Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1534777
viking.com | 3 H I S TO R Y & A R C H I T E C T U R E I S S U E 2 2 Whenever winter arrives, I find myself dreaming of where I can go to escape the cold. Soon, I will be heading to sunny Portugal to voyage down the Douro River, visiting the colourful cities of Lisbon and Porto and sailing through the Douro Valley wine region. When planning my next voyage, I like to journey to places I have not yet discovered so that I can immerse myself in new experiences, exploring architecture from bygone times and learning about how history has shaped the destination. There is nothing better than walking around a new city for the first time, seeing things you have only read or heard about before. Sometimes, even one single building can become symbolic of a destination, with designs that can transport you through time. You can read about history in books, but travelling to the places where history was made always gives me a whole new perspective. I firmly believe that we can not understand our present without knowledge of our past, so I love delving into the fascinating histories of the places I visit – there is always so much to learn. Luckily with Viking, we have a network of expert local guides who will take you to iconic landmarks, share stories passed down through generations and introduce you to sights you won't find in a guidebook. And so in honour of you, our culturally curious guests, in this edition of Viking Explorer Society News we dive deep into the history and architecture of far-off places around the globe. Discover everything from the ten defining moments that shaped Europe to the cultural significance of Cambodia's Angkor Wat; the meaning behind totem poles found in the wilderness of Alaska to the formulation of Norwegian national identity; or the mysteries of ancient Egypt to the magic of the Mississippi. It's a great issue, and we have even included some Viking Explorer Society trivia to test your knowledge at the end. We hope this edition helps inspire you to follow your curiosity to your next destination. Warmest regards, Michelle Black Managing Director, Viking Australia & New Zealand Welcome to VIKING EXPLORER SOCIETY NEWS Angkor Wat Temple