Rotterdam - September 16, 2023

One of Europe's leading cities, Amsterdam's rings of canals and traditional Dutch architecture are unmistakable. Rich in art, history and culture, Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's house, and the Rijksmuseum, which houses many works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Norway's political and cultural capital, Oslo was recently selected as the city with the highest quality of life in Europe. It's not surprising, considering the city's treasures: beautiful Frogner Park filled with modern sculpture, the emotional power of the Munch Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, forested mountains and secluded coves, all within the city limits.

Stavanger, the southern gateway to the Fjordlands, is also the home port of much of the fleet that serves the North Sea oil fields. Visit for historical investigation or to soak up the majesty of the natural terrain. View its medieval Cathedral and other highlights of the town or travel out to Pulpit Rock, a breathtaking vista high above the fjords.

Tucked at the end of a fjord, tiny Flam huddles between steep peaks and deep, still water. From its gingerbread rail station, an electric train zigzags through mountaintops and tunnel after tunnel, emerging on the "Roof of Norway." It's an amazing experience. Return by the same route, or take one of the world's most scenic drives through the Romsdal Alps.

Sognefjorden is the longest fjord in Norway, located in the midst of rugged and magnificent scenery. Mountains here rise to a height of more than 5,000 feet. In parts, the water is more than 4,291 feet deep. Numerous falls spill down the ravines, and some of the cataracts are even harnessed for electric power.

One of Europe's leading cities, Amsterdam's rings of canals and traditional Dutch architecture are unmistakable. Rich in art, history and culture, Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's house, and the Rijksmuseum, which houses many works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, and travelers find it incredibly charming. For historical interest, explore the streets of Christianborg and Amelienborg palaces. Leisure seekers can stroll the streets or lounge in the cafes of Stroget. Visit Tivoli Gardens, too, and don't forget to see the statue of the Little Mermaid, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen.

From Warnemunde, you can travel on the autobahn or railway to Berlin to view the Brandenburg Gate, Kaiser Wilhelm Church, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Reichstag and the collected wonders of the Pergamon Museum. Or stay down by the sea, and visit medieval Rostock and the spas of the Baltic shore.

Riga is home to a university, the Latvian Academy of Sciences, and to numerous other educational and cultural institutions. The old section, or Hansa town, is circled by a park-lined moat and includes the ancient castle of the Livonian Knights, the 13th century Lutheran cathedral, and the Parliament building. This area, with its narrow, cobbled streets lined with gabled dwellings and warehouses, has retained much of its medieval character.

Beautifully preserved medieval walls and towers still stand tall in the Old Town section, shadowed by the hilltop Toompea Castle. Stroll and shop along cobblestone streets, walk up to the Baroque Palace, and drop in at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and find inspiration in the gleaming mosaics and tiles. This is, by far, one of the most atmospheric locales in Europe.

Finland's national capital is a spacious Neoclassical city in fine white granite, whose upbeat pace and fashion sense belie the Finnish reputation for conservatism. The massive Temppeliaukio Church is carved out of solid stone, while on the Esplanadi, famous Finnish designers like Marimekko or Iitala demonstrate a lighter, more modern style.

Distributed across fourteen immaculate islands in a sheltered Baltic bay, crisscrossed by scenic bridges, Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. It is a sightseeing smorgasbord, including the medieval "city between the bridges," the vast Royal Palace, and the City Hall, which hosts the yearly Nobel Prize ceremonies.

Distributed across fourteen immaculate islands in a sheltered Baltic bay, crisscrossed by scenic bridges, Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. It is a sightseeing smorgasbord, including the medieval "city between the bridges," the vast Royal Palace, and the City Hall, which hosts the yearly Nobel Prize ceremonies.

Kiel is a city in north central Germany, in Schleswig-Holstein, a port on an arm of the Baltic Sea, at the eastern entrance of the Nord-Ostsee (or Kiel) Canal. The city has been noted as a port since the 10th century because of its excellent harbor, which is a tideless fjord. The city has a university and is a popular center for pleasure boating.

One of Europe's leading cities, Amsterdam's rings of canals and traditional Dutch architecture are unmistakable. Rich in art, history and culture, Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's house, and the Rijksmuseum, which houses many works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.