I cruised Scandinavia with Viking, here's all your questions answered
As the sound of birch leaves slapping bare skin fills the sauna we exchange alarmed glances.
Our nordic bathing ritual started gently enough, with dry skin brushing before alternating between getting steamed in the sauna and rubbing snow over our hot skin in the snow grotto. But now that our spa therapist has started thwacking us with birch twigs, things have taken a turn.
When it's my turn to stand with my hands high on the sauna glass in my swimmers, bare legs and back to the group, I soon discover a birch twig's bark is worse than its bite. It feels almost like a leafy caress and as the birch scent fills the sauna it adds to the sensory experience.
Why Norway should be the next place you travel
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Why Norway should be the next place you travel
natural...... more more beauty and cultural richness, beckons travellers from around the world to explore its captivating landscapes and unique heritage.
Norway, a land of awe-inspiring ... more
Passengers cruising on Viking's ocean ships around the world can use the sauna, snow grotto, hot tubs and cold water plunge pools in LivNordic spas for the guided group experience I opted for, or enjoy their own independent hot and cold routine.
It seems particularly apt that we're doing it where it all began – on a Viking Homelands cruise in Norway, where by the end of the voyage I'm tipping a bucket of cold water over myself after getting out of a hot tub in a not to be repeated 'when in Scandinavia' moment.
I may have been to Scandinavia before but this is the first time I've travelled by ocean ship and it's a journey that is taking me back to some of my favourite spots in the world as well as introducing me to places I've always wanted to visit. Here's what you can expect when you set sail on the 15-day Viking Homelands cruise.
Sailing into Stockholm, one of the world's most beautiful harbours. Picture: Amanda Woods
Where did the cruise go?
After sailing out of Viking Jupiter's port of registry in Bergen we visited towns and cities in Denmark, Germany, Poland and Estonia before sailing into one of the most spectacular harbours in the world in Stockholm. Highlights included cruising through majestic fjords in Norway, the Baltic beauties of Gdansk and Tallinn, and exploring city and market town life in Denmark's Copenhagen and Rønne.
Sunset in Tallinn, Estonia, one of the ports on the Viking Homelands cruise.
What was the ship like?
Modern Scandinavian with lots of sleek lines, light wood, woven textiles and the occasional reindeer hide, over eight main decks plus a small sports deck.
Viking ships are happily casino-free zones with lots of comfy spaces from which to watch the world go by, and Viking Jupiter is one of the few ships in the world to have a planetarium. The Explorers' Dome seats 26 and with only a few live talks from the ship's astronomer tickets can be hard to get. After missing out I book a seat in the Dome to watch the Experience the Aurora documentary instead. The all-veranda cabins, including our Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, start at 25sq m and include generous bathrooms with heated floors, seats for two on the balcony, 24-hour room service and a mini bar with soft drinks and snacks replenished daily.
The Explorers' Dome, a high-tech planetarium.
How many people were on board?
Viking Jupiter carries a maximum of 930 adults and no children thanks to its 18-year-old minimum age limit. Ship guests came from nine nationalities, while the very multicultural and so lovely I didn't want to say goodbye crew was made up of 64 nationalities. Eighty per cent of guests were American but other passengers included Brits, Canadians and Irish, along with 78 Australians.
What can you do on board?
Viking leans into their 'thinking person's cruise' theme with interesting lectures on local history, art, architecture and geopolitics as well as talks by the ship's resident astronomer in the theatre. At night the theatre switches into entertainment mode with performances by special guests and skipping down memory lane shows by the Viking Jupiter Vocalists.
You can work out in the gym, relax in the spa, take dips under the retractable roof in the indoor pool and soak in the indoor or outdoor hot tub. And on special nights you can watch movies and dance under the stars by the pool.
Eidfjord, Norway, viewed from the ship's sports deck. Picture: Amanda Woods
What are the excursions like?
