Scandinavian cities and Norwegian fjords

With a history that dates back to 1043, this small city is full of historic landmarks, significant buildings and interesting sights and museums. It is of course also a history that sits alongside the height of modern Danish design. It is great to explore on foot, by bicycle or by water. Be sure to visit Amalienborg Palace and to walk down the famed shopping street (Strøget). The pretty harbour of Nyhavn is a great location to stop for coffee or lunch and watch the world go by. And of course highlights include the Tivoli Gardens, and the (surprisingly) tiny statue of The Little Mermaid.

Situated at the very northern tip of Jutland, Skagen is famed for its wonderful light and beautiful coastal scenery, which attracted many artists during the 19th century. Today it’s a popular destination for well-to-do Danes, drawn here by the beaches, charming architecture and spectacular sunsets.

Fredrikstad is named after King Frederick II of Denmark, who founded the city in 1567. The fortified old town, the Gamlebyen, is a delight to explore, with cobbled streets and some lovely restaurants. Other nearby points of interest include the childhood home of the polar explorer Roald Amundsen, which now hosts a small museum.

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.

Arendal, on the southern coast of Norway, is a popular summer holiday destination for local tourists and a pleasant town to spend some time exploring. Highlights include the lively harbourside area, Pollen, and the 17th century wooden architecture of Tyholmen in the city centre.

The lovely town of Skudeneshavn, situated on the southern coast of Karmøy island, grew rich on the back of the 19th century herring trade, and is famous for its pretty white wooden houses. Elsewhere on the island you’ll find beautiful lakes, forests and sandy beaches.

The Nordfjord is one of Norway’s longest fjords, with more than 60 miles of towering mountains, gushing waterfalls and glittering glaciers. This part of Norway is a region of superlatives, home to both Europe’s deepest lake, Hornindalsvatnet, and mainland Europe’s largest glacier, the spectacular Jostedalsbreen.

The Geirangerfjord is arguably the most spectacular fjord in all of Norway, a sinuous ten mile stretch of sheer mountain walls and tumbling waterfalls. The village of Geiranger itself sits at one end of the fjord, and in summer the population swells with an influx of visitors to this beautiful region.

The little village of Hellesylt lies at the head of the Sunnylvsfjord, considerably quieter than the nearby Geirangerfjord, albeit not quite so spectacular. The most impressive sight here is the waterfall in the centre of the village, but most visitors will choose to take an excursion to Geiranger instead.

When Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed to foot the bill to rebuild it. The result was the stunning Art Nouveau architecture that you see today, which blends elements of the German 'Jugendstil' with Viking flourishes.

Beautiful Bergen, Norway’s former capital, is a perfect city to explore on foot. Bryggen – the old Hanseatic wharf, and a UNESCO World Heritage site – still has the old harbour timber buildings, whilst other attractions include the funicular up Mount Floyen and the busy fish market.