Latest news with #Viking
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Pre- and Post-Cruise Destinations: Go ‘Land Cruising' in Incredible European Cities
Ship cruising is a wonderful way to see a lot of places in a relatively short time, especially when you've journeyed 'across the pond' (aka the Atlantic Ocean) for a European vacation. Think large ships (Celebrity, Royal Caribbean), smaller ships (Oceania, Viking, AmaWaterways, Windstar) and even tiny barges (European Waterways); they all have their charms. Life on board the ship offers a range of amenities and activities, from fine dining and entertainment to cultural programs and relaxation, making the journey itself a memorable part of your adventure. But a drawback to most ship cruises is simply not having enough time to explore some of the world's great cities, which is why we suggest 'land cruising' around your port of call, either before your sea cruise sets sail or after it docks at your last port (or both). With the variety of ports scattered along Europe's scenic coast, you have access to a wealth of destinations and iconic landmarks. You've already done the hard work of long-haul flying and jet-lag management (hopefully), so why not stay awhile and really get to know your city of choice? These are a few of our favorite places to stop and smell the roses across the European continent; from Europe's diverse regions and picturesque coasts to its famous islands, the continent offers an incredible range of unique attractions and experiences. We think you'll agree they are wonderful and offer wildly different experiences. There's no place like the Emerald Isle to find windswept cliffsides, green valleys and convivial pubs complete with singing (and dancing, too). Dublin is always lively, rain or shine, fueled by Guinness, Irish whiskey and a boxty or two (those delicious stuffed potato pancakes). Plan your own trip or let Inntravel create a walking, biking or train travel itinerary for you, complete with hotels, routes, bikes and lots of historical information. Stay around Dublin or see more of the island's cities (we went to Cork and Galway via train, both filled with ancient buildings and vibrant modern scenes), or venture north to Northern Ireland and visit Belfast, the capital, known for its historical significance, cultural attractions, and notable landmarks. Or go wild to see Connemara and Killarney, both breathtaking national parks. Don't miss: While in Dublin, grab a Go City Pass and get discounted access to the main attractions, like the Guinness Storehouse, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College as well as an assortment of distillery and walking food tours. And after sightseeing, find a pub and settle in for a uniquely Irish experience. Dining delights: The Temple Bar Pub is Dublin's famous old watering hole where everyone has to go at least once for pints, live Irish music all day every day and oysters galore. To get a more local feel nearby in the city center, check out The Snug Bar or our favorite, The Hairy Lemon, where 'The Commitments' was filmed back in 1990. Go for Irish stew or bangers and mash if you're feeling traditional or delve into their red thai curry for a tasty surprise. Best beds: For a luxury stay, The Leinster is the newest hotspot in the heart of the city, while The Brooks Hotel is a cozy, recently refurbished spot with wonderful service and a perfect location for walking to every part of town. If you've never roamed around 'The Big Smoke,' then staying in London for a while truly is a must-do. The history, royal pageantry, fantastic museums, incredible parks and fine dining treats are all integral to this ancient city's current scene. London also serves as a gateway to exploring the wider British Isles, offering access to the region's rich history, culture, and scenic attractions. Plus, there's funky fashion, cool music, theater and art to enjoy, and macabre spots like the Tower of London, where you can see the actual ax and chopping block used to behead nobles who had angered the king. You can easily spend a week in London, meandering its beautiful byways and discovering neighborhoods you love from pop culture, from Notting Hill to Savile Row to Vauxhall's MI6, and even make a stop at 221B Baker Street in Marylebone. So plan to stay awhile – and do bring an umbrella. Don't miss: See the top sights: Big Ben and Parliament, the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum and Buckingham Palace. Knock those off using a Go City Pass and the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus included. Then check out some lesser-known stops, like the Royal Mews, Kensington Palace and Lady Diana's Children's Park there, then take in a West End theater experience, 'feed the birds' at St. Paul's Cathedral and ride the London Eye Ferris wheel. Dining delights: With nearly 100 Michelin-starred restaurants dotting London, there's never a problem spending plenty of pounds on fine dining at restaurants helmed by top chefs Gordon Ramsay or Clare Smyth. We're partial to abc kitchens by Jean-Georges, where sweet pea guacamole, black truffle pizza and pretzel-crusted calamari make for a wonderful comfort food stop in a casual setting in Belgravia. Nearby, Canton Blue elevates Cantonese delicacies to an art, serving up the most amazing dim sum bites you've ever tasted. And don't miss a pub stop for the quintessential British pairing of a pint and some delightfully greasy fish and chips. Best beds: Two hotels stand out in the crowded London bedroom scene: The Peninsula London Hotel brings perfection to Hyde Park Corner, with that perfect posh location for sightseeing. With exemplary rooms and suites with views of the park and five-star service, it's the place to splurge and enjoy. Just across the Thames