From music and museums to forest explorations to charming neighborhoods, Norway’s capital Oslo contains a dynamic array. The city is filled with cutting- edge architecture and is easy to navigate by foot or bike, perfect for intimate explorations. Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, is simultaneously cosmopolitan and quaint with a horizon of colorful houses, the kaleidoscopic Harpa Concert Hall and Perlan, originally a group of hot water tanks converted to an exhibition, planetarium, restaurant and observation deck. Travel out to the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing geothermal spa experience. The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is considered among the greatest planned cities of northern Europe. Enjoy its delightful neighborhoods on bike, finding hidden corners, such as the cozy terraces of Oud West.

Stop by Dokkan Brugghús in Ísafjörður and sample local beers crafted with naturally filtered spring water from the nearby mountains. The glacial rivers of Sauðárkrókur contrast beautifully with its village center, a small collection of traditional buildings. Watch for whales in Húsavík, known worldwide as the Whale Capital of Iceland. Seek out the remote, riverside swimming pool Selárdalslaug of Vopnafjörður, gateway to the Blue Mountains. Although remote and small, the village of Djúpivogur is still lively with cafés, restaurants and shops. Rich folklore abounds in Akureyri, put on full display during its festivals year-round. The picturesque village of Seyðisfjörður contains stunning scenes of waterfalls, rivers and well-preserved, wooden buildings.

As a gateway to Norse ruins and having played a role in World War II, Narsarsuaq holds a rich history. Within the popular Disko Bay sits Ilulissat and its UNESCO-listed Icefjord, pure white, monolithic icebergs surrounding colorful houses. Surrounded by a UNESCO-listed hinterland and the second- largest ice shelf in the world, Kangerlussuaq is filled with breathtaking landscapes of glaciers, crevasses and blue meltwater lakes. North of the Arctic Circle lies Itilleq, gateway to Igaliku, Greenland’s oldest sheep-farming settlement, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of the Arctic Circle Trail sits Sisimiut, just outside the UNESCO-listed Aasivissuit – Nipisat cultural area, home to Inuit hunting grounds.

From the top of Mount Floyen, capture scenes of Bergen’s famous UNESCO- listed Hanseatic wharf, Bryggen. You’ll also find that it’s a city for foodies, with a commitment to organic and sustainable food that’s earned it the additional UNESCO designation of City of Gastronomy. Flåm leads you to Gudvangen, a hamlet at the tip of Nærøyfjord, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rated by the National Geographic Society as the world’s number one natural heritage site. Olden, a quaint village located between steep mountains and roaring waterfalls, offers explorations of the famous Jostedalsbreen Glacier, which you may get a bird’s-eye view of on a helicopter flightseeing excursion.