrylic paintings, my mother’s 

quilts, braided rugs, cushions, 

and curtains and, later on, gifts of 

handspun sweaters, woven blankets 

and needlepoint from my two 

mothers-in-law. 

We always had lots of dogs 

and cats, rescued as strays or from 

shelters, as well as horses and cows 

on the farm. I hated when the 

cats, all excellent mousers, hunted 

for little animals, most especially 

birds. It broke my heart, though I 

cherish the experience of rescuing 

and caring for the wounded little 

creatures, or comforting them as 

they died. But all of it gave me a 

great love and respect for animals, 

both companion and wild, and I 

have never lived without them. 

I first began needle felting in 

2012 when I received a bounty of 

wool fleece after my first motherin-law 

passed away. Much of it 

was hand dyed using vegetables, 

herbs, flowers and fungi. Not being 

a spinner or weaver like she was, 

I wasn’t sure what to do with so 

much wool. Then I stumbled across 

a book about needle felting and, 

intrigued, decided to give it a try. I 

ordered a felting needle, grabbed a 

handful of brown fleece, and made 

a little brown bird – or an ‘LBB’ 

as ornithologists fondly call them. 

And that was that. 

I was completely enchanted by 

this unique, relatively unknown 

art form. I made another bird, 

and another. I made birds that 

live on our land – chickadees, 

wrens, robins, kestrels, orioles 

and nuthatches. Eventually, my 

daughter suggested I open an Etsy 

shop online. On a whim, I did. I 

never intended for it to be anything 

but a fun way to honour all the 

effort my mother-in-law put into 

growing, carding and dyeing so 

much wool. Why birds? I’m not 

sure, exactly, other than that they’re 

like flying, singing flowers, and 

they lift my heart with their beauty. 

The orders trickled in slowly at 

first but gradually increased. I made 

birds for friends and collectors, and 

endangered birds for conservation 

groups. Then Viking contacted me 

and asked if I would like to make 

100 different birds for their new 

expedition ships: penguins, petrels, 

terns, albatrosses, loons, pelicans, 

eagles, kingfishers, and dozens of 

others. It’s a dream come true, and 

quite an honour. It couldn’t be a 

more perfect way to combine my 

passion for art, beauty, animals, 

nature, and the environment. 

flightofheart.weebly.com 

Clockwise 


A collection 

of Susan’s 

creations; Susan 

in her studio; 

the tools used to 

create Susan’s 

sculptures; a wire 

frame used in 

the process 



DESIGN 

Natural 

Nordic 

Chair and coffee table 

From a selection at Nest 

Embrace the elements this Spring with 

a mix of wood and natural fibres 

Silver sheepskin 

Baa Stool, £80 

LSA International vase 

Very, £65 

Serving board 

Habitat, £12 

Skagerat deck chair 

Nest, £625 

Textured throw 

Amara, £75 

Sheepskin stool 

Baa Stool, £399 

Rattan mirror 

George Home, £20 

Coffee table 

Habitat, £195 

Wooden floor lamp 

Soho Home, £295 


INTERVIEW 

INSPIRING PEOPLE 

Ghislaine Wood 

The curator discusses her exhibition highlights 

and her love of Egyptian history 

Have you always been keen 

on arts and heritage? 

Growing up, I wanted to be an 

actress, both my parents were 

actors and I thought that was a 

normal thing to do. When I got 

to university, where I studied art 

history, I realised I wasn’t really 

committed to acting. You need to 

live and breath it and have a huge 

dose of luck to get anywhere. 

How did your museum career 

get started? 

After university I briefly went to 

work in the City, in a management 

consultancy firm, but really hated 

it. Fortunately, a friend of mine had 

a job at the V&A, and encouraged 

me to apply and I got my first job 

in the newly formed Research 

Department. I loved it and stayed at 

the V&A for 20 years. 

What has been the highlight of 

your career to date? 

I have been lucky to work on many 

exhibitions and projects and to 

work with brilliant people. I enjoyed 

being involved in the British pavilion 

at the Shanghai Expo, if only briefly. 

Thomas Heatherwick’s design was 

so extraordinary and the project 

really reflected British creativity. In 

terms of my own exhibitions, I think 

it would have to be the Ocean 

Liners: Speed and Style show. It was 

such fun to put together and I was 

extremely proud of the innovative 

scenography. Visitors even took 

selfies as if they were on deck. 

What inspires you, and why? 

