Viking Cruises

viking.com | 53 W I N T E R I S S U E 3 0 TANTALISING TASTES e Rhine is a gateway to some of Europe's most delicious fare, from delectable cheese to sumptuous wine. The Rhine River is one of Europe's most important waterways and transportation routes. It is home to castles and fortresses overlooking the river as well as famous medieval cities—it has been said that no other river in the world has as many historic cities on its banks. It is also here where you will find exquisite cuisine and beverages, owing to its fertile lands. You can experience all of this and more on one of the Viking journeys that sails the Rhine including: Rhine Getaway; Grand European Tour; Paris to the Swiss Alps; Holland & Belgium; Tulips & Windmills®; Cities of Light; and European Sojourn, among others. AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Amsterdam has a robust street food scene. One of the many beloved local dishes here is the maatjes haring, a Dutch salt herring that has a very soft texture and a mild taste. It is often consumed raw, pickled with onions and dill or in a delicious cream sauce. Maatjes harings are widely available every spring in the Netherlands, which consumes more herring than any other country. The nation is also just as famous for cheese making. Some of the world's most delicious cheeses, such as Gouda, originated right here. After Amsterdam, your journey along the Rhine will take you to the community of Kinderdijk, famous for its windmills. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm in the picturesque Dutch countryside, and learn the history of this craft. Stroopwafel is another popular snack, consisting of a sweet, sticky, caramel syrup (called stroop) layered between two thinly sliced waffles. Some of the best stroopwafels can be purchased from street vendors. COLOGNE, GERMANY Like many other cities along the Rhine, Cologne is also known for its food scene. Try the popular street food kartoffelpuffer, or potato pancakes. These crispy, warm pancakes are served with apple sauce and sour cream, and are often available at Christmas markets. KOBLENZ, GERMANY This romantic German town is known for hearty country style fare. One well-known dish worth trying here is Himmel und Erde, or "Heaven and Earth." It is pure comfort food, consisting of mashed potatoes (representing the earth) and apple compote (from heaven). It can be served on its own or as an accompaniment to bratwurst or pork. STRASBOURG, FRANCE On the border of France and Germany, this Alsatian city beautifully blends the cultures of these two countries. Spend the afternoon strolling through the city, taking in the churches, architecture and parks. Some of France's most unique flavors and dishes originated right here. Choucroute garnie, (choucroute is the French word for sauerkraut) is paired with sausages, salted meats and other charcuterie. Tarte à l'oignon, or onion tart, is a well-known traditional French side dish. Tarte flambée—or flammkuchen in Alsatian—is a regional specialty, a flatbread made with crème fraîche or fromage blanc, thinly sliced onions, bacon and sometimes mushrooms. Baeckeoffe is another beloved Alsatian dish, a casserole of marinated meat, wine, potatoes and other vegetables. BREISACH, GERMANY Nearby is Breisach, in Germany, which is regarded as the gateway to the Black Forest—a dense, lofty fir forest that looks like it belongs in a storybook. When you think of the Black Forest, chances are you think of the world-famous Black Forest Cake that evolved in the region. The decadent dessert, called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German, is a layered chocolate cake with a light whipped cream, sour cherries and chocolate shavings. BASEL, SWITZERLAND Located along the Rhine River, Basel sits at the point where the French, German and Swiss borders meet, marking the gateway to the Swiss Rhineland. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the cuisine and culture of Switzerland. Cheese fondue is a Swiss staple, which is typically made with Gruyère and other cheeses, such as Emmental or creamy Vacherin Fribourgeois.

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