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.

Sandnes is minutes from Stavanger, one of Norway's oldest cities, founded in the 12th century and unusually rich in historic buildings. Highlights include Gamle Stavanger's cobbled streets and 18th-century wooden houses, the 12th-century cathedral, lively music and museums, and the dramatic Lysefjord with Pulpit Rock: a 26-mile fjord framed by cliffs, best seen by boat or a tough 2-hour hike.

Haugesund, on Norway's rugged west coast, is a historic port tied to the first king who united Norway. Its cobblestone streets reflect a deep maritime past and the 19th-century herring boom. Visit the Dokken Museum and Karmsund Folk Museum to see life 150 years ago, then head to the waterfront to view "The Rising Tide," a sculpture that appears and disappears with the North Sea's tides.

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.

Ålesund, set among fjords and the Sunnmøre Alps, is known for its art nouveau architecture rebuilt after the 1904 fire. Its fairytale towers and gables make the city center ideal to explore on foot. Start at Jugendstilsenteret, a museum of art nouveau design, then head to the harbor for boat tours, fjord cruises, and fishing trips. For a sweeping view, climb Mount Aksla's 400+ steps to a memorable panorama.

Heimaey, the largest of Iceland's Westman Islands, is famed for the 1973 volcanic eruption from a previously unknown fissure that buried part of the town in ash and lava. Residents were evacuated after a heroic effort to slow the flow with seawater, saving the harbor and fish stock. They later returned and rebuilt amid volcanic peaks. Eldheimar Museum tells the story and includes an excavated ruined home from the eruption.

Reykjavik is Europe's northernmost capital and a delight to visit, with modern steel-and-glass buildings contrasting the colorful wooden houses of the old quarter. Outside the city, Iceland's rugged beauty shines: the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa with mineral-rich waters, and the Golden Circle leads to Thingvellir National Park, site of Iceland's first parliament (930 AD) and a place to see tectonic fissures. The country also offers spectacular geysers, glaciers, and waterfalls.