Grand Arctic Adventure

New York is situated on the Atlantic coast of NE United States. With its world-class museums, big statues, even bigger buildings and being the most linguistically diverse city in the world, the Big Apple’s hyperactive rush keeps drawing more and more people to it. The City of New York is a densely packed mass of humanity and all this living on top of one another makes the New Yorker a special kind of person. Read more about New York, USA

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, the Gateway to Atlantic Canada, is a lively and colourful combination of urban and rural living at its best. It is situated on the world’s second largest harbour, and the beautifully restored waterfront buildings recall the city's centuries-old maritime heritage, which is also cleverly explained at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, and the Halifax Citadel that explores the unique local heritage. Read more about Halifax, Canada

Sydney is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. Located on the waterfront, visitors are amazed to see the "Largest Ceilidh Fiddle in the World" (at 18m). Sydney's tourism draw is increasingly linked to this cultural asset. Read more about Sydney, Canada

Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland, as well as being the northernmost capital in the world, though 2 degrees south of the Arctic Circle. It’s a place where the old and the new are united in a unique and dynamic way. The missionary Hans Egede founded Nuuk in 1728 as the very first town in Greenland. Read more about Nuuk, Greenland

Paamiut is a town in SW Greenland located on the coast of the Labrador Sea. The town’s name means "the people who live at the mouth”, a reference to its location at the mouth of the Kuannersooq Fjord. Paamiut naturally attracts travellers who want to go off the beaten path and gain a different perspective. Read more about Paamiut, Greenland

Narsaq is centrally located on a plain in the giant fjord system in Greenland. The area is a great place to sightsee, and is full of abundant wildlife including seals, salmon, trout, and whales, as well as icebergs from the nearby glacier. It is the youngest town in Greenland, founded as late as 1959. Read more about Narsaq, Greenland

Qaqortoq is a town in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. It is the most populous town in the region and the fourth largest town in the country. The oldest standing building of Qaqortoq is a black-tarred log building from 1797. Read more about Qaqortoq, Greenland

Nanortalik is Greenland's southernmost town and is located in a scenic area with some of Greenland's most picturesque fjords, small woodlands and steep mountainsides. The town's name means ‘place of polar bears’, which refers to the polar bears that occasionally pass through the town in summer, together with the pack ice from the Arctic Ocean. It is a small town where everyone knows everyone else, and visitors appreciate meeting a friendly population of hunters who live in beautiful natural surroundings. Read more about Nanortalik, Greenland

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

Grundarfjordur is a growing community on the Breidafjordur fjord in Iceland. The town is considered unusually beautiful and well-kept, and has received several awards for its neat appearance. The region also has a reputation for a unique climate and unusually beautiful surroundings, as it is situated in front of an impressive mountain range with an alpine look. Read more about Grundarfjordur, Iceland

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

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

Heimaey is the largest island (13.4 sq.km.) in the Westman Islands or Vestmannaeyjar cluster, 7.4 km off the south coast of Iceland. The Landnáma Icelandic record states it was first settled in about 900. It is the only island in Vestmannaeyjar that is populated, with around 5000 inhabitants. Read more about Heimaey, Iceland

Eskifjordur is a village and port in eastern Iceland with a population of just over one thousand. Straight across from the village is the mountain Holmatindur, almost a thousand metres in height, which is considered by the locals to be one of the most naturally beautiful in the area. Like most inhabited places in this country, the villagers here mostly make their livelihood by fishing. Read more about Eskifjordur, Iceland

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

Stornoway is an attractive town and the administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The shape of the town is defined by the harbour, and is home to a beautiful, rugged landscape of rolling grassy hills and crinkly inlets of the sea. Take a leisurely stroll round the harbour and see everything from the ferries to cargo boats and small visiting yachts, as the harbour is definitely an asset to the town. Read more about Stornoway, Great Britain

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

Douglas, located at the mouth of the River Douglas and a sweeping bay, is the capital and the largest town of the Isle of Man. Douglas has a number of attractions and items of interest, such as the Tower of Refuge, a small castle-like shelter built upon Conister Rock in Douglas Bay that was a sanctuary for shipwrecked sailors. From spring to early autumn, take a trip back in time to when the way of life was much slower. Read more about Douglas, 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

