The white chalk cliffs of Dover face France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, a vulnerable position protected since the Middle Ages by Dover Castle. As recently as WWII its secret tunnels have been used as air raid shelters, a hospital, and military command center, and make for a fascinating visit. In a more contemplative vein are the charms of nearby Canterbury, its stunning cathedral the oldest in England. Famed as the setting of the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, and the destination of those fictional pilgrims with their ribald tales created by Geoffrey Chaucer, it is steeped in tradition, but is also a modern and vibrant city.

Amsterdam has a personality all its own, including a long time reputation for tolerance. You'll be thinking of tulips and wooden shoes, perhaps Heineken beer, and some of the city's past inhabitants: Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Anne Frank, who wrote her famous diary hidden in a canal-side house. But do you know that Amsterdam has more canals than Venice (connecting a jigsaw puzzle of 90 islands), joined by some 1280 bridges (many illuminated by fairy lights at night)? Or that it boasts the oldest stock exchange in the world?

Rosendal is the administrative centre of the municipality of Kvinnherad in Vestland county, Norway. The village is located on the southern shore of the Hardangerfjorden, about 4 kilometres north of the

The village of Olden sits peacefully at the edge of the colossal Jostedal Glacier. This is Europe's largest ice floe, covering 188 square miles, and 2000 feet at its thickest. But it’s not the only glacier in this park. If you are feeling energetic, consider a journey to the frozen cascade of the million-year-old Briksdal Glacier, hiking the last portion across a wooden bridge over a waterfall, through a bewitching mountain valley, right up to the glacier’s face. Alternatively, opt for a relaxing journey by boat on an emerald green lake framed by ancient mountains.

Alesund's architecture is known far and wide. Turrets, spires, and other whimsical Art Nouveau architectural touches give the town its distinctive character like something from a fairytale. The scenic spectacle of the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway's best-known attractions, is just a stone's throw from this quaint little town.

The scenery of the Lofoten archipelago is among the most dramatic in Norway, its spectacular glacial rock formations always visible, looming large behind beaches and green fields. Here, 200 km (124 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, the landscape is wild and life is simple, the coast ringed with fishing hamlets and picturesque cabins on stilts that have attracted artists for centuries. Birdlife is abundant, with large colonies of co-habiting species nesting on towering cliffs. Six miles offshore the continental shelf drops away to depths of 3,000 feet, and massive sperm whales can be spotted feeding in the deep, nutrient-rich waters.

Sometimes the biggest adventures come in small voyages. A narrow two-kilometer strip of the Raftsundet Strait just 3,724 feet wide, Trollfjord is a breathtaking passage through the best of the Arctic Circle. Nestled between the Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Archipelago, go where the bigger ships leave off to discover Norway’s towering Arctic fjords with Azamara. The site of the largest sea eagle population in the world, listen to the call of these majestic kings of flight while keeping your eyes peeled for puffins clinging to cliffs and the other seabirds that call these steep mountainsides home. In the water below, otters and seals play in surf teeming with fish and the occasional porpoise or whale.

Far north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is surrounded by a dramatic landscape of snow-capped peaks, scattered islands, and fjords, a scene best observed by taking the cable car up Storsteinen Mountain. In town the striking Arctic Cathedral mirrors the setting in glass and concrete, its triangular façade representative of an iceberg pointing to the sky. This part of the country is home to the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people, with their own language, culture, and traditional pursuits of fishing, hunting, and reindeer herding. Stop in at the Wilderness Center to say hello to Tove and Tore, their children, and more than 100 Alaskan huskies.

Honningsvag, population 4000, is the last village before the North Cape. The Midnight Sun shines here unceasingly from mid-May to the end of July, during which time the hamlet’s numbers swell, as the Sami people and their reindeer herds settle on the outskirts of town. No one lives permanently at the North Cape itself, but many come to visit this majestic cliff, rising over 1000 feet above the sea, providing a lookout over a limitless panorama stretching silently to the North Pole. Ingeniously concealed inside the cliff is North Cape Hall, where you can ponder the vastness in comfort.

