Viking Traveller Issue 1

THE VIKING TRAVELLER
HOME OF TR AVEL, ART, CULTURE & INSPIR ATION
ISSUE 1

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Welcome to the first
edition of Viking Traveller.
As I write this letter, the sun is shining and making me think
of the places I would love to visit and explore and (as on pages
28-31), enjoy a cup of coffee and some people-watching. From
Russia to Portugal to Australia, in search of the northern lights
or sailing into the midnight sun, my wish list of experiences has
grown even more after reading the articles packed into this issue.
I am spoilt for choice as to where to go first, but after reading
James Lowen’s article about birdlife in Antarctica and South
America, an expedition cruise is definitely in my top three.
The chance to see a king or chinstrap penguin is just too good an
opportunity to miss. Wherever you choose to travel, we do hope
this issue will inspire you. I’m just off to make some hummus!
Best wishes,
Managing Director, Viking UK
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CONTENTS
6-11
NATURE
Highlights of the
Scandinavian landscapes
12-15
BRIGHT LIGHTS
Sara Knapton feels the
spirit of the north when
she witnesses the
northern lights
16-19
Discover Viking’s
IN SEARCH OF THE
NORTHERN LIGHTS
itinerary
20-21
BUDAPEST: CITY GUIDE
22-23
MY BUDAPEST - MUCH
MORE THAN PARIS OF
THE EAST
by Shehnaz Hanraj
24-27
Discover Viking’s DANUBE
WALTZ itinerary
28-31
COFFEE SPOTS
AROUND THE WORLD
Which one would you
choose?
32-35
JOURNEYS WITH
EXTRAORDINARY BIRDS
Top 10 birds in Antarctica
and South America by
ornithologist James Lowen
36-37
Discover Viking’s
ANTARCTIC EXPLORER
itinerary
38-39
GRAND DESIGNS
Oonagh Turner reviews
the design features of the
expedition ships
40-43
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
British Artist Kate Jenkins
talks about her foodinspired
creations
44-45
THE VIKINGS
Not just the warriors,
traders and craftsmen
46-55
A CULINARY JOURNEY
Delectable summer dishes
from our kitchen to yours
56-59
TO ME, WITH LOVE
FROM RUSSIA
Sabrina Piscioneri shares
her newfound love of
Russia
60-63
Discover Viking’s
WATERWAYS OF
THE TSARS
itinerary
64-67
WHERE WOULD YOU
LIKE TO TRAVEL?
Viking staff share places
they would most like to visit
68-71
PRECIOUS MOMENTS ON
THE RIVER OF GOLD
Join John Wilmott about his
journey from Lisbon to Porto
72-73
PORTO: CITY GUIDE
74-77
Discover Viking’s
PORTUGAL’S RIVER
OF GOLD
itinerary
78-79
LISBON: CITY GUIDE
80-83
THE VIKING OCEAN SHIPS
The world’s most beautiful
ocean cruise ships
84-87
ART ON BOARD
Learn more about Viking’s
floating art collection
88-91
Discover Viking’s
AUSTRALIA &
NEW ZEALAND
itinerary
92-95
BACK ON BOARD -
ON BRAND NEW
VIKING VENUS
Derek & Irene Mepham
share their excitement to
be back sailing
on a Viking ocean ship
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NATURE
NATURE
Finse mountain plateau is situated between Norway’s
Hallingskarvet and Hardangervidda National Parks. Unspoilt,
wild and beautiful, Finse is often described as a meeting point
between the rugged east and verdant west. You can visit
this area on a pre- or post-cruise extension with Viking, and
if you are feeling particularly adventurous, hike or bike the
spectacular Aurlandsdalen Valley.
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NATURE
From the lakes of Norway to the forests of
Finland, the white nights of Midsummer and
the ethereal northern lights, the magnificent
coastline and breathtaking mountains,
Scandinavia boasts extraordinary natural beauty,
and the relationship between Nordic people and
their environment is symbiotic
Scandinavia boasts seldom-rivalled landscapes. Norway,
with the longest coastline in Europe, has its famous
fjords—narrow inlets flanked by steep rock faces,
which cut into the coastline—and mountains, which are
covered in calving glaciers.
Sweden is the fourth largest country in Europe by area,
and its landscape changes from north to south. The centre
and north are covered in pines and firs; nearly seventy
percent of Sweden is forest and woodland. Its two largest
cities—Stockholm and Gothenburg have archipelagos with
hundreds of islands, and in the southernmost parts, you will
find vast yellow rapeseed fields.
Denmark, the smallest of the Nordic countries, is an island
nation, made up mainly of the large peninsula Jutland,
and over 400 islands of various sizes. Compared to the
other Scandinavian nations, Denmark is flat and open;
just twelve percent is covered in trees. Instead, miles and
miles of coastline offers beautiful sand-duned beaches, and
picturesque harbours dotted across the map.
Appreciation for nature is deeply ingrained in Scandinavian
culture, and many natives see being outdoors as the
best way to relax. Being close to nature is enabled partly
thanks to the relatively low population density, but in
Norway, Finland and Sweden it is also enshrined in law.
The ‘allemansrãtt’ (everyman’s right) gives anyone access
to public and private land (with the exception of gardens
attached to a home) for exercise or recreational activities,
including foraging for wild berries or mushrooms.
Because of their close affinity with the natural environment,
conservation and green living is hugely important to many
Scandinavians. In fact, Sweden and Norway regularly top
the league of most environmentally friendly countries in the
world, with Denmark and Finland also in the top 10.
The love of nature influences much of Scandinavian interior
design, which favours minimalism, natural light and open
spaces, furnished with natural materials such as wood and
leather.
This is reflected on Viking ocean ships, in detailing such as
the birch tree sculptures and ‘Hidden Trolls’ artwork which
appears in the elevators. The ships also use natural materials
including limestone, granite and wood throughout to create
a truly Nordic feel.
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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Scandinavian wildlife includes wolves, lynx, polar bears
(found in Svalbard in Norway and Denmark’s Greenland),
elk and reindeer. The undisputed King of the Forest,
though, is the brown bear, which can be spotted in
Sweden, Finland and Norway.
Because of their close affinity with the natural
environment, conservation and green living is hugely
important to many Scandinavians. In fact, Sweden and
Norway regularly top the league of most environmentally
friendly countries in the world, with Denmark and Finland
also in the top 10.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Finland has 187,888 lakes, including Lake Pielinen. The
redshank—a wading bird—breeds across Scandinavia and
frequents coastal and inland wetlands.
Finland is known as the land of the thousand lakes, and while
two-thirds is forest, 10 percent of the country is made up of
nearly 188,000 lakes.
If you venture as far north as the Polar circle, which cuts
through Finland, Sweden and Norway, you may witness
the Northern Lights, a light phenomenon created when
particles from the sun enters Earth’s atmosphere. This part of
Scandinavia is often referred to as the ‘land of the midnight
sun’, as the sun does not set above the Arctic Circle in summer.
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NATURE
THE AURORA BOREALIS
In Norse mythology, the Aurora Borealis was a fire bridge
to the sky, built by the gods. You can see why they might
have thought that. Our greatest natural light show, the
northern lights as they are more commonly known, offer
a mesmerising display of ethereal swirls of green, purple
and pink rippling across a midnight sky. They’re actually
caused by collisions between electrically charged particles
from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The best
place to see the northern lights in Scandinavia is Norway,
particularly the islands of Svalbard and Nordkapp (the
North Cape, which is the most northern part of mainland
Europe) because of their latitude and lack of light
pollution. Hammerfest, Tana Bru and Tromsø are also
good locations.
THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Venture north of the Arctic Circle and you can witness this
natural phenomenon that offers perpetual light during the
peak of summer, as the sun never sets, it merely dips. See it
best in Norway, where often ideal weather conditions allow
for dramatic red-tinged landscapes.
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BRIGHT LIGHTS
Sarah Knapton is joined by her parents on
an adventure to the Arctic Circle in a bid to
witness the northern lights.
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TRAVEL
My father (John, 69) and I have been talking
about a trip to the Arctic for the past decade,
but my mother (Carole, 70) has dodgy knees so
we did not think such a physically demanding expedition
would be possible.
However, when I learned that Viking was cruising up
the coast of Norway looking for the northern lights it
seemed an ideal solution, giving us all the chance to be as
adventurous or relaxed as we felt like.
Our 13-day journey would begin in Bergen, then cross the
Arctic circle to Narvik before venturing further up to the
world’s most northerly city, Alta. The return would see us
pass through Tromsø, Bodø and Stavanger, before sailing
home to Tilbury in London.
On the first day, I spent a peaceful evening in the beautiful
Explorers’ Lounge, while my parents arrived on board
later that evening to be greeted by welcoming glasses of
champagne and reviving soup and cold-cuts in Mamsen’s,
the ship’s cosy deli, named after the mother of Viking
Chairman Torstein Hagen.
In fact, the whole ship is designed with comfort in mind.
The Scandinavian-inspired lounges, with their reindeer peltcovered
chairs, are perfect for hunkering down during the
star-studded Arctic nights when temperatures plummet and
a cold wind blows outside.
All around are bookshelves stocked with exciting tales of
Shackleton, Amundsen and Nansen.
The Nordic theme continues in the excellent restaurants and
even the Spa, where a steam room, sauna and Snow Grotto
allow for the full Scandinavian bathing ritual of fire and ice.
But it is the chance to see the elusive northern lights which
is the big draw to this trip.
Witnessing the phenomenon is by no means guaranteed.
Conditions have to be just right, with the sun ejecting
enough plasma towards a cloudless, moonless night on Earth
for the lights to firstly form, and then be visible from below.
The whole crew is permanently on aurora-watch, with even
the bridge officers poised to announce sightings via the
ship’s tannoy.
Yet even without the northern lights the scenery is
spectacular. We left Bergen on a sunny afternoon after
spending a relaxing morning listening to a piano recital at
the home of Edvard Grieg, and our first chance to explore
the sleepy snow-dusted Arctic wilderness came at Narvik,
the little shipping port which saw the first victory against
the Nazis in the Second World War.
My dad and I chose to visit the nearby 110-acre Polar Park,
home to lynx, wolverine, brown bears, musk ox, elk and,
most excitingly, wolves. Wolves that can be petted.
So on a bitterly cold January morning, we found ourselves
kneeling in their enclosure, gloveless and hatless (wolves
will pilfer anything that isn’t firmly attached to your body)
awaiting the pack.
Sadly the wolves seemed uninterested in hanging out with a
semi-circle of shivering humans, but luckily the keeper had
a trick up her sleeve.
Cupping her hands, she howled an eerie call into the wilderness.
Within seconds the wolves had answered, baying in reply and
hurrying over to let us warm our frozen fingers in their fur.
The next port of call was Alta, which, at nearly 70 degrees
north, is the world’s most northerly city. It is known as
“The City of Northern Lights,” a good sign, if any, that the
aurora may show itself.
This time my mother joined us as we took a nighttime
excursion into the mountains, where the sky was pitch
black, offering the best chance of a glimpse of the spectacle
away from the lights of town.
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But although we had an enjoyable evening, lounging round
birch wood fires, and sipping hot chocolate under a blanket
of stars, the aurora remained absent.
The following day we visited the Sámi, the indigenous
people who still herd reindeers in the mountains and who
believe the Northern Lights emanate from the souls of the
dead. They traditionally refused to go outside when the
aurora was in the sky.
After bouncing along on a reindeer sleigh ride on a frozen
river we were served a warming bowl of bidos, or reindeer
stew, inside the Sámi communal tents, called lavvu, where
we were entertained with fascinating tales of life in the
frozen north.
Although the aurora again remained hidden, as we sailed
further south towards Tromsø our hopes began to lift
when the forecast showed a spike in the solar winds
indicating that the light-generating plasma was on its way
to Earth. We were playing Scrabble in the Atrium when the
announcement everyone had been hoping for came from
the bridge. “The northern lights have been sighted on the
starboard bow.”
There had been several false alarms that evening already and
this time my mother was not budging.
However, my dad and I snatched up our coats and headed
out onto the deck.
The wait was worth it. Glowing streaks of green darted
and swept across the sky, then vanished in an instant to
be replaced by swirling ribbons of blue and purple. Arcs
framed the mountains and great smoky waves of light
drifted from the peaks like an eruption of emerald lava.
Not wanting my mother to miss it, I raced back down to
the lounge where she was sat and insisted she join us outside
on the deck. We got lost on our way back up and ended
up coming out on a different level of the ship. But her face
on seeing the spectacle was worth it. The lights appeared
directly above the ship for around an hour then moved off
south and were gone entirely.
We found my father in a corridor comparing pictures
with other delighted guests. Experts from the Royal
Astronomical Society and some of Britain’s best universities
had been on hand in the previous days with photography
tips and it had paid dividends.
The lights were so bright that evening they were seen as
far south as Aberdeen, in Scotland. And they returned
the night after for a briefer yet similarly impressive
performance.
The next day we sailed on to Stavanger. There is plenty to
do on board, from yoga classes, to massages and beauty
treatments, games, concerts, wine tasting, films and talks, to
name but a few.
Off the ship optional excursions include concerts, icefishing,
snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, helicopter rides,
curling lessons, dog-sledding, and even a stay in the famous
Igloo Hotel in Áltá.
By the time we reached Stavanger it felt like a gentle
re-entry into real life. The ship docked right in the centre
of town, and we spent an enjoyable morning pootling
around the chic stores and coffee shops, before setting sail
across the North Sea and back home to the UK.
As we disembarked at Tilbury—unexpectedly simple
compared to most cruises—we all agreed we could have
stayed longer, and had made some fabulous memories.
Captain Bengt Gustafson insisted on saying goodbye to
each guest as we left.
Discover more about the 13-day In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary at viking.com
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TRAVEL

