Explore More Magazine - Spring 2019

TRAVEL and trying out

TRAVEL and trying out the snow grotto, bucket splash, indoor pool and sauna. Thankfully, the rain stayed off for a while as we sailed the next day into Quebec, which quickly became one of my favourite cities. A short walk from the port took us to the old town and funicular railway for a spectacular view. Later we joined a well-informed and jovial guide for a tour, breaking off at one point to eat a traditional dish of poutine and drink a Baileys and hot chocolate to fortify ourselves against the chill outside. I have long wanted to visit Quebec. It’s funny how you conjure up images of places you haven’t seen purely on what other people tell you. This was one of those ports that exceeded even those expectations with its French colonial beauty. Having said au revoir, our final stop was Montreal and a visit to the Notre-Dame Basilica in the old town. Nearby are two statues – an Englishman and a French woman, both holding dogs. Their snooty noses are turned away from each other, while their pets are obviously keen to get acquainted. Later, a coach tour took us to Mont Royal, from where the city gets its name. We stopped to take in the view and reflect on our epic trip, which had taken us from the bustle of Manhattan to remote settlements on the Canadian coast and into the heart of Frenchspeaking cities. History – and our colonial pasts as British people – followed us everywhere. To see Montreal, Boston and New York in the autumn on one cruise was a real treat. And, of course, we loved the food on Viking Sea, from the delicious burgers at the pool grill to the glorious buffets in the World Café, where we ate most evenings, and the à la carte delights of The Restaurant. As a couple, we could eat alone wherever we wanted, meeting new friends around the ship but retaining our own company at meal times. This was especially true when we celebrated our anniversary at sea at Italian restaurant Manfredi’s with a romantic table for two. From right: Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal; Bonsecours market, Old Montreal We sailed into Quebec, which quickly became one of my favourite cities. A short walk from the port took us to the old town and funicular railway for a spectacular view During our cruise, a range of expert lecturers brought our destination ports to life, even before we arrived. But it was always a delight to return on board and be served a coffee or drink in The Living Room while listening to classical music being played in The Atrium. With so much included in the fare, such as drinks with meals, we weren’t left with a huge onboard bill either. Even after arriving in Montreal, our North American adventure wasn’t over and we flew back to New York for a few more days before heading home. The British were leaving. And this time having been given a very warm welcome during an unforgettable Viking cruise. An 13-day Eastern Seaboard Explorer cruise from Montreal to New York City, or the reverse, starts at £5,190pp vikingcruises.co.uk Dave Monk writes for World of Cruising, the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror and Metro online, as well as his own awardwinning blog, shipmonk.co.uk. You can also follow him as @shipmonk on Instagram and Twitter. PHOTOS: © ALAMY 22 VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK | SPRING 2019 018-023_EM15_Dave Monk.indd 22 21/01/2019 14:10

TRAVEL READY TO EXPLORE ORGANISER BAG, £10, NATIONAL TRUST This essential bag has three zipped compartments, a phone pocket and an adjustable shoulder strap. PLUG IN EARPHONES, £109.95, ARGOS BeatsX Earphones by Dr. Dre connect to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth so there are no trailing wires. Perfect for onboard downtime. WEEKENDER BAG, £265, ANNABEL JAMES Packing ESSENTIALS Cruise writer Dave Monk shares his tips for a well-equipped trip to New York and Canada PACK IT UP CARRY-ON CASE, £159, SAMSONITE The Samsonite Spark SNG Spinner has four wheels and a zipped top pocket. STAY CLEAN HAND SPRAY, £6.50, NEAL’S YARD Keep hands fresh while using tourist transport with Organic Defence Hand Spray. SNAP HAPPY CAMERA, £779.99, CANON The Canon PowerShot G3X has a 25-times zoom and a WiFi connection to your mobile so you can easily upload shots online. IT’S A WRAP RACING GREEN JACKET, £75, DEBENHAMS This mid-length hooded jacket is waterproof and breathable so you can stay dry on rainy days without overheating. BEST FOOT FORWARD WATERPROOF SHOES, £100, MERRELL These Merrell Outmost Ventilator GORE-TEX shoes can handle the rocks of the Canadian coastline while staying breathable in the city. WISE WORDS LITTLE WOMEN, £6.99, WATERSTONES The famous book by Louisa May Alcott – get into the mood before you fly and buy this Puffin Classics copy. SPRING 2019 | VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK 23 023_EM15_Packing essentials.indd 23 21/01/2019 14:12