Dublin offers a wealth of historic sites dating back to a 1000-year-old Viking village, and as one might expect of the Irish, there is a tale to be told about every one. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is said to have been erected on the site where the saint himself converted pagans in 450 AD. From Dublin Castle the crown jewels were stolen in 1907; an unsolved mystery left to the fictional Sherlock Holmes to decipher. Some pubs, great sources of stories, are almost as old – you can sample a Guinness and the latest lore at The Brazen head, serving up drink and daydreams for 800 years. Then for a contrast, ride to a stunning view of contemporary Dublin atop a brand new observation wheel.

Alesund’s architecture is known far and wide. Turrets, spires, and other whimsical Art Nouveau architectural touches give the town its distinctive character like something from a fairytale. The scenic spectacle of the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s best-known attractions, is just a stone’s throw from this quaint little town.

Settled around 400 AD and formally founded by King Christian IV in 1641, Kristiansand is now a major port, and offers plenty of beaches, salmon fishing and sailing. Sample local brew and feast on the freshest seafood at the very picturesque and inviting “Fiskebrygga” fish market. Kristiansand Dyreparken Zoo is known as the “Living Park” and is home to Scandinavian animals and a replicated natural African savanna. Visit the ironically peaceful Kristiansand Cannon Museum at Møvik Fort. Built by the German Navy between 1941 and 1944, it is one of the biggest cannons ever and the only remaining 380mm Krupp gun in the world. Tour the rotunda of the Christiansholm Fortress or venture beyond the city to the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a flat mountain plateau that towers an impressive 604 meters over the fjord, Lysefjord.

A city founded over 1,000 years ago is certain to be rich in history and culture. Now the country’s third largest municipality, it’s been Norway’s capital city, a site of countless coronations, and an important pilgrimage for worshipers of the Christian faith. Today, Trondheim is a vibrant, youthful city that embraces the simplicity of Scandinavian life. But don’t let this laid back lifestyle fool you— there is so much to discover beneath Trondheim’s calm exterior.

From Molde spectacular scenery is accessible by two noteworthy roads. Trollstigen (literally troll ladder, so watch out), twists through 11 hairpin turns as it climbs mountains, at one point crossing an impressive stone bridge over a waterfall. Then there’s the Atlantic Ocean Road, just five miles long, hopping across small islands via eight bridges right to the ocean’s edge. Forts were built along the coast by occupying Germans during WWII, one, now a museum, allows for exploration of an underground network of bunkers, with displays of weapons and other memorabilia.

The village of Olden sits peacefully at the edge of the colossal Jostedal Glacier. This is Europe’s largest ice floe, covering 188 square miles, and 2000 feet at its thickest. But it’s not the only glacier in this park. If you are feeling energetic, consider a journey to the frozen cascade of the million-year-old Briksdal Glacier, hiking the last portion across a wooden bridge over a waterfall, through a bewitching mountain valley, right up to the glacier’s face. Alternatively, opt for a relaxing journey by boat on an emerald green lake framed by ancient mountains.

The lovely port town of Haugesund is known as the birthplace of Norway, crowned as such by Viking King Harald Fairhair in the 9th century. Today it’s one of Norway’s principal culture centers, hosting the Norwegian International Film Festival as well as a jazz festival every summer.The fascinating Viking past of Haugesund comes alive at the Norwegian History Center where re-creations take place on a 7th century Viking farm. And the descendants of renowned Viking ship builders recently completed an exact sailing replica of a dragon ship. If it’s in town, go aboard. Life on the farm was hard; on the sea, unimaginable – no wonder Vikings were so fierce.

This quiet little hamlet is dwarfed by the outsized scenery that surrounds it: steep fjord walls, sparkling crystalline glaciers, foaming waterfalls, and an endless expanse of mountain tundra traversed by herds of reindeer. A major “don’t miss” – the Vøringsfossen Waterfall. One of Norway’s most visited natural wonders, it is actually a conglomeration of cascades converging to plummet 600 feet before thundering into the waters of the fjord below. At this latitude the daylight hours available to take in so much magnificence stretch long into the summer night.

Stavanger is a fascinating blend of old and new – from the Middle Ages when Vikings ruled the seas to today’s North Sea drilling platforms that have made Norway one of the world’s leading oil producers. Echoing this duality is the contrast of modern architecture and trendy, stylish cafés with ancient cobblestone walkways, and rows of 18th-century whitewashed wooden houses. As you wander around town, keep your eyes open for the 23 identical cast iron figures by sculptor Antony Gormley that are scattered about. They are six feet tall and all face 10° west.

Settled around 400 AD and formally founded by King Christian IV in 1641, Kristiansand is now a major port, and offers plenty of beaches, salmon fishing and sailing. Sample local brew and feast on the freshest seafood at the very picturesque and inviting “Fiskebrygga” fish market. Kristiansand Dyreparken Zoo is known as the “Living Park” and is home to Scandinavian animals and a replicated natural African savanna. Visit the ironically peaceful Kristiansand Cannon Museum at Møvik Fort. Built by the German Navy between 1941 and 1944, it is one of the biggest cannons ever and the only remaining 380mm Krupp gun in the world. Tour the rotunda of the Christiansholm Fortress or venture beyond the city to the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a flat mountain plateau that towers an impressive 604 meters over the fjord, Lysefjord.

Norway’s capital is an intriguing blend of historic and contemporary – its striking new Opera House playing counterpoint to the charming old Damstredet, a narrow, well-preserved street of brightly painted and carved wooden houses. Norwegians are justly proud of their maritime heritage, dating back to the 9th century, when Viking long ships with distinctive curved bows left colonies in their wake across northern Europe, and later sailed on to Greenland and America almost 500 years before Columbus. Some of these intriguing craft can be found amidst the parks of the Bygdøy Peninsula, along with other historic vessels, including Amundsen’s polar ship Fram, and Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon Tiki.

Norway’s capital is an intriguing blend of historic and contemporary – its striking new Opera House playing counterpoint to the charming old Damstredet, a narrow, well-preserved street of brightly painted and carved wooden houses. Norwegians are justly proud of their maritime heritage, dating back to the 9th century, when Viking long ships with distinctive curved bows left colonies in their wake across northern Europe, and later sailed on to Greenland and America almost 500 years before Columbus. Some of these intriguing craft can be found amidst the parks of the Bygdøy Peninsula, along with other historic vessels, including Amundsen’s polar ship Fram, and Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon Tiki.