Copenhagen, the royal capital of Denmark, is one of Europe's oldest capitals. It was a fishing village until the middle of the 12th century, but then grew in importance after being fortified in 1167. Because of its harbor, it soon became a place of commercial importance. Copenhagen has a long history well-integrated with today's modern life. Theaters, museums, art galleries and musical entertainment are among the attractions that make Copenhagen memorable.

Kiel, the capital of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, sits on the 11-mile Kiel Fjord near Scandinavia and has a proud maritime history. It marks the eastern lock of the Kiel Canal, the world's busiest artificial waterway, and hosts Kiel Week, the world's largest sailing event. Stroll the Kiellinie waterfront, watch ships pass, try Rote Grütze, and visit the Schiffahrtsmuseum in a Gothic Revival fish auction house.

When you dock in Rønne on Bornholm, you join a long line of historic visitors. Only about 40,000 people live here, but its mid-Baltic location has made it a stop for sailors since the 1100s. Today it draws more tourists than Vikings, with craggy cliffs, white-sand beaches, sunny weather, quaint churches, artists' workshops, fresh local food, and a friendly welcome center for local tips.

Explore colorful, restored Old Town Gdansk, once a powerful Hanseatic League city, and admire its grand architecture. Walk the full length of Ulica Długa (Long St.), visiting St. Mary's Church, built over 150 years, and its 1460 Astronomical Clock. Browse museums, shops, and galleries for amber, embroidered linens, silver jewelry, and wool sweaters. See the grand houses, Green Gate, and Golden Gate on the Royal Road, and try vodka served with gold flecks.

Liepaja, Latvia's third-largest city, is known as "the city where the wind is born." A Baltic coast resort since the 1860s, it offers WWII and WWI relics, white-sand beaches, and a music walk of fame. Explore Karosta's bunkers, cannons, and ruins, linked to Tsarist and Soviet Russia. Walk Blue Flag Beach, try local cod, and visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Latvian Musicians' Walk of Fame.

Riga, Latvia's capital, lies on the Baltic Sea coast at the mouth of the Daugava River. After more than 700 years of German, Swedish, and Russian rule, Latvia declared independence on November 18, 1918. It was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, then regained de facto independence in 1991. Riga's Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is known for its extensive Art Nouveau architecture.

On the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland lies Tallinn, the capital and main seaport of Estonia. Though the city has been bombed and pillaged many times throughout the ages, much of the town as it was in medieval times remains. Atmospheric streets serve as home to the palaces of Castle Hill. Ancient convents, steepled churches and handsome guild houses are all preserved as they were in Tallinn's Old Town area, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hamina, 16 miles (26 km) east of Kotka, is a very walkable city with an 18th-century circular town plan and star-shaped fortress at its center. Explore the Old City on Fortification Trail, which follows the restored walls past well-kept wooden houses and Town Hall Square. After visiting three museums on Hamina's turbulent history, stop for coffee and korvapuusti at a cozy café.

"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.