Our Viking cruise had at least one complimentary shore excursion in every port and I enjoyed them all. Included excursions are mostly walking tours and scenic drives to interesting spots, while paid excursions go deeper into a destination and can include castle and museum tours, cycling, sailing and taking to the sky in seaplanes and helicopters.
How about the food?
Whether you're in the mood for the tastes of Scandinavia or a more familiar dish from home this cruise has you covered. And apart from the $US99 ($151) kitchen table experience, every meal from the buffet to the speciality Manfredi's Italian and Chef's Table restaurants is included.
In the main dining venues, The Restaurant and World Café, the regional specialities change daily. In the Pool Grill casual bites and an excellent ahi tuna steak are always on offer, while Mamsen's is where you can enjoy Norwegian specialities including brown cheese on heart-shaped waffles. I also loved the pop-up cooking stations, including Norwegian hot dogs on the Aquavit Terrace. And if you can somehow fit it in, afternoon tea is served with live classical music in the Wintergarden.
Gjetost (brown cheese) on waffles from Mamsen's, the ship's Norwegian deli. Picture: Amanda Woods
Did you get pampered in the spa?
You bet. Along with my nordic bathing ritual I signed up for a signature Northern Stillness treatment where I was blissed out during a full body massage, body scrub, blueberry body mask and scalp treatment. While I did add a tip, no gratuities are automatically charged in this floating spa.
Did you see the Northern Lights?
No, but I have seen them every other time I've been on a ship in Scandinavia so you never know your luck with the aurora gods.
The writer travelled as a guest of Viking Cruises. The 15-day Viking Homelands journey from Bergen to Stockholm (or vice versa) is priced from $12,095pp twin share.
Originally published as I cruised Scandinavia with Viking, here's all your questions answered
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Matt Preston finds the best tortellini in Italy's Emilia Romagna region
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. The countryside between Parma and Bologna is the culinary heart of Italy. Sure, Naples, Rome, Milan and Florence all have claims but with world-famous produce like Parmesan Reggiano, Balsamic vinegar, Mortadella and Prosciutto di Parma, and world-famous dishes like lasagne – and the best chocolate ice cream in the world – the region of Emilia Romagna punches well above its weight. A certain world-famous spaghetti dish also bears the capital's name. Embark on an Italian odyssey: Discover the 10 most thrilling destinations to explore Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:26 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Embark on an Italian odyssey: Discover the 10 most thrilling destinations to explore more more odyssey as we unveil the top 10 destinations that promise an exhilarating journey through this enchanting country. Prepare to embark on a thrilling Italian...... ... more It is also home to globally recognised chefs Massimo Bottura – the man behind former world No.1 restaurant Osteria Francescana – and locavore champion Massimo Spigaroli from the Michelin-starred Antica Corte Pallavicina. This all makes the medieval cities of Parma, Modena and Bologna a brilliant destination for anyone who likes food and wine, loves history and wants to embrace the area's vibrant way of life. I've been coming here since the 1980s and it still never fails to impress and charm. The landscapes of the Emilia Romagno region are as delightful as its cuisine. One locally revered dish is seldom on visitors' bucket lists. It's a dish of impeccable delicacy and depth that gets lost overseas under the ruckus created by noisier pastas like carbonara and 'matriciana, bolognese and lasagne. 'In Modena if you don't believe in God, you can always believe in tortellini,' Massimo Bottura tells me with a laugh down the line from Italy. When I speak to Massimo Spigaroli, he says: 'The supreme quality of the (local) products used, such as the parmesan cheese, and the ancient knowledge of our land is what makes for the perfect tortellini al brodo.' Tortellini al brodo is a traditional dish claimed by both Bologna and Modena. Tortellini al brodo is claimed as 'theirs' by both Modena and Bologna and sits proudly on most menus of the area. Eating the pasta in no more than the broth is apparently the best way to see the skill of the cook and the required fine-finger technique of the pasta maker's skill. Such is the obsession with doing tortellini al brodo the 'right way' I reckon it's hard to find a bad one – even at a dodgy