There’s nothing like the land above the Arctic Circle—and Alta is a always stunning. Tucked into the Altafjord, it enjoys a warmer, drier climate than other ports in Northern Norway. Rugged landscapes roll down to meet the calm waters of the sheltered harbor, and local Sami culture thrives in one of the world’s most northerly cities. Inspired by the aurora borealis that illuminate Alta in winter, visit the Northern Lights Cathedral and marvel at its steel sheet design that captures the essence of this natural phenomenon. Inside, tour enchanting illuminated artwork and visit interactive exhibits to learn more about the Northern Lights.

Quaint, primary-colored houses and church steeples peek out from a treed hillside surrounding deep blue Atlantic waters, welcoming you to this beautiful Nordic port. Named after the old farm for which the city was built on, Harstad is more popularly known to locals as “The Pearl of Vågsfjorden.” The land of the midnight sun, Norway experiences a full 24 hours of daylight during the summer months between May and July. The most darkness you might experience is when the sun dips just below the horizon, so take advantage of this phenomena by exploring the edge of the Arctic Circle to the fullest.

Adventure is endless in a land where the sun barely sets in the summer months. Just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø is one of Norway’s fastest growing cities, full of urban excitement while remaining deeply connected to its rich natural surroundings. It’s home to a diverse community of artists all keen to capture such amazing seaside splendor, a lively music scene, and ample shopping opportunities.

A city founded over 1,000 years ago is certain to be rich in history and culture. Now the country’s third largest municipality, it’s been Norway’s capital city, a site of countless coronations, and an important pilgrimage for worshipers of the Christian faith. Today, Trondheim is a vibrant, youthful city that embraces the simplicity of Scandinavian life. But don’t let this laid back lifestyle fool you— there is so much to discover beneath Trondheim’s calm exterior.

Settled around 400 AD and formally founded by King Christian IV in 1641, Kristiansand is now a major port, and offers plenty of beaches, salmon fishing and sailing. Sample local brew and feast on the freshest seafood at the very picturesque and inviting “Fiskebrygga” fish market. Kristiansand Dyreparken Zoo is known as the “Living Park” and is home to Scandinavian animals and a replicated natural African savanna. Visit the ironically peaceful Kristiansand Cannon Museum at Møvik Fort. Built by the German Navy between 1941 and 1944, it is one of the biggest cannons ever and the only remaining 380mm Krupp gun in the world. Tour the rotunda of the Christiansholm Fortress or venture beyond the city to the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a flat mountain plateau that towers an impressive 604 meters over the fjord, Lysefjord.

Arendal is a city in Agder county, Norway. The city is the administrative centre of the municipality of Arendal and the seat of the County Governor of Agder. The city also includes a small area in the neighboring municipality of Grimstad as well.

This seaside town is one of Denmark’s main fishing ports, a cute little get-away destination with lovely beaches. In the late 19th century the wild landscape and quality of light drew the attention of artists, who came to paint and take a break from the city. They became quite famous as the Skagen School, and some of their work is featured in the local art museum. Each July the town hosts a major folk festival, with performances by bands from around the world – folk, folk rock, jazz, ballads, blues, and perhaps some never before heard new variations on the theme.

Copenhagen is known as a city of spires: the skyline of its medieval core is punctuated only by the steeples of churches and towers of palaces, though a modern building boom has overtaken other parts of the city. Today's Copenhagen is known for its excellent quality of life and environmental consciousness - with many parks, it is green both literally and in today's sense of the word. It is also bicycle-friendly, with bike paths lining almost every major street. After a ride or wander through the old town, stop for a local repast of Smørrebrød, traditional open-face sandwiches, or a mouthwatering Danish pastry.

Warnemunde is a seaside resort neighboring the red brick 800-year-old Hanseatic city of Rostock. From here it is possible to spend the day in Berlin, capital city of a reunited Germany.

