Zeebrugge’s main attraction is its proximity to Bruges. This beautifully preserved old town is a magical maze of winding cobbled lanes, narrow canals and gorgeous gabled houses, and it’s no wonder so many visitors throng the streets in summer.

The city of Dublin has something for everyone with great shopping, beautiful Georgian architecture, lovely parks, galleries and museums. Everywhere you go you will be bowled away by the jovial Irish welcome. Don’t miss the chance to sample a local pint of Guinness.

Holyhead is best known as the departure point for ferries to Ireland, but it’s also the gateway to the enchanting island of Anglesey. This green and ancient land was once a druid stronghold, and the rugged landscape is crowned with some of the most beautiful castles in Wales.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement was a watershed moment for Northern Ireland, and its rejuvenated capital is enjoying a surge in popularity. The new Titanic Belfast museum is the star attraction, while the city centre boasts some handsome Victorian architecture and a lively pub scene.

The waterfront town of Oban, situated on Scotland’s west coast, is the main gateway to the Hebridean islands, and it’s a busy place in summer. We recommend sampling the excellent seafood while enjoying the views across to the islands of Mull and Kerrera.

The pretty fishing town of Ullapool is a popular gateway to both the Highlands and the Western Isles, bustling with visitors during the summer. There is an excellent museum with exhibits on crofting, fishing and emigration, while just offshore the uninhabited Summer Isles are home to seabirds, dolphins and porpoises.

Cosmopolitan Edinburgh, Scotland’s lovely capital, is located in spectacular countryside, always visible from the city centre. Striking architecture, lots to see and do, and great food mean that your time here will be very busy. And if your visit coincides with the Festival, you have a treat in store.

The flat, windswept Orkney Islands, just off the northeast coast of Scotland, have a distinctive Scandinavian heritage that’s discernible in everything from the unusual place names to the ancient Norse architecture of the capital, Kirkwall. Don’t miss the Ring of Brodgar, a fascinating Neolithic stone circle.

Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.

Beautiful Bergen, Norway’s former capital, is a perfect city to explore on foot. Bryggen – the old Hanseatic wharf, and a UNESCO World Heritage site – still has the old harbour timber buildings, whilst other attractions include the funicular up Mount Floyen and the busy fish market.

The Geirangerfjord is arguably the most spectacular fjord in all of Norway, a sinuous ten mile stretch of sheer mountain walls and tumbling waterfalls. The village of Geiranger itself sits at one end of the fjord, and in summer the population swells with an influx of visitors to this beautiful region.

When Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed to foot the bill to rebuild it. The result was the stunning Art Nouveau architecture that you see today, which blends elements of the German 'Jugendstil' with Viking flourishes.

The city of Molde, at the mouth of the Romsdalfjord in north west Norway, is known for its temperate climate, fertile soil and annual jazz festival. Head up to the Varden viewpoint for a stunning panoramic view over the snow-dusted peaks of the Romsdal mountain range.

Tórshavn, named after the Norse god Thor, is one of the world’s smallest capitals, with a population of just 20,000. The brightly coloured facades and turfed roofs lend the harbour an attractive, storybook quality, and the narrow streets are home to some atmospheric pubs and cafés.