The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is the country's biggest city with some five million inhabitants, taking its suburban population into account. Its position on the Baltic Sea has generated substantial maritime activities including shipyards, fishing and commerce. Its port is today one of the busiest in northern Europe.
Along with Denmark's combative Viking past, the country for many centuries underwent periods of great turbulence and military activity, particularly during the Reformation - not least with its neighbours Norway and Sweden - and Napoleonic Wars. Relations between the Danes and its northern neighbours were particularly bad, until the daughter of King Valdemar IV, Margarete, married Hakon VI, the king of Norway and Sweden, resulting in the treaty of Kalmar, which unified the three countries. However, unity did not bring peace. The three countries each became involved in religious struggles, which characterised Lutheran reform. During this period Copenhagen, (formerly called Havn, meaning port) also became the cultural capital of the country and in the first half of the 17th Century several elegant buildings were built. But disaster struck when first the plague and then two great fires decimated Copenhagen, killing three quarters of its inhabitants. Reconstruction was gradual but faithful to the city's traditions, producing a city that was, in the words of a Danish poet, 'sparkling on the sea'. During the two World Wars, Copenhagen remained neutral, a strategy which placed Denmark in a good position post-war, ready to meet the challenges of the European Union. Modern-day Denmark is one of Europe's most liberal countries and Copenhagen is one of its most cosmopolitan and lively cities. A variety of parks, fountains and city squares add to the pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.
The Danish monarchy claims to be the world's oldest, dating back to the 10th Century. The Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen has been home to the Danish Royal Family since the late 18th Century and today includes a museum, which chronicles the Family's history through the centuries. When the Danish queen is in residence, changing of the Guard takes place at the palace at noon. In ancient times the Royal Family lived at Christianborg, a charming castle full of history and artistic masterpieces. The castle, on Slotsholm Island, hosts the Folketing, the Danish parliament.
Probably the city's most famous sight is the waterfront statue of the Little Mermaid, a tribute to the city's most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen. Another renowned sightseeing destination is the Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which is more than 150 years old. The park is close to the city centre and is a good place to join in the fun on the numerous rides available.
The city has many restaurants and bars, particularly in the Nyhaven and Stroget areas, in which to try out some of the local specialities. Copenhagen's most typical dish is the smorrebrod, a type of rye sandwich filled with herring, smoked meat, salmon and accompanied by hard-boiled egg, beetroot in vinegar, salad and onion. Also worth a try is platte, a cold dish of herrings, fish fillets, pate, meatballs and cheese.

• Hellesylt (Norway)

Hellesylt is the gateway to some spectacular Norwegian scenery nestling in the country of fjords. Surrounded by steep rocky mountains, dissected by cascading waterfalls and decorated with thriving fruit trees, the fjords are among the Earth's most inspiring landscapes. The air is pure, the water clear and nature unspoilt.
The evolution of the fjords began some three million years ago when Norway was covered by an ice cap, thinner along the coast than inland. When the climate became milder, the ice began to melt, producing great waterfalls that dug into the soil and descended towards the sea. This created valleys that were subsequently filled by the ocean, forming the fjords.
Three of the most magnificent Norwegian fjords are in the counties of Möre og Romsdal and Sogn og Fjordane. They are Geirangerfjord, at one end of the 110km long Storfjord, Hjörundfjord, described as the 'nave of a Gothic cathedral' and Romsdalfjord, surrounded by beautiful mountains that turn amber in the reflection of the sun on the icy waters. The many waterfalls of the area are a great attraction, as is Horningdalsvannet, the deepest lake in the world, reaching a depth of 600 metres and according to local folklore inhabited by some very strange marine life. A short distance away in the direction of the tourist village of Stryn is the perpetually snow-capped Tsytig glacier, a meeting point of two mountain ranges. The village of Geiranger lies in a steep, long valley at one end of the fjord of the same name. In addition to the spectacular attraction of the fjord, the area is known for its river salmon fishing and its cod fishing out to sea. An interesting excursion from Geiranger is Djupavnett Lake and the Dalsnibba glacier, dissected by numerous rivers and waterfalls.

