Amsterdam, Holland  
In Amsterdam, cruise the canals in a glass-top boat to view 16th-century merchant houses, and charming churches with bell towers. View the harbor and rows of gabled mansions or visit the museum district to see the Royal Palace and Dam Square and of course the museums housing the priceless masterpieces of van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer.

  Bremerhaven, Germany  
Located at the mouth of the Weser river, the port city of Bremerhaven has a long history as a trade port and today serves as one of the largest and most crucial in Germany. Two of the city's leading attractions are the German Emigration Center and the German Maritime Museum, featuring numerous museum ships, and every five years the Sail Bremerhaven sailing convention attracts tall ships from around the world.

  Copenhagen, Denmark  
Drawing its name from the Danish for “merchant's harbor,” Copenhagen is Denmark's sophisticated, cosmopolitan capital. Stroll the Tivoli Gardens to see bright lights and fairytale castles. Walk past the city's 200-year-old Royal Palace and the lively Old Harbor where Hans Christian Andersen once lived. For a more modern take on the city, catch the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in the summer or enjoy recreational activities along miles of nearby beaches.

  Dover, England  
Renowned for its famed white cliffs, the port city of Dover is among the busiest in the United Kingdom. Dover boasts sandy beaches with a scenic backdrop of stunning chalk cliffs and green countryside. Situated only 21 miles from the French port of Calais, on a clear day, the Continent can be seen across the English Channel. Dover Castle and the seafront promenade are two of the most popular attractions, along with several gardens and parks.

  Flam, Norway  
Cruise Sognefjord, King of the Fjords or take a thrilling, cliff-hanger train ride from sea level to the towering mountain heights above. Also, see picturesque Norwegian villages and terraced farms perched on the slopes above the dramatic waterway.

  Geiranger, Norway  
A fjord town nestled in a crook of the winding, namesake Geirangerfjord, Geiranger offers the best natural scenery in Norway. The stunning Geirangerfjord is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the epitome of Nordic beauty, including the spectacular Seven Sisters Waterfall, plunging 800-feet into the fjord.

  Hellesylt, Norway  
Tiny Hellesylt, situated at the tip of Sunnylvenfjord, is a picturesque Norwegian town set amidst gorgeous mountains and valleys. Visitors come to enjoy the region's relaxing atmosphere, pristine environment, fresh air, and sublime natural beauty.

  Helsinki, Finland  
Shaped by its bays and off-shore islands, Helsinki is one of Europe's most scenic capitals. Take an archipelago cruise, walk the esplanade shopping streets, hear a Sibelius concert, or tour across the Arctic Circle to Lapland, home of Santa Claus, reindeer and the Midnight Sun.

  Kiel, Germany  
Host of Kiel Week, the largest yachting event in the world, the city of Kiel has a long tradition surrounding its status as one of Germany's principal seaports. The city's Nord-Ostsee canal also happens to be the world's busiest artificial waterway. The old town center is full of cafés offering prime views of the various ships.

  Oslo, Norway  
At the head of Oslofjord sits Oslo, Norway's capital and largest city. The City Hall hosts the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and Akershus Fortress, the National Gallery, and the Royal Palace are among the most prominent sites to visit. Watch the changing of the palace guard or ferry to the open-air Folke Museum with its 12th-century stave church.

  St. Petersburg, Russia  
Peter the Great called this city his "Window on Europe." Designed with the intent to create a premier cultural capital, the focus on art and design is readily apparent throughout this cosmopolitan city. It is the home of the Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace, housing a renowned art collection ranging from Raphael to Rembrandt, Titian to Tintoretto. Other highlights include the babbling fountains of Peterhof and the Amber Room at Catherine's Palace, a chamber of singular beauty, walled with amber, gold, and mirrors.

  Stavanger, Norway  
Once primarily a fishing and ship-building town, Stavanger has grown increasingly prominent with the discovery of oil in the North Sea. Selected to be a European Cultural Capital in 2008, the city hosts a variety of music festivals, with focuses ranging from jazz to chamber music. Featuring open-air markets, a prestigious archaeological museum, and excellent hiking trails through the Lysefjord, Stavanger offers sights and activities to suit every interest.

  Stockholm, Sweden  
Sprawling on 18 islands and often called the “Venice of the North,” Stockholm offers a array of interesting activities for visitors. Cruise the sparkling waterways and navigate narrow, medieval streets. Catch the changing of the guard at the Baroque Royal Palace or learn about the fascinating history of the Vikings with a visit to the unforgettable Vasa Museum.

  Tallinn, Estonia  
Medieval walls and towers still stand tall in Tallinn's Old Town. Stroll and shop along cobblestone streets, walk up to the Baroque palace in the Upper Town, and look out over the red roofs to the Baltic below. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to glimpse its inspired mosaics and icons. Crisp, gorgeous linen is a local specialty, still made to the exacting standards that it has been for hundreds of years.

  Visby, Sweden  
Situated on the Swedish island of Gotland, Visby has hardly changed from the Middle Ages. Its streets are a jumble of winding but immaculate cobblestone alleys and avenues, designed to be purposefully confusing for any invaders who actually made it over the medieval city wall. Walk or bike through the city to best experience its unique charm.