London blends history and modernity. See the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Parliament and Big Ben, then the London Eye over the Thames. UNESCO sites include Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Greenwich. Art lovers should visit the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern. For local flavor, explore Camden and Notting Hill markets, Shoreditch cafés and galleries, or Mayfair boutiques.

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is known for Georgian buildings and two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Edinburgh Castle and the medieval Royal Mile (including the Old and New Towns), and the Forth Bridge. Built on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city; its Esplanade hosts the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each August. Also visit the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith or the café where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book.

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is known for Georgian buildings and two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Edinburgh Castle and the medieval Royal Mile (including the Old and New Towns), and the Forth Bridge. Built on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city; its Esplanade hosts the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each August. Also visit the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith or the café where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book.

Invergordon is a gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Visit Cawdor Castle, a 14th-century Highland stately home still lived in by the Thanes of Cawdor. See Dunrobin Castle, ancestral home of Clan Sutherland and one of Scotland's oldest inhabited houses, with formal gardens to the sea. Take a boat trip on Loch Ness, one of Scotland's largest lochs, famed for the Loch Ness Monster legend since 565 AD.

Kirkwall, the largest town in the Orkney Islands, sits in a Scottish archipelago inhabited for over 5,000 years. Highlights include 12th-century St. Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace, the Orkney Museum, and nearby Skara Brae. The Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness are UNESCO-protected Neolithic monuments. Finish with a tour and tasting at Highland Park Distillery.

Geiranger is a tiny village visited mainly for its breathtaking fjords. The UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord is narrow, framed by steep cliffs and waterfalls dropping into clear blue water, with only a few abandoned sheep farms marking human presence. For views, visit Geiranger Skywalk on Dalsnibba or Eagle Road's hairpin bends. Explore by yacht, boat cruise, or kayak, and watch for the Seven Sisters, the Suitor, and the Bridal Veil waterfalls, visible from the water.

Denmark's northernmost town, Skagen is defined by its maritime heritage, sweeping sandy beaches, and exceptional natural light that has inspired generations of Scandinavian artists. Visit Grenen, where the North Sea and Baltic Sea meet, explore the renowned Skagen Museum, or wander streets lined with the town's signature yellow cottages and red-tiled roofs. A working harbor and relaxed seaside atmosphere complete this charming coastal destination.

Perched on a harbor rock, the Little Mermaid welcomes visitors to Copenhagen, a lively Danish capital famed for happiness, good food, free education and healthcare, and a 37-hour work week. The city blends modern architecture, world-class museums, charming canals, and Old Town streets in the world's oldest kingdom, plus 15 Michelin-starred restaurants and Strøget, the world's longest pedestrian shopping street.