You might think a Viking River Cruise is the preserve of the comfortably retired. Maybe you’re settling into your own retirement and think it’s finally your turn to go. Maybe you never had the time; maybe now you have the time but have found a million other things you always wanted to do.
With four children aged eight and under, I have as much joy at finding time as the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. When I was presented with an opportunity to travel for seven nights and eight days on Viking’s Danube Waltz cruise deep into the heart of old Europe, I was practically clawing my way down into this particular rabbit hole. On the first night onboard I was invited by an American couple to join a table of strangers for a delightful three-course dinner and enjoyed getting acquainted over a delicious meal – every single item I tried during the trip was delightful, from maple-syrup-infused banana pancakes to perfectly poached halibut with creamy rice, crème brulee and sticky toffee pudding and ice cream.
I was slightly taken aback, however, when one of the guests at my table asked, “What brings you here with all the oldies ?” Budapest lit up at night (Image: Kenny Ward) It got a laugh from the others, mercifully, but in truth this was a world far away from a retiring, lazy jaunt down the river; this was a vibrant, fulfilling, life-affirming odyssey. Viking know their clientele, and the daily shore excursions exhibited that in full. Included in the fare, these tours .