IN SEARCH OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
LONDON TO BERGEN OR BERGEN TO LONDON
Experience a land where dawn and twilight merge on the edges of the long Arctic
night. Cruising far north in Norway’s winter, witness what few others see: wondrous
snow-dusted landscapes, cities hushed in slumber and the luminous aurora borealis
dancing in the sky. Sámi legends, a sled dog ride and mysterious rock carvings bring
you close to your destination. Join us on this truly illuminating cruise.
Prices from £3,690pp
13 Days | 6 Guided Tours | 2 Countries
Departing January-March 2022; January-March 2023
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ITINERARY
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IN SEARCH OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
LONDON TO BERGEN OR BERGEN TO LONDON
YOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
London (Tilbury), England
Straddling the Thames River, London bustles
with lively culture and royal glamour.
Cruise the North Sea
The North Sea has been central to Europe’s
history, from Viking voyages to oil drilling.
Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger’s Old Town has Europe’s highest
concentration of 17th- and 18th-century
wooden buildings.
Included excursion: Panoramic Stavanger.
Cruise the Norwegian Sea
The Norwegian Sea has been culturally
important to Northern Europeans for centuries.
Bodø, Norway
Just north of the Arctic Circle, discover the
charms and magnificent setting of the lovely
city of Bodø.
Included excursion: Panoramic Bodø.
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø boasts the stunning Arctic Cathedral
and world’s northernmost botanical garden.
Included excursion: Panoramic Tromsø
Tromsø, Norway
Northern Norway’s second largest city,
Tromsø enjoys a spectacular island setting.
Included excursion: Panoramic Tromsø.
Day 8
Day 9
Alta, Norway
Alta is the gateway to some of Europe’s most
magnificent natural beauty.
Included excursion: The “City of Northern Lights”
Alta, Norway
Alta’s ancient rock carvings, by the Komsa
people, date back as far as 4200 BC.
Included excursion: The “City of Northern
Lights”
Day 10 Narvik, Norway
Narvik enjoys a dramatic backdrop, encircled
by mountains in every direction.
Included excursion: Panoramic Narvik
Day 11 Cruise the Norwegian Sea
It was once believed that the Norwegian Sea
lay at the edge of the world.
Day 12 Bergen, Norway
Bergen, with its historic Bryggen wharf,
exudes the quaint character of a fishing village.
Included excursion: Panoramic Bergen.
Day 13 Bergen, Norway
Scenic Bergen is nestled amid snow-capped
mountains, magnificent fjords and a glacier.
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change.
X Images left to right: Dogs pulling sled; Bergen; Reindeers, Tromso, Norway
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ITINERARY
Norwegian
Sea
Alta
Tromsø
Narvik
Bodø
NORWAY
North
Sea
ENGLAND
Bergen
Stavanger
N
London (Tilbury)
Cruise
Overnight in Port
VIKING INCLUSIVE VALUE
Schedules economy class flights to or from Bergen,
plus fly from selected local airports at no extra cost
13-day cruise visiting 2 countries in a private
veranda stateroom
6 guided tours
All onboard meals including regional specialities
Alternative restaurant dining at no extra cost
Wine, beer & soft drinks with onboard lunch
and dinner
Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board
Culture Curriculum: Viking Resident Historian,
Guest Lecturers, Destination Performances, TED
Talks, The Met Opera, Munch Moments, Classical
Music Performances
Free 24-hour room service
Free Wi-Fi onboard (connection speed may vary)
Access to top-rated spa & fitness centre
All port charges, government taxes and
overseas transfers
Onboard gratuities
VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA £100PP ON THE PRICES BELOW
In Search of the Northern Lights – Viking Venus
This table shows you the lowest available price for each stateroom category.
2022-2023 departure dates
prices per person, based on double occupancy
VERANDA
DELUXE
VERANDA
PENTHOUSE
VERANDA
PENTHOUSE
JUNIOR SUITE
EXPLORER
SUITE
January 2022 prices from £3,690 £3,990 £4,790 SOLD OUT SOLD OUT
February - March 2022 prices from £3,990 £4,290 SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT
January 2023 prices from £3,690 £3,990 £4,690 £5,990 £8,390
February - March 2023 prices from £3,990 £4,290 £4,990 £6,290 £8,490
Gratuities included on board ship only. From prices are based on the lowest priced departure date within the month. Some departure dates within the
same month may be at a higher cost. Single supplements 100%. Please see back pages for full terms and conditions.
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CITY GUIDE
BUDAPEST
The united towns of Buda, on the west bank of the Danube, and Pest, on the east side,
have forged an identity as a vitally important capital city of medieval and gothic splendour
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TRAVEL
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has a fascinatingly
long and rich history. Archaeological finds have
indicated that the town’s first settlement in its
modern-day location was built by Celts, but a turning point
in the town’s story came with the building of a Roman fort
in what is now the district of Óbuda. From the 1st century
BC to the 5th century AD, Western Hungary formed part
of the Roman Empire, helping the province to flourish.
Then in the 5th century, through a series of fierce battles,
Attila, King of the Huns, succeeded the Romans and
ruled the area until he died in 453 AD. The country saw
continued conflict and the rule of various empires until
Budapest arose out of two Bulgarian military frontier
fortresses Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks of the
Danube. After the Bulgarian-Hungarian Wars, Buda and
Pest began their development in the 12th century, and it
was only in 1873 that the formerly separate towns were
integrated into one city: Budapest.
This unification brought about unprecedented prosperity
to the city and many public buildings were erected at that
time, including the grandiose Budapest Parliament on
the Pest bank of the Danube, the city’s largest church
St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Millennium Monument
on Heroes’ Square.
MUST-SEES
This sophisticated capital, with the conservative Buda
and cosmopolitan Pest, is home to some of the most
magnificent architectural gems in Europe; from Baroque
to art nouveau.
As well as the Parliament, St. Stephen’s and Heroes’ Square,
you can visit Matthias Church dating back 500 years and
the imposing and grand Hungarian State Opera.
Fishermen’s Bastion is a medieval and gothic construction
reminiscent of mysterious fairy-tales and with some of the
best views of the glittering skyline.
Budapest is littered with relics of its disturbed history. A city
full of statues (for some of Lenin and Marx, only the plinths
remain), and bullet holes and shrapnel pockmarks from the
Second World War and the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, there
are many poignant reminders of the past, notably the Shoes
on the Danube memorial. Discover historic Castle Hill with
a walking tour taking in some fantastic cityscapes, accessible
by strolling across the iconic Chain Bridge and boarding the
Sikló, a funicular railway built in 1870 that ascends from
Clark Ádám tér to Szent György tér near the Royal Palace.
A trip to Budapest would not be complete without taking
a dip and relaxing in one of Budapest’s baths and peoplewatching
on one of the main pedestrian thoroughfares,
Váci Utca.
SHOPPING
With a generation of booming young designers and a
blossoming art scene, shopping in Budapest is a mix of
vintage, luxury and unique underground style. If you are in
the market for traditional artisanry, cutting-edge design or
culinary delights, you are in for a treat.
Typical folk craft includes ceramics, embroidery, painted
wooden toys, porcelain, and more. And traditional market
stalls sit side by side with huge malls and smaller boutiques,
offering plenty of diversity.
The Ecseri Piac and Fovam tér markets are particularly good
and worth a wander: Ecseri is a sprawling flea market full
of unusual antiques and ripe for haggling, while Fovam is a
three-story home to 200 stallholders who peddle wares from
farm-reared chickens and home-grown vegetables to locally
made arts and crafts.
INSIDER TIPS
The Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall is the largest and the most beautiful
indoor market in Budapest. Built in 1897 in neo-Gothic style
and topped with multi-coloured roof tiles, its design is a
wonder in itself. If you love fresh goods, people watching,
shopping or just sightseeing in amazing places, you will
really enjoy visiting it. Some of the local dishes you should
look out for are hortobágyi palacsinta (pancakes stuffed with
minced meat and baked in a paprika sauce), gulyásleves (the
classic goulash soup) or lángos (flattened, fried dough ladled
with garlic sauce, sour cream and grated cheese).
X Main image: Fisherman Bastion Archway, Budapest
Images left to right: St. Stephens Basilica Stairway; Viking Longship on
Danube, Budapest Parliament Building; Yellow tramway, Budapest, Hungary
Discover more about the Romantic Danube itinerary at viking.com
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My Budapest – Much More
than Paris of the East.
BY SHEHNAZ HANSRAJ, VIKING’S HEAD OF RESEARCH
Twenty-one years ago, Budapest featured in
my two-week road trip through western
and central Europe. Considered one of the
more ‘exotic’ and less known of the stops, it carried
a certain air of mysticism and grandeur from its west
meets east heritage which was heavily influenced by
both the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires.
A culture of coffee, spice (stock up on the best
paprika in the Great Market Hall) and thermal baths
have remained in Budapest ever since.
Fast forward two decades, and I was back in
Budapest, making a much grander entrance.
The last stop on an eight-day Viking river
journey down the Danube, we sailed into
Budapest illuminated by night, enjoying this
truly unforgettable experience from the Viking
sundeck. Photographs cannot do justice to the
pure exhilaration felt when cruising past the iconic
Parliament building (which takes inspiration from
London’s House of Commons), the Chain Bridge or
Liberty Bridge, to spotting the art nouveau Gellert
Hotel & Thermal Spa to name but a few.
Waking up in Budapest, docked next to the Chain
Bridge is better than the view from any hotel room.
The Danube divides the city into Buda and Pest,
and the included tour is a useful orientation of the
key sights on both sides, with the local guide sharing
the history through the centuries which has shaped
this city. Driving down the grand boulevards of
Andrássy út to Heroes’ Square, laid out to mark the
1,000th anniversary of the arrival of the ancestral
Magyar tribes in Pest, to the cobbled alleys of the
Castle District in Buda, stopping at Fishermen’s
Bastion with its vistas of Parliament building across,
and the unassuming Matthias Church next door,
with its vibrant burst of colours and decorative
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TRAVEL
X Images top to bottom: Parliament building; Halaszbastya
Fisherman Bastion gate; Central Market Hall of Budapest;
Mathias Cathedral; Paprika; Budapest Baths, Hungary
art nouveau patterns on the walls inside, was the
surprise revelation on this tour for me personally.
Budapest hosts many more hidden and visible
treasures worth exploring, such as the majestic
St. Stephen’s Basilica – if you’re lucky you might
hear the tuneful choir. If like me you enjoy your
art nouveau with a spot of “café kuchen”, visit the
beautifully restored and opulent Parisi Udvar Hotel
(Paris Courtyard) or Gresham Palace Four Seasons
hotels for a coffee or afternoon tea.
Having walked past the imposing Moorish style
Dohány Street Synagogue in Pest on my previous
trip, I booked myself on the Jewish Quarter walking
tour to find out more about the historical remains
of the Jewish community that once thrived here.
The second largest synagogue in the world, Dohány
Street Synagogue takes some of its inspiration from
the Alhambra in Spain. The tour also takes in the
more recent additions of street art, local street
food and trendy ruin bars (bars built in the ruins
of abandoned buildings), and stopping in a local
tearoom to sample the local delicacy – Flodni – a
traditional Hungarian Jewish cake with layers of
apple, walnut and poppy seed.
Treat yourself to some much deserved R&R time
and rest those legs with a visit to one of the many
indoor or outdoor thermal spas, each unique in its
offering, with a selection of different thermal pools,
frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Sunset lovers, you will be spoilt. Budapest sunsets,
especially in spring and early autumn are nothing
less than spectacular. Best enjoyed with a glass
of pre-dinner bubbles on the Viking sundeck by
the Chain Bridge. As they would say in Hungary,
Egészségére! (To your health!)
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DANUBE WALTZ
BUDAPEST TO PASSAU OR PASSAU TO BUDAPEST
Soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance
school. Savour Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Admire the Wachau
Valley’s beauty. Explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau.
Witness daily life in an abbey on an exclusive visit to Göttweig. This 8-day itinerary reveals
the best of these places, while cruising leisurely through spectacular scenery.
Prices from £1,895pp
8 Days | 6 Guided Tours | 4 Countries
Departing March to December 2022
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ITINERARY
viking.com

