Explore More - 2018

Park Güell offers great

Park Güell offers great city views BARCELONA With its coastal location and fantastic architecture, Barcelona is a vibrant and unforgettable stop on a Mediterranean cruise The pride of Catalonia, home to 1.6 million people and one of the world’s largest football clubs, Barcelona is Spain’s cultural hub. Must-sees Barcelona is dominated by the extraordinary architecture of Antoni Gaudí, whose most iconic work is the unfinished La Sagrada Família Cathedral. You can take a guided tour through its labyrinthine corridors and head nearly to the top, accessed by lifts. Other famous Gaudí creations include Casa Batlló (a formerly private house on Passeig de Gràcia now open to the public) and Park Güell, a wonderful public space with exquisite multicolored mosaics, tropical plants and stunning city views. Hospital de Sant Pau and Palau de la Música Catalana are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Take guided tours, marvel at the architectural brilliance and bask in the scent of lavender and citrus trees. The other biggest attraction of Barcelona is La Barceloneta beach with its spectacular sweep of golden sand. Eating The Spanish eat late, so you can always find tapas and pintxo (snack) bars open until the early hours—it is the best way to enjoy fresh and diverse local food. Most cafés close in the afternoon for siesta. Shopping Barcelona is Spain’s fashion center, so you can find designer outlets as well as local boutiques, and it is worth taking a stroll down the city’s smaller streets for the local antique shops. 62 VIKINGCRUISES.COM | EXPLORE MORE 2018

CITY GUIDE ROME This Italian capital offers a wealth of cultural treasures, extraordinary art and amazing food, making it a fantastic destination Founded more than 2,600 years ago, and nearly as old as civilization itself, it is no wonder Rome is nicknamed “The Eternal City.” It is one of the world’s most enthralling and historically significant cities, home to nearly three million people and a place where the ancient world mixes seamlessly with the contemporary. Must-sees of ancient Rome and one of the best preserved. Nearby are the world-famous Spanish Steps and the baroque Trevi Fountain. Turn away from the fountain and throw three coins in over your shoulder—one to find love, one to keep love and one to return to Rome. For many visitors, though, the pinnacle will be exploring the magnificent Vatican City, home to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It is fairly easy to walk around the center of Rome and there is something to look at around every corner. Do not miss the Colosseum, which during its heyday was capable of hosting more than 60,000 spectators, or the Pantheon, also one of the most impressive monuments Eating For the most authentic Roman food, head to the Trastevere neighborhood. The pizza is thinner and crispier than the Neapolitan style, although both are available in spades. Roman pasta tends to be very salty, but delicious. Try Sforno Below: Historic Piazza Navona for the southern style or Da Remo for Roman. For wine, head to Il Piccolo—some of the world’s finest varieties can be found right here. Gregory’s is a stylish latenight cocktail bar if you want to explore the city by night, and no visit to Rome would be complete without a coffee or something stronger at the Antico Caffè Greco on Via Condotti. It opened in 1760, and over the centuries has played host to luminaries including Byron, Keats and Hans Christian Andersen. Shopping Glamorous designer boutiques and malls line Via Condotti and Via del Corso, making Rome a shopper’s paradise. One of the best malls has to be the Art Nouveau Galleria Alberto Sordi, with its wonderful stained-glass ceiling. It is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee while people watching. Go online: Watch a video of the Mediterranean Odyssey ® cruise at voc.com/videos EXPLORE MORE 2018 | VIKINGCRUISES.COM 63