Nautical Northern Europe

Capital of Iceland and gateway to this extraordinary volcanic island, modern Reykjavik is home to an impressive collection of interesting attractions and places of historic significance. Visit the impressive Hallgrímskirkja church, relax in a thermal pool, potter around the old harbour, and with 24 hour daylight in the summer months, you can play golf at midnight, or choose the perfect place to view the midnight sun such as the lighthouse at Grotta or on the waterfront by Sólfar - the Sun Voyager sculpture. If you're like us, you will find travelling out of Reykjavik by land or sea to be unforgettable.

Ísafjörður is the largest town in Iceland’s wild Westfjords, dramatically located on a spit of sand hemmed in by mountains on three sides. The town itself is fairly low key, and the main attraction is exploring the surrounding landscapes, such as the spectacular Hornstrandir Peninsula.

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city, though with just 18,000 inhabitants it’s really more of a small town. Situated on the north coast at the head of Iceland’s largest fjord, it’s a cute and quirky place that also serves as a base from which to explore the bubbling mud pools and lunar landscapes around Lake Mývatn.

Seyðisfjörður is one of the highlights of Iceland’s Eastfjords, a cute collection of colourful houses at the head of a dramatic fjord. The backdrop of snowy mountains and cascading waterfalls makes this one of the most picturesque ports in Iceland, and the town is surprisingly cosmopolitan.

Djúpivogur is a little fishing village on the east coast of Iceland, at the mouth of a steep fjord, and has recently joined the ‘slow city’ movement, the first place in Iceland to do so. A popular excursion is the boat trip across to Papey island, where you’ll find thousands of seabirds and Iceland’s oldest wooden church

Tórshavn, named after the Norse god Thor, is one of the world’s smallest capitals, with a population of just 20,000. The brightly coloured facades and turfed roofs lend the harbour an attractive, storybook quality, and the narrow streets are home to some atmospheric pubs and cafés.

Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.

Rosendal is famous for the Barony, an historic manor house and Renaissance garden that was home to some of Norway’s most distinguished nobles between 1655 and 1927. Rosendal is also near to the beautiful Hardangerfjord and Folgefonna National Park.

You might not expect to find a beach resort in Norway, but the sunny city of Kristiansand is where Norwegians go for a spot of fun by the seaside. There are plenty of family-friendly attractions, including a zoo, and it’s also a good base for exploring the pretty fishing villages of the south coast.

Southampton is the UK’s leading port. Bustling modern cruise terminals, as well as wharfs and commercial harbours, line the waterfront, whilst the city itself is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, with a picturesque old town, the original city walls still standing, and super-modern shopping centres and office complexes

Dunkirk will forever be synonymous with Operation Dynamo, when a ramshackle fleet of fishing boats and pleasure craft helped to evacuate over 300,000 British and French soldiers cut off by the German army in the summer of 1940. The modern city has several interesting museums covering both the evacuation and the history of Dunkirk’s port.

One of the great ports of Europe, Rotterdam’s impressive skyline can be seen from far and wide. With great architecture both ancient and modern, fantastic exhibition and concert halls, theatres, pretty galleries and numerous museums, there is so much to do when you stay here.

The intriguing city of Oslo, Norway’s capital, has so much to offer, from the open air Norwegian Folk Museum to the amazing Vigeland sculpture park, and from the Holmenkollen Ski Museum to the Munch Museum’s collection of memorable paintings. History, art and culture are what defines this lovely city.

Gothenburg, or Goeteborg locally, is Sweden’s laid back second city, a delightful mix of cobbled streets, neoclassical architecture and picturesque canals. The old town is full of history, with some interesting museums, and the thriving arts scene has helped to revitalise the city’s previously run-down industrial districts.

The old Hanseatic port of Rostock was heavily damaged in the Second World War, though attractive enclaves of historic architecture remain. The little village of Warnemünde, a suburb of Rostock, is home to one of the most appealing beaches on the Baltic coast. An excursion inland to Berlin is a popular option, though it's around 150 miles each way.

The ruggedly handsome island of Bornholm lies way out in the Baltic, closer to Sweden and Poland than the Danish mainland. It’s the sunniest place in Denmark, known for its intriguing rundekirke (round churches), sleepy fishing villages, traditional smokehouses and fantastic foodie scene.

The charming UNESCO-listed town of Visby is the capital of Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic. The photogenic cobbled streets and ruined Gothic churches are a reminder of the island’s fascinating history, invaded by both Germans and Danes and decimated by the Black Death in the 14th century.

Finland’s lovely capital Helsinki is a maritime city, with the sea on three sides and almost 100 kilometres of shoreline, as well as around 300 islands. Its contemporary architecture and focus on modern design sit surprisingly well alongside its four hundred year history.

The historic harbour city of Tallinn in Estonia is really quite captivating. Just the perfect size to explore on foot, its medieval (and UNESCO listed) town centre, with its cobblestone streets and a busy Town Hall Square, is the perfect introduction to Estonia’s rich history.

The buzzing city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Many sights will delight; the busy waterfront, the cobbled streets in the Old Town, and the museums, palaces, gardens and galleries. And of course, just 20 minutes away, its archipelago of 30,000 islands offers a totally different experience.

Wonderful Copenhagen is the perfect city to explore on foot, by bicycle or by water. Visit the bustling wharf at Nyhavn, enjoy the palaces, galleries and museums, wander through the amazing Tivoli Gardens, and if you have time, make the most of Copenhagen’s gastronomic revolution.