The island of Bornholm is a far-flung bit of Denmark that appears to have gotten lost in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Poland. It boasts numerous picturesque fishing villages and 15 medieval churches, some of which are 12th century round structures with unique artwork and architecture. Take a stroll down quiet cobbled lanes in the old part of the capital, Ronne, a garden town, where backyard plots produce flowers and fruit, though they may not be easy to spot behind the fine half-timbered houses. Wednesday is market day on the main square of St. Tory, a great opportunity to chat up the locals, and see what’s on offer at their stalls.

Gdańsk is a 1,000-year-old port city on the Baltic coast of Poland, which, together with the city of Gdynia and the town of Sopot, makes up the metropolitan area Trójmiasto, “the Tricity”. Home to the Westerplatte, where World War II broke out in 1939, Gdańsk was mostly destroyed during the war, but there are still many impressive sights. Wander through cobblestone streets and mazes of red-brick buildings to discover the Upland Gate, St. Mary’s Church, the medieval Gdańsk Crane or the stunning façade of the Great Arsenal. Explore treasures of “Baltic Gold” at the Amber Museum or collections of paintings, fabrics, and furniture at the National Museum, housed in a former Franciscan monastery. Relax at a beer garden or restaurant and take in the beautiful coastline. Make your way to Gdynia, home of the Polish navy, to feast on seafood or a visit to a floating museum in the form of two ships—Dar Pomorza and Blyskawica.

Walk the cobblestoned Old Town in Klaipėda and you’ll see its German heritage in the half-timbered architecture, beginning at Theatre Square where Hitler once spoke. The old warehouses by the Dane River are now pubs and restaurants - try a traditional Lithuanian lunch of fish stew with warm black bread. There’s a museum in the remnants of Memelburg Castle with fascinating photos from WWII, the Blacksmith Museum with intriguing iron works, and the Clock Museum with, well, clocks.

Riga’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, its winding, wobbly lanes are beautiful to wander through. But the most outstanding are the avenues of art nouveau buildings some, with their adornments of femmes fatales and fiendish gargoyles, are so amazing you can’t pass without stopping.

Despite occupation at one time or another by each of its near neighbors, Tallinn is independent-minded and has creative ways of showing it - consider the Singing Revolution of 1988, the massive musical demonstration against Soviet rule that set Estonia on the path to independence. Visit St Olav's Church, once the tallest building in the world, at least until 1625. Then pull up a chair at one of the cafés in the charming town square, heart of the city for 800 years. After your coffee, explore St. Catherine's Passage, a quaint old lane, home to a collection of craft workshops, and check out the secret 17th C. tunnel system.

Helsinki is a successful blend of traditional and modern architecture and design, interwoven with the beauty of nature, and a few quirky, purely Finnish touches - such as a church built inside a giant chunk of granite, and a venue that is a unique combination of café, restaurant, bar, laundromat, and sauna. Classic Russian onion-domed churches share the stage with Nordic minimalism, and a large concentration of Art Nouveau buildings. Prominent globally in the fields of technology (think Nokia) and design (Marimekko and Aero), Finland has also recently topped the charts as having the world's best educational system.

Lively, cosmopolitan Stockholm sports an appealing mix of modern Scandinavian architecture and fairy tale palaces, watched over by a Board of Beauty, responsible for preserving the city. One third of its area is devoted to green space, and another third to waterways, providing lots of room to breathe. Gamla Stan is the oldest section, retaining the medieval layout of narrow meandering paths. For the contemporary take there's Sodermalm, known trendily as SoFo, with welcoming restaurants and pubs, specialty shops and boutiques. Stieg Larson fans hang out here, as it is the area of the city where most action in the Millennium novels takes place.

Lively, cosmopolitan Stockholm sports an appealing mix of modern Scandinavian architecture and fairy tale palaces, watched over by a Board of Beauty, responsible for preserving the city. One third of its area is devoted to green space, and another third to waterways, providing lots of room to breathe. Gamla Stan is the oldest section, retaining the medieval layout of narrow meandering paths. For the contemporary take there's Sodermalm, known trendily as SoFo, with welcoming restaurants and pubs, specialty shops and boutiques. Stieg Larson fans hang out here, as it is the area of the city where most action in the Millennium novels takes place.