Geirangerfjord is the name of a large fjord in western Norway, one of the most beautiful in the country, attracting a constant stream of passenger ships.
The hill-top village of Geiranger lies at the end of a steep, long valley. In addition to the spectacular attraction of the fjord itself, the area is known for its river salmon fishing and its cod fishing out to sea. Geiranger is also renowned for the hospitality of the local people and for the peaceful way of life. It is very popular among walkers.
An interesting excursion from Geiranger is Djupavnett Lake and the Dalsnibba glacier, dissected by numerous rivers and waterfalls.

Flam is a typical village huddled between a fjord and a sheer cliff down to the sea with local inhabitants who exude truly enthusiastic hospitality. The tour begins boarding a train that is a cross between a rack railway and a cable car suspended amid the rocks, fjords and the sea. In reality it is simply a feat of modern engineering as it rises up to over 2,700 ft above sea level guaranteeing breathtaking views.
You'll pass the scenic waterfalls of Stalheimfossen and Sivlefoss in the nearby Naeroy Valley. As the sea winds its way up the fjords the rivers take on spectacular and unusual traits, allowing for splendid specimens of fish such as large salmon. Along the way, you'll visit the ancient church of Hopperstad.
Built in the 12th century and made entirely of wood, it is a "church" that's a bit special. Notwithstanding the massive spread of Christianity over the entire north, this part of the country used to worship pagan gods and idols that had more in common with mythological tradition than a true and proper religion. This place of worship was one of the main reference points for this type of devotional display.

Norway's second largest city with a population of around 200,000, Bergen is a destination of architectural, historical and natural fascination. The city lies facing the sea with a dramatic backdrop of seven hills. Some 50,000 tourists visit Bergen annually, attracted by the beauty of the region and the accessibility of Norway's spectacular fjords. Bergen's port has throughout its history been crucial to the city's prosperity - and even the very survival of its people. In 1702, when a fire swept through the wooden houses of the then village of Bergen, the sea provided an escape route for thousands.
Bergen was founded as Norway's capital in the 11th Century by King Olav Kyrre and its high status remained until the 13th Century when the powerful Lubeck Hanseatic League made the 'Bryggen' quarter into a German ghetto, contained by a barrier and with special localised rules which gave great favour - and power - to the merchant classes. German dominance remained for 400 years, eventually being replaced by the Danes, and then the Swedes, until Norway gained peaceful independence in 1905. Only four houses remain from the days of the Hanseatic League, although the area of the former ghetto is the financial centre of the city.
One of Bergen's most illustrious sons was the composer Edvard Grieg, whose life and work is celebrated in his former home Troldhaugen. The contemporary cultural life of Bergen is also thriving and the city was selected as one of the Cultural Cities of Europe for the year 2000. Architecturally, Bergen has much to offer. Of particular note is the stone-built 12th Century St Mary Church. The Hanseatic Museum in the centre of Bergen near the Fish Market is one of the city's best-preserved wooden buildings. The wooden Fantoft Stave Church is another structure of particular fascination. The original church, which also dates to the 12th Century, was destroyed by fire in 1992 and the present structure is a faithful restoration.
Norway has much to offer souvenir hunters, including high quality hand-made glassware and china. Pewter items are particularly popular and have the distinctive feature of being lead-free. Other Norwegian specialities include jewellery made from the national semi-precious stone thulite, and woollen clothing. Among the culinary specialities of Norway are smoked salmon dishes called lads, and pickled herring.

This is a city that, throughout a history dotted with numerous problems and even moments of great drama, has owed much of its drive, success and pride to the sea. In terms of its population and commerce Stavanger is nowadays Norway’s fourth most important city. Starting out as a small North Sea fishing village in perennial danger of Viking invasion, Stavanger managed to carve itself out a primary role in the Norwegian fish, food, shipbuilding and oil (and its derivatives) storage industries becoming, as a consequence, one of northern Europe’s most important ports. Of the city’s 110,000-strong population, around a third work in industries directly dependent on the port or its related businesses. Stavanger also has the highest immigration levels in Norway: it has been estimated that at least 7% of the population was born outside the city (either elsewhere in Norway or, in more recent years, abroad) before moving here, attracted by the plentiful employment and the chance to forge themselves a successful working life here, a city where working between 10-12 hours a day is par for the course.
This is why Norwegians describe Stavanger as both the country’s most important town and its most important port. For this reason it is a city with a dual image - just like other provincial cities it has a very strong communal spirit where everyone knows and is happy to assist each other. So much so, in fact, that struggling businesses often receive support from more successful companies and employees migrate from one company to another without causing problems but rather contributing to an elastic workforce that has little comparison in Europe. Indeed it is this continual turnover of staff in the town and port that has made Stavanger Norway’s most cosmopolitan and international city.
The old town, notable for its traditional local architecture with its little coloured wooden houses and picturesque cobbled streets, is truly beautiful, and is the heart of the city when it comes to shopping, nightlife and entertainment. Everyone works but nobody steals: this is another saying around these parts because Stavanger is also particularly proud of the fact that it is a 30,000-strong city with the lowest crime rates in Norway. If an old lady sprains her ankle while shopping it makes headline news here.
In recent years the city has also attracted more tourists and large cruise ships for whom Stavanger is always a stopping-point on the way to visiting Rogaland, which has one of the most beautiful views of the Norwegian fjords, and the breathtaking Pulpit Rock on Lysefjord.
The modern history of Stavanger, without doubt inhabited since the Stone Age and strongly characterised by a long Viking domination beginning around 800 A.D., began in 1825 when the sloop “Restauration” left for New York on 4th July with 52 pilgrim fathers, victims of religious persecution, aboard.
In the following years a further 800,000 Norwegians left their homeland, departing from Stavanger with the United States the destination. More evidence of the growing importance of a city that, thanks to the continual stream of money sent back from US emigrants, has developed into the influential town it is today.

The historic city of Oslo has a population of less than half a million inhabitants, spread over an area of more than 453 square kilometres - so there is no lack of space! Indeed, 'there's enough room here' is one of the local sayings.
According to tradition, the city was founded in 1050 by the Viking king Harald Hardråde (the Strong), who called the town Oslo. Centuries later, in 1624, King Christian IV renamed the city Christiana. The King significantly influenced the architectural and urban structure of the city, which was renamed Oslo again only in 1925.
In prehistoric times, Norway was a land covered by ice and it remained uninhabited for many centuries. The earliest evidence of Viking settlement dates back to 800BC when Viken, Oslo fjord, was first explored. During the era of the Vikings, many Englishmen, Scotsmen and Irishmen were imprisoned, and forced to farm the land in slavery. But as the centuries progressed, the Vikings became more interested in commerce, until the reign of Harald the Fair, who reunited the kingdom of Norway.
For many decades after Oslo was founded, its fortunes flourished, becoming a regional centre of power and influence. But in the 14th Century the population was decimated by the bubonic plague and Oslo's power was diminished. For the next 400 years Norway was controlled by Denmark, followed by Sweden, until the country gained independence in 1905. Norway has long held a preference for neutrality and has avoided all recent conflicts. During World War II, Norway remained neutral but had to suffer German invasion. Since the end of the war and liberation, Norway has maintained its neutral outlook, for example voting to stay out of the European Union.
Oslo is a city of many architectural and cultural highlights. One of the top attractions is a museum featuring recovered and restored Viking ships, displaying in fascinating detail impressive Viking craftsmanship. Another attraction is the 14th Century Akershus Castle, complete with dark grimy dungeons and splendid banqueting halls.
The open-air Vigeland Park features 200 works of celebrated Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. The Slottet is the residential palace of the Norwegian Royal Family, headed by King Harald. A red and gold flag flies above the palace when the King is at home. Also worth seeing is the Stortinget building where the Norwegian Parliament sits.
Nearby to Oslo is the winter Olympic ski resort of Holmenkollen, which affords spectacular views of Norway's capital city.
The basic food of Norway is fish, particularly lobster and salmon. Other typical dishes include arctic grouse with cream sauce, roasted elk, gjatost cheese and multers, arctic strawberries. Vienerbrod is a renowned royal speciality.

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