Pictured here: Enjoy the festivities and exuberantly decorated Christmas markets nestled in charming cities
As we approach Christmas, we reflect on what a year 2022 has been as we celebrated our 25th anniversary. In what has been our biggest year yet, we welcomed 11 new ships to our fleet, introduced two new destinations, won several awards, and have just welcomed Viking Orion back to Australian shores for the first time since 2020.
Travel is well and truly back, and we have loved seeing so many of your familiar faces on our ships around the world.
In this special Christmas issue of Viking Explorer Society magazine, we look at the history of Christmas markets and highlight some of our favourites. We take you on a journey along the Danube during the festive season and have some delicious Christmas recipes for you to enjoy at home.
We can’t thank you enough for your support this year. We wish you and your families a very merry Christmas, and we look forward to helping you create many wonderful Viking memories next year.
Director,
World famous Europe’s Christmas markets are loved by locals and tourists alike, spreading cheer throughout the festive seasons for centuries
Of Europe’s many festive traditions, perhaps none is more beloved than the annual Christmas markets. Replete with cozy stalls selling all manner of handmade crafts by local artisans, delicious regional treats and authentic holiday accoutrement, each of these charming markets boasts its own heritage and character. With a history dating back centuries, this treasured custom has more than stood the test of time.
Though forerunners of today’s Christmas markets began in Europe during the Middle Ages, the world’s oldest genuine Christmas market is Dresden’s own Stri ezelmarkt, which was first held for one day only on December 23, 1434. This initial iteration of the Striezelmarkt was a meat market, held so that the people of Dresden would have a selection of fresh meat from which to choose for the upcoming yuletide festivities. This endeavor proved so successful that it became an annual tradition, and the offerings supplemented the following year with various other goods. Beginning in the early 1500s, the duration of the market was expanded from a single day to encompass the Monday before Christmas through December 24. While the location of the Striezelmarkt has changed many times over the centuries, today it is held in same place as the original 1434 meat market: Dresden’s Altmarkt square, the city’s oldest.
While Christmas markets had begun to spring up in the years following the introduction of the Striezelmarkt, the 16th century is when they truly
began to proliferate across the continent. In addition to celebrating the festive season and providing a vehicle through which local vendors could sell their wares, they offered busy townspeople a way to procure everything they needed for Christmas in one convenient location. Today, Europe’s Christmas
GETTING THERE: The 10-day Christmas Along the Elbe voyage sails from Berlin to Prague or vice versa. From $$5,795pp in Standard stateroom
Christmas in Europe is a magical time of year with Christmas markets popping up in squares and parks across the continent. Local vendors offer everything from local delicacies to hand-made ornaments and crafts. Here are our top five.
Every year, the city centre of Cologne is touched by the magic of the festivities in the run-up to Christmas with everything you’d expect of a classic German spread: the glühwein, the crafts, the twinkling lights. This is the most visited Christmas market in Germany with four million visitors annually and features about 150 stands modelled after quaint Budens. These red-roofed huts offer all manner of handicrafts, gifts, food and drink.
One of the most iconic Christmas markets in the world is the Christkindlmarkt Rathausplatz in the shadows of Vienna’s town hall. The market welcomes more than three million visitors each year who meander through the 150 market stalls offering traditional foods, Christmas ornaments and handicrafts.
Choirs and musicians, a grand Christmas tree and a 3,000-square-metre ice rink add the final touches to this incredible sight.
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La Magie de Noël located in Tuileries Garden alongside the Lourve is by far the largest and most popular of Paris’ many Christmas markets. Originally located along the Champs Élysées the market moved to Tuileries in 2018. The enormous Ferris Wheel is silhouetted against the Parisian skyline while the white chalets of the Artisan Village feature handmade gifts, crafts and other specialty French products. The aroma of hot roasted chestnuts, crepes and vin chaud (hot mulled wine) fills the air while the Champagne igloo provides a uniquely French experience.
The Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival located in Vörösmarty Square is the oldest and most popular market in the Hungarian capital. Quaint cottages and over 100 wooden stalls transform the area into a magical wonderland, complete with the delicious scent of mulled wine, cinnamon, roasted chestnuts and honey biscuits, alongside traditional Hungarian dishes such as pork knuckle and chimney cake.
