Ålesund is of Norway's most captivating emerging destinations. Nestled along the Norwegian coast, this picturesque town offers a captivating journey through history, culture, and stunning landscapes. The town was ravaged by a devastating fire in 1904 and was thus rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style of the era. Today, Ålesund's architecture is a not only beautifully preserved but a masterpiece of design. Walking its cobblestone streets reveals ornate facades, intricate details, and a palpable sense of history. The Jugendstilsenteret museum provides insight into this architectural renaissance and is well worth a visit. However pretty Ålesund town may be, it is nothing in comparison to the stunning surroundings. Ålesund is a gateway to the majestic fjords and islands of western Norway. Adventurers can explore the Geirangerfjord, while wildlife enthusiasts can spot seals and seabirds on nearby Runde Island.

Spread across four islands in northern Norway, Kristiansund is both a quaint harbor town and a cultural powerhouse, home to the country's oldest opera company and host of many art, music, and photography festivals. Hop between the islands by ferry to discover all that's on offer. Grip is a tiny historic fishing community with a 15th-century church and Norway's second-highest lighthouse, while the Norwegian Clipfish Museum honors the local speciality of dried fish – enjoy it in a bowl of stew, bacalao, at a wharfside restaurant overlooking the open sea for an authentic taste. Mellemværftet meanwhile, is a “living” shipbuilding museum (the only one of its kind in the country), where you can see traditional iron forging and woodworking methods in action. Kristiansund is also the start of the Atlantic Ocean Road, a remarkable feat of engineering that connects a string of islands to the mainland via bridges and causeways, and offers staggering coastal scenery at every turn.

Norway's raw coastal beauty is showcased by this port on Vagsoy island, overlooked by Kannestenen rock, which has been moulded by the sea over millions of year into a vast mushroom-like cliff. The gateway to mighty Nordfjord, where rugged peaks rise from ice-blue water, Maloy is a buzzing hub for Norway's prized seafood exports. Inland, along the fjord at Sagastad Viking Center, see Myklebust, one of the world's largest Viking ships, backed by the glacier-topped peaks of Jostedalsbreen national park, where the summit of Mount Hoven can be conquered by all aboard the Loen Skylift cable car.

Mother Nature pulses through Bergen's veins. The pretty little town is flanked by a mesmerizing canvas of fjords, mountains, and waterways which must be seen to be believed, and cast in the shadow of majestic Mount Fløyen, and visitors who are not afraid of heights should enjoy sweeping views of the valley via the Fløibanen funicular. Bergen is everything you would expect it to be: colorful fishing huts dot the landscape while the vibrant Fish Market, perhaps the beating heart of the town, is where visitors immerse in the flavors of fresh seafood and local produce. Traditional dishes like `klippfisk` and `smørbrød` reveal a deep connection to coastal resources, and are very tasty to boot! Once you have had your fill of sensational landscapes and traditional food, then take a stroll to iconic Bryggen Wharf—a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with vibrantly hued Hanseatic buildings, echoing tales of centuries-old maritime trade.

Situated on the southern tip of Norway about four hours from Oslo, Kristiansand is the country's fifth-largest city and a top vacationer's destination. No wonder: Kristiansand's water-surrounded setting, many parks and museums, family-friendly zoo and vibrant shopping scene bring culture-minded visitors and outdoors enthusiasts together in happy coexistence. A walk in Posebyen, Kristiansand's old town, offers a look at one of Northern Europe's largest collections of characteristic wooden buildings, while the fish quay presents one of Norway's best fish markets and great dining options. If you can bear to pull yourself away from Kristiansand's narrow streets and wide appeal, a boat trip across the waterway brings you to Lillesand, an immaculate town with charming alleyways and a pretty waterfront.

Far from the clamor of the capital, the sleepy towns and dune-backed beaches of Denmark's Jutland peninsula are where travelers go in search of a slower pace of life. Yet, this is the location of Fredericia, a town that almost superseded Copenhagen as the country's seat of government because of its strategic position. The fortress town was built by Frederik III in the mid-1600s, when Denmark was a superpower, and is proud of its military roots, which include the extensive, well-preserved, and walkable ramparts, impressive monuments to fallen servicemen, and museums that recount tales of past conflicts. There is more to explore amid its streets, a showcase for architecture as diverse as 17th-century houses that conceal courtyard gardens, and the new canal district, a reimagination of the historic docks. Make time, too, to follow the art and sculpture trails and browse the galleries, and to visit the nearby lakes and forests, as well as one of the country's finest stretches of sand.

Towards the end of the 19th century, 9,000 workers spent eight years digging the Kiel, inadvertently creating today's busiest artificial waterway. Today, around 100 ships cruise along it, making the most of a crucial shortcut between the North and Baltic Seas. Much of the canal enjoys green and forested banks, with a path you can cycle or walk along, stopping at a café to watch the vessels go by. Dive further into Kiel's maritime heritage at the German submarine U-995 museum, the Naval Memorial in Laboe, and Kiel Maritime Museum, housed in a striking former fish market, and make sure to sample a fischbrötchen – fish sandwich – from a street-food vendor. For earthier pleasures, visit the Botanic Gardens, part of Kiel University, or check out the Gothic Revival architecture of St Nikolai Church.

Capital of the “World's Happiest Country,” Copenhagen is known for its colorful buildings, busy canals and cozy ambience. In this charming city, you can stroll the Tivoli Gardens, visit museums or join the cycling culture by touring on two wheels.