London to London

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.

Le Havre is a major port in northern France’s Normandy region, where the Seine River meets the English Channel. It’s joined to the city across the estuary, Honfleur, by the Pont de Normandie cable-stayed bridge. Following WWII, Le Havre’s heavily damaged city center was famously redesigned by Belgian architect Auguste Perret. Today it features many landmark examples of reinforced-concrete architecture.

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.

In a city where almost everything is extraordinary in some way, Amsterdam is a blank canvas on which to make your own masterpiece of a visit. Behold the largest collections of Vincent Van Gogh works, handbags and all things cat related – in separate museums, of course. Hop on a canal boat, rent a bike or head out on foot in any direction and you will stumble on something unforgettable, like an ancient cathedral, a park carpeted in flowers or the iconic windmills that dot the Dutch landscape. Near the port town of Ijmuiden, Haarlem offers all the trappings of a quintessential Dutch city – picturesque canals, cozy cafés and cobbled lanes as well as the oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers Museum.

In a city where almost everything is extraordinary in some way, Amsterdam is a blank canvas on which to make your own masterpiece of a visit. Behold the largest collections of Vincent Van Gogh works, handbags and all things cat related – in separate museums, of course. Hop on a canal boat, rent a bike or head out on foot in any direction and you will stumble on something unforgettable, like an ancient cathedral, a park carpeted in flowers or the iconic windmills that dot the Dutch landscape. Near the port town of Ijmuiden, Haarlem offers all the trappings of a quintessential Dutch city – picturesque canals, cozy cafés and cobbled lanes as well as the oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers Museum.

Although you can visit one of the world’s best ship museums in Bremerhaven at the Schiffahrtsmuseum and head into nearby Bremen for a picnic in lovely Bürgerpark, Hamburg is the main attraction. View famed works of art at the Hamburger Kunsthalle, have a cup of coffee on one of the terraces of the Alsterarkaden, stroll through the historic warehouse district or enjoy the view from the top of 400-year-old St. Michaelis Church.

Overlooking a gorgeous fjord, Norway’s capital and largest city simply radiates with natural beauty and sophistication. Oslo’s rich seafaring history is on display at the Viking Ships Museum, rivaled only by the Kon-Tiki Museum, which holds the balsawood raft that Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl used to sail from Peru to Polynesia. History aside, Oslo exudes a love of the outdoors in city parks like Vigeland, which is adorned with over 200 life-size sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland. Much of Oslo is heavily forested with pines, making it one of Europe’s greenest cities.

A centuries-old fishing village, Skagen is perched along the windswept sand dunes at the northernmost point of Denmark, where the North Sea and the Baltic merge in a frenzy of crashing currents. The town has long been depicted by painters because of its spectacular scenery, charming communities and the remarkable quality of its light, inspiring a group of artists known as the Skagen Painters. See their work at the Skagen Museum, and then learn the science behind the region’s natural wonders at the nature center, housed in a striking building designed by architect Jørn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame.

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.

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.

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.

Offering some of the finest Victorian architecture in the UK, Glasgow is a major center of commerce and culture. Glasgow Cathedral is one of the only cathedrals in Scotland to have survived the Reformation in tact and houses a celebrated collection of stained glass windows. The Burrell Collection showcases a range of work by major artists such as Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, as well as examples of late medieval, Chinese and Islamic art. When exploring Scotland’s culinary culture, be sure to taste some of the famed single malt whiskies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Newhaven is a channel ferry port in East Sussex in England, with regular passenger services to Dieppe. It lies at the mouth of the River Ouse, which has historically migrated westward from Seaford, one of the Cinque Ports.

A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Newcastle is one of the liveliest cities in northern England. Originally built in the 11th century, the Castle Keep was the “new castle” for which the city is named. Stroll along the River Tyne and marvel at the different bridges that have transformed the face of the city. Modern art is the main attraction at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, while the history of Newcastle unfolds at the Great North Museum.

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.