I’m reading a lot of science fiction 

at the moment – probably to do 

with the very strange times we 

are in. I love escaping into the 

extraordinary worlds created by 

the best sci-fi writers. Ian M. Banks 

and Margaret Atwood of course, 

but I’m also reading Cixin Liu’s The 

Three Body Problem trilogy, which 

is amazing, and terrifying – not a 

comforting read it has to be said. 

Who would you most like to 

have dinner with? 

I would love to have dinner with 

my mother who is 90 years old 

and has advanced Alzheimer’s. 

I would love for her to recognise 

us and just chat. 

What kind of cuisine do you 

enjoy and any best dishes? 

I went to Georgia on a trip last 

year and was blown away by the 

cuisine, incredible dishes with fruit 

and nuts, particularly walnuts and 

pomegranate. It was all absolutely 

delicious – particularly dish called 

Phkhali, a vegetable dish featuring 

walnut paste. 

Do you have a travel-related 

memory that stands out? 

When I was in my early 20s, I 

went to Egypt on my own and 

remember hiring a horse and a 

guide, and riding between the 

pyramids at Giza and the stepped 

pyramid at Saqqara. The vision of 

the pyramid across the desert is 

indelibly printed on my memory to 

this day. I really felt like I had gone 

back in time. 

Any top travel destinations? 

I have been to Japan a couple 

of times, but I would love to 

go back and get out of the 

big cities and see more of the 

beautiful country, particularly 

Hokkaido. Skiing in Hokkaido is at 

the top of my fantasy travel list! 

What are your current projects? 

We are working on a really 

exciting new exhibition for 2022 

that will mark the 100-year 

anniversary of the discovery of 

the tomb of the Ancient Egyptian 

pharaoh, Tutankhamun. The 

show will look at the enduring 

influence that ancient Egypt has 

had on Western world, from art to 

design, architecture to fashion. The 

Sainsbury Centre has a wonderful 

selection of ancient Egyptian pieces 

in its collection, so we are very 

much looking forward to working 

alongside these collections 

and to creating an exciting 

major new show. 


above: Ghislaine 

Wood; Ghislaine 

loves Georgian 

cuisine; the 

recent Ocean 

Liners exhibition 

at the V&A 

Museum; Walking 

hippopotamus, 

1880BC, Egypt, 

Sainsbury 

Centre, UEA 

PHOTOS: ©PIERS MACDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY LTD/ 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


RIVERS 

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 

Left: An aerial 

view of the Douro 

River meandering 

its way through 

the countryside 

The 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 northeast 

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 



RIVERS 

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 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. 

Most of the towns visited along 

the Douro are located in the 

rolling hills beyond the river valley. 

Bustling Lamego is dominated 

The scenery is some of the most spectacular 

on the Iberian peninsula, the sheer slopes 

either side of the river, lush with vines 

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-andwhite 

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. 

This page, 


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 

PHOTOS: © ALAMY; AWL IMAGES 



REVIEW 

Rediscovering the 

Low Countries 

Carol and Jeremy Davies-Webb look back at the 

highlights of their trip to Holland and Belgium 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK/AWL 

In April 2018, seven friends 

ventured on Viking Baldur 

for the Tulips and Windmills 

cruise. We are a diverse 

group, friends from 40 years ago, 

ex-work colleagues from 20 years 

ago and newer Viking friends 

(yes, we met on a cruise and are 

now firm travelling companions). 

We are all based in the UK and 

we had journeyed to most of the 

destinations offered but decided 

we would go for the adventure, 

relaxation and luxury Viking 

provides. What an adventure it 

proved to be. Here are just a few 

of the unforgettable memories... 

We all arrived in Amsterdam 

on different flights or by train, two 

from “the West Country”, one from 

“Up North” and four of us directly 

to Amsterdam by Eurostar. 

We had all visited Amsterdam 

on many occasions but tried to 

find something new. And we did 

– the Amsterdam Observatory 

and Sensational Swing, or A’DAM 

Lookout, Overhoeksplein, directly 

opposite the main railway station 

and reached by a free ferry. Flying 

free from the building with nothing 

underneath you but a sheer 

drop of 100m. 

Two days later we were in the 

town of Hoorn and were taken on 

a walk around the lovely town. At 

the end of the walk we went to an 

apartment where we were hosted 

by two delightful young people, 

given amazing coffee and cake, 

and we all regard this as one of 

the highlights of our trip. 

