EXPLORE THE FLAVOURS OF THE WORLD
Food and wine are an integral part of our culture. Exploring the culinary delights of a region can give you a unique insight into the life of the locals, and can create travel memories that will be linked to every taste experience.
Find out how Viking can take you on a culinary journey on board and ashore, and make your next adventure worth the wait.
EXPERIENCE LOCAL CUISINE AND CULTURE LIKE NEVER BEFORE
“.. you have to taste a culture to understand it…” Deborah Carter
Viking's shore excursions are designed to take guests on culinary adventures across the globe. Whether it be a tasting journey through a farmer’s market in Vienna; sampling wines at a historic monastery; or hunting for truffles in Beaujolais; food and wine are part of a universal language that travellers around the world seek to share.
Through our unique shore programs our guests have the opportunity to try new tastes, hunt for new treasures, experience how locals live and work and become immersed in a destination and culture in a totally new way.
- Working World: allows you to tour the vineyards and wine cellars of Italy, meet the banana plantation harvesters of Caribbean St. Lucia or explore the spice farms of Indian Goa...
- Local Life: provides fascinating insights through excursions that reveal the rhythms of daily living in each destination. Experience Saigon’s vibrant streets by pedal cab, explore local produce markets in France, or taste your way through a dedicated culinary tour of Sydney.
- Privileged Access: gives exclusive access to museums, experiences and people that are otherwise unavailable. Dine in the house of locals in Russia, bake bread with authentic bakers in Portugal, or go truffle hunting with the best in France... the choices are yours.
Explore a sample of our culinary shore excursions and experiences below
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Baklava
This rich, sweet, layered pastry has been made in Greece since ancient times. The nuts used depend on the region. Popular around the Mediterranean, this pistachio version of baklava is a favourite in northern Greece.
Serves 8 – 10
INGREDIENTS:
5 oz (140g) unsalted butter
10 ½ oz (300g) whole shelled pistachio nuts
1 tsp cinnamon
10-12 sheets phyllo (filo) pastry
For the Syrup:
8 fl oz (235ml) water
9 ½ oz (280g) sugar
1 cinnamon stick
4 oz (110g) honey
1. lemon, zested
DIRECTIONS:
1 Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), then gently melt the butter in a small saucepan.
2. Chop the pistachio nuts finely and toss with the cinnamon, then set aside.
3. Unroll the pastry. Make sure the layers are aligned, then cut in half, or around the size of the baking tin. Cover with a clean, wet cloth to stop the layers drying out.
4. Brush the bottom and sides of the tin with melted butter, then place two sheets of pastry into the tin, brushing thoroughly with butter. Repeat until you have 10 sheets layered.
5. Sprinkle with the pistachio nut mixture, then top with two more sheets of pastry, brush again with butter and sprinkle with more nuts. Repeat until you run out of pastry.
6. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes around 1 x 1 ¼ inches (2 ½ x 3 cm) in size, all the way to the bottom of the pan.
7. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the baklava is golden and crisp.
8. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup. Boil the sugar and the water without stirring for about two minutes, then add the cinnamon, honey and lemon zest. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
9. Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately drench with the syrup. Allow to cool before serving.
SEE MORE RECIPES
Viking's Guide to English Tea
All tea derives from the same Camellia sinensis plant. Beyond that, the different categories — white, yellow, green, oolong, black and post-fermented — are a matter of processing and oxidation. Tea is a natural antioxidant that is rich in vitamins B2, B1 and B6, potassium, manganese, folic acid and calcium.
Typically in the Wintergarden on board a Viking ocean ship, your beverage of choice will be served with finger sandwiches, richly textured scones, and decadent macarons as classical music plays softly in the background.
View our guide and learn the technique to brew the perfect pot of tea along with the traditional teatime fares to complement it.
LOOKING FOR MORE GREAT CULINARY CONTENT?
Viking is heavily invested in sharing our favourite recipes, cooking hints and tips and much more food and wine themed content, so check out the below and you might just find your next favourite dish from around the world!
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS THE MOMENT YOU BOARD THE SHIP
Viking’s gastronomic offering is very deliberately destination-inspired to enhance your experience of the destinations we visit. With eight different dining options to choose from and ever-changing menus, all prepared to order throughout the cruise, you’ll be spoilt for choice on our ocean ships. And the best bit? There is no charge for alternate dining, it’s all included. Here is just a sample of the delicious dining options you’ll find onboard:
WHERE WILL YOUR NEXT CULINARY ADVENTURE TAKE YOU?
Handpicked just for you – some of our best culinary adventures from across the globe:
Explore the itineraries available within each region that Viking sails below and start planning today for your next 2024 and 2025 adventures.
