Nordic Wonders & European Charms

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

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. Read more about Isafjordur, Iceland

The town of Akureyri with its population of 17,000 is the administrative, transportation, and commercial centre of North Iceland. It is situated at the head of the 60 km long Eyjafjordur fjord, the longest and one of the most breathtaking fjords in Iceland. At first sight it appears as though it was transplanted from the Swiss Alps, as behind the city are beautiful farmlands that rise gently to year-round snow-capped granite mountains that provide the best skiing in Iceland. Read more about Akureyri, Iceland

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. 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. Read more about Lerwick, Great Britain

Nordfjord is a fjord and a traditional district in western Norway. It is one of the well-known fjords on the west coast of Norway, 106 km long, with off-branching smaller fjords. Peaks along the shore reach 1000 m, to 1700 m at the end of the fjord. Read more about Nordfjord, Norway

Bergen, the second largest city in Norway, is located in the county of Hordaland on the SW coast of Norway. Surrounded by seven mountains, Bergen is the starting point for fjord tours and cruises as it is located midway between the main Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord. The city was one of nine European cities honoured with the title of European Capital of Culture in the Millennium year. Read more about Bergen, Norway

Ulvik is a village in the county of Hordaland, Norway. It lies on a small branch of the Harfdangerfjord, the second longest in Norway. The surrounding municipality stretches from the Hardanger Fjord to 1,800 m above sea level. Read more about Ulvik, Norway

Haugesund is a small municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway. The port lies near the entrance to Hardangerfjord, and faces the North Sea. The town is situated on a strategically important sound, the Karmsundet, through which ships pass protected from heavy seas. Read more about Haugesund, Norway

Arendal is a small coastal town in southern Norway, situated on the north shore of Skagerrak (Skagen Channel), the entrance linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Across the channel to the east is Sweden, and to the south is the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. Ships approach Arendal through a 5 km sound guided by the landmark twin lighthouses Lille Torungen and Store Torungen. Read more about Arendal, Norway

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. Read more about Oslo, Norway

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. Read more about Oslo, 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. Read more about Skagen, Denmark

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

The port city of Zeebrugge is a harbour town at the western end of the Belgian coast and a subdivision of the city of Bruges - one of the best preserved cities in Europe - for which it is the modern port. The new port has reinvigorated the city as an art and tourist centre for northern Europe. Upon visiting Bruges you will immediately notice that this city has always carefully cherished its architectural and artistic treasures from the past, but what makes Bruges so unique though is the way it deals with this past today. Read more about Zeebrugge, Belgium

Southampton, UK, is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England, and is widely recognised as the capital of the country’s cruise industry. Each year more and more cruise liners take advantage of its superb cruise terminals. It is, of course, a gateway to Europe’s largest city, the enormous cosmopolitan city of London, with all the cultural and gastronomic attractions you'd expect from a world capital. Read more about Southampton, Great Britain

Cork is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork, situated in the SW of Ireland. County Cork has earned the nickname of ‘the Rebel County’, while Corkonians often refer to the city as the ‘real capital of Ireland’ and themselves as the ‘Rebels’. It began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee, and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side. Read more about Cork, Ireland

Bantry Bay is located in County Cork in Ireland. From the far SW of Ireland, the elongated inlet reaches 35km to the NE. Bantry and the Harbour are about 30km inside the entrance. Read more about Bantry Bay, Ireland

Dingle is a town in County Kerry, Ireland, situated on the Dingle Peninsula facing the Atlantic coast, the westernmost part of Ireland and arguably Europe. The town of 2000 is supported by tourism, fishing and agriculture. It lies in one of the primarily Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) regions of Ireland: that is, the Irish language is predominantly spoken in the home. Read more about Dingle, Ireland

Galway, a city in County Galway of the Republic of Ireland, is the fastest-growing city in Ireland. Located as the most central port on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. The city also bears the nickname City of the Tribes, after the fourteen merchant families that led the city during the Middle Ages. Read more about Galway, Ireland

Killybegs is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. It boasts Ireland's finest natural deepwater harbour, is Ireland’s largest fishing port, and is a bustling town with plenty to offer the visitor. The town is situated at the head of a scenic harbour filled with trawlers, and at the base of a vast mountainous tract extending northward. Read more about Killybegs, Ireland

Londonderry Port at Lisahally is in Derry, Northern Ireland, located 11 km from Londonderry centre. It is the United Kingdom’s most westerly port and has a capacity for 30,000 ton vessels including cruise ships. It is situated on the east bank of the River Foyle at the southern end of Lough Foyle near the village of Strathfoyle. Read more about Londonderry, Great Britain

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, and is currently experiencing a successful tourist boom. One of the most visited cities in the UK, Belfast has plenty of attractions and is a good base from which to visit virtually anywhere else in the North. In the city centre concentrate on the glories resulting from the Industrial Revolution – grandiose architecture and magnificent Victorian pubs – and the rejuvenated area from Ann Street to Donegall Street now known as the Cathedral quarter. Read more about Belfast, Great Britain

Liverpool lies along the Mersey Estuary in England, UK. Not only is it extremely well known for the Beatles and other groups from the Merseybeat era, it is also home to the oldest Black African and Chinese communities in Europe. In addition, several areas of the city have been granted World Heritage Site status. Read more about Liverpool, Great Britain

This capital and largest city of Ireland is situated on the mid-east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin has more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital city, with 97% of city residents living within 300 meters of a park area. But Dublin’s greatest draw remains Dubliners themselves, both native-born and blown in. Read more about Dublin, Ireland

Fishguard, one of the twin towns at the heart of North Pembroke shire, is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty that blends the allure of sea, towering cliffs, the Preseli Hills, ancient standing stones and delightfully mysterious valleys such as Cwm Gwaun. Ideally situated for gentle and challenging walks take the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, surrounded by Britain’s only Coastal National Park. You’ll find family owned shops and businesses as well as Galleries, Gift and Antique shops – and plenty of quality or budget cafés, pubs and restaurants – all offering a warm Welsh welcome. Read more about Fishguard, Great Britain

Portland Harbour, dating back for thousands of years, is located beside the Isle of Portland off Dorset on the south coast of England. It is home to one of the largest man-made harbours in the world. Today the harbour is a popular location for wind surfing, diving and sailing, and it hosted most sailing events in the 2012 Olympic Games. Read more about Portland, Great Britain

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands