Coffee first found its way to Istanbul in the sixteenth century. Known as the "milk of artists, chess players and thinkers," it quickly became popular with the Ottoman court. Today Turkish coffee retains its appeal thanks to a unique brewing method that produces a delicious aroma and a thick, syrupy consistency, with grounds that settle at the bottom of the cup. Those grounds are useful even after you finish your coffee as they can be read to predict your fortune! But did you know that today tea is actually Turkey's most popular drink? The shift happened when the Ottoman Empire collapsed and coffee became an expensive import. Whichever is your favorite, be sure to enjoy it with the region's most famous sweets - Turkish Delight, a family of confections typically made from chopped dates, pistachios or hazelnuts.

Join Karine Hagen and Viking River Cruises Chef Josef Fleissner as they make a traditional Russian dessert.

Around the Christmas season, public houses in nearly every European town offer mulled wine as a delicious antidote to the season's chill. To warm up on a stormy evening or put yourself in a celebratory mood, try making your own Glühwein at home.