DANUBE WALTZ
BUDAPEST TO PASSAU OR PASSAU TO BUDAPEST
YOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1
Day 2
Budapest, Hungary
Riverside beauty, a vibrant cultural scene and
elegant Art Nouveau architecture converge
in Budapest.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is aptly called “Paris of the East” for
its beautiful evening illumination and
reflected lights in the Danube’s waters.
Included excursion: Panoramic Budapest
Day 6
Day 7
Linz, Austria
Originally known as Lentia in its days as
a 1st-century Roman castle-settlement, Linz is
today’s provincial capital of Upper Austria.
Included excursion: Linz Walking Tour
Passau, Germany
Founded by the Celts more than 2,000 years
ago, Passau is one of Bavaria’s oldest cities.
Included excursion: Passau Walking Tour
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Bratislava, Slovakia
The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is filled with
lovingly restored baroque city palaces and
dominated by an enormous castle 300 feet
above the Danube.
Included excursion: Panoramic Bratislava,
Bratislava Walking Tour
Vienna, Austria
The capital city of Austria, Vienna is filled
with green parks, upscale stores, theatres
and gracious boulevards.
Included excursion: Panoramic Vienna
Krems, Austria
The crown jewel of the Wachau Valley is
the splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig,
a working monastery for more than 900 years.
Day 8
Passau, Germany
Set at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube
Rivers, enchanting Passau is home to elegant
coloured buildings and graceful arcades.
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change.
X Images left to right: Fresco of knight on Baroque town hall of Passau, Germany;
Schoenbrunn castle, Vienna, Austria; Viking Longship Freya on River Danube, Budapest
26 viking.com

ITINERARY
Prague
CZECH REPUBLIC
Munich
GERMANY
DANUBE
Passau
Linz
Salzburg
Krems
Vienna
SLOVAKIA
Bratislava
DANUBE
AUSTRIA
Budapest
HUNGARY
Cruise
VIKING INCLUSIVE VALUE
Return scheduled flights from London and up to
14 regional airports
8 days on board in a river-view stateroom
6 guided tours, including visits to 4 UNESCO World
Heritage Sites
All onboard meals including regional specialities
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard
lunch & dinner
Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board
Free Wi-Fi on board (connection speed may vary)
Culture Curriculum®: Destination Performances &
concerts; attend lectures on Mozart & Viennese
coffeehouses; learn some basics of the German
language; learn how to make an apple strudel
Onboard gratuities
SAVE £750PP - FREE SILVER SPIRITS BEVERAGE PACKAGE - BOOK BY 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA £100PP ON THE PRICES BELOW
Danube Waltz – Viking Longships
This table shows you the lowest available price for each stateroom category.
2022 departure dates
prices per person, based on double occupancy
Standard
(F)
Standard
(E)
French
Balcony
(D)
French
Balcony
(C)
Veranda
(B)
Veranda
(A)
Veranda
Suite
(AA)
Explorer
Suite
(ES)
March 2022 prices from £1,945 £2,095 £2,345 £2,545 £2,745 £2,945 £3,445 £3,045
April 2022 prices from £1,995 £2,145 £2,595 £2,845 £2,945 £3,095 £3,545 £4,145
May-June 2022 prices from £2,395 £2,545 £3,145 £3,395 £3,595 £3,795 £5,045 £7,145
July-August 2022 prices from £2,295 £2,445 £2,895 £3,145 £3,345 £3,545 £4,795 £6,895
September 2022 prices from £2,595 £2,745 £3,145 £3,395 £3,595 £3,795 £5,045 £7,245
October 2022 prices from £2,195 £2,345 £2,795 £3,045 £3,145 £3,295 £4,445 £6,745
November 2022 prices from £1,895 £2,045 £2,145 £2,395 £2,495 £2,645 £3,095 £3,695
December 2022 prices from £2,045 £2,195 £2,495 £2,745 £2,845 £2,995 £3,445 £4,045
Prices above include a saving of £750pp. Restrictions apply to Silver Spirits beverage package. Gratuities included on board ship only. Single supplements apply.
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COFFEE SPOTS
AROUND THE WORLD
Americano, cappuccino, espresso or latte? How you drink
your coffee is incredibly important, so too is where you drink
it. We’ve picked some of our favourite places to sit and sip.
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viking.com

STOCKHOLM
The tradition of fi k a in Sweden is important
throughout the country, and means to stop and enjoy a
coffee and pastries, with friends or family. During the
long winter months it helps to have a little extra energy,
so why not slow down for a moment to enjoy this little
moment of everyday indulgence.
BERLIN
The chic capital, you would expect Berlin to be bursting
with great cafés and great coffee, and it certainly
delivers. Berlin’s coffee scene is thriving and offers a
wonderful variety of choice, with The Barn and Double
Eye ranking among our favourite haunts. Near the
Berlin Wall Memorial is Bonanza Coffee Roasters, one
of the first and best.
MOSCOW
Russia is famous for many things, but great coffee
isn’t one of them. However, there are a few cafés and
restaurants in Moscow’s ornate GUM Department
Store that serve very passable kofe. It tastes even better
if you find a seat outside on Red Square. With views
of the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the State
Historical Museum.
PARIS
In a country where “people watching” is a national
sport, you want the coffee to be perfect. Beautiful Paris
does not disappoint. Sitting in a Parisian café is one of
the many simple pleasures in this glorious city. Paris’
Left Bank offers an eclectic mix of historic and new
cafes with plenty of atmosphere.
LISBON
Lisbon’s picture-postcard cobblestone streets, pastelcoloured
houses and white-domed cathedrals are reason
enough to pause for refreshments and take in the
views. Then there’s the pastéis de nata, the sweet and
scrumptious Portuguese custard tart that is the perfect
accompaniment to a cup of rich coffee. Thanks to its
Brazilian connections, Portugal has long enjoyed the
best coffee beans—as well as the best baristas.
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DISCOVERY
ARLES
You don’t need to be a Van Gogh fan for this place to
make an impression. Café van Gogh on the Place du
Forum is the place to channel your inner artist. Van
Gogh famously painted this quintessential French café
in 1888 during his stay in Arles. It makes for the perfect
spot to sit and soak up the atmosphere.
VIENNA
Serving what is arguably the best coffee and cake in the
world, a visit to a Viennese Kaff ehaus (coffee house)
is more than a caffeine fix, it’s a complete sensory
experience. The cafés of Vienna are an elegant affair, an
integral part of society where you can read a newspaper,
chat, play a game of chess, listen to music and really
relax. Many famous Viennese institutions, including
the opulent Café Sacher, which serves its irresistible
Sachertorte, and the gorgeous, art nouveau Café Sperl,
have been up and running for over 100 years.
BUDAPEST
Foodies will flock to Budapest’s Central Market Hall,
one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular indoor
food markets. Located in a grand Gothic building, it’s
the perfect place to get to know Hungary’s famously
delicious cuisine. The ground floor is a feast of colour
and tastes, selling everything from fruit and vegetables
to spices and salami. Head up to the first floor for the
cafés, where you can enjoy a rich, restorative coffee.
SIEM REAP
Gateway to Angkor Wat with its ancient, UNESCO
Site temples, Siem Reap has grown into a resort centre
of hip hotels and world-class food and drink, and that
includes delicious world-class coffee. The town boasts a
great choice of cafés to savour a coffee just the way you
like it. Here, in the heart of the Cambodian jungle, you
can enjoy the best of both worlds.
X Images clockwise: Swedish pastry Kanelbulle and coffee; Painting
by Van Gogh; Traditional viennese coffee house; Café tables above
the shopping mall, Moscow; Siem Reap; Pastel de nata, Portugal;
Cafe terrace, Paris; Berlin Dom Cathedral, Germany
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JOURNEYS
with extraordinary birds
JAMES LOWEN
If you explore Antarctica or South America on Viking’s new purpose-built
expedition ships, you could encounter some amazing birdlife.
King Penguin
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DISCOVERY
viking.com

Andean Condor
Rufous Hornero
Wandering Albatross
Snowy Sheathbill
The world boasts more than 10,000 types of bird,
and Viking’s new itineraries to Antarctica and
South America provide opportunities to see some
truly charismatic examples. Here are ten of the best.
Spot a group of Magnificent Frigatebirds cruising over Rio
de Janeiro’s famous beaches and you could be forgiven for
fretting that pterodactyls have returned from beyond the
grave to reclaim Brazil’s skies. Flying effortlessly on rakish,
2-metre-long wings, these seafarers are renowned pirates –
harassing smaller birds into releasing their food.
Wandering the streets of Buenos Aires, you cannot but
notice a brick-toned songbird striding boldly at your feet:
this is Argentina’s national bird, the Rufous Hornero. Its
name comes from the Spanish horno, which means ‘oven’
– and derives from the bird’s spherical mud nests, which
recall wood-fired ovens.
Cruising between Argentina, the Falkland Islands and
Antarctica, there is no need to strain your eyes to see a
Black-browed Albatross. This spectacular seabird will come
to you, as it readily follows ships across the open ocean,
allowing passengers ample time to enjoy intimate encounters.
Guests on Antarctica cruises embark or disembark at the
world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, which lies at the toes
of the Andes in Argentine Tierra del Fuego. The skies above
this famed mountain range are lorded over by Andean
Condors, the world’s heaviest soaring bird – a behemoth
the height of a 7-year-old boy.
With the longest wingspan of any living bird – up to 3.5
metres – the Wandering Albatross is a prized sight on the
seas of the Drake Passage, en route to Antarctica. It is well
named too, with one individual tracked flying for 15,500
miles in just nine weeks.
Itineraries including the rugged archipelago of the Falkland
Islands offer spectacular birdwatching experiences,
including a visit to the hustle and bustle of a breeding
colony of King Penguin. The world’s second-largest
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DISCOVERY
Snow Petrel
Black-browed Albatross
Magnificent Frigatebirds
penguin stands nearly a metre tall, and its smart, tuxedolike
plumage is capped by a golden neckscarf.
Of Antarctica’s three common penguins, Adelie Penguin
is the hardiest, breeding earlier in the year – and thus in
colder, more arduous weather conditions – than either
Gentoo Penguin or Chinstrap Penguin. Named after the
wife of a French explorer, it thrives in ice-bound conditions.
In Antarctica, if you spot a rotund, entirely white and
rather pigeon-like bird feeding around penguin colonies,
it will be a Snowy Sheathbill. This unusual creature seems
fascinated by people, often approaching visitors and even
investigating their clothing.
A delicate-looking, almost dove-like seabird, the Snow
Petrel is an unassuming record-breaker. No type of bird
breeds further south in the world: it has even been seen at
the South Pole itself. The ‘angel of Antarctica’ is typically
admired as it glides around glistening icebergs on the
Antarctic Peninsula.
An ornithologist on Viking expedition ships, James Lowen is
also an award-winning author. His latest book is Much Ado
About Mothing (Bloomsbury, £18.99).
There’s no mistaking the Chinstrap Penguin. This
distinctive bird is named after a tell-tale plumage feature –
the thin black line bisecting its chin – which makes it seem
to be wearing a helmet. Although still Antarctica’s most
abundant penguin, populations are dropping rapidly as a
consequence of climate change.
Adelie Penguin
Chinstrap Penguin
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ANTARCTIC EXPLORER
BUENOS AIRES TO USHUAIA
This ultimate adventure takes you to the Antarctic peninsula, where you will witness towering
glaciers, snow-covered landscapes, immense icebergs and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing. In
the footsteps of explorers such as Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott, you will be one of the few
to discover the world’s last truly wild frontier. Each day brings new surprises and the opportunity
to change plans to maximise wildlife sightings and adapt to ever-changing weather.
Prices from £12,995pp
13 Days | 2 Countries
Departing November to December 2022;
January to March 2023
Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
Ushuaia
Beagle
Channel
Cape
Horn
Atlantic
Ocean
Drake Passage
N
Charter flight
Example expedition
destinations
Half Moon Island ANTARCTICA
Whalers Bay
Brown Bluff
Antarctic Peninsula
Damoy Point
Cuverville Island Weddell
Lemaire
Neko Harbor Sea
Channel
Petermann Island
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ITINERARY
YOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Buenos Aires , Argentina
Arrive and check in to your hotel for
one night; meet fellow guests at your
expedition briefing
Ushuaia , Argentina
Depart today via private charter;
embark your ship and get to know
your expedition team
Cruise Drake Passage
During this iconic crossing, expert
briefings on the region prepare you
for the days to come
Days 4-10 Explore Antarctica
Explore the “Last Continent,” covered in
ice and teeming with penguins, seals,
whales and other wildlife. On exposed
land, colourful lichens, basalt cliffs and
rocky beaches provide refuge for a
variety of breeding petrels and penguins.
Stand in the shadow of the continental
mainland’s majestic mountains. Watch
glaciers calve into the sea as seals and
penguins relax on a hill above a nearby
beach. From the comfort of your ship,
marvel at your majestic surroundings
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Cruise Drake Passage
Study Antarctica further with a variety
of lectures and presentations, or relax in
The Nordic Spa
Scenic cruising: Cape Horn
Sail to this legendary cape, the Chilean
headland where the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans meet
Ushuaia , Argentina
Return to Buenos Aires via charter flight;
continue home or extend your stay to
further explore
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change.
VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA £100PP ON THE PRICES BELOW
Antarctic Explorer – Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris
This table shows you the lowest available price for each stateroom category.
2022-2023 departure dates
prices per person, based on double occupancy
Nordic
Balcony
Deluxe
Nordic
Balcony
Nordic
Penthouse
Nordic
Jr. Suite
Explorer
Suite
November - December 2022 prices from £12,995 £13,295 £16,295 £18,995 £24,995
January - March 2023 prices from £12,995 £13,395 £16,995 £19,995 £25,995
Gratuities included on board ship only. From prices are based on the lowest priced departure date within the month. Some departure dates within the
same month may be at a higher cost. Single supplements 100%. Please see back pages for full terms and conditions.
X Images left to right: Icebergs in Antarctica; Weddell Seal, Antarctica
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DESIGN
GRAND DESIGNS
OONAGH TURNER REVIEWS THE DESIGN FEATURES
INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW VIKING EXPEDITION SHIPS
Making waves from 2022, Viking Expeditions will
be launching two brand new purpose-built Polar
Class 6 expedition ships, Viking Octanis and
Viking Polaris, both state-of-the-art vessels that look to the
future of cruise travel. Designed by the nautical architects
responsible for Viking ocean ships, these vessels will bring
another two luxury vessels to the fleet, both with that
signature Viking stamp.
Doubling as luxury cruise ships and research vessels, both
Viking Octanis and Viking Polaris have the space to host up
to 378 guests in 189 elegant and stylish staterooms. Guests
can expect a similar format and design to other Viking
vessels, but the difference is that these ships are tailored to
expedition cruising.
Elevating the Viking cruise ship to a whole new level
means both vessels are kitted out with the latest expedition
equipment. New additions on board include the hanger
station – an in-ship marina to allow the launch of small
excursion craft and an 85ft slipway that allows guests to
embark on RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) from a flat surface
inside the ship to avoid getting wet. Other state-of-theart
expedition equipment includes a fleet of military pro
zodiacs designed for professional use in such harsh climates.
Onboard there is a fleet of two-seater Arctic-tested kayaks
and two 12-seater convertible RIBs. The ships will also
feature two six-guest yellow submarines with revolving
seats and 270-degree spherical windows for a once-in-alifetime
underwater experience. Guests will be provided
with everything they need in their Viking Expedition Kit.
This will contain boots, binoculars, and waterproof overalls.
Guests will also be able to make use of complimentary
trekking poles, snowshoes and skis.
A first for polar expedition cruise vessels, all staterooms
on board will offer a Nordic Balcony that converts into an
outdoor viewing platform with the top of the glass lowering
to transform into a lookout so you can feel even closer to
nature. There are six staterooms categories to choose from,
all featuring a Nordic Balcony, with excellent views as well
as a king-size bed and bathroom.
The Finse Terrace can be found at the stern of the ship
and is a chic outdoor lounge area with a warming lava
rock fire-pit and comfortable sofa area from where you can
admire the awe-inspiring views. On board, guests will be
able to take advantage of the Explorers’ Lounge, a two-deck
lounge at the bow of the ship, offering the perfect place to
appreciated the panoramic views through the double-height
windows. The ship also offers an excellent array of dining
options, including The Restaurant, boasting a fine dining
experience. There is also the World Café, with live cooking
from the open kitchen, a bakery, seafood and sushi.
Mamsen’s serves Scandi-inspired dishes, while Manfredi’s is
the onboard Italian.
X Images clockwise: Viking expedition ship;
Jr Suite; Finse Terrace; Hangar
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40 viking.com

