Mystic Lights & Fjords

Reykjavik, the capital and largest city of Iceland, is the gateway to Iceland's stunning natural wonders, which range from ice fields to boiling thermal pools. The landscape on the island seems to be in a continual process of transformation much like its society, which blends Nordic tradition with sophisticated technology. On the waterfront see the open-air history of shipping disasters. In town walk past parliament building, city hall, Tjörnin pond, Höfði House(where Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1986 to end the Cold War), Hallgrímskirkja (the largest church in Iceland), and Laugavegur (the main shopping street) Read more about Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital of the Westfjords of Iceland is Isafjordur. The landscape is majestic, with fjord after fjord towering above shore and sea, but each and every fjord has its own distinctive character. Tiny fishing villages nestle at their foot. On arrival take a stroll through the streets of the town. Read more about Isafjordur, Iceland

Paamiut is a town in SW Greenland located on the coast of the Labrador Sea. The town’s name means "the people who live at the mouth”, a reference to its location at the mouth of the Kuannersooq Fjord. Paamiut naturally attracts travellers who want to go off the beaten path and gain a different perspective. Founded in 1742, it now has about 1,500 residents, and is renowned as an especially good place to spot white-tailed eagles. Read more about Paamiut, Greenland

Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland, as well as being the northernmost capital in the world, though 2 degrees south of the Arctic Circle. It’s a place where the old and the new are united in a unique and dynamic way. The missionary Hans Egede founded Nuuk in 1728 as the very first town in Greenland. The natural beauty and wildlife surrounding Nuuk is breath-taking and includes magnificent geology, whales playing in the fjord, reindeer on land, bird watching and much more. Read more about Nuuk, Greenland

Qaqortoq is a town in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. It is the most populous town in the region and the fourth largest town in the country. The oldest standing building of Qaqortoq is a black-tarred log building from 1797. The building was designed by royal Danish architect Kirkerup, pre-assembled in Denmark, shipped in pieces to Qaqortoq, and then reassembled. Read more about Qaqortoq, Greenland

The Faroe Islands lie NW of Scotland midway between Iceland and Norway. They constitute a self-governing island territory of Denmark with a language and culture of their own. Due to their volcanic origin, the 18 islands are rugged and rocky. People visit the Faroe Islands for its incredible nature, scenery, and its bountiful bird life. Read more about Faroe Islands, Denmark

Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 160 km off the north coast of mainland Great Britain. Open to shipping in all weathers, it operates around-the-clock. Lerwick has strong ties with Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, and this is reflected in the street names of the port. Behind the old harbour is the compact town centre made up of one long main street, Commercial Street. Read more about Lerwick, Great Britain

Stavanger, a city on the SW coast of Norway, grew to become among the most influential Norwegian cities in the late 1900s when oil was discovered in the North Sea. Today a vibrant city, but still with its small town appeal, the picturesque harbour with the quiet streets of the old town climbing up from the water’s edge, is the centre from which the city radiates across a network of islands interlaced with graceful bridges. The area is very popular for hiking, so if time permits visit the Pulpit Rock - a massive rock that overhangs the fjord at a height of 604 metres. Read more about Stavanger, Norway

Skagen - aka The Skaw - is a projection of land and a town on the northernmost tip of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark. The area is extremely picturesque, and distinguished by its low, yellow houses with red tile roofs nestled into the beach areas. The impressive and wild landscape was largely formed by a severe process of desertification and migrating sands that hit the area in the 18th and 19th centuries. The area is a popular tourist destination visited by many people each year. Read more about Skagen, Denmark

Oslo, the capital and most populous city in Norway, lies between the Oslo Fjord and the green hills of Oslomarka. The combination of city life and easy access to outdoor activities makes Oslo a unique destination. Oslo is built in a horseshoe shape on the shores of the Oslofjord and limited in most directions by hills and forests. Subsequently there are a number of delightful recreation areas, such as the Toyen area that includes the Botanical Gardens and a museum. Read more about Oslo, Norway

Kristiansand is the southernmost city in Norway and lies where the rivers Otra and Tovdalselva enter into Skagerak. It is an interesting city retaining many of the 17th century buildings from its founding days by King Christian IV. The city is home to some of the best beaches - such as Hamresanden Beach located just 10 minutes from the city centre - in Norway. Kristiansand is also renowned for its cultural events, such as the numerous festivals held throughout the year, which include the Bragdoya Blues Festival in June, the Dark Season Festival in October, and the International Children’s Film Festival in April. Read more about Kristiansand, Norway