place behind Bologna's central railway station. This is also held out by local foodies' guides all listing different places to get the best tortellini. I found the tortellini good and al dente but the broth a little salty at the century-old Emilian icon Ristorante Diana, but I loved the version at Drogheria della Rosa. This quirky spot on a quiet side street in Bologna is the perfect place to while away a long lunch. The simplicity of the dish leaves nowhere to hide but the tortellini here are deliciously plump with the umami hit of meat boosted by the aged parmesan also in the filling. (Never sprinkle extra parmesan over the tortellini because it should have enough in it and you'll throw the hard-strived-for balance of the dish.) Drogheria della Rosa is Matt Preston's choice for tortellini in Bologna. Luck has a hand in me finding a fine tortellini al brodo in Modena. We're dragging our cases from the train station to our accommodation when a yellow sign in a nondescript suburban street hoves into view. Trattoria Ermes opened in 1963, and the late chef and owner Ermes Rinaldi became a giant of Modenese cuisine. The restaurant he left still is. Amazingly they have one table left for lunch. The dining room is tiny; communal tables with red-checked tablecloths are packed and the vibe is boisterous. The set menu changes each lunch but thankfully today is a tortellini al brodo day and there's a €12 bottle of local lambrusco on the table – it's the most expensive on the list – suggested by winemakers having a long, fraternal and raucous lunch at a nearby table. The €10 bowl of pasta has a broth that is clean but rich, and the tortellini are suitably half and half meat and pasta. This is the sort of honest cookery that I travel for and while their stewed tripe might be a little too rustic for some, escalopes of pork finished with balsamic vinegar are such a hit that it's a recipe I now make at home. Cavallino restaurant at the Ferrari Factory at Maranello. Another fine choice for tortellini in Modena is Cavallino, the restaurant overseen by Massimo Bottura at the Ferrari Factory at Maranello. The tortellini here is handmade by children and adults on the autism spectrum in a social workshop project called Il Tortellante that's been running for almost a decade – the project says this traditional, precise but repetitive process helps instil traditional skills, confidence and a sense of inclusion. The students' mentors are local nonnas who in Modena are revered with the title rezdora… 'she who rolls'. They are highly valued as the custodians and teachers of the ancient local culinary ways of which tortellini is paramount. I ask Massimo Spigaroli for his favourite tortellini outside home and he points to Osteria di Fornio, a simple rustic restaurant 10 minutes outside Fidenza. It immediately goes on my bucket list. Originally published as Matt Preston finds the best tortellini in Italy's Emilia Romagna region
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I cruised Scandinavia with Viking, here's all your questions answered
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. As the sound of birch leaves slapping bare skin fills the sauna we exchange alarmed glances. Our nordic bathing ritual started gently enough, with dry skin brushing before alternating between getting steamed in the sauna and rubbing snow over our hot skin in the snow grotto. But now that our spa therapist has started thwacking us with birch twigs, things have taken a turn. When it's my turn to stand with my hands high on the sauna glass in my swimmers, bare legs and back to the group, I soon discover a birch twig's bark is worse than its bite. It feels almost like a leafy caress and as the birch scent fills the sauna it adds to the sensory experience. Why Norway should be the next place you travel Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:18 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Why Norway should be the next place you travel natural...... more more beauty and cultural richness, beckons travellers from around the world to explore its captivating landscapes and unique heritage. Norway, a land of awe-inspiring ... more Passengers cruising on Viking's ocean ships around the world can use the sauna, snow grotto, hot tubs and cold water plunge pools in LivNordic spas for the guided group experience I opted for, or enjoy their own independent hot and cold routine. It seems particularly apt that we're doing it where it all began – on a Viking Homelands cruise in Norway, where by the end of the voyage I'm tipping a bucket of cold water over myself after getting out of a hot tub in a not to be repeated 'when in Scandinavia' moment. I may have been to