London to Stockholm

Southampton is a city in Hampshire, South East England, 70 miles (110 km) south-west of London and 15 miles (24 km) west of Portsmouth.

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.

Aberdeen is a port city in northeast Scotland, where the Dee and Don rivers meet the North Sea. With an offshore petroleum industry, the city is home to an international population. It’s also known as the ‘Granite City’ for its many enduring grey-stone buildings. The 19th-century Marischal College is typical – a monumental Victorian landmark that’s now headquarters of the City Council.

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.

Stroll through this village and enjoy the views of Lews Castle before exploring the remote, wild Hebrides countryside dotted will old crofts. Visit the breathtaking Standing Stones at Callanish, a megalithic avenue of 19 stones and 13 stone circle and Carloway Broch, a 2,000-year-old circular fortified tower. Shopping: Buy superb Harris Tweed here, woolens and local crafts. Dining: Enjoy local fish, lamb and delicious breads and pastries.

Donegal’s scenic fishing village, Killybegs is situated in a region marked by natural beauty and rich in Celtic heritage. Discover thatched Irish cottages and picturesque Gaeltacht villages, not to mention super fresh seafood and beautiful stretches of coastline with Blue Flag beaches. Get a sense of the town’s history and see the world’s largest hand-knotted loom at the former factory of Donegal Carpets, now known as Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre. Nature lovers will want to head to hiking trails of dramatic Slieve League Mountains just west of Killybegs – those up for the adventure will be rewarded with stunning views of Donegal Bay, local wildlife and some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Delight in this vibrant city of ornate Victorian and Edwardian architecture, gracious gardens and friendly pubs. Thrill to the natural phenomenon of the Giants’ Causeway, a stunning geological anomaly of tightly packed, uneven basalt columns disappearing into the sea, and the enigmatic ruins of Grey Abbey.

The coastal suburb of Dún Laoghaire is popular for strolls on the East Pier, and locally caught fish and chips. The National Maritime Museum of Ireland has nautical art and artefacts inside a 19th-century sailors’ church, while the harbour is a busy hub for fishing, water sports and cruises. Nearby Sandycove is home to the James Joyce Tower and Museum, as well as the sheltered beach and bathing spot at Forty Foot.

Cheerful Cork sprawls about the River Lee in one of Ireland’s most stunning settings. Bridges crisscross the city leading to landmarks like St. Anne’s Church and the Old City Gaol, where you’ll see the 19th century prisoners’ graffiti. Make time to kiss the Blarney Stone in Blarney Castle.

While Agatha Christie summered in Dartmouth, you’ll find nothing in this lovely town to suggest that it inspired the sinister plots of her books. What you will find is a picturesque setting that provided the perfect escape from the toils of being the world’s best-selling novelist. Visit ancient castles or art deco estates awash in wildflowers and framed by lush green pastures. Explore the pristine coves of the River Dart estuary, lined with quaint cottages and bobbing sailboats. The waterfront is so picturesque that you may wonder if any Pilgrims were tempted to unload here when the Mayflower pulled in for repairs en route to the New World.

Southampton is a city in Hampshire, South East England, 70 miles (110 km) south-west of London and 15 miles (24 km) west of Portsmouth.

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.

Take a boat ride along Amsterdam’s charming canals past sturdy old houses and under quaint bridges. Visit one of the city’s superb museums housing many of the Dutch Masters’ most outstanding works, or learn about Anne Frank and the city’s Jewish heritage. Journey into the countryside and see historic windmills and the fascinating porcelain works in Delft.

Enjoy a picturesque 10-hour passage from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, between the city of Kiel and the mouth of the Elbe River. This great engineering achievement, completed in 1895, carves through the charming North German landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein.

Enjoy a scenic drive to the German capital and savor landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and the glorious Charlottenburg Palace. Stroll down Unter den Linden, see the site of the Berlin Wall and take a boat ride along the city’s canals. Explore on your own and visit one of the many museums. Or discover charming Warnemünde and its lovely Gothic church, market square and seaside promenade.

Largely rebuilt after World War II, Rønne still feels historic because even the new buildings reflect the older architecture. As a result, walking from more modern areas into the charming Old Town (Gamle Stan) is less noticeable. Don’t miss the 14th-century St. Nicholas Church, one of the more historic buildings on Bornholm Island, or the massive round-tower castle and its fascinating military museum in the south of Rønne. To better understand the island’s seafaring and natural history, visit Bornholm Museum.

Lithuania’s third largest city, Klaipeda has been in and out of the hands of the Russians, Swedes and Germans. Marvel at the impressive, and verbosely christened, St. Mergeles Marijos Taikos Karalienes Church tower and walk through Anika Square. Head to the pristine Baltic waters lapping at the broad sands of Smiltyne Beach. Or duck into the Clock Museum or Castle Museum

Enjoy the lovely countryside beyond the towered walls and take in the view of this former Hanseatic League town before exploring its narrow, winding lanes, marvelous ruined medieval churches and impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral. Or visit an intriguing Bronze Age burial in the midst of farmland and take in the cliff-top view of the precipitous coastline.

Once called the “Paris of the Baltics,” Riga has regained its status as a cosmopolitan capital with dozens of museums and arguably Europe’s most exceptional Art Nouveau architecture. Founded in 1201, Riga boasts a magnificent Old Town called “Vecriga.” Riga Castle, the residence of Latvia’s president, was built on the site of the original settlement next to the Daugava River. St. Mary’s Dome Cathedral is renowned for its stained glass windows and massive 19th century organ comprised of more than 6,500 pipes. Outside the city limits, traditional Latvian life is on display in outdoor exhibits at the Open Air Ethnographic Museum.

Finland’s only city located on an island, Kotka is full of Finnish coastal charm, rich in history and surrounded by idyllic landscapes. The dockside Merikeskus Vellamo is a top museum choice, offering an account of Finland’s seafaring history with exhibits on navigation, fishing and shipwrecks, while the Maretarium aquarium showcases an abundance of Finnish fish species that live according to the four seasons of Finland. Also in town, the Sapokka Water Garden is an urban oasis and park that continually garners accolades. You’ll quickly discover the park’s unity is guided by water – waterfalls, small brooks, ponds and of course, the sea. Just north of Kotka, escape to the Valkmusa National Park for excellent birding and peaceful marshland hikes.

Step back in time as you walk through this beautifully preserved medieval town and discover its upper and lower levels, the guild houses, the churches and squares, the famous apothecary shop and the exquisite town hall. See delightful parks, Baroque palaces and a ruined 15th century convent. Or visit a lovely recreated rural Estonian village by the sea.

Spend a marvelous day discovering this lovely city and its beautiful buildings. Visit the charming Old Town, medieval Gamla Stan, the elegant royal palace, the wonderful parks and the impressive Vasa, the magnificently restored 17th century warship that sank in the harbor on her maiden voyage.