Ghent was a real eye-opener 

for us. We had heard of it but had 

never visited. What an amazing 

town, all very accessible and easy to 

get around. We also visited Bruges 

and took the opportunity to see 

Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, 

reputedly the only sculpture by 

the artist outside of Italy. 

On the 27th April it is King’s 

Day, and we joined in with the 

celebrations, with the ladies in our 

group wearing orange feather boas 

(those feathers surfaced for many 

weeks after the cruise), the gents 

in orange trilbies. Even a café we 

visited in Veere gave us orangecoloured 

cakes and coffee. 

But the pièce de résistance was 

our return to Amsterdam. Two 

highlights stood out – a visit to the 

Hermitage Amsterdam where we 

learnt the story of the Night Watch 

and then to the Rijksmuseum to 

see the painting in all its glory, 

and afterwards, a visit to the 

renowned Keukenhof gardens for 

the spectacular floral displays. 

All in all, an amazing cruise, and 

the whole Viking experience was 

terrific, as always. We loved all the 

new experiences along the way and 

we would recommend this trip to 

anyone, even if they have already 

been to The Low Countries. 

A 10-day 2022 Tulips & Windmills 

round-trip from Amsterdam, 


This page, 

clockwise, 


Beautiful orchids; 

an interesting 

daffodil-inspired 

installation; 

Carol and Jeremy 

with friends; 

spectacular tulips; 

the Sensational 

Swing over 

Amsterdam 

Opposite: 

Windmills dot 

the landsccape 



BOOK CLUB 

JOIN OUR 

BOOK CLUB 

This page: 

Florence 

Cathedral stands 

out above the 

rooftops of the 

city that Mark 

Twain and friends 

visited during 

their tour 

of Europe 

Viking 

BOOK CLUB 

Each month, we invite you to take part in our Book Club. 

Read on for a taster of some of the reviews that 

readers have sent in recently 

www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk/why-viking/community/book-club.html 

WE GALLOPED THROUGH THE LOUVRE 

Viking guest Stuart Hannabuss looks at Mark Twain’s travel travails 

Many of us keep ourselves going 

at the moment by dreaming of 

future holidays. Perhaps cruises like 

the ones we used to have – great 

places, lovely people, super nosh. 

‘One day soon,’ we say. We have 

our memories, check our diaries, 

look again at the pictures. Can’t be 

narrow-minded if you travel a lot, 

American writer Mark Twain said. 

He is the guy who wrote kids’ 

books Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, 

of course. And much else, including 

the travelogue The Innocents 

Abroad, published in 1869. A 

group of Americans came to Europe 

to see the sights, crossed the 

Med to the Holy Land (they were 

‘pilgrims’ after all), and went back 

home again. Ever since, ‘innocents 

abroad’ has been used to describe 

naïve but determined tourists. We 

love this in travel books and films 

– think Bill Bryson, Tony Hawkes, 

Michael Palin, Michael Portillo – 

fun, but stuff that makes you think. 

Twain does that too. 

‘Florence pleased us for a while’, 

he tells us. Too many damned 

pictures, too much to take in, and 

far too many beggars. The guides 

speak bad English and everyone 

tries to fleece us. And don’t get me 

started on having a Turkish bath. 

It was ‘worth a kingdom’ to be on 

board ship once more for civilized 

company and a good clean up. 

Once there, we got to 

wondering: Notre Dame was 

impressive, Venice too, but with 

evidence of decay. Why all this 

reverence for old things? America 

was the New World and, as the 

Yankee told King’s Arthur’s court 

in another of Twain’s stories, the 

American message was about the 

future and not the past, technology 

and not chivalry. They deplored the 

wealth of the church alongside the 

poverty on the streets. They gasped 

at the majesty of the buildings and 

the awesome antiquity of the ruins, 

but found the relics disgusting. 

Twain’s tone is equivocal, part 

burlesque, part critique, which is 

why the book stays in print and 

speaks to us today. The actual trip 

is never quite what the guidebook 

promises: it can be worse, 

sometimes wonderfully better. 

Twain travelled a great deal 

throughout his life, usually to 

publicise his books. Once safely 

home in New York, he reflects 

on the whole trip – ‘the grand 

pilgrimage is over’. Maybe things 

weren’t so bad after all. We were 

all tired but we were happy. Hope, 

too, we’re not so narrow-minded as 

we were before, broadens the mind, 

they say. Sustains the dreams, we’ll 

probably go again – somewhere 

different this time. One day soon. 