The capital of Christmas in France, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. More than 300 wooden chalets in the city’s Old Town square brim with colourful wares, fine food and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Thousands of shimmering lights and decorations make it one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d’epices (gingerbread).
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VISIT STRASBOURG
A river cruise through Europe during the Christmas season is a magical experience. From late November leading up to Christmas, you can experience the joyful atmosphere of Europe’s famous Christmas markets. From Nuremberg and Vienna to Budapest and Paris the yuletide season transforms beautiful squares into delightful Christmas markets offering hand-carved toys and ornaments, spicy glühwein and aromatic gingerbread.
Pass through Europe’s most enchanting countries, immersing yourself in the spirit of Christmas and stopping to explore cultural capitals and fairytale villages. Take part in European holiday traditions and experience the region’s renowned Christmas markets.
Whether you choose to travel in early December and return home in time for Christmas Day, or spend the Christmas period on board with us, you can look forward to a festive season like no other.
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Clockwise, from top left: Vienna Christmas market with its iconic Frohe Weihnachten sign; the festively decorated atrium onboard each Viking Longship; delightfully decorated Christmas trees in a white Winter in Paris, France; discover local crafts at each Christmas market; traditional lebkuchen hearts in Germany
The now-familiar, yet always-seductive aromas of warm spices and roasted chestnuts scented the air as we sipped our glühwein, tucked into our apple strudels and browsed the eye-catching wooden stalls clustered around St Stephen’s Basilica, a magnificent domed landmark in the vibrant heart of Budapest.
It was the last night of our Christmas on the Danube cruise with Viking. And although we’d already visited several festive markets over the past week, each one had its own character and unique items and temptations. At this one, for instance, Petra, our local Viking guide, pointed out a vendor selling Christmas decorations, including stars and angels, that he’d hand-crafted from recycled corn husks. Other stalls were doing a roaring trade in flódni, a multi-layered Jewish-Hungarian confection, and kürtőskalács (chimney cakes), tubeshaped sweet pastries baked on a spit over hot charcoal. While the markets were different, they presented us with similar dilemmas. We only had so much luggage space for gifts to take home, and our bellies only had so much spare room for street snacking, so satisfying was the onboard wining and dining, from hearty soups, stews and steaks to dainty salads, cheeses and desserts. Thankfully it was rewarding to simply wander about and soak up the festive atmosphere (glühwein or Christmas punch in hand, of course).
Vienna was particularly uplifting, the Austrian capital’s opulent streets and squares adorned with stunning illuminations. Skaters skipped across the ice rink by the neo-Gothic City Hall and light projections dazzled at the MuseumsQuartier, a cultural district set around the palatial former royal stables of the Hapsburg dynasty. On an excursion to the Slovakian capital Bratislava - just an hour’s motor-coach journey from Vienna - we were struck by the contrasting stripy candy-like market stalls and the backdrop of elegant pastel-shaded neoclassical buildings.
Left: Budapest Christmas Market
While a yuletide theme pervaded our cruise - the public areas of our longship, Viking Egil, were dotted with Christmas trees and decorations - it never felt over-bearing and one-dimensional. Indeed, our itinerary had enough to occupy and cheer anyone not remotely fussed by the festivities. Guided walks of Regensburg and Passau brought the fascinating history of these postcard-pretty Bavarian cities to life.
We enjoyed an outing to one of the rustic, centuries-old heurigen (wine taverns) nestled on Vienna’s leafy outskirts. As we sampled the fruity, locally-produced tipples, Marek, a charismatic veteran musician, regaled us on his accordion with Austrian folk songs and other more famous tunes, notably “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss.
We heard more Strauss - and renditions of Mozart and other great composers - in Viking Egil’s Lounge, a cosy spot for live music, mingling with fellow travellers and culturally-immersive presentations. One evening, the ship’s jovial German-born hotel manager, Michael, provided an entertaining insight into his nation’s language and sense of humour, while another afternoon, the endearing program director, Edina, spoke about life growing up in Communistera Hungary. Another onboard highlight was a dance lesson where two professionals performed the classic Viennese ballroom waltz, and guided those passengers brave enough to attempt the sweeping, graceful turns themselves.
Sometimes it was lovely just to have some downtime, either relaxing in our comfortable veranda stateroom, or strolling, well wrapped-up, on the ship’s open-air Sun Deck.