Kristiansand is the southernmost city in Norway and lies where the rivers Otra and Tovdalselva enter into Skagerak. It is an interesting city retaining many of the 17th century buildings from its founding days by King Christian IV. The city is home to some of the best beaches - such as Hamresanden Beach located just 10 minutes from the city centre - in Norway. Kristiansand is also renowned for its cultural events, such as the numerous festivals held throughout the year, which include the Bragdoya Blues Festival in June, the Dark Season Festival in October, and the International Children’s Film Festival in April. Read more about Kristiansand, Norway

The construction of the large liquefied natural gas site on Melkoya Island just off Hammerfest, which processes natural gas from Snohvit, is the most expensive construction project in the history of Northern Norway. This project has resulted in an economic boom and new optimism for Hammerfest in recent years. Hammerfest offers both sea and freshwater fishing, as well as scuba diving. This tiny town was a nexus for travellers and traders in the far north and a meeting point for traders coming west from the Arctic Ocean and Russia. Read more about Hammerfest, Norway

Honningsvåg, Norway, lies deep within the Arctic Circle at 71 deg.N. latitude, on the island Magerøya. Twenty-two km north of Honningsvåg is North Cape, the northernmost part of mainland Europe. Magerøya connects to the mainland via the 6.87km North Cape Tunnel. Read more about Honningsvag, Norway

Murmansk is a port that remains ice-free year round, located in the extreme NW of Russia, not far from its borders with Norway and Finland. It is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle. You won’t miss the massive 35.5 m statue Alyosha, depicting a Russian WWII soldier, on a 7 m foundation overlooking the city harbour. You must also visit the snow-white church of the Saviour-on-the-Waters, built to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the city's founding, as well as the world’s northernmost Jewish synagogue. Read more about Murmansk, Russian Federation

Arkhangelsk (Archangel) lies on both banks of the Northern Dvina River near its delta, with its numerous islands and exit into the White Sea, in the far north of European Russia. To reach this port explorer ships pass the North Cape of Norway, usually call at Murmansk, then drop below the Arctic Circle to Arkhangelsk. The city is a major seaport open year-round due to improvements in icebreakers. Some of the city's extant landmarks are the fort-like Merchant Yards (1668–84), the New Dvina Fortress (1701–05), the Gostiny Dvor that is the oldest surviving building in Arkhangelsk, and the Assumption Church on the Dvina embankment (1742–44) that was rebuilt in 2004. Read more about Arkangelsk (Archangel), Russian Federation

Tromsoe, the home of the famous Northern Lights, is situated a mere 2000 km from the North Pole, on the same latitude as Northern Siberia and Alaska. Most visitors are surprised by the prominence and sophistication of this fascinating port. On offer are high-quality theatre, arts and music, which contrast with the boundless and vast wilderness surrounding the city. The city centre contains the largest number of wooden houses in northern Norway as well as the oldest house. Read more about Tromsoe, Norway

Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. It lies within the Arctic Circle and is well known for its exceptional natural beauty. The islands are separated from the mainland by the vast open Vestfjord and are notable for their mountains and peaks, which although not very high, the fact that they rise straight from the sea makes them spectacular and extraordinary. Then there are the sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas. Read more about Lofoten Islands, Norway

The Faroe Islands lie NW of Scotland midway between Iceland and Norway. They constitute a self-governing island territory of Denmark with a language and culture of their own. Due to their volcanic origin, the 18 islands are rugged and rocky. People visit the Faroe Islands for its incredible nature, scenery, and its bountiful bird life. Read more about Faroe Islands, Denmark

The Orkney Islands, an archipelago of more than 70 islands, graced with temperate weather warmed by the Gulf Stream, feature some of the most dramatic coastal scenery. There are sea cliffs, some over 300m, descending to sooth white-sand beaches. Yet even more fascinating are the more than 1,000 prehistoric sites that have been found here. Amazingly, they constitute the greatest concentration of these sites in all of Europe. Read more about Orkney Islands, Great Britain

Scotland's showcase capital of Edinburgh has a magnificent geographical location, perched on a series of extinct volcanos and rocky crags above the flatlands. The setting is wonderfully striking, as the modern city is often said to be built on seven hills. Both a historic and modern city, this metropolis is home to the largest arts festival in the world. Situated atop a volcanic crag, the famous Edinburgh Castle has an undeniably imposing presence, dominating the cityscape. Read more about Edinburgh, Great Britain

The great waterfront city of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island on the southern coast of England. It is the UK's only island city. Fast becoming Britain’s favourite waterfront destination, it has an irresistible mix of history and heritage, shopping, lively arts as well as great restaurants and bars. A significant naval port for centuries, Portsmouth is home to the world's oldest dry dock still in use. Read more about Portsmouth, Great Britain