Join Karine and Finse as they explore the world of bees with Mike Withers, a thirty-year member of the Highclere staff, whose passion for these hard-working, misunderstood insects spans 60 years.
Meet Pat Withers, one of the castle’s favorite, most colorful characters, who came to Highclere as a teenager and never left. As the longest serving staff member at Highclere, she’s worked for three generations of the Carnarvon family.
Join Karine as she speaks with the Countess of Carnarvon about her new book, At Home at Highclere. Learn about what it is like to live in this stately castle, and its history, delicious food and dedicated staff.
Join Karine for the moving story of the Koblenz Jewish Cemetery, a sanctuary of reflection and a window into the history of a community and culture that were once nearly lost.
Tucked away in the midst of a verdant forest is the exquisite Schloss Mespelbrunn. Take a peek inside as Gräfin (Countess) Hedwig Margarete shares her home, and learn more about the castle’s legendary past.
Painstakingly chiseled into the slate bedrock of a mountain peak, Marksburg has long stood as one of Germany’s most formidable castles. Step back into the Middle Ages with Karine as she explores the heart of this legendary stronghold.
The Löwenstein family is one of Germany’s cultural treasures. Step behind the scenes to meet Fürst (Prince) Alois-Konstantin and his daughter-in-law Princess Stephanie as they share family history and the secret behind the renowned Fürst Löwenstein wines.
Journey through the world’s most exciting destinations with The World’s Leading River Cruise Line.
Join Karine (and her beloved dog Finse) and step into the spirit of old Europe at Vienna’s iconic Hotel Sacher to learn the story behind the Sachertorte, its legendary handmade cake.
Explore the history of this ornate architectural masterpiece. Towering over the Rhine, the majestic Cologne cathedral has been a beacon for pilgrims from around the world for centuries.
Journey to a living abbey where Benedictine monks have worked and worshipped for more than 900 years on a hilltop overlooking the Wachau Valley. You may even dance the waltz with one!
Learn the iconic Viennese waltz at Vienna’s oldest and most famous dance school, Tanzschule Elmayer. Watch Professor Elmayer teach Karine the basic steps in just a few minutes.
Meet Robert Allen, a World War II veteran who bravely came ashore at Normandy . . . then returned with Viking, sharing some of his memories with us.
There are few more pivotal moments in history than the D-Day landings that ushered in the end of World War II. Visit the sacred beaches with Karine and recall the day’s monumental sacrifices.
Celebrate the holidays in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Enjoy splendid art, architecture, history and the festive Christmas market tradition in Europe’s most beloved cities.
Unwrap the romance of France at Christmastime. Experience the elegance of Paris and explore the tranquil countryside, picturesque Les Andelys, medieval Rouen and the D-Day sites of Normandy.
Explore the timeless wonders of Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, the Black Forest and Basel. From The Netherlands to Switzerland, this is an unforgettable holiday season experience.
Discover the Danube’s delights in Hungary, Austria and Germany. From historic Budapest and stunning Vienna to medieval Regensburg, experience the holiday season like never before.
Join Karine as she delves into the essence of Bordeaux’s most popular red and white wines with a local expert, learning some secrets of summoning a wine’s character along the way.
Enjoy a glimpse into the intriguing wine of Sauternes. Karine journeys to Bordeaux to take a closer look at this sweet alternative with one of Sauternes’s local experts.
Join world-renowned Master of Wine Susie Barrie and Karine to learn about the fundamentals of enjoying fine wine, from opening and pouring to decanting and storing.
Bordeaux, France’s celebrated vineyard-laden province, is home to some of the world’s most prized wines. Learn about its different regions and appellations with Karine.
Go behind the scenes with Karine to see how easy it is to make this local variation of everyone’s favorite dessert. You may want to take notes during this hands-on demonstration!
Watch as chef Rui Paula shows Karine his unique nouvelle cuisine twist on bacalhau, the beloved Portuguese national dish that is based on cod, one of Norway’s national fish.
Join Viking as we chronicle the story of Leif Eriksson, the Norse navigator who set out to explore the seas west of Greenland and discovered America, 500 years before Columbus.
Relax and enjoy a cup of Viennese coffee with an exquisite pastry at Café Demel, one of Vienna’s oldest coffeehouses. Established in 1786, it has satisfied the cravings of Austrians for more than 220 years.
Step inside the historic Blaye Citadel with Karine. Louis XIV built this mighty fortress in the 17th century on the banks of the Gironde River to protect Bordeaux from the British.
Join Karine as she learns the secrets of preparing Steak Bordelaise, Bordeaux’s celebrated and classic dish, with local gourmand, chef Georges Gotrand.
