"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.

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.

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.

Liepaja, Latvia's third-largest city, is called "the city where the wind is born." A popular Baltic resort since the 1860s, it offers WWII and Tsarist relics, white-sand Blue Flag beaches, and a music walk of fame. Explore Karosta's bunkers, cannons, and ruined military buildings, then visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Latvian Musicians' Walk of Fame. Don't miss the local specialty: cod fish.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One look at the abundance of canals and gabled houses in Gothenburg, and it's clear that the Dutch founded this robust city on the Göta River. Touring the citadel is fascinating, as are the 17th century Crown House, and Gothenburg Art Museum with masterpieces from Edvard Munch to Picasso. Gothenburg is one of Sweden's greenest cities, compliments of parks such as Slottsskogen. For a vibrant atmosphere, walk along Kungsportsavenyn, Gothenburg's main street, lined with cafés, boutiques and plazas.

Discover charming Helsingborg with its gardens and waterfront promenades along the Öresund Strait. Visit 700-year-old Kårnan Tower for views of the harbor and Denmark, then explore Sofiero Castle and the rhododendron ravine. See the Dunker Culture Center, shop on Kullagatan for Danish porcelain, silver, amber jewelry, and leather goods, and enjoy a fika of coffee and cake.

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.

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.