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

Holyhead is the largest town on the island of Anglesey, off the coast of Wales, and is perhaps known best for being a busy ferry port. It is also well known for offering easy access to some of the best attractions in the country. Subsequently, visitors typically spend the whole day on day trips through Wales to see, for example, the three nearby medieval castle towns, the more distant Snowdonia National Park and the Ffestiniog Steam Railway. Read more about Holyhead, Great Britain

Waterford City is the capital of the sunny SE of Ireland and Ireland's oldest city. Situated on the River Suir, it has a long maritime history, being one of Ireland's major ports for over a millennium. Today, the world over, the city is synonymous with Waterford Crystal, a legacy of its glass-making industry since 1783. Read more about Waterford, Ireland

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

Paris, situated on the river Seine in northern France, is the capital and largest city of the country. It is also the most visited city in the world, and the region is home to 3,800 historical monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Interestingly, the earliest archaeological signs of permanent settlements in the Paris area date from around 4200 BC. Read more about Paris, France

In the region of Flanders the city of Antwerp, situated on the eastern bank of the river Scheldt and joined to the North Sea by an estuary, is a major destination of Belgium. It claims to be the ‘world's leading diamond city’ and it has every right to do so, as more than 70% of all diamonds are traded here. Due to its long and culturally rich history, the city houses buildings built in varying historical periods with an interesting variety of architectural designs. Read more about Antwerp, Belgium

In the region of Flanders the city of Antwerp, situated on the eastern bank of the river Scheldt and joined to the North Sea by an estuary, is a major destination of Belgium. It claims to be the ‘world's leading diamond city’ and it has every right to do so, as more than 70% of all diamonds are traded here. Due to its long and culturally rich history, the city houses buildings built in varying historical periods with an interesting variety of architectural designs. Read more about Antwerp, Belgium

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

Lysekil is a fishing and ferry port in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. This small fishing village of just 7000 faces the Skagerrak, a strait leading to the Baltic Sea and which is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Eight kilometres to the north is Sweden’s largest oil refinery and a port that takes 500,000 DWT tankers. Read more about Lysekil, Sweden

Aarhus is the second largest city and principal port of Denmark, and is situated on the east side of the peninsula of Jutland in the geographical centre of Denmark. The cruise port is within walking distance of the city centre. One major tourist attraction in Aarhus is The Old Town, which is not actually an old part of the city itself, but a collection of historic Danish buildings gathered from all around the country. Read more about Aarhus, 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

Klaipeda is the third largest city of Lithuania, and the northernmost ice-free port on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Its fascination lies primarily in the echoes of its history as reflected in its historic buildings in the city centre. Here the picturesque buildings, some of which display the well-known half-timbered construction, date from the 13th to 18th centuries. Read more about Klaipeda, Lithuania

Visby, on the island of Gotland that lies 90km off the SE coast of Sweden, is a medieval town of roses, ruins, narrow winding lanes, and an amazingly well preserved town wall with 27 of the towers still intact. There are also 200 medieval houses as well as several ancient churches, many of which were built in the 12th century. Another attraction is the beautifully restored Cathedral of St Mary’s. Read more about Visby, Sweden

Read more about Helsinki, Finland

Tallinn, capital of Estonia, is dominated by the amazing 13th century Toompea Castle towering over the rest of the city. Having always been the seat of power in Estonia, it is appropriately home to the country’s Parliament today. Tallinn was named the European Capital of Culture in 2011, and its Medieval city centre, the most amazing part of Tallinn, truly must be explored. Read more about Tallinn, Estonia

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

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

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

Lysekil is a fishing and ferry port in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. This small fishing village of just 7000 faces the Skagerrak, a strait leading to the Baltic Sea and which is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Eight kilometres to the north is Sweden’s largest oil refinery and a port that takes 500,000 DWT tankers. Read more about Lysekil, Sweden

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

Rosendal is a small town at the western end of the Hardangerfjord in Hordaland, West Norway. Towering behind the town are mountains to over 1400 m within 10 km, and the Folgefonna National Park with three major glaciers. (There are no roads into the Park, get there by hiking or helicopter.) The sea, mountains and glaciers provide fantastic opportunities for activities in the great outdoors all year round. Read more about Rosendal, Norway