ARTIST ON BOARD
FOOD for thought
KATE JENKINS
British artist Kate Jenkins’s knitted artwork is a firm favourite on
Viking ships. She tells writer Kate Finney more about her
food-inspired creations
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How did you start knitting food?
I was actually making fashion accessories when I decided to knit a
full English breakfast and people loved it so much. I found I was
good at making things look realistic. In essence, I wanted to stand
out and grab people’s attention, and it has ended up taking me
down a whole new and exciting career path.
What is your biggest creation?
I knitted an entire fish counter from scratch once—it was
massive. I had the idea in my head and visited lots of different
fish markets all over the world. I went to markets in Tokyo, in
Copenhagen and Billingsgate in London to get inspiration. It
was an interactive exhibition so I was dressed as a fishmonger,
and people could come to buy a piece from the fish counter,
which we would then frame on a plate. I made lobster,
mussels, cockles, salmon, flat fish, plaice, kippers—everything
you would usually see. It looked so real that people were
really doing a double take. At the other end of the scale, tins
of sardines are popular, and sushi, too. I have made lots of
Scandinavian open sandwiches featuring lots of prawns. It
takes about an hour to knit a prawn or a sardine, and then I
embellish them with sequins and beads.
How did your partnership with Viking come about?
The company got in touch with me after seeing my work
in a gallery on Charlotte Street in London. It took a year
or two to get the go-ahead, but my work is now featured
on three ships. I am working on pieces for the fourth
ocean ship, Viking Sun. I love that my work is floating
around the world and that people are eating their breakfast
looking at crocheted versions of their food. So many
people commission me after seeing my work on board, so
it has been a really interesting collaboration. One Viking
customer from New York commissioned me to make a
crocheted, hand-embroidered mahjong set of playing tiles
for his wife for Valentine’s Day. I had never done them
before, but I loved it.
You love to travel, but how do your trips inspire your work?
I am always looking for places to source sequins—India is
amazing for that. I cannot even begin to guess how many
different sequins I have used. I have a huge range of metallic,
opalescent and iridescent sequins for fish scales. And so much
yarn as well. Japan is best for beads—the caviar I create for
my canapés is made from black beads from Japan, and I also
have the perfect beads to make a pinky-red fish roe.
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ARTIST ON BOARD
What kind of food inspires you most?
I am vegetarian but I have not stopped making fish.
I am obsessed with vegetables and cheese; I cannot stop
thinking about how to make feta look interesting. It
probably needs a Greek salad.
How did you learn to knit so well?
My mum and my grandmother were always knitting and
making things for me and my sister when I was growing
up. We lived in the Rhymney Valley in South Wales and
were always encouraged to make things, even as children.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently working on pieces for one of the newest
Viking ships, Viking Orion. I am making crab and
chilli linguine, a bouillabaisse that I have renamed
“woolabaisse,” a lobster bisque, cocktails and canapés,
seafood spaghetti and a Scandinavian open sandwich.
Last year, I created a range of Christmas decorations for
the fashion and homewares store Anthropologie. I made a
“fishmas tree” as well as a lobster holding mistletoe in his
pincers, and a skewer of prawns which I called We Three
King Prawns. I am now working on my next exhibition
which is opening in November in New York. I will be
creating a knitted and crocheted New York record store.
I really love these random requests because they take me
out of my comfort zone and allow me to try something
new. For example, I have been embroidering muscles for a
ski company. It is designed to illustrate the different parts
of the body you use while you are skiing, as a fun feature
for visitors.
Do you prefer to cook your food or crochet it?
I love food and I really enjoy cooking, but I think I actually
prefer knitting it rather than cooking it. Cooking always
seems so very time-consuming in comparison to knitting.
But I guess they are both a labour of love.
katejenkinsstudio.co.uk
See Kate’s work on board all Viking ocean ships.
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44 viking.com

CULTURE
THE VIKINGS
From 793 until 1066, Scandinavian Norsemen
explored Europe by sea and river.
The Vikings were not just warriors, traders and
craftsmen, they were also the ultimate explorers;
the Old Norse verb “to Viking” meant to go on a
waterborne journey whether by river or sea. Their routes
stretched from the Arctic north of Norway, across Iceland and
Greenland to America (before Christopher Columbus), along
the Atlantic coasts of France and Spain to the Mediterranean.
They explored the waterways of Russia and Ukraine to reach
Byzantium (which they called Miklagard, now Istanbul); and
also linked eastwards to the Islamic territories.
The Viking Age began with a raid on the abbey on the
island of Lindisfarne, off the northeast coast of England, in
793 AD. Today, in the church near the ruined abbey, you
can read a formal apology for the bloodshed, which was
offered by a Norwegian bishop in 1993.
Their sphere of activity extended far beyond their
homelands in Scandinavia and the adjacent coastal lands
around the Baltic Sea, reaching not only the northern tip of
Europe but also its western, southern and eastern limits.
Ships were central to the Viking era, when the old Norse
word víkingr meant someone who goes on a waterborne
journey by river or sea. Scandinavia’s extensive coastline
naturally promoted sea travel; in fact Norway takes its
name from the Old Norse word norðrvegr, which means
“northern way”.
Viking ships had figureheads at the stem and stern designed
to scare their enemies. But sea battles were rare, and fought
close to shore. The Vikings’ aim was not to destroy their
enemies’ ships, but to capture them if possible, as they
represented a considerable investment in time, resources
and labour.
The Vikings traded all over Europe, and as far east as
Central Asia. They bought silver, silk, spices, walnuts, wine,
jewellery, glass and pottery, and sold honey, tin, wheat,
wool, wood, iron, fur, leather, fish and walrus ivory.
Their diet was designed to sustain their lifestyle. At sea,
they would eat dried or salted meat or fish, washed down
with beer or sour milk. At home, they farmed crops and
raised animals.
Throughout the Viking Age almost everyone’s main
preoccupation was the production of food. Farming,
together with fishing, trapping and collecting, were the
main activities in the annual cycle. Communities had to
be largely self-sufficient, taking advantage of fertile soils
and good pastures. As a result, crab apples, plums and
cherries were all part of the Viking diet, as were rose hips
and raspberries, wild strawberries, blackberries, elderberries,
rowan, hawthorn and various other wild berries. Hazelnuts
grew wild and were a favourite.
Well-stocked fishing grounds meant oysters, mussels and
shrimps were eaten in large quantities, and cod, salmon and
herring were popular fish.
Milk came from cows, goats and sheep, and fermented milk
products like skyr or kefir, both similar to yogurt, were
produced, as well as butter and cheese.
On a typical day the Viking people would eat two meals.
Breakfast – the dagmal, or day meal – was served an hour
after rising: they might have some stew leftover from the
night before, served with bread and milk. Porridge and
dried fruit and buttermilk with bread were also popular.
The nattmat, or night meal, was eaten at the end of the
working day and would be fish or meat stewed with
vegetables. For a sweet treat they might have dried fruit with
honey (honey was the only sweetener available to them).
Using barley, rye and oats, the Vikings made beer, stews
and porridge. Breads were baked on flat stones or iron
griddles over the fire, while meats such as beef, pork,
mutton, chicken and occasionally horsemeat, and vegetables
– cabbage, onions, garlic, leeks, turnips, peas and beans –
were cooked over the hearth, or firepit.
They drank ale, mead (a strong, fermented drink made from
honey), bjórr (a strong fruit wine) or buttermilk daily.
Today, many of their culinary traditions endure, not only
throughout Scandinavia but also in the areas in which they
settled, including savoury game such as venison served with
berries; sauerkraut; porridge and exotic spices including
cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and ginger.
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45

viking.com

THE KITCHEN TABLE
A CULINARY
JOURNEY
Exploring destinations and discovering
different cultures and traditions is at the
heart of every Viking journey. And of course
food – not only the recipes prepared by our
onboard chefs, but also local cuisine in all
the fascinating places our ships visit – is an
essential part of the overall Viking experience.
Discover some of our favourite summer recipes
to taste your way around the world.
From our kitchen to yours!
viking.com 47

