NEUR

Wild, rugged and undeniably beautiful, the Shetland Islands capital of Lerwick is an unspoiled destination as rewarding as it is remote. More than 5,000 years of island history are on display at the Shetland Museum, and 17th-century Fort Charlotte offers an excellent bird’s-eye view of the town. The Shetlands typically catch more fish than the entirety of England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined, making this industry the heartbeat of Lerwick. Be sure to try some fresh cod, haddock or mackerel at a local eatery, and roasted lamb and mutton soup are popular dishes as well.

Kirkwall is the largest town on the Orkney Islands, a Scottish archipelago inhabited for more than 5,000 years. Dominating the skyline, 12th-century St. Magnus Cathedral is a magnificent red-brick structure with a tower that provides phenomenal views of the harbor, and nearby you’ll find ruins of the 12th-century Bishop’s Palace and 17th-century Earl’s Palace. The Orkney Museum offers a fascinating look at the islands’ millennia of history, from the Stone Age to modern times, while prehistoric remnants of the past still stand in place today at the nearby settlement of Skara Brae.

With a population of just under 12,000 Welsh souls, Holyhead is the largest town on the island of Anglesey. This unassuming seaside town has a number of interesting attractions, including a maritime museum and a 4th-century Roman fort, and is known for its excellent fishing, golfing and sailing. An invigorating hike to the South Stack Lighthouse is rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Welsh coastline and across the Irish Sea.

Founded as a Viking trading post, Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city and was the country’s capital until 1217. A cyclist’s paradise, the city center is covered with dedicated bike lanes and is quite walkable as well. Museumgoers can choose from numerous options within a one-mile radius, with topics ranging from pop music to criminal justice, and one of the finest examples of Norwegian architecture is the palatial royal residence of Stiftsgården. Some of the city’s best cafés and restaurants can be found among the cobbled streets of the hip neighborhood of Bakklandet.

Docking in Sandnes puts you just minutes from the heart of Stavanger, a city that traces its roots to the 12th century as one of the oldest communities in Norway. With one of the few urban centers in the region not destroyed by fires or World War II, Stavanger has retained a wealth of historic treasures to explore. With its plentiful music venues, international festivals and museums featuring everything from Vikings to sardines, the city is also a vibrant cultural hub.

Spread across four scenic islands, Kristiansund is known for its picturesque seascapes and rich maritime history. Named Norway’s Engineering Feat of the Century, the Atlantic Ocean Road emerges from an undersea tunnel here to weave dramatically over undulating bridges and across tiny islets for one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Lookout points along the way let you stop at coastal pathways for views of the surrounding mountains and fjords.

Visitors come to the tiny village of Geiranger for one singular purpose: to explore the breathtaking fjords. A UNESCO World Heritage site, narrow Geirangerfjord is surrounded by steep cliffs and roaring waterfalls that plunge straight into the clear blue waters below in a dramatic theater of nature. A few abandoned sheep farms are the only mark that human hands have left on this rugged landscape. The Geiranger Skywalk offers spectacular views from the Dalsnibba mountain, and the hairpin bends of winding Eagle Road present an equally glorious perspective.

Surrounded by a ring of hills known as the Seven Mountains, Bergen’s idyllic setting and stunning natural harbor have cemented its reputation as one of Norway’s most beloved destinations. The Bergen Cable Car and Fløibanen Funicular are great ways to admire the area’s natural beauty, as is a boat trip along the phenomenal fjords. For breathtaking views of the city itself, climb to the top of Rosenkrantz Tower, regarded as one of the most important Renaissance monuments in Norway.

Surrounded by fjords and the high peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, Ålesund is famous for its unique art nouveau architecture, constructed when the city was rebuilt following a fire in 1904. This combination of natural splendor and rich heritage have solidified Ålesund’s place as a memorable Nordic destination. With its fairytale towers, turrets and gables, the picture-perfect heart of Ålesund begs to be explored on foot. A good place to start is Jugendstilsenteret, a museum celebrating art nouveau design with its interiors, displays and interactive exhibits.

A melting pot of cultures, Latvia’s capital of Riga is a delight to explore. A glance up from the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town reveals the finest collection of art nouveau architecture in all of Europe. Riga Cathedral’s grand exterior dominates the cityscape in this area, and one of the world’s largest pipe organs stands inside.