Walk through Libourne’s bustling market with Karine and Chef Magalie of Viking as they shop for fresh fruits and vegetables to be served in the ship’s dining room.
This is a reunion unlike any other as Karine’s golden Labrador Finse returns home to Highclere Castle, the real “Downton Abbey,” and gets reacquainted with her brothers and sisters.
Learn about the dramatic songs of fado, born along Portugal’s waterfront. This music of passion often depicted the longing of women waiting for their men to return from sea.
Dona Manuela’s family has been making its famous Portuguese bread for centuries. Join Karine as Dona Manuela teaches her how to prepare this beloved delicacy celebrated the world over.
Take a journey with Karine as she explores Portugal’s history of wine and gains insight into its production and the various types of port, with a local expert on hand.
In 1756, Portugal’s Douro River Valley became the world’s first protected wine-producing region, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn more about the region’s famous port wine.
In 1466, just off Prague’s Old Town Square, a tiny microbrewery first opened its doors. Today, on the same spot, Ladislav Vesely continues the tradition of making the finest Czech beer.
Explore the ornate halls of Britain’s Blenheim Palace with Karine. This grand English estate, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, has close ties to the American Vanderbilts and is the seat of the Duke of Marlborough.
Join Karine at the real “Downton Abbey,” the historic and renowned Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
Travel with Viking to the hallowed halls of the University of Oxford, historic Highclere Castle, the real “Downton Abbey,” grand Blenheim Palace and the fabled villages of the Cotswolds.
Join Karine as she goes behind the scenes at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions and alma mater to kings and presidents.
Sail Europe’s picturesque waterways in elegant comfort with Viking. Ranging from 7 to 23 days, our itineraries offer a wealth of unforgettable journeys across the continent.
Taste a variety of German delicacies with Karine in Nuremberg’s medieval district, and learn some of the best side dishes to go with them, perhaps paired with a local brew.
Go behind the scenes at Tempelhof Airport, long closed to visitors, and learn about the famed “Raisin Bombers” and their role during the historic Berlin Airlift, the largest in history.
Go behind the scenes with the world-renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir. Join Karine as she meets some of these talented youngsters and sits in as they prepare for an evening performance.
When in Prague, be sure to visit the Old New Synagogue in Josefov, the Jewish Quarter. This is the oldest synagogue in Europe, where generations have been worshipping since 1270.
Watch the world-famous master chef and author Toni Mörwald and Karine prepare the traditional wiener schnitzel dish. In Austria, you might visit Chef Mörwald’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Bon appétit!
Head into the cellars of Erhard Mörwald, the fifth-generation Wachau Valley vintner who produces the distinctive private-label wines that are served on board our river ships.
Designed by New York architect Daniel Libeskind, Berlin’s compelling Jewish Museum provides an unforgettable journey through Jewish culture and a rich chronicle of memory and hope.
Learn about the war crimes tribunals that took place in Nuremberg’s Palace of Justice as the entire world watched with rapt attention, and consider seeing Courtroom 600 for yourself.
Come inside the 300-year-old Schmidl Bakery in Dürnstein on the Danube River, where Karine meets the owner and sees how the fine breads served on board Viking ships are made.
Peruse this literary haven in Paris, a favorite of book lovers and renowned authors since 1919. Browse its stacks and learn about the “tumbleweeds” who work and reside here.
Go behind the scenes at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School to meet the “dancing horses,” the world-famous Lipizzaner stallions. Seeing these magnificent white horses perform is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Watch as Kampa Park’s executive chef Marek Raditsch prepares this regional dish. In Prague, you might visit this world-famous restaurant, next to Charles Bridge on the Vltava River.
Discover Amsterdam’s scenic canals, charming flower markets and enriching Museum Quarter, where you can admire van Gogh’s artwork and masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age.
Explore the beauty of Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube,” with Karine highlighting the city’s top attractions: Fisherman’s Bastion, Great Market Hall, Heroes’ Square and more.
Prague, the “City of a Thousand Spires,” offers endless discoveries. See some of Karine’s top recommendations, including Lobkowicz Palace, the Old New Synagogue, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and more.
Discover the magical “City of Light.” Visit the impressive Notre Dame, stroll the Champs-Élysées and admire the priceless works of the Louvre. Be sure to stop for a cup of coffee in the St. Germain district.
Experience a vibrant city that is always reinventing itself. See iconic Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and the Reichstag, an architectural masterpiece. Stroll around Museum Island or go shopping in the Mitte District.
