Ijmuiden opens the door to the Netherlands' laid-back North Sea coast and, beyond the dunes and beaches, to the nearby treasures of Amsterdam and Haarlem. From its working harbour and wide seafront, you can explore canal-lined streets, elegant gabled houses, windmills, museums and café culture, all wrapped in the easygoing charm that makes this corner of Holland so appealing.

Stavanger, Norway's energy capital and third-largest city, blends a preserved historic core with dramatic scenery. Fueled by North Sea oil, it's surprisingly charming, with colorful Øvre Holmegate, scenic waterfronts, and the white wooden houses of Gamle Stavanger. Museums cover oil, sardines, and Viking history; Domkirken Cathedral dates to the 12th century. Nearby Lysefjord and Preikestolen offer stunning fjord views, hikes, and helicopter tours.

Embark with SilverseaCruises and enjoy the authentic beauty of Rosendal. Enjoy the eponymous Rose garden, experience the local culture or hike across Glacier.

This is Fjordland at its finest. Named by National Geographic Traveler as "the world's most iconic destination," Vik feels like Tolkien wrote it: mists on the mountains, crisp air, silent glassy fjords, and a landscape steeped in Viking heritage, Scandinavian myth, and enchantment. Legend says Vikings and trolls battled on these waters, and Vik's two pretty stave churches stand on sacred Norse land.

Kristiansand is Norway's summer getaway: a lively, green city with old-time charm and cultural energy. Explore Posebyen Old Town's floral timber houses, enjoy festivals, seafood and shopping, and visit the striking Kilden Performing Arts Centre. It's also a great base for Southern Norway's coast-ferries, beaches, islands, fjords, fishing, and fresh air await.

Denmark's charm is not just Copenhagen: Skagen, at the tip of Jutland where the North Sea meets the Baltic, is a standout. Known for Scandinavian charm, a strong arts scene, royal approval, and some of Europe's most beautiful coastline, it has white-sand beaches, forests, and famous sunsets that draw families to applaud as the sun sets. Nearby is Råbjerg Mile, Denmark's largest migrating dune. Fishing, especially marinated herring, and local craft beer are part of the town's appeal.

Oslo, Norway's capital, blends old and new: maritime history, art galleries, cafes, modern architecture, palaces, and historic sites. It keeps reinventing itself, from a former prison turned arts hub to revived docklands. Green and progressive, it offers parks, summer sun, and nearby mountains and lakes. Highlights include City Hall and the Nobel Peace Prize, the Royal Palace, the Opera House, and Oslofjord museums with Viking ships.

Aalborg, Denmark's fourth-largest city, sits on the Limfjord in northern Jutland and blends Viking heritage with bold contemporary design. Wander the cobbled old town to find Jens Bang's Stone House, an ornate 17th-century merchant's mansion, and lively Jomfru Ane Gade, one of Scandinavia's most famous bar streets. Visit Aalborghus Castle and Budolfi Cathedral, then cross the fjord to Lindholm Høje, a striking Viking burial site where stone ship settings overlook the water. Contemporary highlights include the Utzon Center, designed by Aalborg-born Jørn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame, and the waterfront promenade lined with sleek glass-and-steel landmarks.

Århus is Denmark's second-largest city and one of its most pleasant, with a lively arts and college scene. The Århus Å canal runs through the center; once underground, it was uncovered and now has bars, cafés, and restaurants along its banks. The area is busy day and night with people on outdoor terraces and steps by the water. VisitÅrhus offers the Århus Passport, covering bus travel, free or discounted admission to 12 top museums and sights, and tours.

Warnemünde, officially a suburb of Rostock, is a quaint seaside resort with the area's best hotels and restaurants and 20 km (12 miles) of white-sand beach. A longtime summer getaway for families in eastern Germany, it's mainly a place to relax. It is also a major cruise-ship terminal; when multiple ships dock, the town buzzes like a fair, with shops and restaurants open until midnight. The dreifache Anlauf-three ships arriving at once-is celebrated with fireworks.

Uncover Copenhagen's half-timber villages and tidy farms where pedestrians set the pace, not traffic! With our exclusive luxury cruise, sail in both comfort and luxury for the best luxury cruise experience of your lifetime!