looking back at Parliament, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a modern homebase in a venerable building, with incredible views, extremely comfortable beds, a daily High Tea with all the goodies and even an impressive indoor swimming pool. Portugal's currently the coolest place on the planet, with tourists flocking into its welcoming arms to enjoy the culture, history, beaches, culinary delights and the myriad choices of fine Portuguese wines. Portugal is popular for good reason, especially for anyone from SoCal, as there's a new LAX-Lisbon nonstop TAP Portugal flight (see sidebar) that makes the trip almost painless. Lisbon is the capital of this very, very old country that began around 1200 BCE. That's why there are 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this Atlantic Ocean-facing nation the size of Indiana. It's a hilly port city on the Tagus River with narrow cobblestone streets, seafood restaurants galore, expansive views, quaint trams and a predilection for pastel-painted and tiled buildings. It's a place to easily get lost on purpose, wandering from sight to sight and then eating way too much of the fantastic foods found on every block as you find your way home. Don't miss: Take a tram just for the fun of it and begin in the Belém section of town. See the massive Gothic Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, wander in the lush Botanical Gardens and be sure to line up at the famed Pastéis de Belém pastry shop to try their iconic warm custard tart. That's been the national sweet treat since 1837, and it is well worth the mouthwatering wait. Check out the sail-shaped Monument to the Discoveries on the water nearby, an impossible-to-miss massive sculptural tribute to the Portuguese navigators who circumnavigated the globe and played a pivotal role in the exploration of the New World. Make time for the Royal Treasure Museum in the Ajuda neighborhood for a history lesson of the Portuguese monarchs told via their incredible jewels. Check out MACAM, the compelling new contemporary art museum found in an old palace in Belém. Roam the Baixa and Chiado neighborhoods, both are filled with galleries, sleek shops, wine bars and more. Dining delights: Lisbon's favorite chef is Jose Avillez, whose Bairro do Avillez is a collection of four restaurants with outstanding taste sensations. His Mini Bar speakeasy there is an extra-special delight. For truly local fare, Portugalia Cervejaria Belém has been serving up beer, steaks and fresh seafood for nearly 100 years and it's still doing everything just right. And while you ramble, stop into any random tapas bar along the way, for a bite and a sip of a crisp Portuguese Vinho Verde wine. Best beds: Lisbon's Martinhal Resorts are first-rate, with their Chiado Luxury Apartments right in the city center and their Oriente Luxury Apartments over in the chic waterfront district. They are both extra-special five-star hotels because of their room sizes, with kitchens and laundry machines inside the apartments and space for kids, too, with bunk beds and more. Plus, Oriente has amazing city-river views, both indoor and outdoor pools and a spa with treatments for the whole family. Stay a night or a week – these welcoming places feel like you're actually at home. Porto is the cruising gateway to the Douro River Wine Valley, a wondrous region filled with incredible vistas and gorgeous wineries along Portugal's scenic coast. As one of Europe's key ports, Porto offers travelers access to the heart of the Douro region. But before you go (or once you return), you've just got to spend time here. With its UNESCO World Heritage Ribeira historic center, pretty riverfront and sister city Gaia just across the famed Dom Luis Bridge where lots of Port wine is being aged and stored, there are plenty of things to see – and sip and chew! Port wine begins its life as grapes growing in the Douro Valley, the only place it can legally be made, and is renowned as one of the world's most celebrated wines. The crushed and fermented grapes are blended with aguardente, a neutral grape spirit with high alcohol content and thus it becomes Port, which is usually aged in barrels for years before it is bottled. And that's where Porto comes in, as the barrels move down river to rest and age for years in the cooler, more humid climate in the city near the ocean. That's why you'll find riverfront warehouses like Graham's Port Wine on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of Porto, where they still have barrels with Port from over 100 years ago under lock and key. Visit and you may just get to try some of that beautiful liquid. Taylor's, Cockburn's, Sandeman and other Port houses are here, too. Don't miss: You may have been to the Douro on your cruise, but the Vinho Verde is closer to Porto and a day trip to the incredible Quinta da Aveleda Winery should be at the top of your plan. Book a private driver like Valter Madureira of Top Travel & Tours and he'll whisk you into the Vinho Verde, just 30 minutes from Porto. First see the Aveleda family's incredible gardens and then try all their crisp white wines and deep reds with lunch on the verandah for an unforgettable afternoon. Dining delights: Porto's culinary scene is incredibly sophisticated, ranging from Euskalduna Studio, the tiny-yet-mighty Michelin-starred restaurant with 16 seats and 10 courses of bliss, helmed by the talented Chef Vasco Coelho Santos, to Vinum at Graham's, where aged port is part of the elevated yet traditional fare served here. Best beds: Porto has some really special hotels on both sides of the river. Torel Avantgarde Hotel is a modern-art lover's dream high on a hill in Porto with bedrooms named for artistic souls and furnished accordingly, epic river views paired with fine dining at