YOUR BOOK CLUB REVIEWS 

THE OCTOBER 

MAN 

by Ben 

Aaronovitch 

I enjoy a good 

‘Who Dunnit’ 

and the fact 

that the story 

was based in 

Germany, a 

country I have loved cruising in 

with Viking, meant I could not wait 

to get started. I must confess to 

being a little apprehensive when 

realising there was a science fiction 

twist. However, I found myself 

believing in the main characters 

of Tobi and Vanessa and it had 

an interesting plot to follow. A 

light-hearted approach to what can 

sometimes be a very dark subject, 

the book certainly stretches the 

reader’s imagination. 

Ed Davies 

Aaronovitch writes detective stories 

that have a magical twist and if 

you have not previously been bitten 

by this strange mix, this one is a 

good place to start. The novella is 

set in the Mosel Valley near Trier 

and has an easy style. It combines 

humorous and sharp writing with 

a genuine feel for the area. The 

descriptions place you firmly in the 

steep, shaly vineyards as the vines 

are starting to ripen and the tale is 

a perfect combination of history, 

legend, magic and detective story. 

Caroline Maddison 

10 MINUTES 38 

SECONDS IN 

THIS STRANGE 

WORLD 

by Elif Shafak 

The tool of 

using the time 

between death 

and brain death, 

10 minutes 38 

seconds, was an interesting way to 

follow Tequila Leila’s life from birth 

to the end. She had a tough life but 

throughout the whole book there 

is a sense of personal strength 

told through her friendships and 

loyalties to other people. I want to 

go to Istanbul now to soak up the 

Bazaar, to watch the people going 

about their daily lives and breathe 

in the air. 

Nigel Meredith 

Even if you’ve never been to Turkey 

you get a real insight into customs 

and lifestyle. Religion and tradition 

spread their arms wide and then 

pull them in, restricting and ruling 

the behaviour of the various people 

whose lives we merely touch upon 

but who create an impression that 

lasts much longer than 10 minutes 

and 38 seconds. 

Brenda Mills 

JOURNEYS IN 

THE WILD- THE 

SECRET LIFE OF 

A CAMERAMAN 

By Gavin Thurston 

Given the 

amount of 

horror stories 

it contains, this 

book is strangely 

compelling. It is a scary, enthralling, 

addictive read. I found it hard to 

put down. It is the sort of book 

that makes you glad that someone 

else has done the travelling. I 

love travelling, and I have been 

to some wonderful places, but by 

Thurston’s standards I am a real 

softie. It is clear that Thurston is 

not just a skilful observer of animal 

behaviour. Over the years he has 

amassed some wonderful material 

on his fellow humans, and he tells 

it all in a highly readable manner. 

Caroline Wickham-Jones 

This is not a book I would have 

usually chosen to read, but I have 

loved it. Gavin’s experiences stayed 

with me for a while – escaped 

octopus in a car, antics with a 

witch doctor, overturned jeeps in 

Russia, active volcanoes in Hawaii. 

He certainly lives life to the full and 

has some amazingly close shaves. 

Fiona Fletcher 

THE OTHER 

END OF THE 

LINE 

By Andrea 

Camilleri 

More than the 

usual murder 

mystery story, 

this book 

includes lots of 

detail of refugees landing in Sicily. 

Various views are expressed, but 

Moltalbano expresses sympathy for 

the plight of these people fleeing 

war and poverty, which perhaps 

echoes Camilleri’s viewpoint and 

brings the remit of the novel to a 

current and very real human crisis. 

Robin Wood 

THE THURSDAY 

MURDER CLUB 

By Richard Osman 

I couldn’t wait to 

start this book 

and I wasn’t 

disappointed. It 

was like having 

a gossip with a 

friend. The wit 

throughout was tangible and the 

plot moves on so fast with so many 

twists and turns that you want to 

keep turning the pages for more. 

An absolute delight of a book. 

Bette Haley 

This was such an enjoyable book. 

Completely quintessentially English 

with its gentle humour and great 

characterisations. Some of the 

characters seemed so familiar. I 

am very much looking forward 

to a second book. 

