"Venice of the North," Stockholm spans 14 islands at Lake Mälar's outlet to the Baltic. Scandinavia's largest city, it's known for handsome architecture, broad streets, waterside parks, and pedestrian paths. Highlights include Old Town, the Royal Palace, Riddarholm Church, the Town Hall observation deck, Skeppsholmen museums, and the Vasa Museum on Djurgården, home to the nearly intact 64-gun warship Vasa, lost on its maiden voyage in 1628.

The capital of Finland, Helsinki is also the cultural, commercial and political center of Finland. Helsinki is an easily-navigated city and an architectural delight. Helsinki is laid out with spacious streets interspersed with many gardens and parks. Wide streets and nearby islands add to Helsinki's visual appeal. Beautiful neo classical buildings surround town squares and the cathedral is probably the most recognized of all Helsinki landmarks.

Visby is the largest city on the island of Gotland, and was once one of the most powerful cities in Europe. The entire island is full of ruins, artifacts and memories from its periods of greatness during the Viking period and Middle Ages when Visby was a member of the Hanseatic League. The town is surrounded by the Visby Ringwall, a huge 13th century stone wall that encloses the city. Inside the wall, Visby beckons with its medley of modern and medieval times.

Explore enchanting Karlskrona, a seaside city of storybook cottages, hundreds of islands, and sparkling waters. Its vast main square-the second largest in Europe-is framed by historic buildings, three notable churches, shops, cafés, and restaurants. Visit Trefaldighetskyrkan and Fredrikskyrkan, plus the Car, Porcelain, and Marine Museums. Browse boutiques and galleries, and enjoy hand-blown glass, porcelain, jewelry, designer clothing, and fresh seafood.

Warnemünde is a sea resort and district of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, situated at the Baltic Sea in the Northeast of Germany at the estuary of the river Warnow. Being a center of maritime traffic, the district of Warnemünde comprises numerous navigational aids, the oldest of which is the lighthouse located near the beach promenade. The lighthouse, which is currently still in use, was built in 1897. Warnemunde is also our gateway to nearby Berlin.

Denmark's second-largest city offers top cultural attractions, striking architecture, a lively food scene and a rising-city vibe. Visit ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, home to the country's largest art collection outside Copenhagen, and Den Gamle By, where relocated houses recreate 19th-century, 1920s and 1970s neighborhoods. See the waterfront Iceberg and Dokk1, and Musikhuset's glass facades. Try smørrebrød or New Nordic cuisine at Aarhus's cafes and restaurants.

In Denmark, explore old and new: start at Troldkirken, one of the country's most beautiful Neolithic dolmens. In Aalborg, see Lindholm Høje, Scandinavia's largest Viking burial site, with exhibits featuring reconstructions, panoramas, illustrations, and 3D animations of daily life-cattle keeping, farming, house-building, cooking, weaving, and trade. For a modern contrast, visit Aalborg Museum of Art and stroll Virgin Anne's Street, the city's social hub with chic restaurants, pubs, and patios.

The largest city on Germany's North Sea coast, Bremerhaven is synonymous with the ocean. History buffs revel in the German Maritime Museum, which is home to the oldest cog ship in the world. Nature lovers will enjoy the Zoo am Meer where they can visit with a number of rare species, from an arctic fox to a polar bear. Just thirty minutes south, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site on the historical market square in the city of Bremen.

Just a short distance from Amsterdam, IJmuiden offers beaches, sand dunes, scenic views, and the country's biggest fish market. It's North Holland's gateway to the North Sea and sits at the head of a canal leading directly to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is known for its liberal spirit, rich culture, 140+ art galleries, 40 museums, baroque architecture, canals, cobblestone streets, and bicycle transport.