We wanted to experience Christmas time in Paris. The trip to Normandy was phenomenal. We visited the more authentic markets in the villages along our voyage and enjoyed the windows and pageantry of the Paris stores. The sombering visit to the Normandy beaches and cemeteries is worth the trip by itself. The ship, crew, food, itinerary, and friends we made along the way made this one of our favorite all-time trips.We especially enjoyed the Van Gogh excursion and the City of Rouen. We found a quaint gift shop in the village square and spent time with the shopkeeper doing our best with our French language issues. She gave us tickets to the large ferris wheel that afforded us a bird's eye view of the city. We have to mention the incredible food on this cruise. Each meal was outstanding with plenty of variety to satisfy everyone. We do want to mention the personalized service at the airport. Viking staff was there every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition. We loved the whole Viking experience