Digby's. The Vinha Boutique Hotel on the river in Gaia honors fashion icons and envelopes you with an incredibly opulent, otherworldly feel, while the Vincci Ponte de Ferro Hotel has an up-close view of the iconic Luis I Bridge spanning the Douro and is the best sunset spot in town. There is truly no other city like Barcelona, where the architecture at every turn makes you sit up and take notice. The city dates back over 2,000 years, so expect to see Roman ruins tucked into the Gothic Quarter, where the oldest structures stand, most from medieval times. The 1800s and later brought the city its truly distinctive style, as Antoni Gaudi's unique vision led the Catalonian Modernisme movement that has given Barcelona its incredible style and famous landmark cathedral. Barcelona is one of the busiest cruise ports in Europe, serving as a major gateway to the Balearic Islands and other Mediterranean islands. Cruises from Barcelona often include stops in France, such as Marseille or Le Havre, making it an ideal starting point for exploring diverse European destinations. Barcelona is also all about food, fun, futbol, fashion and beaches, making it a city where there's always something happening to feed your soul. Don't miss: There's nothing quite like the first time you see a Gaudi creation, so plan to visit all seven of his architectural masterpieces that define this city. All are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and all can be reached via the Hop On Hop Off Barcelona bus tours. Be sure to enter Casa Batlló and marvel at his masterpiece. See his La Pedrera just a block away, too. And buy tickets ahead for entrance to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Go for the guided tour with tower access for the full, sublime experience. Park Güell is also incredible, with vast panoramic views of the city and a kid's paradise of fun. Dining delights: Barcelona's food scene is so wonderful that just about any little tapas bar will amaze your taste buds, so just pick one and pull up a chair at the bar. The ExperienceFirst Barcelona Markets Tour is a truly fantastic way to taste lots of local food in a few hours. Check out La Dolce Vita, the rooftop bar at the Majestic Hotel, for a nosh with panoramic views of the whole city. Best beds: The Majestic Hotel & Spa is undoubtedly the best hotel in town, with its long history on the chicest avenue in the city, Paseo de Gracia, arriving on the block in 1918 just steps from Gaudi's recently built Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. With a grand elegance and charm, the hotel has everything, including powerful air conditioning, a delight during the city's very hot summer months. Get ready for hustle and bustle as you encounter The Eternal City, for Rome could possibly be one of the noisiest cities on the planet. That's part of its raucous charm as Vespas roar by and people chatter at full voice, even in church. It really is a magical place, as Roman ruins are juxtaposed near modern buildings and strikingly beautiful places appear at every turn. Walk as much as you can to discover unexpected gems tucked away down a narrow street and don't forget to just sit in a sidewalk café with an espresso or a bicchiere di vino and watch the whole world go by. Don't miss: While Rome dazzles with world-famous landmarks, remember that Italy's other iconic cities – like Venice – offer their own unforgettable experiences. Florence, in the Tuscany region, is renowned for its artistic treasures, including Michelangelo's David and its rich Renaissance history. You surely know to visit the newly renovated Trevi Fountain, to throw a coin over your shoulder and make a wish. Seeing St. Peter's Cathedral at the Vatican and the Colosseum are both must-see stops, too. But nearby that ancient stadium is something special that tourists often miss, so be sure to seek out Michelangelo's massive Moses sculpture in the small Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli for a real treat. He's almost as astonishing as the David. From Rome, many cruises also visit other popular destinations such as Athens with its Acropolis, Istanbul in Turkey, and the beautiful Canary Islands, each offering unique cultural and historical experiences within the Mediterranean region. Dubrovnik, the famous walled city, is a highlight of many Mediterranean cruises, celebrated for its historic fortifications and stunning views. If you're looking for a different itinerary or experience, consider another cruise line for a broader selection of destinations. Northern European cruises often include Denmark, with Copenhagen's iconic Little Mermaid statue, the Netherlands with vibrant Amsterdam, and the historic Baltic ports, each region offering its own blend of culture and scenery. After exploring these areas, you may want to head west to discover even more of Europe's diverse attractions. Dining delights: Le Pergola is Rome's only three-star Michelin eatery, with reservations being worth their weight in gold. But the thing about Rome is that the most charming, delicious restaurants are little places you discover as you explore, so watch for locals eating at outdoor tables or peek into any little place that catches your fancy. Then ask the proprietors to feed you their favorite dishes, and you'll be golden. Best beds: Every so often, there is a hotel that you just cannot forget. In Rome that's the Hotel de Russie by Rocco Forte, a dazzling five-star hotel in the Tridente neighborhood, where all the posh shops are found. Discreetly tucked away in a quiet corner near Piazza del Popolo, with a fantastic private garden in the back, it makes you feel like you've come home to your Italian villa, especially if you are staying in the Picasso Suite with its terrace overlooking the greenery. It's incredible.
