VIKING is a brand that so many people have heard of and is synonymous with adventure, exploration, luxury, and elegance. Offering an adults-only experience, VIKING features river, ocean, and expedition cruises and continues to be the world’s leading ocean and river cruise line, voted by Conde Naste Traveler and Travel + Leisure— highly respected publications in the travel industry. These accolades are for good reason: they offer award winning service, dining, amenities, and more with their sailings, and nearly everything is included in the cruise fare, including meals, beer and wine, a complimentary port excursion each day, gratuities, and more. They don’t have an upcharge at every turn, there are no photographers waiting to sell you a photography package and popping up throughout your trip, and there are no specialty dining package or beverage packages waiting to be added onto your bill for the “real” experience. Travelers love being able to arrive to their VIKING ship, be welcomed on board, and know that for the next 7, 8, 10, or even 14 days, everything has been taken care of for them and they can watch the cities go by from their stateroom river views as they look forward to their next port stop during their sailing.

If you’re anything like me, you have wistful dreams of hopping on a plane in December, bundling up in your coziest winter wear, and flying over to visit the famed Christmas markets of Europe— strolling booths to sample the sweet and spicy Glühwein, warm gingerbread, potato cakes, and more specialty treats and sweets you can only find at a Weihnachtsmärkte.