Scandinavia before but this is the first time I've travelled by ocean ship and it's a journey that is taking me back to some of my favourite spots in the world as well as introducing me to places I've always wanted to visit. Here's what you can expect when you set sail on the 15-day Viking Homelands cruise. Sailing into Stockholm, one of the world's most beautiful harbours. Picture: Amanda Woods Where did the cruise go? After sailing out of Viking Jupiter's port of registry in Bergen we visited towns and cities in Denmark, Germany, Poland and Estonia before sailing into one of the most spectacular harbours in the world in Stockholm. Highlights included cruising through majestic fjords in Norway, the Baltic beauties of Gdansk and Tallinn, and exploring city and market town life in Denmark's Copenhagen and Rønne. Sunset in Tallinn, Estonia, one of the ports on the Viking Homelands cruise. What was the ship like? Modern Scandinavian with lots of sleek lines, light wood, woven textiles and the occasional reindeer hide, over eight main decks plus a small sports deck. Viking ships are happily casino-free zones with lots of comfy spaces from which to watch the world go by, and Viking Jupiter is one of the few ships in the world to have a planetarium. The Explorers' Dome seats 26 and with only a few live talks from the ship's astronomer tickets can be hard to get. After missing out I book a seat in the Dome to watch the Experience the Aurora documentary instead. The all-veranda cabins, including our Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, start at 25sq m and include generous bathrooms with heated floors, seats for two on the balcony, 24-hour room service and a mini bar with soft drinks and snacks replenished daily. The Explorers' Dome, a high-tech planetarium. How many people were on board? Viking Jupiter carries a maximum of 930 adults and no children thanks to its 18-year-old minimum age limit. Ship guests came from nine nationalities, while the very multicultural and so lovely I didn't want to say goodbye crew was made up of 64 nationalities. Eighty per cent of guests were American but other passengers included Brits, Canadians and Irish, along with 78 Australians. What can you do on board? Viking leans into their 'thinking person's cruise' theme with interesting lectures on local history, art, architecture and geopolitics as well as talks by the ship's resident astronomer in the theatre. At night the theatre switches into entertainment mode with performances by special guests and skipping down memory lane shows by the Viking Jupiter Vocalists. You can work out in the gym, relax in the spa, take dips under the retractable roof in the indoor pool and soak in the indoor or outdoor hot tub. And on special nights you can watch movies and dance under the stars by the pool. Eidfjord, Norway, viewed from the ship's sports deck. Picture: Amanda Woods What are the excursions like? Our Viking cruise had at least one complimentary shore excursion in every port and I enjoyed them all. Included excursions are mostly walking tours and scenic drives to interesting spots, while paid excursions go deeper into a destination and can include castle and museum tours, cycling, sailing and taking to the sky in seaplanes and helicopters. How about the food? Whether you're in the mood for the tastes of Scandinavia or a more familiar dish from home this cruise has you covered. And apart from the $US99 ($151) kitchen table experience, every meal from the buffet to the speciality Manfredi's Italian and Chef's Table restaurants is included. In the main dining venues, The Restaurant and World Café, the regional specialities change daily. In the Pool Grill casual bites and an excellent ahi tuna steak are always on offer, while Mamsen's is where you can enjoy Norwegian specialities including brown cheese on heart-shaped waffles. I also loved the pop-up cooking stations, including Norwegian hot dogs on the Aquavit Terrace. And if you can somehow fit it in, afternoon tea is served with live classical music in the Wintergarden. Gjetost (brown cheese) on waffles from Mamsen's, the ship's Norwegian deli. Picture: Amanda Woods Did you get pampered in the spa? You bet. Along with my nordic bathing ritual I signed up for a signature Northern Stillness treatment where I was blissed out during a full body massage, body scrub, blueberry body mask and scalp treatment. While I did add a tip, no gratuities are automatically charged in this floating spa. Did you see the Northern Lights? No, but I have seen them every other time I've been on a ship in Scandinavia so you never know your luck with the aurora gods. The writer travelled as a guest of Viking Cruises. The 15-day Viking Homelands journey from Bergen to Stockholm (or vice versa) is priced from $12,095pp twin share. Originally published as I cruised Scandinavia with Viking, here's all your questions answered