New Statesman
3 hours ago
- Climate
- New Statesman
Who loves the sun?
Photo by Miriam Reik/Millennium Images Early on in life, I noticed something fundamental about myself that I have struggled to make sense of ever since, let alone find a way to explain to other people in clear and comprehensible words: a strange pattern that has travelled with me everywhere. It was the same in Istanbul, it is the same in London. It was the same when I was young, and the same now that I am middle-aged. It goes like this: on sunny days, I feel demoralised, down and depressed, but it is quite the opposite when the weather turns chilly, overcast and gloomy. Give me rain and plenty of grey and I am most upbeat. As soon as the sun peeks through the clouds my soul starts to plummet. This week as London sizzled and temperatures rose I wondered if there are others out there who have always felt the same way. I did not need to look far. Our dog, Romeo, a small Maltese with a huge heart, responds in a similar way to the hot weather. He visibly hates the sun and each morning crawls under a sofa with miserable, melancholy eyes, waiting for the evening to descend. We are nocturnal creatures. But this week, I told Romeo we must change our ways: we must rewire our brains, as the climate crisis is an acute reality that will be worsening with each passing day. I put him on his lead and we went out for a walk to find some inspiration. We saw people sunbathing, playing frisbee and socialising. We saw a man on a bike with a loudspeaker on his back playing Santana's 'Maria, Maria'. We returned an hour later with our tongues lolling out, sulking, in a state of despondency. Temporary reprieve Heatwaves. Hosepipe bans. Water companies systematically failing to invest in infrastructure while pumping sewage into our beloved rivers. Climate destruction is primarily the story of water. This week, an international NGO announced that Kabul was likely to become the first major city to completely run out of water. Seven million people live in the Afghan capital. I stayed at home. I read. I finished Damian Barr's brilliant book The Two Roberts and found it immersive, intelligent, immensely sensual. Nicola Sturgeon's Frankly is a memoir of profound power, honesty, emotional intelligence and humanity from one of our most influential politicians. It touched me, the journey of a shy child from a working-class family becoming Scotland's first female and longest-serving First Minister. Then I dived into Lyse Doucet's The Finest Hotel in Kabul. Everyone should read this book. It is important, insightful, subtle and simply unforgettable. A labour of love Mid-week, I was asked to visit Penguin headquarters in London's Embassy Gardens to give a talk to the employees at Viking. When I entered the room, there was a surprise waiting for me: a beautiful cake, and on it a drop of water with the title of my latest novel, There Are Rivers in the Sky. So many people contribute to the journey of a novel, from cover designers to printers to copy editors and then, when it's been released, booksellers and librarians. Many young people and women work in the publishing world, and they put so much labour and love into making books accessible in this age of hyperinformation and fast consumption. I left the office with much gratitude in my heart. On the wall I was touched to see a small quote from my work: 'Home is Storyland.' Stories to tell It was an immense honour to receive the British Academy President's Medal from Julia Black. On the way home I took a cab. The driver, an immigrant in the UK from Eritrea, was a gentle, mannered person. When he learned I was an author, his face lit up. He told me about his daughter, Betty: 'She will become a writer someday. I know she will.' Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe His wife died suddenly years ago, and he has raised their three children on his own. Betty is the youngest, and the only girl. 'She did not speak for a long time, and then she started writing stories,' he said. 'She loves books – she even talks to them sometimes.' It was very moving to listen to these words from a single father, a hard-working immigrant, doing his best not only to raise his kids but to support their creativity, their talents. We rarely share positive stories of migration. We seldom publicly acknowledge how much immigrants contribute to all areas of life in the UK – from medicine, the economy and the NHS, to small businesses and arts and culture. These stories matter. At home, Romeo was waiting for a walk in the evening, our usual time. [See also: Britain's billionaire tax problem] Related
Extra.ie
10 hours ago
- General
- Extra.ie
Erin go baaa: Woolly map of Ireland seeks home