Our morning’s sailing through Austria’s misty Wachau Valley was most enchanting, with panoramas of ancient terraced vineyards, clifftop castles and quaint medieval villages. Deepening our appreciation of this UNESCO World Heritagelisted region was Edina’s commentary, plus a tour of Göttweig Abbey, a beautiful baroque monastery tucked in the wooded hills above the Wachau town of Krems, another port of call on a convivial cruise that will linger long in the memory.
This page, clockwise, from top left: Itungarran Kürtöskalács chimney cakes, Christmas markets, Christmas on board Viking Opposite: Regensburg Christmas market trophy
The first Christmas tree is believed to have been erected in Freiburg, Germany, in 1419 and decorated with sweets and nuts. By the 16th century, German church plays featured evergreen trees festooned with nuts, berries, apples and candles, a practice which soon came to be replicated in people’s homes across Europe. German settlers in the United States continued this custom in their new homes, adorning their trees with popcorn, paper and metal foil in addition to the usual trimmings.
During the late 16th century, the first known handblown glass ornaments, called baubles, were produced in Lauscha, Germany. Though these surged in popularity during the 1800s, they were not seen as a commercially viable commodity until 1848, when an engraving was published featuring Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, placing ornaments on a Christmas tree.
In response, American entrepreneur Frank Winfield Woolworth began importing lead and glass baubles from Germany to sell in his eponymous department stores. These proved to be a massive hit, and over the ensuing decades ornaments began to be massproduced in regions such as Japan and Eastern Europe. Today, these decorations are an integral component of Christmas celebrations across the globe.
In Australia, the first Christmas was believed to have been celebrated in 1788 with a service for Governor Phillips followed by a Christmas supper. By the mid1800s when Christmas ornaments and decorating trees had become popular, Australians used native plants such as tree ferns, eucalyptus boughs and Christmas bush to create festive decorations.
PicturedTop to bottom: Fine adornments of charms worn with a dirndl; Christmas ornaments featuring dirndls and lederhosen; The fine detail embroidery of a dirndl
Tracht is traditional clothing that many Austrians still wear for holidays, weddings, festivals and, in some parts of the country, everyday activities. The most well-known examples are dirndls and lederhosen
A tracht once indicated a person’s region, wealth, marital status, profession, religion and more. For example, in feudal times peasants were not allowed to wear any colours. Certain guilds and craftsmen were known by a particular article of clothing, and costly fabrics like silk and damask were available only to nobility and clergy. In the 18th century, sumptuary laws disappeared as new technologies for dyeing and weaving fabrics gave commoners access to new designs and ornamentation.
For women, the v is a wide skirt attached to a closefitting, sleeveless bodice worn over a cotton or linen blouse. A dirndl is worn with an apron of a different colour; how the apron is tied indicates the wearer’s marital status. Hats vary by region—women in upper Austria are known for goldhauben, a golden cap featuring elaborate beadwork.
Men’s lederhosen are knee-length leather shorts with a flap front, usually worn with long woolen socks and suspenders. Lederhosen are prized for being both warm and windproof. Hats might include the rounded and corded hunter’s hat or the shortbrimmed Tyrolean-style hat with a feather.
GETTING THERE: The 8-day Danube Christmas Delights voyage sails from Passau to Budapest, or vice versa. From $3,495pp in Standard stateroom
A small town in the south-eastern corner of Germany, Passau is oft-overlooked, but the ‘City of Three Rivers’ has grand historic origins
With a history dating back to the 2nd century BC that encompasses an ancient Celtic tribe, then the Batavi people, a Roman colony, the diocese of Passau founded in 739, and more, the city is one of the oldest in Bavaria. Wealthy since Roman times, Passau prospered from the salt trade between nearby Bohemia (the modern-day Czech Republic), and Bad Reichenhall near Salzburg. During the Renaissance, the city was renowned as a centre of sword manufacture, and its picturesque location and Italianesque streets make it an ever-popular destination, renowned for its Gothic and Baroque architecture. In 1662, a devastating fire consumed most of the city’s architecture. It was subsequently rebuilt in the Baroque style. Go online: Visit viking.com for more information on voyages that go to Passau
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From ancient fortresses to episcopal palaces, modern art to ancient glassware, there’s something for everyone in Passau. Enjoy colourful Christmas markets, cobbled streets populated with artisan boutiques, spectacular views of the Dreiflüssestadt (City of Three Rivers) confluence where the Danube meets the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north, and some impressive historic buildings and museums.
