Viking Cruises

22 | Central Europe Destination Guide KINDERDIJK, THE NETHERLANDS SACHER TORTE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA SZECHENYI BATHS, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY It is when you venture inside a castle, however, that the stories behind them truly come to life. Our guide, Robert, has many entertaining tales about Marksburg Castle that overlooks the town of Braubach. Pass the wine cellar and the ancient kitchens with huge pots hanging on hooks, and you will reach the master bedroom where a tiny bed sits. "People were shorter back then and often slept sitting up due to superstition about the devil taking them at night," Robert explains. The armoury that follows, with spikey wooden mallets and razor-sharp spears, sends shivers down my back. It is not only the history that showcases each country, but the sensational tastes. I can still recall the hearty goulash in Hungry and the slice of rich Sacher torte in Vienna. Germany has its beer and spicy sausage and you can compare local brews in the city centres of Regensburg, Nuremberg and Bamberg. In the town of Koblenz, marinated pot roast and potato pancakes have a following. Visits to stunning art galleries and museums are another treat, especially when you come face to face with famous masterpieces by world-renowned artists. My favourite picks are Gustav Klimt's golden-toned The Kiss, at Vienna's Upper Belvedere Palace, that depicts a couple locked in an intimate embrace, oblivious to the world. "Many young lovers copy the scene here with a long embrace–it's a thing for young couples while older people steal a quick kiss," says local volunteer, Marie. Rembrandt's animated The Night Watch at Amsterdam's eclectic Rijksmuseum is another standout. Crowds gather to see the famous Dutch masterpiece, but I also check out what must be the world's most elaborate doll's house. Dating back to 1686 it was owned

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