Savor the old town‘s marvelous Georgian and Victorian architecture and impressive Edinburgh Castle, high on its volcanic crag with a fabulous view. Stroll along the medieval Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see the abbey and Queen Mary‘s chambers. Visit St. Giles‘ Cathedral where John Knox once preached.

Savor the old town‘s marvelous Georgian and Victorian architecture and impressive Edinburgh Castle, high on its volcanic crag with a fabulous view. Stroll along the medieval Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see the abbey and Queen Mary‘s chambers. Visit St. Giles‘ Cathedral where John Knox once preached.

This starkly beautiful island holds many ancient treasures like the enigmatic Standing Stones of Stenness and the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, amazingly discovered with furniture and indoor drains preserved. Visit the imposing trio of St. Magnus Cathedral, the nearby ruins of the Earl‘s Palace, and the earlier Bishop‘s Palace.

Enjoy a taste of the Highlands here in the rugged landscape and heathered moors, the ruined castles, steep cliffs and sea air. Drive through beautiful valleys and flower-filled meadows with romping Shetland ponies to quaint villages like Scalloway with its ruined castle, or explore the fascinating Jarlshof prehistoric site, occupied for more than 4,000 years.

In 1904 much of Ålesund was destroyed by fire, but the town was quickly rebuilt in the period‘s popular Art Nouveau style. Soaring turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation adorn the buildings throughout Ålesund, giving it a distinctive flair and earning the town a revered architectural reputation. An evening departure allows you plenty of time to explore its many attractions, such as the spectacular Art Nouveau Centre museum, scenic Town Park, and Atlantic Sea Park, one of Europe‘s largest aquariums. For a look at modern Norwegian woodworking, visit the impressive Gallery Cylindra. Many of Ålesund‘s squares feature sculptures commemorating significant events, including the town‘s rich fishing history and Norway‘s contribution to World War II.

More than half of Spitsbergen is covered with glaciers, the ideal landscape for viewing the abundant reindeer, especially since your ship calls here during the Midnight Sun, when daylight lasts through the evening. Discovered by the Vikings in the 12th century, Spitsbergen enjoys a comparatively mild climate due to the Gulf Stream, so you should be comfortable outdoors taking in the spectacular scenery. The main town of Longyearbyen, one of the world‘s northernmost, was founded in 1906 to accommodate the coal mining industry.

While the Midnight Sun will soon dip below the horizon, Honningsvåg should be illuminated throughout the evening spent here. It‘s an awe-inspiring setting in northernmost Norway, surrounded by dense forests and fjords, inhabited by reindeer and held sacred by the indigenous Sami people. One of the world‘s most memorable, otherworldly experiences is standing atop the precipitous North Cape, the late-night sun eerily hanging over the Arctic Ocean. There is even a museum in town devoted to the North Cape. The area is also famous for the Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve, where literally millions of arctic birds flourish during the summer nesting period.

Located on Hinnøya, Norway‘s second largest island, prosperous Harstad is considered the country‘s northern culture capital. It‘s also distinguished by its superlative attractions. The Anna Rogde, the world‘s oldest schooner still in operation, sails from the harbor. The world‘s most northerly stone church, dating to 1250, is just outside town. Nearby lies the world‘s largest battery of Adolf guns, the heavy artillery used by the Germans during World War II. Harstad is also blessed with natural beauty, as seen by walking the gentle slopes to Keipen for a breathtaking view. To see a historic trading center from 1750, visit Røkenes Farm.

Over a thousand years old, Trondheim is one of the oldest of Norway’s major cities. Visit the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, the largest medieval building in Scandinavia, and Stiftsgarden Palace, the royal residence and one of the largest wooden buildings in Northern Europe. Enjoy stunning views of Trondheim Fjord from the Ringve Museum, home to a collection of more than 2,000 musical instruments.

Situated on the southeastern coast of the island of Vågsøy, Måløy is a fetching coastal village graced by silvery beaches, lighthouses and a long history in fishing. A major port for exporting Norway’s prized seafood, Måløy is an ideal place to sample the local cod and chips, fish soup, crab-stuffed sandwiches and other fruits of the sea. History buffs will enjoy the Måløy Raid Center, which focuses on an allied full-scale operation that went on to become an important and strategic victory for the Allies during World War II. Also of note is the 10-foot-tall Kannesteinen rock, which has been carved by the sea over thousands of years and now resembles the tail of a whale.

Step back in time to the 14th century as you meander along the narrow streets of this medieval gem past gabled buildings and through the bustling market. Take a boat ride along the city‘s canals. Or spend the day exploring Brussels and its famed Grand Place or Antwerp, home of Rubens and Bruegel, seeing the verdant countryside along the way.