Step inside Dom St. Stephan, a huge sparkling white baroque cathedral with an impressive tiled roof and stunning ceiling. Its organ is the largest in Europe and has almost 18,000 pipes. Stroll or cycle along the Innpromenade or take a picnic to the point where the
three rivers meet. Each river is a different colour and their swirling confluence is an intriguing sight. Climb the heavenly ladder of 321 pilgrimage steps to the Mariahilf Monastery and visit the chapel with its own interesting artefacts and impressive views.
Follow the painted cobbles to Artists’ Alley and check out work by local artists. Stop at the nearby Glasmuseum Passau with the world’s largest collection of European glass and visit the Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall) which dates to the 14th century. Visit the baroque St. Paul’s Church. Founded in 1050 it’s the oldest in Passau. Whilst it can’t boast the grandeur of St. Stephan’s, it holds a charm of its own.
Centred around the beautiful St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ, the romantic market stalls of the Christkindlmarkt are a delight to explore. An array of handmade goods, from tasty treats to delicate glass ornaments and traditional wooden toys offer a wealth of opportunities to take home unique artisan gifts created by local craftsmen.
No visit to Passau is complete without a visit to Café Simon. Originally opened in 1903 as a gingerbread, wax and confectionery factory it is now run by the fourth generation of the Simon family. The selection of handmade pralines, truffles, gingerbread and cakes is mouthwatering and staggering. Stop in for coffee and cake or other traditional Passau specialties.
Opposite: The winter landscape with Mariahilf Monastery uptop the hill in Passau, Germany Clockwise, from right: Inside Dom St. Stephan; Chocolate pralines from the famous Café Simon; The romantic market stalls of the Christkindlmarkt
Germany’s traditional Christmas cookie that dates all the way back to the 14th Century are deliciously spicy and sweet
The city of Nuremberg is the capital of lebkuchen, the beloved German Christmas cookie. During the festive season, you are sure to see it everywhere: dangling from trimmed trees, hanging at Christkindlmarkt stalls and tempting you from bakery windows.
You might recognise it as a type of soft gingerbread, bearing a stronger flavour and often decorated with colourful icing or monogrammed with good tidings. The trademark spiciness of lebkuchen comes from such ingredients as cinnamon, cloves, aniseed, ginger, cardamom, allspice, coriander and nutmeg; the cookies are often presented in ornately decorated tins or boxes, or baked in larger heart shapes and decorated to be hung as ornaments.
Spicy and nutty, these traditional German Christmas cookies taste like soft gingerbread and are often decorated as ornaments. For the best flavour, wait a day before eating them.
PREP TIME: 2½ minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
The history of lebkuchen can be traced back to 14th-century Nuremberg, when local monks would bake so-called “honey cakes” using the bounty of spices available to them, given the city’s advantageous location at the crossroads of medieval trade routes. Also at their disposal was honey harvested from the nearby Reichswald Forest—a necessary ingredient. By 1345, an entire industry of lebkuchen bakers, called Lebküchner, had sprung up in Nuremberg, ushering in a delicious local tradition. Today, more lebkuchen is exported from Nuremberg than anywhere else in the world.
Preheat oven to 190°C. Place flours, sugar, baking soda, spices, nuts and raisins in a large bowl; stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and honey; pour into dry mixture and combine. Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1¼ cm thick. Cut into 5cm shapes. Brush with beaten egg white. Press almonds into surface. Bake for 15–20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.
We take a look at how reindeer became part of our favourite Christmas story and learn the importance they play in the lives of the Sami people today
We all know the popular festive tale of Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer and how he and eight other reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh to deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve, but how did reindeer become part of this story?
The first reference to Santa’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer appears in an anonymously written and illustrated children’s poem published in New York in 1821 titled Old Santeclaus with Much Delight. In 1823, in a poem by Clement C. Moore titled A Visit from St. Nicholas, more commonly known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, eight reindeer were included and named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet and Cupid, with Dunder and Blixem later becoming known as Donner and Blitzen. It wasn’t until more than a century later that Rudolph joined the story in 1939 when he was included in a verse by Robert L. May in a book published by the Montgomery Ward chain of department stores, that were given to children who visited the store at Christmas time.