GRAVLAX
Once put into holes in the
sand above the tide line and
covered with salt to ferment
the fish and preserve it by
fishermen, this delicate dish is
a Scandinavian classic.
2.6 oz (75g) sea salt flakes
3½ oz (100g) superfine (caster) sugar
1 tbsp white peppercorns, crushed
2lb (900g) fresh salmon, filleted and
boned, with skin on
2.5 oz (70g) fresh dill, including stalks,
chopped
For the mustard and dill sauce:
4 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp superfine (caster) sugar
1 tbsp white wine vinegar or distilled
malt vinegar
5 fl oz (150ml) olive oil
3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 For the curing mixture, combine the salt, sugar and
peppercorns together.
2 Cut some plastic wrap for wrapping up the salmon.
Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towels.
Run your fingers over the salmon to feel for any
tiny pin bones and remove them (tweezers are
useful for this).
3 Spread half the mixture over the skin side of the
salmon and rub in well. Take a third of the dill
and spread out on the plastic wrap and place the
salmon on this, skin side down. Rub the remaining
salt mixture over the salmon flesh, working it in
well with your fingers, then cover the flesh with the
leftover dill.
4 Wrap the salmon up and place it in a dish wide and
deep enough that fits the fish comfortably. Place
in the fridge for 48 hours, turning the salmon over
every 12 hours. When your salmon is cured, unwrap
it and slice with a sharp knife using a smooth
sawing action at an angle of 45 degrees, pulling
each slice away from the skin. Store in the fridge
and use within a week or freeze.
5 Meanwhile, to make the mustard and dill sauce,
combine the mustard, sugar and vinegar in a bowl
and whisk. Add the olive oil slowly, then in a steady
stream while whisking, until it becomes thick and
smooth. Add the dill and season to taste.
6 Serve the gravlax with the sauce and fresh bread.
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THE KITCHEN TABLE
FALAFEL
Makes 18, serves 4 – 6
8 oz (225g) dried chickpeas
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp dried chilli flakes
½ tsp black pepper
Vegetable oil
Falafel are the ultimate Israeli street food, served
stuffed into warm pita bread with a range of delicious
toppings including hummus, tahini, salad and pickles.
This dish works best with dried chickpeas.
1 Cover the dried chickpeas in cold water and allow
to soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
2 Drain the chickpeas and blend to a coarse paste
with the rest of the ingredients (reserve a little
parsley for a garnish). Cover and refrigerate until
needed.
3 Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Meanwhile, with
wet hands, form the mixture into balls, using about
2 tablespoons for each ball. Once the oil is
shimmering hot, fry the balls until golden brown,
then drain on paper towels before serving.
HUMMUS
Serves 4 – 6
14 oz (400g) tinned chickpeas, drained
2 tbsp tahini paste
4 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1 lemon, juiced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
To garnish:
Paprika
The perfect accompaniment to falafel, hummus
should be creamy and garlicky. If using dried
chickpeas, make sure they are overcooked, very
soft and cooled.
1 Place all the ingredients in a food processor, then
pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2 Taste and adjust seasoning.
3 Serve in a shallow dish, garnish with a swirl of extra
virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika.
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VIETNAMESE
FRESH
SUMMER
ROLLS
“These are Vietnamese fast food. My best friend Chi
makes them for me all the time. Even when I eat
more than I should have, I can never get enough!”
- Karine Hagen
Makes 8 rolls
1 pack pad Thai rice noodles
8 rice paper wrappers
24 medium prawns, cooked
1 bunch mint
1 bunch cilantro (coriander)
2 or 3 Thai basil stems
1 carrot, peeled and sliced into fine
matchsticks
½ cucumber, deseeded and sliced into
fine matchsticks
Shredded lettuce
4 tbsp salted peanuts, chopped
For the dipping sauce:
1 tbsp sugar
Juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 small red chilli, deseeded and finely
chopped
1 Cook the rice noodles according to the pack
instructions, drain and reserve. Assemble all the filling
ingredients and pick the herb leaves from the stalks.
Make sure you have a bowl of cold water handy for the
rice paper wrappers.
2 To assemble the rolls, soak each rice paper wrapper
until it’s pliable, then spread flat onto a chopping
board. Arrange three shrimp into the centre, then layer
up with the mint, coriander, carrot, cucumber and
lettuce. Add a small handful of the rice noodles, then
finally scatter over some of the chopped peanuts.
3 Fold the bottom of the roll up over the ingredients,
flap in the sides and then roll up into a neat parcel.
4 To make the dipping sauce, whisk all the ingredients
together until the sugar has dissolved. Serve with the
summer rolls.
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THE KITCHEN XXXXX TABLE
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THE KITCHEN TABLE
LAMB KÖFTE
Serves 4
2 lb (900g) minced lamb
2 red onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp dried chilli flakes
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp fresh parsley
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Popular all across the Middle East, these
delicious, spiced meat kebabs are perfect stuffed
into warm flatbreads.
1 Preheat the grill, or heat a griddle pan, and soak
eight bamboo skewers in water.
2 Place the minced lamb in a bowl with the chopped
onion, crushed garlic, chilli flakes, cumin, parsley
and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well
with clean hands.
3 Split the mixture equally into 12 balls and squeeze
them around the bamboo skewers to form rough
sausage shapes.
4 Brush with oil and grill or griddle until golden
brown all over and completely cooked through.
TABBOULEH
Serves 4
3 ½ oz (100g) bulgur wheat
13 ½ fl oz (400ml) water
1 tsp salt
1 ¾ oz (50g) fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
4 scallions (spring onions), chopped
1 lemon, juiced
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp fresh cilantro (coriander),
chopped
Grating of nutmeg
Extra virgin olive oil
Don’t be surprised at the amount of parsley in this
classic Middle Eastern dish. It is essentially a spiced
parsley salad rather than a bulgur wheat one.
1 Rinse the bulgur wheat in cold water until it runs clear.
2 Bring the water to the boil and add the bulgur wheat
and salt, turn down to a simmer and leave for around
15 minutes. Drain, then allow to stand.
3 Meanwhile, remove the thicker stalks from all the
herbs. Chop the parsley, mint, tomatoes and scallions.
Add to the bulgur wheat along with the lemon juice
and spices. Season to taste and add a drizzle of extra
virgin olive oil.
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TO ME, WITH LOVE
FROM RUSSIA
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TRAVEL
Sabrina Piscioneri from Viking’s
sales team shares her newfound
love of Russia
I
often think about destinations in the world that I
would love to visit, but sometimes wonder when and
if I would get there. Russia happened to be one of
them. But in August 2019, I embarked on a Viking journey
through Russia that still to this day, remains so vivid in my
mind. A journey that completely surpassed my expectations
of what I thought Russia to be like. That journey was the
13-day ’Waterways of the Tsars’ itinerary aboard one of our
Viking Russian ships, the Viking Akun.
I was excited to be immersed in a culture I knew very
little about. Of course, the iconic cities of Moscow and
St. Petersburg were always on my “to-see” list. And whilst
three nights onboard our ship in both these cites, allowed
me ample time to explore everything that they have to
offer; this journey became more than just visiting the
expected and the iconic. It was a chance to explore a side
to Russia that only the Volga river can capture, the real
Russia. Moscow, a city that I had only ever seen in pictures,
exuded so much grandeur. From St. Basil’s Cathedral to
walking behind the walls of the Kremlin. My Viking guides
transported me into a world of Catherine The Great, the
land of the Tsars, and Russia’s Soviet past. Their storytelling
captivated me at every visit.
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As we sailed along the Volga river, each day brought a
new experience, a new highlight. Golden Ring towns that
appeared almost frozen in time. Walking through the
markets of Yaroslavl, admiring the domed churches in
Uglich, each one as fascinating as the last. But what made
these places even more beautiful, were the people in it.
The warm hospitality of local Russian families as they
welcomed us into their homes, to share ‘their’ Russia
with us. I felt privileged.
Stepping off the ship and onto the island of Kizhi, one of
many islands located in Lake Onega, I quickly understood
why this vast open-air museum is now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Standing in front of the strikingly beautiful
Transfiguration Church and bell tower carved out of
wood that shimmered in the sunlight. It really was a
‘wow’ moment.
On board our Viking ship, our dedicated and thoughtful
crew continued to immerse us in the life of a Russian
through Viking’s enrichment programme. Carefully
designed to enhance our experiences on land; cascaded
to guests so effortlessly. And not forgetting the
delicious cuisine of regional dishes that made every
mealtime enjoyable.
St. Petersburg was a feast for the eyes. At every turn,
appeared an array of stunning landmarks. From
magnificent artwork in the Hermitage, delicately
handcrafted Fabergé eggs to the elegant fountains at
Peterhof Palace. And with my childhood dream of seeing
ballet in Russia fulfilled in this cultural capital; it was at
that moment that I came to realise; Russia had stolen my
heart. And forever will my memories (and photographs) of
this amazing experience live on.
X Images clockwise: Fountain, St Petersburg; St. Basil’s
Cathedral, Moscow; Fabergé egg; Sunset on river Volga;
Aerial view of Kizhi, Republic of Karelia, Russia
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TRAVEL
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WATERWAYS OF THE TSARS
MOSCOW TO ST. PETERSBURG OR ST. PETERSBURG TO MOSCOW
See the swirling onion domes and stout towers of Moscow’s Red Square. Share
stories at the kitchen table of an Uglich family. Savour Russian caviar with your blini
pancakes. Soak up the steam in a traditional banya in riverside Mandrogy village.
Envision Peter the Great luxuriating in massive Peterhof Palace, then see how
multiple families shared living space at a Soviet-era kommunalka. From Moscow to
St. Petersburg, this 13-day voyage reveals the real Russia as never before.
Prices from £3,345pp
13 Days | 10 Guided Tours
Departing May to October 2022
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ITINERARY
viking.com

WATERWAYS OF THE TSARS
MOSCOW TO ST. PETERSBURG OR ST. PETERSBURG TO MOSCOW
YOUR ITINERARY:
Days 1-2 Moscow, Russia
The immense scale of Moscow, a major cultural
and economic metropolis as well as Russia’s
pulsing political centre, is breathtaking.
Included excursion: Panoramic Moscow,
Moscow Up Close
Days 3-4 Moscow, Russia
A metropolis of grand boulevards, regal
monuments and onion-domed cathedrals,
by night Moscow masterfully illuminates its
landmarks.
Included excursion: The Kremlin
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Uglich, Russia
Founded in 1148 along the Volga River, Uglich
is a magnificent city to behold from the river.
Included excursion: Uglich Walking Tour &
Home-Hosted Visit
Yaroslavl, Russia
Stretching 18 miles along both banks of the
Volga amidst a region of forests, Yaroslavl was
founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise
of Kiev.
Included excursion: Yaroslavl & Governor’s
House, Yaroslavl Up-Close
Kuzino, Russia
Kuzino’s renowned Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery
was founded by Saint Cyril in 1397.
Included excursion: Kirillo-Belozersky
Monastery
Kizhi, Russia
Situated at the north end of Lake Onega,
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Kizhi Island is home to the famed Open Air
Museum of Architecture.
Included excursion: Kizhi Island Walking Tour
Mandrogy, Russia
Reconstructed as an open air museum,
Mandrogy keeps the traditions of Russian
villages alive.
St. Petersburg, Russia
Russia’s second largest city, St. Petersburg has
been called “Venice of the North” for its many
islands, canals and bridges.
Included excursion: The Hermitage,
St. Petersburg Ballet Performance
St. Petersburg, Russia
Inspired by Europe’s cultural capitals,
St. Petersburg is Russia’s most Western city
Included excursion: Catherine Palace in
Pushkin, St. Petersburg Up-Close City Tour,
Panoramic St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg is graced by grand boulevards,
a lacework of canals, baroque buildings,
resplendent palaces and dazzling oniondomed
churches.
St. Petersburg, Russia
Priceless art and world-class ballet elevate
St. Petersburg more than its founder, Peter
the Great, could have dreamed.
X Images left to right: Hermitage building; Paintings, St. Petersburg; Metro, Moscow, Russia
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ITINERARY
Helsinki
FINLAND
LAKE LADOGA
SVIR RIVER
St. Petersburg
NEVA RIVER
Kizhi
Mandrogy
VOLGA–BALTIC
WATERWAY
LAKE ONEGA
Kuzino
RYBINSK RESERVOIR
RUSSIA
VOLGA RIVER
Cruise
VOLGA RIVER
Yaroslavl
Uglich
N
MOSCOW CANAL
Moscow
VIKING INCLUSIVE VALUE
Return indirect economy class fights from London,
plus fly from selected regional airports at no
extra cost
13 days on board in a river-view stateroom
10 guided tours, including 4 UNESCO World
Heritage Sites
All meals on board including regional specialities
All onboard meals, including regional specialities
Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board
Culture Curriculum: Enjoy onshore music & dance
performances; learn a little Russian; listen to
lectures about Romanov tsars, the Soviet Union &
current affairs; attend a Russian cooking workshop;
participate in Russian teatime
Free Wi-Fi on board (connection speed may vary)
All port charges, airport taxes and
overseas transfers
No surcharges guaranteed once your deposit is paid
Onboard gratuities
SAVE £750PP - FREE SILVER SPIRITS BEVERAGE PACKAGE - BOOK BY 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA £100PP ON THE PRICES BELOW
Waterways of the Tsars – Viking Rurik, Viking Ingvar, Viking Akun
This table shows you the lowest available price for each stateroom category.
2022 departure dates
prices per person, based on double occupancy
Deluxe
(DX)
Deluxe
(CX)
Veranda
(BX)
Veranda
(AX)
Junior Suite
(JR)
Suite
(AA)
May 2022 prices from £3,345 £3,645 £4,095 £4,345 £6,695 £6,945
June - August 2022 prices from £3,895 £4,195 £4,695 £5,045 £7,345 £7,545
September - October 2022 prices from £3,545 £3,945 £4,345 £4,695 £7,045 SOLD OUT
Prices above include a saving of £750pp. Restrictions apply to Silver Spirits beverage package. Gratuities included on board ship only. Single supplements apply.
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WHERE WOULD YOU
LIKE TO TRAVEL?
We’ve all been craving travel over the last few months.
Here, Viking staff share the places on Viking itineraries they
would most like to visit.
viking.com

