40 V I K I N G C R U I S E S
CONCIERGE CARE
I fancy a river cruise for the river cruising and, while
it's a delight to explore the enclaves flanking the
RhÔne, I most enjoy time spent gliding with Viking
Buri casting off at lunchtime on three consecutive
days to continue the downstream drift.
On the river voyages I've done in the past most
moving was done after dark, when there was nothing
to see from my stateroom window but the occasional
passing light, so regular afternoon cruising is a treat
and I'm wide awake to appreciate it.
And a happy coincidence of weather, direction and
stateroom location mean my starboard-side cabin
is bathed in springtime sunshine as we meander
south so I spend peaceful hours sitting beside the
wall of glass watching the RhÔne Valley's vineyards,
mountains, farms, villages and locks glide past.
AQUAVIT DINING
Viking boasts its signature longships are the only
cruise vessels sailing Europe's internal waterways to
feature a second dining area with Aquavit Terrace,
above the bow on the boat's third deck, an informal
and alfresco place to graze.
Cruise companies long said there wasn't enough
area on board to add another eatery, but this was
an essential addition to the floorplan when Viking
launched the innovative Longboats in 2014 and
managed to add public space without compromising
stateroom size.
It's my preferred evening location and I start with a
pre-dinner drink while watching darkness settle on the
landscape before working my way through a menu that's
the same as what's being served in the restaurant a deck
below and features a new selection of local dishes every day.
I also like the fact many features on Viking vessels –
not just the fleet of longships but also the six ocean-
going ships – are named after something significant
to chairman Torstein Hagen with Aquavit Terrace
honouring the family's favourite tipple which is a bygone
beverage that must sail across the equator twice before
being bottled.
LYON & PROVENCE
AVIGNON – LYON or vice versa
8 DAYS | 7 GUIDED TOURS | 1 COUNTRY
S E T S A I L M AY — N O V 2 0 1 9 ;
M A R — N O V 2 0 2 0
From $3,995pp in Standard stateroom
From $5,895pp in Veranda stateroom
N
Cruise
R H Ô N E
R H Ô N E
Tournon
Viviers
Lyon
Vienne
Avignon
Arles
Nice
FRANCE
DOUBLE
YOUR
EXPLORER
SOCIETY
DISCOUNT
