Baltic Jewels & The Midnight Sun

Greenwich Pier on the River Thames in the London borough of Greenwich, UK, is upstream from the London Barrage, and downstream from the heart of London. The name says you are within walking distance of the historic Royal Observatory, Greenwich (now a museum), marking zero degrees longitude, where you can be photographed with one foot in the Eastern hemisphere and one foot in the Western hemisphere. View historic astronomic and navigational tools vital to Britain’s ships since 1675, railways since 1847, and the Prime Meridian since 1884. Read more about Greenwich, Great Britain

Greenwich Pier on the River Thames in the London borough of Greenwich, UK, is upstream from the London Barrage, and downstream from the heart of London. The name says you are within walking distance of the historic Royal Observatory, Greenwich (now a museum), marking zero degrees longitude, where you can be photographed with one foot in the Eastern hemisphere and one foot in the Western hemisphere. View historic astronomic and navigational tools vital to Britain’s ships since 1675, railways since 1847, and the Prime Meridian since 1884. Read more about Greenwich, 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. Read more about Edinburgh, Great Britain

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. Read more about Orkney Islands, Great Britain

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

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. Read more about Honningsvag, Norway

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. Read more about Tromsoe, Norway

Bodø, located about 80km north of the Arctic Circle, is the largest city in Nordland county, and the second largest in North Norway. It has a population of 50,000. The city was completely rebuilt after its destruction during WWII, with the completion of the Town Hall in 1959. Read more about Bodo, Norway

Geiranger is a little village tucked in a hollow surrounded by the towering craggy rock walls that rise almost straight out of the water of the Geirangerfjord, which is one of the most majestic sights in all of Norway. From here visitors take a spectacular bus tour to Mt. Dalsnibba. Read more about Geiranger, 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

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

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

Eidfjord, a municipality in the county of Hordaland in Norway, has two townships: Eidfjord that is the ‘City Centre’ as well as the major cruise harbour, and Ovre Eidfjord. Eidfjord offers visitors two options, either the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery - the fjord landscapes are luxuriant with green mountain sides and white mountain tops - or to actively explore the hiking trails that surround Eidfjord. Most visit the impressive Sima Power Plant that is built into the mountain itself, while many also travel or hike to the ‘historical’ mountain farm Kjeasen. Read more about Eidfjord, Norway

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

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

Aalborg is located in the north of Jutland, Denmark. The local tourist board calls it the "little Paris of the North". Although this may seem a bit far-fetched, the location by the Limfjord is truly superb, and the town is well worth a visit. Read more about Aalborg, Denmark

Copenhagen, situated on two islands, is the capital and largest city in Denmark. It is perhaps best known for being the final resting place of the famous author Hans Christian Andersen, and also being one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities. It has a very high quality of life. Read more about Copenhagen, Denmark

Passengers on ships visiting Berlin typically dock at the north eastern port of Warnemunde and go directly to the capital of Germany that is just a three hour train or coach ride away. Berlin, completely devastated in WW11, has amazingly seen the reconstruction of its sixteenth-century core that exists in the Nikolaiviertel, while nearby stand many rebuilt 19th C buildings from the time of the Second Reich. Little from the Third Reich has been rebuilt, except for the 1936 Olympic Stadium. Read more about Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany

The Danish town of Rønne, the largest on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, is home to 15 medieval churches - four of which are Round Churches - that display unique artwork and architecture. In the colourful Old Quarter with its cobbled streets one finds some notable examples of 19th and early 20th century architecture that include half-timbered houses and interesting museums. Ronne is also well known for its arts and crafts, especially the delightful clay pottery and glass souvenirs made on site. Read more about Ronne, Denmark

Gdansk lies on the southern edge of Gdansk Bay on the Baltic coast, and is Poland’s principal seaport. From a trading base for the once-mighty Teutonic Knights to the birthplace of modern Poland, the city drips history. Today Gdansk, with its painstakingly reconstructed and very charming Old Town, is perfectly located at the heart of the coast, and is the showpiece of Poland's north. Read more about Gdansk, Poland

Read more about Mariehamn, Finland

The city of Stockholm in Sweden spreads across 14 islands as it faces proudly out to the Baltic Sea. Its history stretches over seven centuries, and it is Sweden's centre of art and culture. It is also famous for being the home of the Nobel Prizes. Read more about Stockholm, Sweden

The city of Stockholm in Sweden spreads across 14 islands as it faces proudly out to the Baltic Sea. Its history stretches over seven centuries, and it is Sweden's centre of art and culture. It is also famous for being the home of the Nobel Prizes. Read more about Stockholm, Sweden