Viking Cruises

S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 A lecture on Norman Sicily illuminated the swordfish rolls in Messina; a pasta class echoed Bari's nonnas. The ship's Scandinavian minimalism provided a calm counterpoint to Italy's visual intensity; the spa's thermal suite added an unlikely but welcome Nordic calm to Mediterranean days. Most impressive was Viking's food program. Manfredi's™ served truly regional dishes; trofie al pesto, pasta alla Norma, while the World Café and even afternoon tea showcased quality and thoughtfulness. Viking's beverage program included wine and beer with meals and, crucially, curated regional selections that changed as we sailed: Campanian Greco di Tufo near Naples, Puglian Primitivo off Bari, Veneto whites nearing Venice, paired with sommeliers who guided me through each producer and their terroir. IT'S NOT ONLY ALL ROADS THAT LEAD TO ROME We left the ship at Civitavecchia, Rome's ancient port, a sensible starting point for a few days in the Eternal City. Even the port town rewarded exploration: I found Ristorante L'Archetto, hidden behind fortress walls, where locals gather for exceptional fritto misto and chilled Frascati while tourists queued to board. There's a few beaches to swim on the short drive to Rome if you have time, but we opted to drop our bags and head to Armando al Pantheon for a bowl of bucatini alla Gricia to rebalance our sea legs, casting our eyes upon the dominating edifice of the Pantheon. REFLECTIONS FROM THE RAIL On my final evening, watching lights ripple across the Bay of Naples, I understood why travelling by sea matters: it reveals coastal continuity and regional distinctiveness in one unbroken line. Approaching cities as sailors and traders have through centuries shows how maritime culture shapes cuisine, trade, and identity. Cruise travel, dismissed as superficial by some, actually offers context when done thoughtfully. It is a way to see how port cities relate to the sea and to each other. Cultures and communities shaped by their location on the sea reveal their past more clearly when visited via the ports that defined them. Practically, the advantages are compelling: no constant packing, no juggling trains or chaotic driving, fewer hotel hunts. Your floating palazzo removes logistical friction, letting you spend energy on real discovery. For long-haul visitors like Australians, for instance, this maximises time: a week from Rome to Venice covers more ground than most two-week land itineraries without exhausting hopscotch. THE RETURN VOYAGE I found myself wanting to sail again, soon! Not to repeat this route, but to explore other coasts: the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera, Sardinia. Living in central Italy, sometimes I may take the beauty of Italy for granted, but seeing these spectacular places from the sea reaffirmed the wonder. Venice, exhaustively written and rendered, still stops you in your tracks when she appears from the lagoon at sunrise. This is travel that dresses itself in quiet style and cultural curiosity, inviting you to experience Italy's coast as it has been experienced for millennia: from the water. viking.com | 37 S P R I N G 2 0 2 6

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