The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic Sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th-century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

This old Hanseatic city lies on the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as the Powder Tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialties, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

Discover Karlskrona on the southern coast of Sweden, between land and sea, spread over the small islands of the Blekinge archipelago. Its strategic position on the Baltic Sea made it the headquarters of the Swedish Royal Navy and its naval dockyard on the orders of King Karl XI of Sweden, in 1680. Constructed from nothing, the citadel has kept its architecture, whose coherence and conservation have today earned its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its authentic colorful wooden houses facing the sea - which is never too far away - and its rich naval history give it an exquisite and unique charm. Do not miss this visit.

Lying in the southwest of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of the most visited and popular villages in Denmark. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, you will fall under the spell of its varied landscapes, its easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs, in the Danish tradition. It is here, along these charming streets, that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region’s fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests, and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem will provide an unforgettable interlude where time will seem to stand still.

Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometers away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high color of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weave through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional Danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese, or smoked fish.

Nestling on the western coast of Sweden, at the junction of the Göta River and the Kattegat Sea area, Gothenburg enchants and surprises. Authentic and welcoming, this city of canals, edged with many green spaces, has a rich maritime history, making it Sweden’s most important port. Going beyond its commercial influence, “the cultural capital of Scandinavia” is a perfect blend of historic monuments, neo-classical architecture, and eco-districts featuring modern urban spaces. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafés on the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the hills of the city, fall under the spell of the Lutheran Masthugget Church, a sumptuous 18th-century building.

The capital of Norway, Olso, is a green city. Its many parks and gardens make it the reputedly pleasant city it is. The 80 hectares of Vigeland sculpture parks and its 212 open-air exhibitions, the Munch Museum dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, plus the Akershus fortress which symbolizes Oslo’s rich history, are both must-sees. For culture, the national gallery shelters the largest Norwegian collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures open to the public. And, for sports enthusiasts, the Holmenkollen district with its Ski museum and famous ski jump offers the most stunning, all-encompassing view of the city.

A port city located on Norway’s southern coast, Arendal is considered as the municipality enjoying the best climate in the country. This town in the Sorlandet region has also long been renowned for its iron ore mines: their operation in the 19th century produced a particularly resistant magnetite ore. The Raet National Park, the only protected area on the eastern coast of Norway, is not far away; here, you will fall in love with its raw nature, with silver and emerald reflections, dotted with immense coniferous forests and long pebble beaches.

Like a painter’s palette, the former industrial town of Egersund unveils its colors as if to better charm its passing visitors. Its small wooden houses, among the best conserved in Norway, certainly display colorful façades that distinguish them from the other municipalities of the southern Norwegian coast, which opted for white at a time when this was a sign of wealth. Admire the façades of Strandgaten, the former main street of the town, and wander the old district of Hauen, which is now full of cafés, galleries, and boutiques. Also make a detour to the Heidningeholmen Church, whose foundations date back to the 17th century, and dive into Egersund’s past.

Capital of the Orkney archipelago, Kirkwall, which means “church bay”, is an ideal stopover before continuing on to the Northern Isles. Sheltered in a wide bay, the lively town welcomes visitor with its charming paved alleyways edged by old houses and craft shops. Tankerness House, the oldest homestead in the town, is a must-see landmark. But the true architectural treasure of the aptly named Kirkwall is none other than its remarkable red and gold stone cathedral. And because whisky is inseparable from Scotland’s identity, stop at the Highland Park Distillery for a highly instructive visit.

In the Aberdeenshire region, Aberdeen is Scotland’s third most populous city and Britain’s third-largest fishing port. It is known as the Granite City due to its grey-colored granite buildings. It becomes the Silver City when the sun shines upon the building façades. You will love the charm of its many flowers, the source of yet another moniker, the Flower of Scotland. The city once prospered thanks to whale hunting, herring fishing, and shipbuilding. The Tolbooth, on the corner of Union Street and King Street, is a magnificent 17th-century building that is worth the detour. Today, it is a museum dedicated to the city’s history.

Situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth opposite Rosyth, the great city of Edinburgh has served as Scotland’s capital since the 15th century. Although no longer the largest city in the country, it remains the political, religious, and cultural focus of Scottish pride. Edinburgh Castle, in the very center of the city, is one end of the world-famous Royal Mile that leads through the Old Town to the Palace of Holyrood, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a wonderful place to shop and sample local delicacies, like haggis and the whisky for which Scotland is renowned.