VIKING SEA

Public space in Germany is not held hostage by liability lawsuits; Berlin playgrounds are not designed by lawyers. Thus they offer an opportunity for exploration that is, well — playful. It’s enough to make some of my American visitors, many who admit to being helicopter parents (one friend giddily describes herself as a Black Hawk) — weak at the knees.

Viking Sea Cruise Ship

Cruise: Inaugural 10-night Empires of the Mediterranean

Itinerary: Istanbul, Turkey, to Kuşadası, Turkey, to Piraeus, Greece, to Thira, Greece, to Kotor, Montenegró, to Dubrovnik, Croatia, to Pula, Croatia, to Venice, Italy

Cruise date: Inaugural voyage on April 3, 2016, with select dates in 2016

Price: Starting at $4,099

Despite the fact that the ship launches in 3rd April, there may still be time for you to reserve your spot on board the dazzling new Viking Sea, Viking Ocean Cruises’ second to launch in a fleet that plans to add four sister ships. This ship will set sail throughout the spring and summer with Baltic itineraries; the 930-passenger midsize ship will then reposition itself to theMediterranean, sail year-round throughout Greece, Egypt, and Turkey. Days at sea offer many ways to unwind in unique areas including the ship’s Scandinavian-influenced Wintergarden retreat and its unique Nordic holistic wellness spa.