Explore More - 2019

44 VIKING.COM | EXPLORE

44 VIKING.COM | EXPLORE MORE 2019

GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR Breakfast is only a relatively distant memory, but as the chefs on the spacious Sun Deck of Viking Longship Embla carve freshly roasted pork and waiters hand out frothing mugs of beer, it is just too tempting to say no. The al fresco midmorning treat is served against a backdrop of rousing “oompah” music and ahead of us is Cologne’s twin-spired Gothic cathedral. That afternoon, as we walk below the 141-foot arches, admire the gold craftsmanship in the Shrine to the Three Kings and watch a kaleidoscope of light shine through the stained glass windows, we discover the cathedral is no less impressive on the inside. We scale the 509 steps in the south tower for the panoramic view of the Rhine, dotted with freight-laden barges and pleasure cruisers, where our Viking Longship is moored. The excursion was just one of the many highlights of our epic 15-day journey from Budapest to Amsterdam on the fittingly named Grand European Tour, which takes you on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Our arrival in Budapest the previous week set the scene for what lay ahead. Viking owns many of the docks right in the center of towns and cities, and from the stateroom we had a view of the landmark Chain Bridge spanning the Danube between Buda and Pest, the two distinctive halves of the Hungarian capital. The voyage of discovery began with a tour of this charming city; we strolled along Pest’s main Andrássy Avenue, where chic designer shops rub shoulders with the opulent Hungarian State Opera House, one of the city’s most stunning buildings, and culminated in a grand finale at Heroes’ Square, lined with towering equestrian statues of Hungarian kings and chieftains. Afterward, there was free time, and we went to find the famous Grand Market Hall, an imposing three-story, wrought-iron IN THE WACHAU VALLEY, A SCENIC STRETCH OF THE DANUBE, THE BENEDICTINE ABBEY DATES TO 1089 and glass edifice that resembles a railway station. Inside, stalls are piled high with meat, dairy and vegetables, including paprika, the essential ingredient of many local dishes, which was featured in that evening’s menu on the ship. After Budapest, it was on to Vienna. Here, many guests opted for the city tour taking in such highlights as the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Vienna State Opera. Every day we were met by knowledgeable and engaging local guides who took us on walking and motor-coach excursions, all included in the cruise price. Individual Quietvox® audio headsets enabled us to listen to the commentary, admire our beautiful surroundings and do a spot of covert window-shopping. It is also easy to go on your own, armed with maps available from Reception and helpful suggestions from the excellent onboard Guest Services staff, who booked tickets for me to go on a tour of Facing page, clockwise from top left: Paprika is a popular local spice in Hungary; the Church of St. Charles in Vienna; historic windmills in Zaanse Schans, near Amsterdam; hand-painted eggs from Budapest; an ornate carving Above: Dramatic ruins hidden in the countryside the Spanish Riding School, home of the famous white Lipizzaner stallions. The horses are put through their paces in the baroque chandeliered building, so you get to see some of the dressage routines they perform at only a fraction of the price. The next morning heralded my personal highlight on the Danube, the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, a dramatic and incredibly scenic stretch of the river between the Austrian towns of Krems and Melk that is lined with steep, vine-clad slopes. Docking at Melk, we visited the vast Benedictine abbey, founded in 1089 and built high on a rocky outcrop. Afterward, we wandered back down to the ship along quaint cobblestone streets. In the pretty town of Passau’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral, we listened to a concert performed on a 17,000-pipe organ, one of the largest in Europe. As we walked back to the ship, we had become totally acclimated to the tranquil daily routine of life on the river, beginning with a leisurely breakfast served over two hours and the ensuing pattern of meals punctuated by outings, cruising and interesting onboard lectures on local history and culture. The joy of river cruising is that you can just sit back and let the amazing sights come to you. EXPLORE MORE 2019 VIKING.COM 45