UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
One of Viking's included excursions is to the Abbey
of St Wandrille, a working monastery that dates
back to the 7th century. I had my first experience of
Gregorian chanting as the monks and priests followed
their complex rituals during mass. I'm not especially
spiritual, but I found the service tranquil yet powerful
on an emotional level. Next, we assembled in an
old beamed hall where one of the monks took our
questions. "Have the monks taken a vow of silence?"
asked one guest. "If we had," answered Brother Lucien,
"I wouldn't be able to tell you about the work we do
here!" That work, he explained, involved brewing beer
and making honey and confectionery - all available in
the Abbey's shop.
At Rouen, Viking offered the chance to visit the D-Day
beaches and memorials - but I resisted so I could
explore the city. In the evening, local jazz musicians
came on board to play wartime classics in the lounge,
which I enjoyed with a couple of shots of the region's
calvados apple brandy.
Throughout its ocean and river ships, Viking adopts
the same Scandi-chic interior design, using lots of
natural materials such as stone, wood, leather and
wool. Staterooms, many with a little private verandah,
feature super-comfy beds and heated bathroom floors.
It's all super-smart and, for me, the lack of chintz is
more than welcome. My favourite area is the Aquavit
Terrace at the front of the ship, a conservatory-style
space that can be opened up to the front deck in fine
weather. In winter it's cosy yet still offers panoramic
views.
Clockwise from top:
Christmas in Paris;
Fontenelle Abbey, Normandy, France
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