Reborn as a cool modern city, Belfast blends culture, architecture and cosy pubs. Explore the Maritime Quarter and Titanic District, where the Titanic Museum tells the story of the famous ship built here, alongside SS Nomadic and the Maritime Mile. See the Salmon of Knowledge, tour the Peace Lines and murals by black taxi, then visit the light-filled Metropolitan Arts Centre and lively Cathedral Quarter.

Set on the rugged Inishowen Peninsula at the mouth of Lough Foyle, Greencastle offers a taste of coastal Donegal at its most atmospheric. This small fishing port is a lovely place to enjoy fresh seafood, breezy sea views and a welcoming Irish pace of life, while nearby beaches, harbour walks and historic sites add to the charm of a visit.

Scotland's Outer Hebrides may be rainy, remote and cold, yet their people are among the happiest in the UK. Stornoway, the lovely capital on Lewis/Harris, shows why: buttercups, bog cotton, heather, wild moorland, rocky coasts and white beaches, plus rich history, culture and wildlife. A must-see is the 5,000-year-old Callanish Stones-Scotland's Stonehenge-an ancient astronomical site of 19 standing stones, circle, rows and cairn ruins.

Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands off northern Scotland, blends Viking, prehistoric, and World War history with dramatic seascapes, northern lights, beaches, cliffs, puffins, sea caves, and castles. Its centerpiece is St. Magnus Cathedral, Britain's northernmost, begun in 1137 and called the "Light of the North." Nearby are historic distilleries and Skara Brae, Europe's best-preserved Stone Age village.

Trondheim, Norway's historic capital, was founded in 997 by Viking king Olav Tryggvason. Though the country's third-largest city, it feels intimate, with a photogenic waterfront, old wooden warehouses, and lively Bakklandet's timber houses, cafes, and shops. It's also a tech hub with 30,000 students. See Gamle Bybro, Nidaros Cathedral, and ride the Gråkallbanen tram.

Åndalsnes lies where the Rauma meets the Romsdalsfjord, near UNESCO-listed fjord scenery. Once known for salmon fishing, it is now a hub for alpine sports: mountaineering, climbing, hiking, and base jumping. Nearby are the Trollstigen mountain road and the scenic Rauma Railway to Dombås, with mountains, valleys, waterfalls, bridges, tunnels, and a 180° underground turn. At the station, a former rail carriage serves as Norway's only train chapel.

Ålesund is a beautiful Art Nouveau town with pastel buildings, decorative turrets and harbor views, set amid dramatic fjords. Rebuilt after the 1904 fire, it is a historic treasure with cobbled streets, the Aksla Viewpoint, and archipelago panoramas. Nearby Geirangerfjord is a spectacular UNESCO site with summer waterfalls. Try svele pancake and klipfish; Ålesund produces about two thirds of the world's dried salted cod.

Olden, a tiny Norwegian village at the mouth of the Oldeelva River on Nordfjord, is surrounded by dramatic peaks, valleys, glaciers, and waterfalls. Visit Jostedalsbreen, mainland Europe's largest glacier, and Briksdal Glacier for a close-up view. Cruise or kayak Nordfjord, stop at Lovatnet for waffles and strawberry jam, and ride Loen's Skylift to Mount Hoven for sweeping fjord-and-mountain views.

Bergen's pastel waterfront, Bryggen, is a charming World Heritage row of Hanseatic warehouses rebuilt after the 1702 fire. Behind them, narrow lanes, wooden decks, craft shops, and galleries give the city a village feel despite its size and damp weather. Ride or hike Fløyen for panoramic views, especially at sunset. Nearby, Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord offer some of Norway's most iconic scenery.

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.

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.

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.

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