Protected from the frequent storms of the English Channel by the Isle of Wight, Southampton has survived a turbulent history to serve as a principal port of the United Kingdom today. Pay homage to one of the most famous ships to sail these shores at the Mayflower Memorial. Visit the stoic walls of Bargate and the Tudor House Museum.

The ultimate European city, Brussels has tons of museums, fountains, gardens and great shopping. Stroll the Old Town area to see St. Hubert Arcades and its shops, as well as Butchers’ Street with its plethora of restaurants and cafes and the Grand Place with its Baroque guild houses.

Separated by dams, and a 19-mile dyke walling, you stay dry but impressed. The Anne Frank House, The Hague and a Deft Blue Pottery Factory await your arrival. Wave to elegant mansions and the “Skinny Bridge” from your glass-topped canal boat.

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, yet it’s got a great small-town feel. Tour the Bryggen Museum with its ancient artifacts or visit the Fish Market for unexpected fun. Walk along Torgalmenningen or just relax and people watch at Ole Bull Square.

A quaint village nestled in a valley in western Norway, Geiranger grants a respite to remember. Visitors come from all over to explore the fjord and its gorgeous views of nearby waterfalls, mountainscapes and charming farms.

One of Norway’s most beautiful towns, renowned for its Jugend-style architecture and art nouveau style. Cruise visitors will immediately notice Ålesund’s unique layout, as it is built on islands extending to the sea, and offers scenic views of fjords and the Sunnmore Alps. Ålesund is the fishing capital of Norway. Explore more of Ålesund on a European cruise!

Nestled along the shores of one of the most breathtaking fjords in Iceland, Akureyri is the nation’s second largest urban area and a centre of Icelandic folk culture. Visit the museums, hike along the extraordinary vistas or explore the botanical gardens. Shop in one of the charming boutiques and then catch a glimpse of the most northerly 18-hole golf course in the world. After you’ve worked up an appetite, feast on some Nordic specialties like smoked lamb and fresh fish and then indulge in an Icelandic fried pastry.

As the largest town in Iceland’s remote Westfjords’s region, Ísafjörður is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Boasting an enchanting fjord ideal for watersports and a mountainous landscape brimming with opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Originally a church site and a 16th century trading post, the town of Ísafjörður is home to wonderful museums and historic sites for those wishing to learn about the region’s rich heritage and local culture.

Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland, is a definite must-see. Reykjavik runs on green energy thanks to thermal underground pools. The world’s northernmost capital city is where you’ll find majestic Mount Esja.

Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland, is a definite must-see. Reykjavik runs on green energy thanks to thermal underground pools. The world’s northernmost capital city is where you’ll find majestic Mount Esja.