Explore More - 2017

96 VIKINGCRUISES.COM |

96 VIKINGCRUISES.COM | EXPLORE MORE 2017

RHINE RIVER CRUISE 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 hubbub of chatter, laughter and chinking glasses. Yet there were always quiet corners to be found—the alcoves of the Library; the huge, peaceful Sun Deck and the sanctuary of our delightful stateroom with its own private veranda. Viking River Cruises is the leader in European river cruising. It provides a small ship experience and takes you into the heart of great cities and quaint villages. The itinerary excelled in its diversity of longer and shorter stops, with an excursion included in each port of call. The local guides were full of all sorts of stories and nuggets of quirky information. We learned how thrifty Dutch millers reused the same wooden component four times when building their windmills so it only needed replacing every 28 years. In Cologne, we heard how a public outcry stopped the authorities from removing thousands of padlocks—symbols of love—from Hohenzollern Bridge. We found out how the expression “going to the dogs” came about at the fairy-tale Marksburg Castle above the river. Strasbourg was where our motor coach driver took us along a street to see some of the 500 pairs of storks that had built their giant nests precariously in treetops and on church roofs. At the huge Heidelberg Castle, my fellow guests and I chuckled at the tale of the court jester who guarded what is still the world’s largest wine barrel, so massive it has a dance floor on top. We also discovered why the pretty medieval village of Colmar has New York’s Statue of Liberty in the middle of a traffic circle, and how the open mouths of the gargoyles on a church here formed part of a drainage system. Viking Longships have an excellent concierge service that can not only arrange a special meal or a private visit, for example, but Clockwise, from facing page: The covered bridges in Strasbourg; stunning river views from the Aquavit Terrace; Strasbourg as seen from the cathedral also provide a mine of very useful firsthand information. With free time in Speyer, we visited the Technik Museum which houses Europe’s greatest transport collection—everything from airplanes to space shuttles. Viking also offers a selection of optional immersive excursions alongside the wonderful range of complimentary trips—from gourmet tours and wine tastings to a visit to the Mercedes-Benz car factory. We chose to join a local character on an evening tour of Cologne. Popping in and out of historic taverns, and soaking up the fresh Kölsch beer with hearty German food, proved to be a really great night out. On our return, our Program Director suggested we catch the finale of a performance by the city’s Academy of Music and Dance, then we were to set sail at midnight past the mighty Dom, Cologne’s cathedral. Cameras in hand, on the top deck, we admired the great Gothic masterpiece, eerily floodlit like something out of Harry Potter. “It’s magical,” said a few wide-eyed guests. Rather like the cruise itself, I thought. Go online: Watch a video of the Rhine Getaway cruise at vikingcruises.com EXPLORE MORE 2017 | VIKINGCRUISES.COM 97