Andre Du Casse 



COLUMN 

BACK ON BOARD 

with Karine 

Executive Vice President of Viking, Karine Hagen, recalls 

her recent time on board Viking Star and Viking Jupiter 


above: Karine 

catching up 

with the crew of 

Viking Jupiter; 

Karine serving 

Norwegian dish 

pølse og lompe 

In 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 

PHOTOS: © VIKING 

in the village of Madhavamala, in 

southern India, where his bride is 

waiting to meet 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 

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 childrhood. 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 

Clockwise, 


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 



MAGIC 

of the 

GREAT LAKES 

LAKES 

Oonagh Turner explores the natural beauty of the chain of 

lakes that lie between the USA and Canada 

Like 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 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. 

PHOTOS: © ALAMY 

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, either by 

diving or on a glass-bottomed 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. 

This page: Fall 

foliage on the 

north shore of 

Lake Superior 

70 VIKING.COM | SPRING 2021 SPRING 2021 | VIKING.COM 71

LAKES 

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 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK/ ALAMY 

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 

into Lake Erie. Another electric 

city, Detroit attracts with its arts 

scene and boutiqe, hipster cafes, 

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. 

An 8-day 2022 Great Lakes 

Explorer trip from Milwaukee to 

Thunder Bay starts from £5,795pp. 


top right: Niagra 

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 



CITY GUIDE 

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK; ALAMY 

Toronto and 

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 

which features more than 95,000 

works, 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. 

Don’t miss 

• Graffiti Alley, south of Queen 

Street and west of Spadina, features 

seven blocks of vibrant outdoor art. 

• Caribana is the largest single-day 

parade in North America. With 

a route of 3.6km, the festival is a 

day-long celebration of Caribbean 

culture and heritage in Canada 

• Toronto’s CN Tower is one of 

the city’s most iconic structures 

and offers the best views over the 

surrounding landscape. Head up 

for sunset and watch as the whole 

city bathes in a golden orange hue. 

• Perched east of Downtown, 

the Distillery District is a 

historic landmark and energetic 

neighbourhood that once housed 

a whisky distillery and today is 

visited for its hip bars, boutiques 

and outdoor galleries. 

Fast facts 

Toronto is extremely multicultural, 

with a Little Italy, Little Portugal 

and Chinatown. All areas are 

marked with dual-language street 

signs written in both English and a 

language other than French. 

Canada’s largest city is known for its 

cosmopolitan charm, varied arts scene 

splendid foodie offering 

• There are over 8,000 restaurants 

in the city ofToronto, meaning it 

would take you some 22 years to 

try them all if you tried a new 

one every night. 

• There are an estimated 10 million 

trees in the city's public parks, 

streets and squares, from maples to 

backyard oaks. 

INSIDER TIPS 

Explore the arts 

Discover the bohemian 

neighbourhood of 

Kensington Market, 

where Victorian 

buildings house boutique 

shops and arts spaces. 

Foodie favourite 

Toronto’s rich and diverse 

food scene is yours 

for the eating. Head 

downtown to the 

St. Lawrence Market 

to sample traditional 

Canadian dishes. 

Above: The 

Toronto skyline 

is dominated by 

the CN Tower, a 

communications 

and observation 

tower 


Welcome to 

a better world 

Nova New Opportunities 

is proud to partner with 

Viking, a supporter of 

our community work 

in London 

Since 1983, Nova has been positively impacting people’s 

lives. On the grassroots level, we offer adult education and 

advice for people to find new opportunities in life and a 

family programme with fantastic experiences for children, 

parents and carers. In parallel we run a series of events 

that bring people together across boundaries to build 

connections and learn about and from one another. 

Our mission is to build a more inclusive and socially 

cohesive society and a better world for all. 

We would love for you to join our journey - there are 

numerous ways that you can support our growing 

portfolio of work. 

novanew.org.uk 

Please get in touch to 

explore the possibilities 

mike.volpe@novanew.org.uk

Exploring the World in Comfort... from Home 

In addition to the daily livestream sessions and messages from crew and 

guests, you can also find an extensive library of enriching content—including 

short documentaries, reading lists, filmographies, classical music concerts, 

destination-inspired recipes from The Kitchen Table and much more. 

Previous Livestreams 

Our Viking Family 

Destination Insights 

Viking Journeys 

The Viking World 

Cultural Partners 

Streaming Live every day at 7pm 

Or watch previous livestream videos and on demand programming anytime. 

Explore our new online destination and plan your next in-home journey. 

SEE MORE AT VIKING.TV 

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Explore More UK - Spring 2021

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