So why were reindeer chosen to pull Santa’s sleigh? Reindeer have played and continue to play an essential role in the way of life of people living in the northern hemisphere who raise them for their meat and milk, their hides and antlers for making shoes,
clothing, tools and handicrafts and for transportation. The latter is likely the reason they were included in Christmas tales.
The Sami, Northern Europe’s oldest surviving indigenous people, spanning parts of Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Kola Peninsula of Russia, are best known for reindeer herding. Norway alone is home to around 200,000 reindeer, with around 2,600 Sami still making a living from herding reindeer. A family typically owns anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 animals.
You can meet the Sami on our In Search of the Northern Lights ocean voyage in Tromsø and Alta. Visit a local Sami camp and be introduced to a local reindeerherding family. You will meet their reindeer, then board an authentic sleigh for an exhilarating and picturesque reindeer-drawn sleigh ride, experiencing how the Sami previously travelled whilst enjoying
Opposite: The Svalbard reindeer, Norway
Above: A Sami man herding a group of reindeer
the sound of reindeer bells and snow crunching under hooves. After your ride, you will be invited into a large traditional tent called a lavvu where, by a roaring log fire, you will enjoy a traditional lunch as your hosts entertain you
GETTING THERE: The 13-day In Search of the Northern Lights voyage sails from London to Bergen, or in reverse.
From $6,995pp in Veranda stateroom
There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than by embarking on a memorable Viking voyage over Christmas.
For many, the best time of year to explore is over the festive season— spending time with family and friends, creating new traditions and making lasting memories.
Let our dedicated staff take care of everything as you spend your days exploring historic cities, stunning coastlines and tasting local yuletide treats.
Wherever you are in the world, we’ll bring plenty of festive cheer to your celebrations at sea. Wake up to the smell of Christmas in the air, with the mouth-watering aroma of freshlybaked Christmas cookies, cakes and gingerbread houses on board.
As night falls, bask in the magical glow of lit-up Christmas trees, twinkling throughout the ship as you enjoy a glass of comforting eggnog or warming mulled wine with your fellow guests.
The only thing you’ll need to worry about is which onboard restaurant you’ll dine in for dinner.
• Private veranda stateroom with king-size bed
• One complimentary shore excursion at every port of call
• Multiple dining venues, including alternative restaurant dining and daily afternoon tea
• 24-hour room service
• Enrichment lectures and destination performances
• Beer, wine and soft drink served with onboard lunches and dinners
• 24-hour access to specialty coffees, teas and bottled water
• Culture Curriculum: lectures and performances of art, music, cooking, dance and history
• Complimentary access to our top-rated spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre
• Self-service launderette with iron and ironing board
• Unlimited free Wi-Fi
from Discover festively decorated spaces onboard Viking ocean ship; The Christmas tree outside the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy; Gingerbread displays on
43.7696° N, 11.2558° E
The birthplace of the Italian language and the home of the Renaissance, Florence is where history blends effortlessly with modern Italian design
The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence’s beauty has long been romanticised in literature, but its picture-perfect vistas and stunning palazzos ensure an enchanting visit. Founded by Julius Caesarin 59 BC, the city became a medieval hive of trade, governed by the powerful Medici family and founded the Renaissance in the 15th century. Home to Michelangelo’s David (at the Galleria dell’Accademia) and the famous Ponte Vecchio, visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to spending time amidst art and culture. Go
From top: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; one of many Florence Christmas market selling ornaments and gifts; a Florence chioschi serving the local delicacy, a sandwich filled with trippa
Climb the 414 steps of Giotto’s Campanile, a free-standing bell tower in Piazza del Duomo, for the best view across the city roofs and a close-up of the famous Duomo – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – which dominates the centro storico. Or head straight for the cathedral itself, with its beautifully ornate marble exterior, and another 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s cupola. The cupola features an exquisitely detailed painting of The Last Judgement. These two buildings together with the octagonal Baptistery are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Don’t Miss The Gallerie degli Uffizi in the old offices of the
Medici, houses an incredible collection of Renaissance art with works by Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo and Da Vinci. The Palazzo Vecchio (town hall) is worth a visit to witness impressive artworks and frescoes.