Olden is located in the county of Sogn og Fjordane in Western Norway, at the head of the Nordfjord, the sixth longest fjord in the country. The southernmost of the three short branches at the inner end of the fjord terminates at Olden, from which a lovely valley, Oldedalen, strikes due south for some 20 km between slopes rising sharply to more than 1700 m. At the end of the valley is Briksdal Glacier, the best-known arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier which is the largest in mainland Europe. Read more about Olden, Norway

Kristiansand is the southernmost city in Norway and lies where the rivers Otra and Tovdalselva enter into Skagerak. It is an interesting city retaining many of the 17th century buildings from its founding days by King Christian IV. The city is home to some of the best beaches - such as Hamresanden Beach located just 10 minutes from the city centre - in Norway. Read more about Kristiansand, Norway

Trondheim, Norway, lies on the south shore of the Trondheimsfjord at the mouth of the river Nidelva. Norway's capital of technology is a lively and historical university town. It is home to the famous Nidaros Cathedral built from 1070 onwards that became a most important pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages. Read more about Trondheim, Norway

The construction of the large liquefied natural gas site on Melkoya Island just off Hammerfest, which processes natural gas from Snohvit, is the most expensive construction project in the history of Northern Norway. This project has resulted in an economic boom and new optimism for Hammerfest in recent years. Hammerfest offers both sea and freshwater fishing, as well as scuba diving. Read more about Hammerfest, Norway

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

The Norwegian Art Nouveau town of Ålesund could be taken right out of a fairy tale. If you look up as you explore the town, you will discover an abundance of imaginative ornamentation on the fronts of the buildings. Walk up the 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla and you will be rewarded by unforgettable panoramic views. Read more about Alesund, Norway

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

Invergordon is a deepwater port near the entrance of Cromarty Firth, "the seaway to the Scottish Highlands." Inverness, where shopping is great and visitors can see tartans being made, is the capital of the Highlands, and is a half an hour drive from Invergordon. Loch Ness, home of the elusive monster, is just a few kilometres beyond. The town of Invergordon itself is small and modern, and now specialises in the construction of large offshore wind turbines. Read more about Invergordon, Great Britain

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

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

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in SW France. It is the world’s major wine industry capital, while the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO Heritage List due to its elegant18th century architecture. It has become a sought-after destination for both tourists and cinema production crews. Read more about Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in SW France. It is the world’s major wine industry capital, while the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO Heritage List due to its elegant18th century architecture. It has become a sought-after destination for both tourists and cinema production crews. Read more about Bordeaux, France

Located in the scenic estuary of the Douro River with swathes of vineyards clinging to the hills, Oporto - aka Porto - is Portugal's second largest metropolis, and one of Europe's most charismatic cities. The city is home to monuments by leading world architects from the past and the present, and some fantastic baroque carvings. Then there’s the world-famous sweet wine, and Ribeira - Its historical centre - that was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. Read more about Oporto, Portugal

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, lies in the western Iberian Peninsula aside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it is rich in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Post-Modern constructions. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares. Read more about Lisbon, Portugal

Cadiz is a city and port in SW Spain. It is the capital of Cadiz Province, an autonomous community of Andalusia. Due to its small size one is never more than a few blocks from the sea, and this engenders a safe, relaxed, and easy-going atmosphere. Read more about Cadiz, Spain

Malaga is a lively, prosperous city on Spain's fabled Costa del Sol aside the Mediterranean Sea, just 100 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar. The city’s warm winter temperatures (average daytime of 17 C) make it an ideal place to visit any time of year. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian eras convert the historic centre into an ‘Open Museum’ displaying its rich history of more than 3,000 years. Read more about Malaga, Spain

Barcelona, located in Catalonia Spain, is Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast, and one of the world’s major global cities. Today, Barcelona balances itself on the cutting edge of architecture, intellectual life, and style. Indeed Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture, the first time that the winner has been a city, and not an individual architect. Read more about Barcelona, Spain