TRAVEL
Wendy Atkin-Smith – Managing Director
Itinerary: From the Arctic to Antarctica
A place at the top of my wish list is Antarctica. With
nature at its most flawless and its breathtaking raw
landscapes, I can only imagine what a profound
experience it would be to visit this amazing continent,
following in the footsteps of Shackleton, Scott and
Amundsen. And the opportunity to see whales and
penguins in their natural habitat would be a memory I
would cherish forever.
Sabrina Piscioneri – Sales, Training & Events
Executive
Itinerary: Alaska & Inside Passage
There are so many amazing Itineraries that I would love to
do but my ultimate would be Alaska. This is a place like
no other and I truly believe that the best way to experience
this destination would be on a cruise. You would sail
through amazing wonders such as Yakutat Bay; the
pictures, I know would just be spectacular. But you would
also learn so much about the Tlingit heritage and great
towns such as Ketchikan and Juneau.
Neil Barclay – Head of Sales
Itinerary: Magnificent Mekong
For me, it’s the Mekong. Each city you visit has its own
unique character, from the French colonial buildings of
Hanoi to the buzz and bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City,
these two cities show you all that Vietnam has to offer, each
telling their own unique story. Siem Reap in Cambodia has
got to be one of my favourites, it’s relaxed and laid-back
with wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants, and of course
Angkor Wat on your doorstep. Get to Angkor Wat early
for the most amazing sunrises.
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Dan Ward – Specialist Cruise Consultant
Itinerary: Waterways of the Tsars
For me it would have to be St Petersburg in June or July.
I’m fascinated with Soviet history and the way of living –
I’d love to join the optional Kommunalka Home-Hosted
Visit which allows you to experience the Soviet way of
life in an old-fashioned communist-style household. The
‘White Nights’ which occur from mid-June to mid-July
would be wonderful.
Heather Donoyou – Marketing Manager
Itinerary: Lyon & Provence
The place on a Viking itinerary I would really love to visit
is a little village in Provence called Les Baux. We recently
produced a virtual visit around Les Baux for Viking.
TV and watching this really put the area on my bucket
list. It looks so incredibly peaceful, with lovely views,
charming historic buildings, and there is an incredible 3D
art experience nearby called Carrières de Lumières, where
an old quarry is turned into an immersive gallery with
incredible technology projecting famous works on to the
walls. It looks like nothing I’ve ever seen before!
Cassie Wilcox – Copywriter
Itinerary: Portugal’s River of Gold
I would love to visit Porto. The old town especially looks
so charming and colourful, with its cobbled streets and
historic buildings. The city is famous for its excellent
food and wine tastings, and with views of both the River
Douro and the Atlantic Ocean, I am sure there’s a lot to
explore. Most important, it looks like a city with soul,
one that’s easy to explore on foot, where the unexpected
might take you by surprise and make you smile.
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PRECIOUS MOMENTS
ON THE RIVER OF GOLD
BY JOHN WILMOTT
Is the Douro the most beautiful navigable river in
Europe? Many believe so after sailing through this
spectacular valley in Portugal.
Soon after leaving its berth in Porto, your intimate Viking
ship enters a green gorge that twists through enchanting
countryside all the way to the Spanish border.
Venerable old wine estates sit proudly above the
riverbanks, the surrounding steep hills smothered with the
terraced vineyards for which the Douro is famous. Cute
whitewashed villages vie for attention with verdant forests
and even golden beaches.
Probably the most memorable stretches are those through
dramatic rocky canyons, in which sharp bends in the river
reveal new panoramas.
These remote landscapes provide a compelling contrast to
the historic magnificence of Porto, one of the continent’s
most eye-catching cities.
The whole journey is enriched by a wonderful collection of tales
– of the secrets of port wine, of devoted pilgrims, of a family of
bats who protect ancient books, of a mysterious astronaut…
and of a stork who was too friendly for his own good.
There’s a huge amount of variety to this cruise; here are a
few of the highlights to whet your appetite.
Most guests choose to begin their journey with a two-night
hotel stay in Lisbon, Portugal’s grand capital to the south.
Here, the Viking team encapsulate the city with an included
tour to the waterside Belém district, where a quirky 16thcentury
tower seems to float on the Tagus estuary.
The journey to Porto, on Viking’s own fleet of luxurious
coaches, is broken with a tour of one of the world’s oldest
universities at Coimbra. If the caped uniforms of the
students look familiar, it’s because they inspired those of
Harry Potter’s Hogwarts school. The extraordinary Joanina
Library also evokes the place where young wizards studied.
Waiting beside the quay at Porto will be your Viking ship.
A compact version of the Viking Longships of the Rhine
and Danube, the state-of-the-art ship boasts a spacious
sun deck with pool, appealing Aquavit Terrace over the
bow, and a lounge and restaurant with Viking’s trademark
chic Scandinavian style. The majority of staterooms have a
French or outside veranda.
The view from the quay at Porto will certainly arrest your
attention. The city lies spread out before you; the botanical
gardens to the left yield to handsome buildings ascending
the hill, the noble cathedral, the graceful Luis I bridge and
the dignified Serra do Pilar monastery to the right.
With free time after an introductory tour, you may wish
to board the cable car to the monastery for a different
perspective, or take an optional visit to one of the old port
houses close to the quay.
Sailing out from Porto, don’t miss the traditional rabelo
boats which once brought the precious port barrels down
the river. The scenery changes quickly and before long, those
unmistakable terraced vineyards will be all around you.
Naturally, Viking has selected the ports of call that build up
to a comprehensive appreciation of this region.
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XXXXX
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viking.com

TRAVEL
The baroque, twin-towered Sanctuary of Our Lady of
Remedies is alluring enough but the monument’s most
powerful statement is the astonishing double staircase that
descends to Lamego’s town centre. If you have the energy,
walk down the 686 steps to admire the delightful azulejo
tilework on each landing.
Salamanca, the ‘golden city’ over the border is Spain, has
enough architectural richness to fill a book. You’ll quickly
understand why Plaza Mayor is regarded as the most
beautiful square in the country, though your focus will also
turn to the House of Shells, started in 1493, and the ‘new’
and ‘old’ cathedrals that stand side by side.
Another sight that may seem familiar is the façade of the
exquisite Mateus Palace. It has long adorned the labels of
bottles of the well-known rosé, though the wine was never
actually made here. Do find time to wander the lovely
gardens after examining the antiques inside the palace.
If you’ve been enjoying the local food and drink ashore,
you will by now have realised how hard the Viking chefs on
board work to tempt you with Portuguese dishes such as
sardines and roast duck, as well as favourite classics.
To enhance your journey, the Cruise Director will have
assembled a pleasingly varied on-board programme, which
may include a performance by a folk band, fado singing and
a workshop on how to make those irresistible custard tarts.
As for the friendly stork, you’ll just have to ask your Viking
Tour Escort to relay this intriguing story on the visit to the
medieval hilltop village of Castelo Rodrigo.
X Images clockwise: River Douro, Porto; Mateus Palace;
Sardines fish, Cityscape of Salamanca on Tormes river, Spain
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CITY GUIDE
PORTO
With its graceful bridges, Baroque cathedrals and cobbled streets, the second
largest city in Portugal offers a feast for the soul and senses
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TRAVEL
Set against a backdrop of the Douro River and exuding
charm from every brick, Porto is rich in culture,
architecture and, of course, port. With a history dating
back to the Roman Empire, its Celtic-Latin name, Portus
Cale, is believed to be the origin of the name Portugal.
The city’s centre was given World Heritage Site status by
UNESCO in 1996 and it is home to some of the most
important architecture in the country, from the Modernist
buildings of the early 20th century to the Romanesque
cathedral and the huge synagogue, which show the city’s
diverse and lengthy cultural history.
MUST-SEES
Porto is home to concert halls, theatres, galleries and
museums. One notable example is the Soares dos Reis
National Museum, which displays Portuguese art across
the past five centuries. The Serralves Foundation curates
the Museum of Contemporary Art, with some fantastic
exhibitions from all around the world. Buildings such as the
Coliseu do Porto theatre and the Cinema Batalha are some
examples of the Streamline Moderne and Art Deco styles that
also blossomed in the city during the early 20th century.
Port has been exclusively produced in the Douro region
since the first half of the 18th century, making it the third
oldest protected wine-producing region in the world (after
Tokaj in Hungary and Chianti in Italy).
Portugal is now the seventh largest exporter of wine in the
world. Expect to find the usual sweet variants as well as the
rarer dry and semi-dry. A trip to a port wine-making facility
or roaming the port warehouses is a definite highlight of
any visit to this fascinating city.
The biggest event is the St. John (Festa de São João do
Porto) festival, which takes place from 23 to 24 June every
year. Originally a religious celebration of midsummer, it has
become one of Europe’s liveliest street festivals. Enjoy the
traditional meals of sardines, potatoes and wine.
Take an excursion to Guimarães, another UNESCO World
Heritage Site, which is a 45-minute drive from Porto. Its
medieval quarter palaces and monasteries date back to the
10th century, and in the 12th century it became Portugal’s
first capital city, home to its first king, Alfonso Henriques.
SHOPPING
Like any major city, one can shop in Porto cheaply with the
usual designer shops and outlets as well as malls. Souvenir
shops are prevalent along with home-made crafts, and you
can buy all sorts of local art for reasonable prices.
INSIDER TIPS
Cathedrals and churches
You won’t have to look very hard for Sé do Porto, the
cathedral of the city. Very close to the São Bento train station,
it rises above the old town Ribeira and shapes the cityscape
in a striking way. Another insider tip is the church Igreja
de Santa Clara, which looks quite inconspicuous from the
outside, but shines in golden splendour on the inside. If you
have fallen in love with the azujelos, the blue and white tiles
typical in Portugal, you can’t miss the Igreja dos Carmelitas
and the Capela Das Almas. A visit is worthwhile in any case.
X Main image: River Douro; Images left to right: Retro tourist tram; Blue tiles;
Pastel de nata dessert; Porto Cathedral; Panorama of Douro river, Porto
Discover more about the Duoro’s Valleys & Vineyards cruise at viking.com
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PORTUGAL’S RIVER OF GOLD
LISBON TO PORTO
Experience the renaissance of Lisbon, newly invigorated with trending galleries
and restaurants. Explore two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal
and Salamanca, Spain. Roam the port warehouses of Porto. Enjoy traditional
cuisine, wine and fado singing. Cruise the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest
demarcated wine region and a UNESCO Site. Our 10-day cruisetour includes a
hotel stay in Lisbon and the added bonus of a visit to Spain.
Prices from £2,445pp
10 Days | 8 Guided Tours | 2 Countries
Departing May to November 2022
viking.com

ITINERARY
viking.com

PORTUGAL’S RIVER OF GOLD
LISBON TO PORTO
YOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon boasts the Jerónimos Monastery and
Belém Tower, stunning works that introduced
Manueline architecture to the world.
Lisbon, Portugal
The labyrinthine streets of Lisbon’s Arab-flavoured
Alfama District carry echoes of 16th-century
navigators who sailed in the Age of Discovery.
Included excursion: Cosmopolitan Lisbon
& the Jerónimos Monastery, Cosmopolitan
Lisbon & the Maritime Museum
Porto, Portugal
Porto is known not only for its wine, but also
for a heritage that combines ancient churches
and monuments.
Included excursion: Coimbra University
Régua & Pinhão, Portugal
The peaceful town of Peso da Régua,
commonly known as Régua, overlooks
the Douro River with the Serra do Marao
mountains at its rear.
Included excursion: Mateus Palace & Gardens
Barca d’Alva, Portugal
This tranquil town is shadowed by mountains
and surrounded by miles of gorgeous
countryside filled with vineyards and orchards.
Included excursion: Castelo Rodrigo
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Pinhão, Portugal
The sleepy town of Pinhão is situated at the
epicenter of the valley’s port wine-making.
The biggest names in port have wine estates
nearby, thanks to the region’s perfect
growing conditions for port grapes.
Included excursion: Favaios Bakery & Lunch
at Quinta Avessada
Régua, Portugal
The peaceful town of Peso da Régua,
commonly known as Régua, overlooks
the Douro River with the Serra do Marao
mountains at its rear.
Included excursion: Charming Lamego
Porto, Portugal
Portugal’s second largest city, Porto lends its
name to the nation’s port wine.
Included excursion: Panoramic Porto
Porto, Portugal
Like Lisbon, Porto has a rich past; its historic
centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of
narrow cobblestone streets brimming with
romantic buildings spanning the centuries.
Day 6
Salamanca, Spain
Vega de Terrón serves as a Douro River
gateway to the fascinating Spanish city of
Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Included excursion: A Day in Salamanca
X Images left to right: Viking Douro, Porto; Lisbon; Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
76
viking.com