Preview our Privileged Access tour as Karine visits the residence of this noble Czech family. See the original score of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, attend a private concert and more.
Taste Hungary’s rich, hearty dish seasoned with paprika and packed with flavor. Goulash originated during the Middle Ages as a satisfying meal for the cowboys on the Hungarian Plains.
Come into the galleys of our European river ships for an unforgettable visit with two Viking Executive Chefs, and glimpse some of the passion that goes into every dish they serve.
See for yourself how France has inspired famous artists like van Gogh, Monet and so many more.
Join Karine at Giverny as she visits the Japanese bridge, gardens and water lilies that inspired one of history’s great painters, founder of impressionism Claude Monet.
Witness the beauty, romance and spirit of the holidays come alive at Europe’s colorful Christmas markets when you join Viking on a festive river cruise during November or December.
Join Karine as she learns the art of making gingerbread at Passau’s Café Simon, established more than 100 years ago. Sample some on our late fall cruises along Europe’s great rivers.
Join Karine for a private cooking lesson with pastry chef Joanna Hajn, who teaches her student how to make a German holiday favorite: a tasty gingerbread house.
In November and December, public houses in nearly every European town offer mulled wine as a delicious antidote to the season’s chill. Let Karine show you how to prepare your own with our special and simple recipe.
Today’s Berlin is a veritable treasure trove of gift ideas for the holidays. Join Karine as she shares some of her favorite things in the cosmopolitan German capital.
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Join Karine at her favorite shop in Budapest, Hungary: the venerable Café Gerbeaud, purveyors of fine chocolates.
Passau is one of Germany’s most charming cities. Karine shows you that the city’s gift ideas hold equal charm when she takes you to her favorite shopping spot.
Christmastime or anytime, Karine knows one gift that visitors to Vienna cannot return home without. You can even purchase this little cake in the very hotel where it was invented.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Viking on November sailings. There is no better way to complement your succulent turkey dinner than with a stroll through one of Europe’s cultural capitals.
Join Karine in Passau, Germany, as she has a good laugh making traditional and modern German Advent wreaths with a local wreath maker.
The Danube’s banks overflow with shopping opportunities. Join Karine at her favorite spots in Passau, Vienna and Budapest as she shares perfect gift ideas for yourself or your loved ones.
On December 14, 1911, Norwegian Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole and secured his place in history as one of the great explorers.
Learn about the past and future of Viking and the innovations behind our Viking Longships. Then come explore the great rivers of the world in unprecedented comfort.
Learn a few useful Hungarian words and phrases with Eszter, your Viking tutor. Jó napot!
Learn a few useful Dutch words and phrases with Johan, your Viking tutor. Proost!
Learn a few useful Portuguese words and phrases with Maria, your Viking tutor. Saúde!
Learn a few useful French words and phrases with Maaike, your Viking tutor. À votre Santé!
Learn a few useful German words and phrases with Rebecca, your Viking tutor. Prost!
Learn a few useful Croatian words and phrases with Ivana, your Viking tutor. Živjeli!
Karine has spent much of her adult life in Russia and remains captivated and entertained by the country and its culture. Come along as she shares her deep love and fascination for this charming country and its people.
Experience St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, the unrivaled art collection of Catherine the Great, as you never imagined: with personalized, after-hours tours by expert curators.
Karine talks with Vladlen Kuzin, former head of propaganda and director of the Leningrad Documentary Studio, about the part he has played in documenting the culture and history of the former Soviet Union.
Meet Mikhail Bobrov, the “Most Honored Citizen of St. Petersburg.” The legendary Russian adventurer stopped Nazi warplanes and saved countless lives during the siege of Leningrad by putting his own life on the line.
Come inside for a private tour of a typical Soviet Russian home, a kommunalka, a communal apartment like those shared by many Russian families for generations in the post-revolutionary years of the 20th century.
Moscow by night is a dazzling spectacle of illumination. Join Karine on a short tour of the city’s light show, proving this is one of those cities that never sleeps.
Here are some specialties Russians might enjoy as a starter to their main meal. From pickled mushrooms to the Salad Olivier, a traditional New Year’s dish, try some for yourself!
No Russian meal is complete without homemade soup, a central element of culinary culture. Karine samples two types of borscht, the nationally renowned beet soup, and other tasty dishes.
Russian meals are often topped off with something sweet. Sample some favorite desserts with Karine, from kisel, a red berry soup, to oladi, a thick pancake served with cream and jam.
Why do Russians avoid shaking hands over a doorway’s threshold? Or sit on their luggage before departing on a journey? See some of the unusual ways good fortune is ensured in Russia.