Darn it! A huge wool map of Ireland is looking for a new home. The cuddly creation, which will probably needle traditional cartographers, took four years to complete and is in search of a place to go on public display. And, in case you think it was made by a crowd of knitwits, the map was created in Co. Wicklow by a group of up to 18 women skilled in knitting, sewing and crochet. They started the project in 2019 before work paused during the pandemic and resumed again in late 2022. The women met every Wednesday at Carnew Community Care centre, where they came up with ideas of landmarks and historical sites across the island that they could knit together. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire While 18 people started off the project, three of the women died over the years, and two others went into nursing homes. The youngest member of the group is 65, while the eldest is soon to turn 90. Group member Mary Blake said that after creating a number of other woollen projects, a member of the community centre suggested knitting a map of Ireland. The woollen map project quickly took off and now features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, the Phoenix Park, the Giant's Causeway and Fungie the Dolphin. By the time it was complete, it measured 12ft by 11ft. Ms Blake said: 'We all decided which bits would represent areas of significance and we put it all together like a jigsaw. We covered the whole of Ireland in green squares, all different shades of green, before we started doing any of the knitting. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire 'Then we started with Leinster, and somebody said, 'I'll do Mount Leinster', and someone else started on Hook Head, and different people did different parts. We worked together on everything. Most of it took place in Carnew Community Care, which is a centre for older people. 'We meet every Wednesday morning and whatever we don't get finished, we bring home the bits to get done. We started in 2019, and then Covid came and put a stop to that. So we couldn't get wool, and we couldn't meet either. 'We got back together at the end of 2022, but we'd lost a few people in the meantime, during Covid. We lost one of our members, Margaret [Dowse], so decided to add bits in to represent her life close to the Shannon. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire 'We couldn't do something to represent every county, but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens, a Viking ship, the Guinness gate, Phoenix Park, and Dublin Zoo. We also have Harland and Wolff, the Titanic ship with parts of it sinking, Theresa's cottage in Donegal, the Ulster Museum… and we have loads of animals in it, the Giant's Causeway made out of Smarties boxes. 'We have lots of fishermen, the Aran Islands, windmills, Croagh Patrick, Galway Races, the best dressed lady, the Shannon, Sherkin Island, Blarney Castle, and Fungie,' she said. 'One of our ladies is going to be 90 next year and I'd say the youngest person we have is over 65.' She added: 'It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals.' Ms Blake said they would like to see it on public display. 'We don't really mind, whoever wants it is welcome to have it, but we would love to see it in a public place, somewhere that it can be viewed and give everybody an opportunity to see it. We're open to whoever wants to take it,' she said. One of the members, Ann Edwards, said it was a fun experience. 'I have lots of favourites, but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on,' she said. Fungi the Dolphin from Dingle which features on a knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew Co. Wicklow. The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. Picture date: Monday July 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Some of the knitters in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew Co. Wicklow, with their knitted Map of Ireland. The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. Picture date: Monday July 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire The Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim made from boxes of Smarties sweets, which features on a knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew Co. Wicklow. The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. Picture date: Monday July 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Mary Blake points to a boat in memory of Margaret Dowse who passed away during the creation of her group's knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew Co. Wicklow. The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. Picture date: Monday July 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire Hook Head lighthouse which features on a knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew Co. Wicklow. The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. Picture date: Monday July 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire A stone tower from Glendalough in Co Wicklow which features on a knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew Co. Wicklow. The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. Picture date: Monday July 14, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Sky News AU
10 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Viking unveils spectacular Indian river voyage featuring spa, open-air skydeck, with stops at the Taj Mahal, Old Delhi, Jaipur