ITINERARY
Santiago de Compostela
DOURO RIVER
N
Cruise
Motor coach
Atlantic
Ocean
Braga
Régua Barca d’Alva
Porto
Vega de Terrón
Lamego Pinhão
Salamanca
SPAIN
Coimbra
Madrid
PORTUGAL
Lisbon
VIKING INCLUSIVE VALUE
Return scheduled economy class fights from
London, plus fly from selected regional airports
at no extra cost
8 days on board in a river-view stateroom
2 nights at Lisbon’s superior first-class Hotel Tivoli
Lisboa (or similar) with breakfasts
8 guided tours, including 5 UNESCO World
Heritage Sites
All onboard meals, including regional specialities
Specially selected house wine, beer and soft drinks
with lunch and dinner on board
Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board
Free Wi-Fi on board (connection speed may vary)
Culture Curriculum: Sample some local port wines;
enjoy a folkloric music performance; learn about
wine-making traditions and Portuguese history
All port charges, government taxes and
overseas transfers
No surcharges guaranteed once your
deposit is paid
Onboard gratuities
SAVE £750PP - FREE SILVER SPIRITS BEVERAGE PACKAGE - BOOK BY 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA £100PP ON THE PRICES BELOW
Portugal’s River of Gold – Viking Helgrim, Viking Hemming, Viking Osfrid, Viking Torgil
This table shows you the lowest available price for each stateroom category.
2022 departure dates
prices per person, based on double occupancy
Standard
(F)
Standard
(E)
May - June 2022 prices from £2,895 £2,945
July - August 2022 prices from £2,695 £2,745
September 2022 prices from £3,095 £3,145
October - November 2022 prices from £2,445 £2,495
French
Balcony
(D)
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
French
Balcony
(C)
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
Veranda
(B)
Veranda
(A)
£3,845 £4,045
Veranda
Suite
(AB)
SOLD
OUT
£3,645 £3,845 £4,545
£4,045 £4,245
SOLD
OUT
Veranda
Suite
(AA)
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
SOLD
OUT
£3,095 £3,395 £3,595 £4,295 £4,595
Prices above include a saving of £750pp. Restrictions apply to Silver Spirits beverage package. Gratuities included on board ship only. Single supplements apply.
viking.com 77

CITY GUIDE
LISBON
The Portuguese capital offers visitors an eclectic mix of traditional and modern,
making it one of the highlights of the Douro river cruise itinerary
78 viking.com

TRAVEL
From its stunning Praça do Comércio on the River
Tagus to the marvellous Jerónimos Monastery with its
world-renowned cloisters, Lisbon is a city that seduces.
Founded in Neolithic times by Iberian Celts, Lisbon (it
means ‘safe harbour’) is set on seven hills. It took two
centuries for the Romans to gain a foothold in the Iberian
Peninsula, but by the 8th century, the Moors were in
control. Visit their Castelo dos Mouros on an optional tour
to Sintra on the outskirts of Lisbon. Portugal was a colonial
power by the 1400s and famous explorer Vasco da Gama is
buried at Jerónimos Monastery.
Lisbon’s turning point came in 1755 when it was destroyed
by an epic earthquake. Redesigned by the Marquis de
Pombal, Lisbon was rebuilt most notably in Baixa, with its
broad avenues and spacious squares.
Today you can wander the fortified Lisbon Moorish quarters,
or bairros: Bairro Alto for its nightlife, trendy Chiado on
the west, and multi-cultural Mouraria, ancient Alfama and
Castelo, with the 12th-century São Jorge Castle to the east.
MUST-SEES
Tourists flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Belém Tower, while the Museu do Teatro Romano houses
the ruined Roman amphitheatre, built by Augustus. Visit
the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum northeast of Eduardo
VII Park which houses a magnificent collection of Egyptian,
Greek, Roman, Islamic, Asian, and European art, including
works by Rembrandt and Monet. In the city’s historic
Alfama quarter, the battlements of Moorish São the
DiscoveriesJorge (Saint George) castle give a bird’s-eye view
of the capital. Alfama is the only district that survived the
earthquake and a stroll here takes you along cobbled stones
and up soaring hills – there are plenty of cafés en route.
Lisbon is also the spiritual home of fado, the plaintive folk
music that permeates the city. Visit the Museu do Fado
and stroll to nearby Clube de Fado to experience the best
performers.
Sé Cathedral, with its two bell towers and a rose window, is
Lisbon’s oldest building dating from the 12th century. The
capital’s more recent links to Christianity can also be seen at
the delightful Madre de Deus Convent on the city’s western
edge, now home to the National Azulejo Museum of
ceramic tiles. Santa Justa Elevator built by the Portugueseborn
French architect Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and
inaugurated in 1902 is a major Lisbon attraction. The
45m-high iron tower, observation platform and walkway
connects lower Baixa with Carmo Square.
Another iconic sight is the yellow wooden Tram 28. Start
your journey at the foot of the 18th-century bohemian
Bairro Alto and pass through Baixa and Chiado before
enjoying churches and castles on Alfama’s cobbled hills.
For contrast, head for Parque das Nações, where
contemporary architecture has the backdrop of Europe’s
longest bridge, plus an aquarium, a casino, and an
impressive waterfront promenade.
SHOPPING
Principe Real, an extension of the Bairro Alto is Lisbon’s
hip shopping quarter. Embaixada is a neo-Moorish 1800s
mansion and specialises in Portuguese design pieces. Baixa is
the old shopping district where the Conserveira de Lisboa,
selling only canned fish, is a must.
Also in Baixa is Pelcor, with its award-winning cork design
pieces, including handbags and hats. Upmarket Chiado has
independent shops as well as the Armazéns do Chiado mall,
while along Avenida da Liberdade you’ll find Louis Vuitton
and Armani.
WHERE TO STAY
Included in your cruise is a stay at the superior first class Tivoli
Lisboa Hotel, overlooking the chic Avenida da Liberdade. It’s
perfect for unwinding after a busy day of sightseeing.
INSIDER TIPS
Pastéis de Belém
Almost every restaurant and café
in Lisbon sells their own version of
the Portuguese pastry, pastel de
nata—a custard tart with hints of
lemon, cinnamon and vanilla. But
the first-ever version of the dessert
was created at the Pastéis de
Belém bakery. The original recipe
is so top-secret that only a few
people who work there know it.
X Main image: Alfama District; Images left to right: Retro tourist tram; Monument
to the discoveries; Tower of Belem; Traditional cakes, Lisbon, Portugal
Discover more about the Portugal’s River of Gold cruise at viking.com
viking.com
79

THE VIKING OCEAN SHIPS
THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL OCEAN CRUISE SHIPS
Different to anything else at sea, each ship is an
effortlessly elegant boutique hotel where you can
live without limits and travel without a care.
viking.com

Your voyage of discovery starts
from the moment you step aboard.
An oasis of cool and calm,
a journey that celebrates all the senses
and is nothing short of spectacular.
The attention to detail is astonishing.
Warm and witty, less is more.
More inviting.
More comfortable.
More you.
Expand your horizons
with a dip in the glass-walled infinity pool.
A stylish collection of restaurants,
each different, all superb.
We call them alternative restaurants
because you don’t pay extra to dine there.
So they are a real alternative.
And a real treat.
viking.com

The look is both timeless and contemporary.
Sleek, Scandi-chic combines with earthy
natural materials, indulgent fabrics and rich
touches to create unique living spaces.
And everywhere, a lightness of touch
and generosity of spirit.
It’s all about you.
And your Nordic Spa,
a sanctuary for body and soul
where you can wrap yourself in
the ultimate comfort.
Every restaurant invites you to stay awhile,
to gather together and immerse yourself
in the pleasure of the moment,
to share adventures and stories,
to laugh and taste the world in all its glory.
Rest easy in your veranda stateroom,
a private sanctuary,
spacious and serene.
Sweet dreams are made of this.

ART ON BOARD
Nowhere else offers such an impressive floating
collection of art as Viking. Learn more about
the artists featured, and the reasons that art is
valued so highly on board our ocean ships

CULTURE
No matter how far our journeys take us, we like to
remember where we came from, and this is why
Viking’s expansive ocean onboard art collection is
very much an ode to our Nordic heritage. We have carefully
curated a diverse spectrum of work by both established and
up-and-coming artists, and not only does the collection
pay tribute to all things Norwegian, but it complements
the light-filled interiors of the ships and serves as a unique
attraction for our guests on board.
A RICH MIX
From oil paintings, photography and sculpture to furniture,
model ships and ceramics, the size and breadth of Viking’s
extensive art collection is staggering and can be seen throughout
our ocean ships, from the dining, social and relaxation areas to
the corridors beyond, and even in the staterooms.
On Viking Sea, high tea is served in the Wintergarden
where Norwegian photographer Isabel Tellefsen’s simple but
striking coastal shot Nesodden adorns the wall alongside an
abstract marble sculpture named Aurora created by Knut
Steen, who is one of Norway’s most celebrated sculptors.
Impressions from Nature by Norway’s most prominent
abstract painter, Jakob Weidemann, takes pride of place in
The Restaurant on Deck 2 of Viking Orion, while the art
in Viking Sun’s Explorers’ Lounge is a rich mix of enigmatic
nature photography, Romanesque tapestry and the actual
bow of a well-preserved Viking ship.
DIGITAL EXTRAS
These are just a few examples of the artworks on display.
and learning more could not be easier. Guests can get to
know the collection before they travel by downloading
the free Viking Art Guide app and listening to the artists’
bios and stories behind the onboard spaces from Viking
Executive Vice President, Karine Hagen, as well as artists,
designers and curators.
Once on board, the app can then be used to enjoy a selfguided
tour. You can also experience a selection of Munch’s
work in the Atrium every day, thanks to an exclusive
partnership with Oslo’s Munch Museum.
X Images left to right: Weideman Painting; Art on board Viking Orion
viking.com
85

ARTIST PROFILE:
EDVARD MUNCH
A tenacious approach to painting, drawing and print-making made Norwegian
artist Edvard Munch one of the most significant figures in Modernist art
Born in Norway in 1863, Munch’s childhood was marked
by tragedy. His mother passed away from tuberculosis
when he was just five years old and his older sister,
Sophia, passed away from the same disease nine years later.
These bereavements left a lifelong impression on Munch and
are thought to have influenced the themes of loss, anxiety
and human vulnerability which pervade much of his work.
In particular, Death in the Sickroom (1895) and The Sick
Child (1907) draw on his early experiences of grief.
Raised in Christiania (today’s Oslo), Munch enrolled at the
city’s Royal School of Art and Design in 1881. He began to
live a Bohemian life and made friends with nihilist Hans Jæger,
who encouraged Munch to paint his own emotional and
psychological state and his distinctive style began to emerge.
But travel brought new influences. Arriving in Paris in 1889,
he was greatly inspired by Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh
and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Munch then spent several
years exhibiting and working in Berlin from 1892 before
dividing most of his time between the two cities.
During this decade, Munch was part of the Symbolist
movement and embarked on The Frieze of Life, a major
canon of work depicting deep emotions such as love,
anxiety, jealousy and betrayal.
Included in this series is his painting entitled The Scream,
which has become one of the most iconic images in art
history. Representing an expression of the existential anxiety
and despair of the modern man, the painting features thick
bands of intense colour and highly stylised forms.
From the turn of the century, Munch pioneered
expressionist art. In 1909, he returned to Norway and his
reunion with Norwegian nature resulted in a multitude of
landscapes, as well as his monumental paintings—History,
The Sun and Alma Mater—for the University of Aula.
Munch spent the last two decades of his life working in
peace and privacy at his estate in Ekely, Skøyen, where
he died in January 1944. In over 60 years as an artist he
produced an impressive 1,000 paintings, 4,000 drawings
and 15,400 prints.
Alongside The Scream, other renowned pieces from the
artist dubbed the “radical father of Expressionism” include
Night in St. Cloud (1890), Madonna (1894-95) and The
Dance of Life (1889).
More than half of his paintings and nearly all of his print
reliefs are on display at the Munch Museum in Oslo,
while Viking is the proud custodian of the largest private
collection outside of the Norwegian capital, with 28
original pieces on display on its ocean ships.
86 viking.com

