Transatlantic Cruise - from Copenhagen - 134868

Copenhagen is not only the capital of Denmark, but also the most multifaceted city in Scandinavia. A quarter of all Danes live in and around Copenhagen and yet the city remains, essentially, clearly laid out and easy to navigate. The massive bridge over the Bresund connecting Denmark with Sweden means Copenhagen has become an even more important hub in Scandinavia in the new millenium. Visitors from all over the world come to Copenhagen to have fun at Tivoli, to see the mermaid, the changing of the guard at the Queen's castle and much much more besides. Sights include: Vor Frelser Kirke (Our Saviour's Church), the round tower, the town hall, the little mermaid, Tivoli, the commodity exchange, Denmark's Royal Library, Thorvaldsen Museum, Amalienborg castle, and Tycho Brahes Planetarium.

Norway's fourth-largest city grew important through herring fishing. At the beginning of the 20th century it was also home to the largest canned foods industry in the world. Today, Norway's oil capital is characterised by a mixture of Nordic rustic charm and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, which visitors can experience during a visit to the fish market in particular. Since the city has been spared any fires, entire districts with the original old wooden houses have been preserved. Almost 200 of these restored white wooden buildings in narrow steep cobbled streets with gas laterns in the Gamle Stavanger area are a reminder of the time of the city's founding. Sights include: Canning Industry Museum, the Maritime Museum, Utstein monastery, Lysefjord, Romanesque-gothic cathedral.

Lerwick is the main port of the Shetland Islands and a cornerstone in the economy and infrastructure of the region. With its ideal location, it is a popular destination for cruise ships en route between Iceland, the Faroe Isles, Norway and Scotland. With the many small islands - home to the Shetland ponies, the Shetland Islands are also a popular destination for day-trippers from Aberdeen and Orkney.

Ísafjörður comprises several districts stretching from the end of the Fjords on the Northern side to the original settlement, where the harbour is. On the other side of the fjord is the airport - although really it is nothing more than a runway with a tiny check-in building. Although all of the fjords in the North-West are losing inhabitants to more prosperous areas, Ísafjörður has been successful in keeping its residents and has even recorded a slight growth in population, to around 3,500. The town was founded as a settlement for the Hanseatics and later taken over by the Danes. Ísafjörður is an excellent example of the development of Icelandic architecture. There are five listed buildings in Ísafjörður - all of which were built in the 18th century. The oldest house dates from the mid-18th century, the most recent from 1788. Four of the houses are in Neostikaupstaour and one is in Haestikaupstaour. Other sights include: the museum

Reykjavik, the trading and cultural centre of Iceland at the South-West coast of the island was named "smoking bay" after the famous hot springs of Laugardalur. Today it has a population of around 130,000 - approximately 1/3 of the total population. The capital of iceland has plenty of tourist attractions. A stroll through the old town leads to the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and the pedestrian zone, past the historic Höfdi House (where Reagan and Gorbatschow held their summit in 1986) to the modern basalt church 'Hallgrimskirka'. The church tower offers the best view of the city. Tracing the footsteps of Icelandic history, there are many archaeological finds and artefacts from Viking times on display in the National Museum and art lovers will enjoy the Einar Jonsson Museum with its wonderful sculpture garden.

The Vestmannaeyjar Islands ("Westman Isles") became world famous at the beginning of 1973. A huge volcanic explosion with a stream of lava measuring 1600 m destroyed the majority of the main settlement of Heimæy.The lava flowed through the streets and could only be stopped by the use of waterpumps used to spray sea water onto the hot lava non-stop. This also prevented the loss of the natural harbour of Heimæy. Without it, the main source of income of the island population would have been lost, which would probably have led to the abandonment of the permanent settlement. Sights include: the lighthouse at Storhöfoi, the Hjörleifur valley.

Greenland's capital city Nuuk is the centre of life in this country - it is the centre for trade, shipping, industry and the administration. With a population of 13,500, Nuuk is the largest city not only in Greenland, but in the whole Arctic region. Over the last 30 years, Nuuk has undergone considerable modern development.

Corner Brook is the regional centre of the West coast of Newfoundland in Canada. It has a population of 25,000 and is seen as an industrial hub, with a large paper mill which was established in the 1920s. Corner Brook has a university, numerous shopping and recreational facilities. It has markets, shopping malls and boutiques. Live music is standard in the local pubs and during the summer, festivals along the coast, in Cowhead for instance, with its amphitheatre, are a real highlight for visitors. This small town is also the starting point of many excursions to the breathtaking Gros Morne National Park, which is home to Canadian elks, caribou, sea eagles and a whole host of other animals.