The award-winning Viking cruise company has offered a Wonders of India itinerary that includes stops at world heritage sites like the Taj Mahal, Old Delhi and Jaipur's ornate Palace of Winds. Viking's first river voyages in India will begin in 2027 aboard Viking Brahmaputra, with stops along the Brahmaputra River. Viking Brahmaputra will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms, said Viking chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen. 'Featuring our signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda,' he said. Guests on the three-deck vessel will also enjoy a range of amenities, including a spa and fitness centre and an open-air sky bar on the upper deck. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully guided land program with overnights in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, Mr Hagen said. Travellers will be immersed in India's cultural treasures and may visit as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests will explore India's so-called Golden Triangle, a tourist circuit in India that connects the national capital, New Delhi, with Agra and Jaipur. 'While sailing the Brahmaputra River, guests will see Guwahati's temple, encounter the thriving villages along its banks, search for the one-horned rhinos and buffalo of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world's largest river islands,' Mr Hagen said. 'In recent years, our guests have particularly enjoyed visiting Indian ports on our ocean itineraries. We are now delighted to introduce a new way for curious travellers to explore the heart of this phenomenal country, in-depth and in Viking comfort.' Viking also offers fully guided side excursions to Delhi, Dubai, Kathmandu, Cochin and Mumbai. It's been a busy month for Hagen with the launch of a new ocean-going ship, the Viking Vesta with 499 staterooms for up to 998 guests. It will cruise the Western Mediterranean, including stops in Barcelona, Rome, Monaco, and Florence. The ship will also sail in Scandinavia and British Isles waters with likely stops at Stockholm, Bergen, and London. Viking has also taken possession of a new 'longship' to cruise the French waterways. The Viking Nerthus to carry 168 guests was built at Meyer's Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock Warnemunde in Germany. She will join the fleet of state-of-the-art sister ships on the Seine River for the eight-day Paris and the Heart of Normandy cruise and the eight-day Christmastime in Paris and Normandy itinerary. 'France continues to be a destination of great interest for our guests, and with the arrival of our newest ship on the Seine River, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to the region's rich history and cultural treasures,' Mr Hagen said. Torstein Hagen is perhaps the most interesting cruise ship owner of them all. The 83-year-old Norwegian billionaire (his wealth is said to exceed US$13bn) started Viking Cruises in 1997, aged 54, with four riverboats in Russia. He was previously the chief executive of the Royal Viking cruise line. He was forced to step down in 1984 after a failed bid to buy the company. Mr Hagen has big ambitions. His order book is full and he says Viking will deliver 25 additional river ships by 2028 and nine additional ocean ships by 2030. By then, Viking will have 109 river ships in 2028 and 21 ocean and expedition ships in 2030. TRAVELLERS' TIP Rostock is the largest city in the German state of Mecklenburg and a tourism magnet. It is a university and port city known for its beautiful beaches and brick gothic architecture. Warnemünde is a seaside resort within the Rostock city boundaries. It sits by the mouth of the Warnow River where it meets the Baltic Sea and has a rich maritime history. It is a cruise ship port. Harbour cruises are also offered.
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
Viking deal for Antarctica voyage extensions
Viking has new savings for travellers who buy one of two neat packages to add to its Antarctic Explorer trip. The 13-day Antarctic Explorer from Buenos Aires in Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula and back to Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Buenos Aires is Viking's most popular polar voyage. It is from $19,495 per person in a Nordic balcony stateroom. And travellers can save $3000 per couple off the total price when they add either of these extensions to their voyage: PRE-VOYAGE Four nights at Iguazu Falls, and a tango performance in Buenos Aires. It is from $7499 per person. There is time in Buenos Aires, with a scenic drive through the city, a snack at the historic coffeehouse Cafe Tortoni, and dinner at the Rojo Tango cabaret. Then guests fly to Iguazu Falls to stay for three nights. They can cycle through Iguazu National Park's rainforest, and will board a train to Garganta del Diablo Station, then follow the walkways to see the impressive Devil's Throat, where the Iguazu River crashes down. They see the lower canyon on board a Zodiac. They then kayak and paddle on the Parana River before returning to Buenos Aires. POST-VOYAGE A five-night trip called Gateway to Patagonia. Guests visit Torres del Paine National Park, see the blue waters of Lake Argentino, visit Calafate Balcony (a popular excursion in El Calafate giving panoramic views of Lake Argentino and the surrounding Andes mountains) and one of the world's advancing glaciers, the Perito Moreno. Guests fly to El Calafate and travel up to the Balcon del Calafate and then Huyliche Hill, more than 1000m above sea level. They also visit the Stone Labyrinth, a Cretaceous-period formation with fossil remains dating back 85 million years. It is from $7499 per person. + Travel agents and