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Get fit for just $15, with the gym's most underrated piece of equipment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Forget pricey memberships, complicated machines and exhaustive hours in the gym. The humble kettlebell costs less than a dozen eggs and might even be the only piece of equipment you need to build strength and boost fitness. It's the most under-appreciated hunk of metal in the gym, usually left to gather dust in the corner or doubling as a doorstop at home. The kettlebell may have been around for centuries, yet we still treat it like the awkward cousin of the fitness world. Overshadowed by dumbbells, medicine balls and whatever the latest 'miracle' gadget is, the kettlebell never stopped working. We just stopped paying attention. But in 2025, a comeback is occurring. As hybrid workouts take over (think strength and cardio rolled into one) and time-poor exercisers try to squeeze sweat sessions between school-drop offs and Zoom calls, kettlebells tick all the boxes. They're cheap, compact and, when used properly, deliver a full-body workout that feels like cheating the fitness system. As Peloton instructor Katie Wang explains, 'You can explore a variety of ranges of motion – core work, stability work, strength work and cardio work – with just one kettlebell.' What makes them so effective isn't just convenience, it's also their design. That pastel-hued cannonball with a handle might seem cute, but make no mistake – it packs a punch. As Wang explains, the uneven weight distribution of kettlebells forces the body's stabiliser muscles to fire while still working big muscle groups through a wide variety of movements. The result? More strength, better balance, a rock-solid core and even a grip-strength upgrade. How to choose the right weights for your workout Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 0.00% 0:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:21 SUBSCRIBER ONLY How to choose the right weights for your workout maximise... more benefits for body and mind. What you lift is the real MVP to... more ... more Not surprisingly, kettlebells have now gone from gym-corner rejects to headliners in group classes and fitness studios, with apps like Peloton and Centr even utilising the equipment as a staple in their programs. If you're feeling compelled to rescue yours from the back of the cupboard, we've got expert tips on how to master the basics and make the kettlebell a permanent fixture in your workouts. Why kettlebells are your fitness secret weapon Sure, they might look like an oversized teapot, but don't let simplicity fool you. Kettlebells are one of the most efficient tools you can train with. Research found a 20-minute kettlebell workout can burn as many calories as running at a six-minute-per-kilometre pace, while also building strength. According to Wang, the beauty of the kettlebell lies in the fact it can be used to target specific fitness goals. As she explains, 'If you're looking to build strength, try movements like goblet squats and single-leg Romanian deadlifts using a kettlebell. Given the weight distribution, you'll also get a great core and stability workout from those exercises.' For those more inclined towards heart-pumping cardio, kettlebell swings are your best bet. Wang suggests a Tabata workout consisting of 20 seconds of swings and 10 seconds of rest, repeated four times through. They're not just having a moment – the kettlebell is here to Pexels The other bonus? A single kettlebell can replace a stack of equipment. You can swing, squat, press, deadlift and carry all in one compact package. And unlike a treadmill, bike or rower that takes up serious real estate, the kettlebell is compact and can be easily stored under the bed when you're done. How to pick the right weight Step one to actually enjoying kettlebells? Choosing a weight that's not so light that your sessions turn into a snooze fest, but not so heavy that you risk injury. As Sam Wood, fitness expert and founder of 28 by Sam Wood advises, choosing the weight of a kettlebell depends primarily on the kind of movement you plan on doing. 'If you're looking to do a strength workout, you need to go heavy. If you're focusing on a cardio blast of explosive reps, you can go a little lighter,' he adds. 