The Church of Santa Croce is the final resting place of many notable Florentines, housing amongst others the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. The 15th-century Basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world. The interior features frescoes by Giotto, and artwork by Giorgio Vasari, Donatello, Luca della Robbia and Giovanni da Milano.
Florence is known for its gold jewellery with many visiting the shops around the famous Ponte Vecchio. The Gold Market has surprisingly good prices. The Mercato Centrale is a historic market where you can bargain for some of the city’s renowned leather work. There are many Christmas markets in Florence, but the biggest is located in Piazza Santa Croce and features traditional wooden huts selling yuletide treats, ornaments and gifts.
Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s political centre and a spot to stop for coffee and marvel at the architecture. Upstairs from the Mercato Centrale market is a food hall selling Italian produce. And whilst wandering the city, be sure to stop by one of the famous chioschi (street food stands) serving the local delicacy, a sandwich filled with trippa (tripe) or lampredotto (offal, slow-cooked with onions until tender).
Bring some Christmas warmth to your kitchen with our traditional mulled wine receipe this Christmas
Ahallmark of Europe’s famed Christmas markets is the ubiquitous hot mulled wine known as glühwein, traditionally made with red wine combined with festive flavourings including cinnamon, cloves, citrus and sugar. Modern twists on the classic include glühwein mit Schuss (mulled wine with a shot), served spiked with a shot of something stronger, such as rum, amaretto or brandy, or weiss glühwein (white wine instead of red). A version made with fruit juice instead of wine, called kinderpunsch, makes for a wonderful nonalcoholic treat.
The history of mulled wine can be traced back to 2nd-century Rome, when the beverage was heated using hot, flaming irons—believed to have contributed to the word glühwein, which literally translates to
“glow wine.” The Romans found that adding honey and spices to red wine that had begun to deteriorate helped it stay drinkable longer. As they travelled across the continent, they introduced glühwein throughout the area, where its popularity increased across the centuries. Today, a delightful aspect of glühwein is the long-standing tradition of serving it in a commemorative mug, which is unique to both the market and the year and makes for a wonderful keepsake.
As you browse the stalls of the Christmas markets for handicrafts, treats and various local treasures, a mugful of this delicious spiced beverage is the perfect way to warm up while taking in the Christmas markets’ yuletide atmosphere.
Around Christmastime, local markets in the main squares in nearly every European town offer glühwein (hot mulled wine) as a delicious antidote to the season’s chill.
PREP TIME: 2 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour
SERVINGS: 12
INGREDIENTS
3 (750 ml) bottles dry red wine (zinfandel, pinot or Burgundy)
1 cup sugar 12 whole cloves 2 pinches allspice 2 pinches mace 475ml brandy 945ml dry white wine 1 med orange, cut into wedges 1 med lemon, cut into wedges
GARNISH
2 med oranges, sliced 12 cinnamon sticks
Pour red wine into a 3-gallon pot (or larger) and heat gently; add sugar and spices, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add remaining ingredients and steep for 1 hour over low heat. To serve, remove fruit wedges and strain out cloves, garnishing with orange slices and a cinnamon stick.
Unlock your curious spirit and explore Christmas around the world with our selection of interviews, lectures, musical performances and more from the comfort of your home
Enjoy insights into the origins of beloved holiday customs with guest lecturer Dan Jones, PhD, who presents “The A-Z of Christmas.” Watch as he takes a light-hearted look at the history and meaning behind some of our favourite holiday traditions.
Join us in Passau in Lower Bavaria, Germany for a lesson on making traditional German Advent wreaths. Watch our short online tutorial for free on Viking.TV.
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Acclaimed crossover soprano and Viking Jupiter godmother Sissel Kyrkjebø has delighted audiences around the world with her renditions of classic holiday songs. In this special episode, we welcome you to enjoy some of her favourites, including “Let it Snow” and “White Christmas.”
Follow us to the edge of the scenic Snowdonia National Park in Wales, and step inside the home of author, recipe developer and food stylist Karen S. Burns-Booth for a taste of her holiday culinary traditions. Karen show us how she makes mince pies and a cheese tree.
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Go online: Discover more Christmas videos at viking.tv