Viking Traveller 2nd Issue

TRAVEL
Look, there’s an ancient castle, high up on the
riverbank. Did you see that huge flock of swans?
That cathedral looks magnificent from here on
the water. I wonder what those windmills were used
for? They must be riesling grapes in that vineyard. Wow,
what an impressive bridge we’re sliding under. There’s an
interesting medieval village ahead, I hope we’re stopping
there… yes, we are!
This, perhaps, is what you imagined a river cruise to be
like – a gentle journey along a waterway with enchanting,
ever-changing views.
And indeed it is. Above are just a few examples of what I
witnessed on my meander on the Rhine with Viking. You
will find a similarly delightful tapestry unfolding on the
other great rivers of Europe – and a healthy dash of the
exotic too if you choose to cruise in Russia or Asia.
But I’m going to give you another list – one I did not expect
to encounter. In the plush lounge of my Viking Longship,
Viking Idi, there’s a play-off to decide the victors of the
dead-heat in the music quiz. Those garnering the loudest
cheer win the prize.
Up on the top deck, it’s 10.30pm and two couples are still
playing shuffleboard in the long midsummer twilight. They
laugh when I point out that those with the bright yellow
discs have a distinct advantage.
One evening, a guest joins the ship’s resident pianist-singer
for a duet, then both are persuaded to move aside by another
guest so he can knock out a few of his own favourites. A
holiday with Viking does not just present a variety of scenic
and cultural encounters, it is also enormous fun.
If you’ll permit, here is a third list, which again may be
unexpected. Shore excursions. Wine, beer and soft drinks
with lunch and dinner every day. Return flights from UK
regional airports. Transfers. Wi-Fi. Tea and coffee
24 hours a day.
The significance? They are all free. At the end of my trip,
my wallet was diminished only by a few cocktails on board,
a couple of enlightening optional excursions and the odd
trinket picked up when exploring the lovely towns and
cities along the Rhine.
When travelling through Holland, we were treated to
Dutch coffee with whipped cream and a splash of advocaat.
That evening, I chose a Dutch cheese soufflé. After a day in
Strasbourg, local musicians joined us on board the Longship
to play French tunes; an hour earlier, I had accepted a third
glass of Gallic wine with my dinner. Over the course of
a week and hundreds of miles of river, I came to deeply
appreciate the design and style of my Viking Longship,
but it was the ambience that left the greatest impression.
The lounge, restaurant and Aquavit Terrace were a genial
hubbub of chatter, laughter and chinking glasses.
X Images left to right: Viking Longship in Rhine; Stunning view of Strasbourg in France in summer;
Windmills and water canal in Kinderdijk on a beautiful summer day, The Netherlands
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