WORK OF ART
CULTURE
We take a closer look at the favourite painting
of Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen
Norwegian artist Edvard Munch has a special place
in Viking’s heritage, and features in our onboard
art collection. Historien, roughly translated
as “History” and painted in 1916, is Viking Chairman
Torstein Hagen’s favourite piece of art.
Sitting centrally in the picture, the old man comes across as
authoritarian, yet is portrayed wearing worn work clothes:
patched-up yellow trousers, an oversized blue coat and
a simple red hat. His hands are gesticulating, as if midstory,
and the little boy next to him seems to hang on his
every word. The boy’s clothes look new and reflect his
youthfulness, which is heightened next to the ancient roots
of the established oak tree that towers above the pair. In the
background lies a fjord with the open sea beyond.
Whilst we know that Munch painted the picture in
Kragerø, it is hard to tell the exact location. Adopted by
Norwegians as a symbol of national pride, the painting
celebrates the landscape and the heritage central to the
country’s identity. The young boy symbolizes a bright
future ahead, and
the development the
country was facing in
the 20th century.
The old man’s red hat
references the clothes
worn by those who
fought for Norway’s
independence at the
turn of the century,
and the traditional
fisherman’s clothing
symbolises the
importance of the
fishing industry.
The painting has been stolen twice, but thankfully
recovered each time, and now resides in the Hall of
Ceremonies at the University of Oslo.
X Images left to right: The Scream, Art on board Viking Sea;
Painting by Edvard Munch; Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen
viking.com
87

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
SYDNEY TO AUCKLAND OR AUCKLAND TO SYDNEY
Spend your winter days delving into the cultures of Australia and New Zealand. Hear about
Sydney’s and Hobart’s penal past from a descendant of Australia’s first settlers. Admire the
Victorian treasures of Dunedin, the fragrant English gardens of Christchurch and Wellington
and the art deco glories of Napier. Enjoy the earthy sounds of the didgeridoo and the thrilling
dances of the Māori, and admire the countries’ festive traditions and yuletide charm.
Prices from £6,690pp
15 Days | 9 Guided Tours | 2 Countries
Departing December 2022; January-March & December 2023
88 viking.com

ITINERARY
viking.com

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
SYDNEY TO AUCKLAND OR AUCKLAND TO SYDNEY
YOUR ITINERARY:
Days 1-2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
90 viking.com
Sydney, Australia
Spectacular Sydney is celebrated for its
magnificent harbour and iconic Opera House.
Included excursion: Sydney Panorama
Cruise the Gippsland Coast
Australia’s Gippsland Coast is a picturesque
shore of unspoiled landscapes.
Melbourne, Australia
Capital of the state of Victoria, Melbourne
is a vibrant cultural centre.
Included excursion: Melbourne Highlights
Scenic Cruising: Bass Strait
The Bass Strait, between Australia and
Tasmania, is dotted with more than 100 islands.
Tasmania (Hobart), Australia
Tasmania is known as the “Apple Isle,” as
it is one of the most prominent applegrowing
areas in the world.
Included excursion: Hobart Sights
Cruise the Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea was named for the Dutchman
who set foot on Tasmania in the 1640s.
Scenic Cruising: Foveaux Strait
The narrow Foveaux Strait separates New
Zealand’s South Island and Stewart Island.
Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand
Gateway to culture-rich Dunedin, Port
Chalmers lies on picturesque Otago Harbour.
Included excursion: Dunedin City Tour
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Christchurch, New Zealand
British-flavoured Christchurch fans out at
the feet of the Southern Alps.
Included excursion: Christchurch & Mona
Vale Gardens
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand’s capital of Wellington is
splendidly set between mountains and sea.
Included excursion: Wellington Highlights
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a rich cultural centre and gateway
to a thriving wine-growing region.
Included excursion: Art Deco Drive
Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand
Tauranga occupies a stunning setting
between a sweeping bay and
Mt. Maunganui.
Included excursions: Scenic Tauranga;
Scenic Bay Of Plenty
Days 14-15 Auckland, New Zealand
Rich in heritage, Auckland is the cultural
capital of New Zealand’s North Island.
Included excursion: New Zealand’s
“City of Sails”
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change.
X Images left to right: Viking Sun, Sydney, Australia; St Clair Beach, Dunedin, New Zealand;
Koala bear in Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia

ITINERARY
Coral
Sea
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
Melbourne
Bass
Strait
TASMANIA
Hobart
Tasman
Sea
Rotorua
(Tauranga)
NEW ZEALAND Napier
Christchurch
Dunedin
Auckland
Wellington
N
Cruise
Overnight in Port
Foveaux Strait
South
Pacific
VIKING INCLUSIVE VALUE
Return scheduled economy class flights from
London, plus fly from selected regional airports
at no extra cost
15-day cruise visiting 2 countries in a private
veranda stateroom
9 guided tours
All onboard meals in a choice of restaurants,
including many alfresco dining venues
Specially selected house wine, beer and soft drinks
with lunch and dinner onboard
Evening entertainment onboard
Immerse yourself in each destination through
classes or performances of music, art, cooking,
dance and history
Free tea, coffee and snacks any time onboard
Free 24-hour room service
Free Wi-Fi onboard (connection speed may vary)
Free use of spa facilities
All port charges, government taxes and
overseas transfers
Onboard gratuities
VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA £100PP ON THE PRICES BELOW
Australia & New Zealand – Viking Orion, Viking Mars
This table shows you the lowest available price for each stateroom category.
2022-2023 departure dates
prices per person, based on double occupancy
VERANDA
DELUXE
VERANDA
PENTHOUSE
VERANDA
PENTHOUSE
JUNIOR SUITE
EXPLORER
SUITE
December 2022 prices from £6,690 £6,990 £7,990 £9,590 £12,290
January 2023 prices from £6,690 £6,990 £7,990 £9,990 £12,290
February - March 2023 prices from £6,990 £7,290 £8,290 £10,490 £12,790
December 2023 prices from £6,790 £6,990 £7,990 £9,990 £11,990
Gratuities included on board ship only. From prices are based on the lowest priced departure date within the month. Some departure dates within the
same month may be at a higher cost. Single supplements 100%. Please see back pages for full terms and conditions.
viking.com
91

BACK ON BOARD – ON BRAND NEW
VIKING VENUS
BY DEREK & IRENE MEPHAM
We are pinching ourselves to be boarding a Viking
ocean ship again on the beautiful new Viking Venus
on its inaugural cruise, around England’s Scenic
Shores. It’s wonderful to be some of the first guests to join a
Viking “Welcome Back” cruise and the first to stay in our
stateroom and bed and being part of the Viking family again.
This cruise was only available to Covid vaccinated UK past
passengers, with Viking’s commitment to health and safety
protocols on board for all guests and crew. Viking offered
guests the most flexible guarantee in the cruise industry,
which gave past guests the confidence to book and return to
Viking sailings. Guests were offered the flexibility to book
their boarding time, meaning we could plan our journey to
Portsmouth port accordingly. All arriving cars were directed
to allocated parking spaces and after checking in, directed
to waiting buses with limited passengers on board, for the
short transfer to the ship.
As we boarded, temperature checks were carried out with
face recognition. Once escorted to our cabins, we were
asked to provide saliva samples which were collected and
taken to the onboard labs for analysing. These saliva tests
were a daily requirement, for passengers and crew alike
during the cruise.
When entering any of the restaurants a daily face recognition
temperature check was carried out, followed by hand
washing and hand sanitising. Everyone wore a personal track
and trace fob at all times, which were continually monitoring
passengers as they moved around the ship. Viking has
installed new air purification technology, with all cabins
having independent fresh air circulation.
Additionally, passengers were required to complete a daily
health questionnaire via the My Viking App. In public
areas around the ship masks were required to be worn by
passengers and on entering bars and restaurants, removing
them when seated. The crew wore masks in all areas. After
we had all retired to bed the onboard robots set to work,
travelling throughout the ship using UV-C light to disinfect
public areas, all very hi-tech.
92 viking.com

ON BOARD
Shore excursions were still allowed with reduced number
of passengers on buses, social distancing in place, audio
headsets used and face masks worn. None of these
requirements affected our cruise in any way and made
everyone feel safe in the knowledge that all of the protocols
Viking had put into place helped ensure the safety of the
Viking family and were not at all intrusive.
The crew, as always were so welcoming, with smiles from
ear to ear, despite their masks. They were as pleased and
delighted to be back on board as we were.
Anne Diamond, Viking Venus’ Godmother was on board for
this cruise. Anne is a worthy ambassador for Viking, with
her interesting weekly interviews on Viking TV.
Departing from Portsmouth, a sea day followed, enabling
everyone to enjoy the wonderful facilities a Viking ship
has to offer whilst sailing towards our first port of call,
Liverpool, home of the Beatles. Viking Venus was the first
cruise ship to dock in Liverpool for 18 months. We cruised
sedately into Falmouth harbour, the sunshine glistening on
the marina, boats gently bobbing in the clear blue sea. A
sunny welcome awaits at Portland, with the 18-mile Chesil
Beach lying at the southernmost point of Dorset and the
stunning Jurassic Coast. Portland stone has been used on
many iconic buildings, Tower of London, Buckingham
Palace and Houses of Parliament. Cruising gently on our
last day, amongst the Channel Islands, Jersey’s La Corbière
lighthouse visible, where we honeymooned 48 years ago.
It is sad that the cruise has finished but happy and
privileged to be amongst the first to cruise again with the
wonderful Viking Venus and her crew. We would have
no hesitation in booking a future cruise with Viking to
anywhere in the world knowing that stringent safety
protocols are in place. Thank you, Viking.

94 viking.com
In the words of the Beatles, this was a
“Ticket to Ride,” on a wonderful Viking
Ship, “Here Comes The Sun” to future
travel. With “Yesterday” behind us, “I’ve
Got a Feeling” everything is “Getting
Better” the beginning of a “Day in the
Life” when we can resume on those
wonderful Viking Cruises, “Here there
and Everywhere,” “Across the Universe.”

Call us on 020 8780 6500
Book online at viking.com
Terms and conditions: All departures are subject to availability. Prices and availability are correct at the time of going to print but are subject to change. River 2022
prices and offers are valid until 30 September 2021. Offers apply only to itineraries advertised in this brochure. All prices are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplements apply. These prices cannot be combined with any other special offer or discount. Gratuities included on board ship only. £100pp double Viking
Explorer Society loyalty discount applies only to guests who have previously travelled with Viking and cannot be applied to new Viking guests. Please note, some
prices are based on a guaranteed stateroom, which means that the exact stateroom is allocated upon embarkation and cannot be chosen in advance. Please note,
included excursions may change. Flights from local airports will be booked by Viking’s air department. These flights may be indirect, involve a change of aircraft and
can depart as early as 6am. Please note that while only scheduled airlines are used, some may charge for luggage. For full terms and conditions please visit
viking.com/terms-conditions.
These cruises are currently only available to guests who will have received both COVID-19 vaccinations a minimum of 2 weeks prior to departure, and you must
have travel insurance that includes COVID-19 cover. Please note that the information contained herein is subject to UK Government regulations on travel during
the COVID-19 pandemic which are subject to change potentially with no or very short notice. The UK Government list of countries where travel is permitted to can
change on a regular basis and at short notice, Viking cannot be held responsible if at any point before or during travel the advice changes which then requires
guests to quarantine on their return. The Department of Transport and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also issued advice which applies to cruises. If UK
Government regulations or guidance prohibit or further restrict travel either within the UK or abroad, then we may similarly have to cancel planned cruises, or amend
itineraries or other conditions for travel at short or no notice. Please refer to paragraph H.1 [and B2] in our Booking Terms and Conditions on our website for further
information as to our cancellation policies in these circumstances. Please read the UK government foreign travel advice at “http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice”
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
If you would no longer like to receive marketing communications from Viking, please call us on 020 8780 6500 or write to us at Viking, Nelson’s House,
83 Wimbledon Parkside, London, SW19 5LP and you will be unsubscribed from our mailing list. All of our incoming and outbound calls are recorded to help provide
the highest standards of customer care. If you do not wish to have your call recorded, please contact us via our website viking.com. Our latest privacy notice can be
found at viking.com. The privacy notice tells you what information we collect about you, how we use it, and your related rights.
3124
‘Viking’, ‘Viking Cruises’, ‘Viking River Cruises’, ‘Viking Ocean Cruises’ and ‘Viking Expeditions’ are trading names of Viking River Cruises UK Ltd. ATOL number 3124. All
the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please
ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or
for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate, call us on 020 8780 6500 or see your travel agent.