Copenhagen to Reykjavik

Immerse yourself in the vitality of this delightful capital city of the world’s oldest kingdom as you explore its expansive parks and plazas and a treasure trove of historic galleries and buildings. Discover its exquisite combination of Scandinavian elegance and European joie de vivre. Visitors traveling outside the city enter an altogether different world; one where stately castles are found nestled in the gentle, emerald-green Danish countryside.

Aarhus is a city in Denmark on the Jutland peninsula’s east coast. Den Gamle By is its old town open-air museum, with centuries-old timbered houses. Nearby are the greenhouses of the Aarhus Botanical Garden. In the center, the multistory ARoS art museum shows global contemporary works.

Arendal is a city in Agder county, Norway. The city is the administrative centre of the municipality of Arendal and the seat of the County governor of Aust-Agder. The city also includes some area in the neighboring municipality of Grimstad as well.

This former fishing village along the North Sea is well off the beaten path, creating a lovely atmosphere of secluded bliss among the fjords. Its modern charms, cafés and shops mingle with its Viking history, all set against a perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. Venture to nearby Avaldsnes or Skudenshavn, or the lovely Karmøy Island for classic Norwegian landscapes.

Kristiansand is a city in southern Norway. Its old town, Posebyen, features traditional wooden houses. In the center, neo-Gothic Kristiansand Cathedral is near the Sørlandets Museum, which displays Norwegian art from 1800 to today. The southeastern shoreline includes the Bystranda city beach, the 17th-century Christiansholm Fortress rotunda and Fiskebrygga quay, lined with fishmongers selling their catch.

Long renowned as an important center of science and exploration, Tromsø lies on a forest-covered island in a narrow waterway, hemmed in by steep mountains and connected to the mainland by a bridge. The imaginative Arctic Cathedral, the Polaria Centre and a scenic cable car ride are among its varied attractions.

Hammerfest is a municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. Hammerfest is the northernmost town in the world with more than 10,000 inhabitants. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hammerfest.

The northernmost town in Europe, Honningsvåg embodies the natural majesty of Norway, presenting a sprawling natural landscape of Arctic adventure. Quaint fishing villages set along spectacular fjords offer delectable seafood, with quests for king crab on the “can’t miss” list. Within reach are the North Cape and magical Magerøy Island, as well as endless opportunities for rugged exploration in any direction from town center.

Alta is a town on Norway’s northern coast, at the head of Alta Fjord. It’s known for views of the Northern Lights, which inspired the cascading architecture of the Northern Lights Cathedral, built in 2013. Thousands of prehistoric rock carvings are at nearby Hjemmeluft Bay, where there are viewing paths and the World Heritage Rock Art Centre. South of town, the Alta River runs through steep Alta Canyon.

The small Norwegian island of Jan Mayen lies between Greenland and Norway in the Arctic Ocean north of Iceland. At an elevation of 7,500 feet, its crown jewel is the glacier-clad Mount Beeren, also known as Beerenberg, the worlds northernmost volcano. Declared a nature reserve in 2010, visits to the island require government approval. Jan Mayen attracts a host of seabirds, including fulmars, puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. Seals and whales are sometimes spotted in the surrounding waters.

Situated on one of the most magnificent fjords in Iceland, bounded by snow-capped mountains and gently sloping pastures, the weather here is surprisingly moderate despite being just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle. Charming and historical, here you’ll find over 2,000 species of plants in the Botanical Gardens, which thrive without the benefit of a greenhouse.

Ringed by dramatic mountains and perched on a narrow fjord-side spit of land, this old trading post’s as remote as they come – yet boasts a trending arts scene. Walk among tin-roofed homes built by salt fish merchants, admire seagoing artifacts and – for some reason – a world-class accordion collection at the Maritime Museum. Discoveries further afield might include splendid Icelandic waterfalls, a pint-sized botanic garden in the tundra, and tiny villages dwarfed by their surrounding peaks.

Isolated in a northern landscape of icy tranquility, Iceland is a land of volcanoes, hot springs, mountains and glaciers. As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík reflects this natural diversity with ancient maritime history as well as a thriving modern energy and sophistication.

Isolated in a northern landscape of icy tranquility, Iceland is a land of volcanoes, hot springs, mountains and glaciers. As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík reflects this natural diversity with ancient maritime history as well as a thriving modern energy and sophistication.

For those seeking backcountry adventures and scenic cruises, this rugged, remote town offers endless pursuits in nature with a touch of urban cool. Wildlife enthusiasts can search for reindeer and muskox while learning about Greenland’s sustainable practices, and fly fisherman can hook a bounty of Arctic char from its mountain rivers. Hiking the top of Palasip Qaqqaa or Nasaasaaq offer peerless vistas while a local skate park welcomes BMX stunts day and night.

As the capital of Greenland, Nuuk is the center of its trade, shipping, industry and administration. Nuuk, also known as “the promontory,” is located at the tip of a large peninsula by the mouth of the gigantic Nuuk Fjord. The town is the oldest in Greenland, built by the Danish missionary Hans Egede in 1728. With a population of more than 13,000 people, Nuuk is considered Greenlands largest town. Humpback whales at play in the ocean, seals swimming through the great waters and sea eagles flying through the sky are just some of the fascinating wildlife found outside the city limits. Northern lights, striking mountains, breathtaking fjords and colorful sunsets light up the skies of Nuuk.

To encounter one of the most iconic elements of this Greenlandic town, one must simply look up. The white-tailed eagle, known as Nattoralik, is abundant amid the foggy skies. While exploring scenic hiking trails amid fields of angelica, sailing passed the old villages dotting the fjord, or being inspired by the area’s architecture, those seeking an experience off the beaten path will find it here.

The largest town in East Greenland, Tasiilaq is known for its calving glacier and immense floating icebergs. The Sermilik Fjord, the second largest in all of Greenland, is best explored by boat tour, kayak, or by hiking the mountains where the famed Valley of Flowers is blooming with arctic thyme, dandelion and the broad-leafed willow. Whale watching, dog sledding, skiing and snow shoeing are favorite pastimes here.

Ringed by dramatic mountains and perched on a narrow fjord-side spit of land, this old trading post’s as remote as they come – yet boasts a trending arts scene. Walk among tin-roofed homes built by salt fish merchants, admire seagoing artifacts and – for some reason – a world-class accordion collection at the Maritime Museum. Discoveries further afield might include splendid Icelandic waterfalls, a pint-sized botanic garden in the tundra, and tiny villages dwarfed by their surrounding peaks.

Isolated in a northern landscape of icy tranquility, Iceland is a land of volcanoes, hot springs, mountains and glaciers. As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík reflects this natural diversity with ancient maritime history as well as a thriving modern energy and sophistication.