Sailing with the Vikings (Swan Hellenic)

The Arctic gateway, Tromso at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storstei­nen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromso's charm.

Trollfjorden is unbelievable. A 100 m-wide entrance to a narrow fjord with near-vertical mountainous sides up to 1,100 m high, the passage slices through Austvågøya, on the edge of the Lofoten Islands. As the ship enters the fjord, the silence is only broken by the gentle sound of the ship's engines and the occasional cry of a white-tailed eagle soaring overhead. At the end of the fjord, the ship slowly spins, offering a final captivating view.

LEKNES, LOFOTEN

In The Lofoten Islands, Leknes, the main town on Vestvågøya island above the Arctic Circle, is nestled on the bay-like Buksnesfjorden. The surreal landscape features red-painted houses against craggy, mountainous isles. In summer, the white sand beaches resemble the South Seas, while the region experiences almost two months of the Midnight Sun. Tours explore the mountainous interior, while whale watching excursions venture out to sea.

Bronnoysund, a charming town on a narrow peninsula midway up Norway's coast, is surrounded by islands. Torghatten, a granite mountain on Torget island, is renowned for its unique, natural hole. Boat trips explore the Vega Archipelago UNESCO site, known for shallow waters, fishing docks, and nesting spots for eider ducks. The Norwegian Aquaculture Centre offers insights into salmon farming through aquariums, underwater cameras, and a restaurant.

As Romsdalsfjord nears the open sea it’s a different place, bigger and even more placid yet still wild – from the town of Molde it’s reckoned you can see 222 peaks. From here the Atlantic Road darts across bridges and islands on its extraordinary journey. A replica Viking ship departs for Håholmen island, an 18th-century fishing port. Nearby are the spine-tingling caves of Bergtatt, where marble has been mined for more than 80 years.

Geiranger is a small village at the head of Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO heritage site for its staggering mix of snow-capped peaks, clear blue waters, lush greenery, and magnificent waterfalls. The mighty Seven Sisters are a series of seven waterfalls cascading down a steep cliff face. The 1,500 m Geiranger Skywalk at Dalsnibba offers panoramic vistas. In Geiranger, the Norwegian Fjord Centre is the visitor and education hub of the fjord region.

Nearer Norway than the Scottish mainland, the solid, stone-built town of Lerwick is the capital and only town of the Shetland Islands, a subarctic Scottish archipelago with Viking roots. The port has a Dutch flair with 17th-century Fort Charlotte. In the island's south, Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement reveals an exceptional archaeological site spanning 5,000 years of history. Around 1,500 tiny Shetland ponies roam freely on the islands.

Nearer Norway than the Scottish mainland, the solid, stone-built town of Lerwick is the capital and only town of the Shetland Islands, a subarctic Scottish archipelago with Viking roots. The port has a Dutch flair with 17th-century Fort Charlotte. In the island's south, Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement reveals an exceptional archaeological site spanning 5,000 years of history. Around 1,500 tiny Shetland ponies roam freely on the islands.

Ships dock in Leith, Edinburgh’s port, a mix of old and new with waterfront restaurants and pubs and the Royal Yacht Britannia. In Edinburgh's Royal Mile, attractions run from the King’s official residence in Scotland, Palace of Holyroodhouse, to Edinburgh Castle, sitting on Castle Rock, a volcanic hill. Nearby is the Scottish Parliament building, while the National Museum of Scotland, presents a detailed history of the country.

Ships dock in Leith, Edinburgh’s port, a mix of old and new with waterfront restaurants and pubs and the Royal Yacht Britannia. In Edinburgh's Royal Mile, attractions run from the King’s official residence in Scotland, Palace of Holyroodhouse, to Edinburgh Castle, sitting on Castle Rock, a volcanic hill. Nearby is the Scottish Parliament building, while the National Museum of Scotland, presents a detailed history of the country.

Known as the "Granite City" for its grey buildings, Aberdeen is a compact Scottish city awash with cobbled streets and strong North Sea ties. Aberdeen also has a long golden beach and harbour where dolphins sometimes play. It offers access to Scotland's castle and whisky trails, including nearby distilleries like Glenfiddich and Glen Grant, as well as Aberdeenshire's dramatic Dunnottar Castle and numerous other castles.

Newcastle upon Tyne in northeast England sits on the River Tyne's north bank, spanned by the magnificent Tyne Bridge. Gothic Newcastle Cathedral overlooks the city. Below the streets, The Victoria Tunnel is a remarkable feat of Victorian engineering, used for coal transport and air raid shelters. Beyond the city, Hadrian's Wall, the largest archaeological feature in Britain at 73 miles (117.5 km), guarded the Roman Empire's northern frontier.

Scheveningen, a lively district in The Hague, Netherlands, exudes urban-seaside vibes with 11 km of North Sea beaches and the De Pier amusement park, including a Ferris wheel. The Hague is renowned for the Gothic-style Binnenhof complex, the seat of the Dutch parliament, and the King's working palace, Noordeinde Palace, surrounded by charming boutiques and galleries. It also hosts the U.N.'s International Court of Justice.

Amsterdam is a gorgeous Dutch city where a boat cruise along the canals gets to the heart of things. Yet, the magic also unfolds while strolling through narrow streets and crossing the hundreds of bridges. It houses a treasure trove of fabulous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum, adorned with Dutch Masters, conveniently located near the Van Gogh Museum. To the south, picturesque stretches of countryside with windmills line the canals.