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. Read more about Reykjavik, Iceland

Tasiilaq (meaning “the place with a lake”, and known as Ammassalik until 1997) is a town (population 2,000) in SE Greenland, just 106 km below the Arctic Circle, and 760 km due west of Reykjavik in Iceland. It lies on the southeastern coast of Ammassalik Island, lying tightly against the mainland. The research station Sermilik is located 15 km northwest of Tasiilaq on the west coast of the island. Read more about Tasiilag, Greenland

Nansen Harbor lies on the coast of East Greenland, 785 km to the WSW of Iceland, and 260 km south of the Arctic Circle. It lies inside Umivik Bay. Upernattivik Island (Upernarsuak) lies in the middle of the inner part of the bay. Read more about Nansen Harbor, Greenland

Ittoqqortoormiit (“Big-House Dwellers”) is a settlement of around 450 (and declining) at the mouth of Scoresby Sund (Kangertittivaq fjord) in east Greenland. It lies 440 km due north of Iceland. The location had been settled in earlier times by Inuit, evidenced by ruins and other archaeological remains. Read more about Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Longyearbyen lies on the river Longyearelva on the Norwegian Island of Spitsbergen high in the Arctic. It is the world’s northern-most town, as all settlements further north are research or meteorological outposts. The modern town, fringed by abandoned mining detritus, enjoys a superb backdrop including two glacier tongues, Longyearbreen and Lars Hjertabreen. Read more about Longyearbyen, Norway