Established nearly 2,000 years ago, this capital city of England London is one the most influential business, financial and cultural centers in the world. Its collection of iconic landmarks, world-famous museums and abundance of beautiful countryside make London a can’t-miss port on any European itinerary.

Liverpool, England has a proud 800 years of history behind it, with a rich and varied cultural scene, even if you — somehow! — ignore what happened there 60-ish years ago. Yes, this is where the biggest rock band of all time got their start, and the city where you’ll still find the actual Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. But before the lads and their contemporaries made the local “Merseybeat” sound world-famous, Liverpool was already home to Europe’s original communities of Black and Chinese folks, the UK’s longest-running symphony, World Heritage Site Royal Albert Dock… not to mention a pair of ancient cathedrals that includes the UK’s largest. Venture elsewhere in the Liverpool Bay region and you’ll find sights like the glacier-formed Windermere Lake (England’s longest), the meticulously-preserved city of Chester with its ancient walls, plus the first King Edward’s Conwy Castle, straight out of the 1280s.

Discover Northern Ireland’s rejuvenated capital on your European cruise to Belfast. A beacon of triumph and resilience, Belfast is a thriving city where Victorian splendor mixes with 21st century museums, revitalized docklands, and a buzzing dining scene. The birthplace of the RMS Titanic, Belfast is home to one of the world’s largest exhibits on the subject, which is currently housed on the site of the shipyard where the famed vessel was actually built. Make time to explore the countryside on your Belfast cruise and experience the extraordinary landscape unique to Northern Ireland.

Reykjavik is your gateway to some of Iceland’s greatest natural wonders, which range from fields of ice to the boiling thermal pools you can find alongside lava fields. In a modern, cosmopolitan city like Reykjavik, with some of the most sophisticated technology in the world, it’s easy to forget there’s serious history afoot, so check out the stories of the Vikings who once — like you — sailed Iceland, at one of the city’s many museums.

Grundarfjordur is an Icelandic village that one could argue has at least one foot in the past. It’s not only one of the oldest settlements in all of Iceland, but its surrounding mountains, volcanoes and lava fields are just the type of landscape that served as a backdrop for the Icelandic sagas, culturally important 10th- and 11th-century mythic tales of early Icelandic settlers. But back to today — it’s amazing that over 1,000 years later, you can still walk the paths and climb the hills that inspired many of these tales, such as the 240-foot-tall Helgafell mountain, the volcanic rock formations of Arnarstapi or the Vikings’ “Holy Hill” of Thor.

When your ship pulls into Akureyri, it may not be apparent that you’re pretty close to the Arctic Circle, especially since you’re more likely to be saying things such as, “Wow, everything is so beautiful!” or “There’s just so much green!” or, probably, “Hold on, one more photo!” Yep, the landscape of Akureyri is far from what people might expect from a town so far north. Looking for specifics? We’ve got plenty of examples, from Godafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, to Botanical Garden Akureyri and its 2,000 or so species of flora, located right in the heart of the city. And for a bonus sight, you can actually try, take a dip in the geothermally heated waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths.

Seydisfjordur was the first town in the east of Iceland to become an official city, way back in 1895, and today it’s considered the cultural capital of the region. Its outsized influence is impressive when you consider that it became significant while staying small — still with only about 700 residents. That shouldn’t — and won’t! — stop it from boasting Iceland’s oldest power plant in operation, plenty of 19th-century buildings, a really cool rainbow road running through the downtown, plus easy access to other regional sights such as Álfaborg Hill, the Maritime Museum and Hengifoss Waterfall — that one happens to be Iceland’s tallest.

You might think you know Scotland (full of whiskey, right?!), but think again. Invergordon, Scotland, is full of hidden gems you won’t want to miss, including ancient legends, majestic castles, geographical wonders, one-of-a-kind whiskey distilleries and unforgettable artisan chocolates. Invergordon is home to the infamous Loch Ness monster, a mighty creature that many people believe hides in the depths of Loch Ness. This historic city is also situated on the expansive geographical rift cutting across the Highlands known as the “Great Glen.”

Established nearly 2,000 years ago, this capital city of England London is one the most influential business, financial and cultural centers in the world. Its collection of iconic landmarks, world-famous museums and abundance of beautiful countryside make London a can’t-miss port on any European itinerary.