Halifax is not only the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia but also has one of the largest ports in the world. The city not far from Montreal is known for its many galleries and museums; it also hosts a great many cultural and musical events. Behind the harbour lies the picturesque coastal landscape. There are several historic buildings that house small shops, restaurants and the Museum of Natural History, which has an exhibition about the Titanic. Other sights include: "Citadel Hill", the parliament, "Spring Garden Road Region", the public gardens and Point Pleasant Park.

Boston, capital of Massachusetts and the gateway to New England, is laden with history but at the same time vibrant and bursting with energy. Indeed, Boston - with a population of just over half a million - is one of the most interesting cities in America in terms of both history and culture - as well as one of the most beautiful. Unlike most major cities, it still has countless historical buildings and areas, and is among the architectural must-sees of America. Historic buildings, picturesque cobbled streets and relaxing parks meet with modern high-rise buildings, giving a surprisingly harmonious overall effect. A section of the Berlin Wall can be viewed at the harbour, from where you can also set off on a whale-watching trip.

Halifax is not only the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia but also has one of the largest ports in the world. The city not far from Montreal is known for its many galleries and museums; it also hosts a great many cultural and musical events. Behind the harbour lies the picturesque coastal landscape. There are several historic buildings that house small shops, restaurants and the Museum of Natural History, which has an exhibition about the Titanic. Other sights include: "Citadel Hill", the parliament, "Spring Garden Road Region", the public gardens and Point Pleasant Park.

With a population of 15,500, Charlottetown is the only large town on Prince Edward Island. The provincial capital's main sights include Province House, built entirely from sandstone in the 18th century. It is here that the negotiations were held in 1864 that led to the establishment of the Canadian Confederation. The small town centre radiates an endearing and nostalgic feel. All of the houses have been restored. In addition to the traditional brick buildings, there are also traditional terraced houses painted in bold, bright colours. The cultural centre of the island is also in Charlottetown: every year there is a huge festival at which, among other things, Canadian musical productions are staged.

Cap-aux-Meules is one of the twelve Magdalen Islands. The archipelago is situated 200 kilometers away from the Canadian mainland. Its population is French speaking as Magdalen Islands belong to the province of Québec. Each year numerous visitors arrive at Cap-aux-Meules, pushing tourism to the most important economic field. Visitors can admire astonishing wild nature. Long sandy beaches and red sand rocks mark the landscape. A brought species richness can be found. Besides, Cap-aux-Meules’ architecture impresses with colorful wooden houses.

'The port of Gaspé is the capital of the Canadian peninsula of the same name. The main attraction of this town, which has a population of 17,000, is a memorial made of huge stone slabs to commemorate the discovery of the region by Jaques Cartier.

The region of Saguenay lies in Québec by the huge Saint Lawrence River. It stretches across a fascinating glaciated landscape. Beluga and blue whales can often be seen at the mouth of the river. Further upstream, in the Parc du Saguenay, jagged cliffs loom up to 400 metres high around Baie Éternité. The source of the Saguenay River, the Lac Saint-Jean, is an almost perfectly round lake left behind at the end of the Ice Age and covering an area of 900 km2. It is a popular sailing area and holiday destination with beautiful beaches. The Saguenay region is also famous for its blueberries, which ripen in the woods in summer and which are the reason the locals are called "Bleuets".

The capital of the French-speaking province of the same name enchants visitors with its French charm, which has shaped the city's image. Its landmark, the famous Hotel Chateau Frontenac, opened in 1892 as a luxury hotel with around 500 rooms, overlooks old stone houses, winding streets and a well-preserved city wall dating from the 19th. A stroll around the hotel's terrace provides a breathtaking view of the St. Laurence river and the well-preseved old town. The citadel, huge fortifications built around the city in a star shape, features tourist attractions in the form of the daily changing of the guard in summer and a military museum. Sights include: wax works, the Musée du Fort, the Anglican cathedral, the old harbour and the Musée de la Civilisation.

The capital of the French-speaking province of the same name enchants visitors with its French charm, which has shaped the city's image. Its landmark, the famous Hotel Chateau Frontenac, opened in 1892 as a luxury hotel with around 500 rooms, overlooks old stone houses, winding streets and a well-preserved city wall dating from the 19th. A stroll around the hotel's terrace provides a breathtaking view of the St. Laurence river and the well-preseved old town. The citadel, huge fortifications built around the city in a star shape, features tourist attractions in the form of the daily changing of the guard in summer and a military museum. Sights include: wax works, the Musée du Fort, the Anglican cathedral, the old harbour and the Musée de la Civilisation.

Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada - a lively metropolis with an 80% French-speaking population. Visitors can take a guided tour of the attractive Olympic Park, the home to the Olympic Games in 1976. The area around the Rue Crescent is famous for its many jazz cafés and restaurants. Sights include: the "Place des Arts", where the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and several theatres are located; the historic harbour area "Vieux Montreal"; the former residence of the French governor "Place Jacques Cartier"; Chateau Ramzay; the oldest church in the city "Notre Dame de Bonsecour".