'This also depends on what the focus points are. If you're using one single kettlebell for strength, consider upping the reps so you can feel the burn.' Sometimes, going heavier in your weight selection will result in better form with kettlebell exercises. These moves are the building blocks of every good kettlebell workout, and learning them properly will stop you from tweaking your back (or bruising your forearms). Image: Pexels If budget allows, consider starting with three kettlebells: a light one for mobility work like halos and Turkish get-ups, a medium kettlebell for ballistic moves like swings and snatches, and a heavy kettlebell for strength-focused lifts like goblet squats. If that's not an option, this simple rule works: pick a weight where you can perform eight to 10 reps with solid form, but still feel challenged by the last two. Wood's rule of thumb? 'If you're breezing through the exercises with no burn and your form is staying consistent when you're adding more reps, it's time to buy a new kettlebell.' Still not sure? Ask an expert or PT for advice. Master these moves before you swing Before you start hoisting a kettlebell like a CrossFit champion, you need to nail the basics. These moves are the building blocks of every good kettlebell workout, and learning them properly will stop you from tweaking your back (or bruising your forearms). Wang recommends starting with carries or marches, where you literally walk or march while holding the kettlebell by your side or in front of your chest – like you would a bag of groceries. You'll feel your core and postural muscles engage, so your body is stable before adding more dynamic movements. The kettlebell swing is the move most people know, but many still get it wrong. With feet shoulder-width apart, you want to hinge at the hips like you're about to sit, then snap your hips forward to swing the kettlebell to chest height. Your arms aren't lifting, it's your hips that power the swing. Wang's tip? 'Remember to keep your hips further back and down than you may be used to; you don't want your glutes high in the air before trying to execute a kettlebell swing or snatch.' Most importantly, the kettlebell is a time-saver. Image: Pexels Because hips play such an integral part in kettlebell exercises, it's important to add stretches and foam rolling before and after your workout to help maintain hip mobility. Proper technique when executing movements is also key. As Wood explains, you want to brace your core, keep your shoulders down and chest proud, and ensure your back stays strong and neutral. 'No banana backs or turtle shells; keep your spine straight from head to tail,' he says. Most importantly? Move with purpose. 'Don't just throw the kettlebell around. Every rep should be controlled and powerful – you're the one in charge.' A workout you'll actually stick to Let's be honest, most exercise equipment has a short shelf life. The spin bike becomes a clothes rack and those resistance bands get lost in the cupboard, collecting dust along with your motivation. The kettlebell earns its keep, though. One compact weight can deliver strength, cardio, balance and core work, and make your workouts feel powerful rather than punishing. And because it's so versatile, it ensures your workout never becomes the same boring routine. Most importantly, the kettlebell is a time-saver. You don't need to exhaust hours in the gym. A focused 15- to 20-minute kettlebell session can build muscle and leave you feeling strong in the time it takes to scroll Instagram. By hitting multiple muscle groups at once, you're guaranteed results faster than isolating one body part at a time. 'Kettlebells absolutely can be a stand-alone workout,' says Wang. 'Or they're a great way to spice up a broader program and can be easily mixed in with other equipment.' They're not just having a moment – the kettlebell is here to Pexels They're not just having a moment – the kettlebell is here to stay. Dust yours off, learn the basics and see how this unassuming weight can change the way you work out. The cheat's guide to kettlebells Four budget-friendly ways to master the moves, nail your form and get serious results The app With trainers like Katie Wang, Peloton's kettlebell classes range from beginner basics to heart-pumping strength-and-cardio sessions you can do anywhere. The Insta coach Strength coach Adam Gooch (@asgooch) shares easy-to-follow kettlebell tutorials, demonstrating swing technique and full-body flows. The YouTube PT From 15-minute quickies to challenging circuits, Caroline Girvan's no-nonsense approach has become a cult favourite. Expect clear cues and a serious burn. The class If group sweat is your thing, F45's circuit sessions weave kettlebells into a dynamic, full-body workout that blends cardio, strength and functional training. Originally published as Get fit for just $15 with kettlebells