Join Karine and discover why majestic St. Petersburg is known as the “Venice of the North” during a tour of the city’s vast network of canals and bridges.
Since 1747, a stealthy army of cats has protected the treasures of St. Petersburg’s famed Hermitage Museum from rodents. Karine heads into the museum’s basement to seek them out.
Come with Karine to the Golden Ring city of Uglich along the Volga River. Here, you will step inside the home of babushka Nadya, who raises a glass to good health, prosperity and love.
Visit a former Soviet icon soon to be reborn as a business, arts and cultural center. See fascinating footage of this architectural gem’s past as a factory where uniforms were made.
Visit a peaceful lakeside banya in the Russian countryside. This sauna-like retreat keeps the body healthy with its mix of hot and cold temperatures and all-natural skin treatments.
Ballet is virtually synonymous with Russia. This inspiring art form began as entertainment for the royal court in the mid-1700s. Learn why it remains so celebrated around the world.
Thanks to the Soviet days’ emphasis on getting back to the land, most Russian city dwellers also have a country house, or dacha. Join Karine as she visits one for an insider’s look.
Share in Karine’s sensory experiences at a traditional Russian farmers’ market, where vibrant fruits and vegetables, baked goods and artisanal honey please the eye, and the palate.
With Viking, you will visit Russia’s great cities; sail the Volga, Svir and Neva Rivers and through Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga; and explore charming Golden Ring cities.
Join your host Karine for a private cooking lesson with Chef Josef Fleissner and learn how to make Sirniki, a traditional and much-loved Russian dessert.
Moscow. St. Petersburg. Kiev. Odessa. Learn what it is really like to journey through Russia or Ukraine with Viking.
Learn a few useful Russian words and phrases with Paulina, your Viking tutor. Spasibo!
Join Karine as she learns about the history of Chinese porcelain, an art form created during the Han Dynasty and shaped by artisans from the Song, Ming and other dynasties.
To experience an authentic slice of real Chinese life, step into the hidden corners of the hutong alleyways, an ancient maze of traditional courtyard houses linked by narrow corridors.
Legend has it that tea was discovered 5,000 years ago. Learn about the beloved beverage’s place in Chinese culture, lore and medicine.
For millennia, the Chinese have balanced their energy with tai chi, acupuncture, herbal medicine and more. Join Karine and learn more about their approach to healthy living.
Enjoy a scenic journey with Karine through China’s most dramatic region, the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, and learn about some of the area’s residents, past and present.
Dexterity and strength, passion and focus. Join Karine backstage as she watches some of the world’s most courageous artists perfect their gravity-defying acrobatics.
Chosen by the wealthy Pan family as the location of their retirement home, the Yuyuan Garden is a serene example of a traditional Chinese garden—juxtaposed against the backdrop of Shanghai.
In China, calligraphy is not just a form of writing but it is a revered form of art that dates back millennia. Join Karine and learn its timeless secrets from an expert calligrapher.
Watch as onboard Viking Chef Fong gives Karine a hands-on lesson that reveals some traditional culinary secrets that go into preparing the world’s finest noodles.
Learn about mysterious Shibaozhai and the Bridge of Luck, beautifully situated in the middle of the mighty Yangtze. Join Karine as she unveils the secrets of this twelve-story temple.
From humble silkworms to beautiful custom silk jackets, learn how the most famous fabric of China is made as Karine takes you on a fascinating visit to a silk factory.
Do you know the legend of how the panda got its unique coloring? Find out as Karine meets these rare and treasured animals in the mountain forests of central China.
Venture into a Chinese night market to sample some of China’s most beloved delicacies. Join Karine and discover the secrets of hot pot, Peking duck, homemade noodles and more.
Karine helps reveal the heart of China’s greatest mystery. Once closed to all but royalty, now this legendary “treasure box” is open to guests like us.
Have a little extra time on your own while exploring China with Viking? Karine has a few recommendations for you, from tai chi in Beijing to exploring Taikan Lane in historic Shanghai.
Visit Xian, China with Karine, where you will marvel at arresting images of the famous Terra Cotta Army, sculpted in the 3rd century BC and still being excavated today.
Why do many Chinese office buildings lack a fourth floor? What color attracts prosperity? Join Karine and learn about some of China’s time-honored beliefs.
Meet some of China’s next generation of enthusiastic citizens when you join Karine and Viking guests on an inspiring visit to a Viking-sponsored elementary school on the Yangtze River.
Home of the iconic Great Wall, China embodies a rich history set against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes.
Learn a few useful Mandarin words and phrases with Jessica, your Viking tutor. Nĭ hăo!
