NEUR

The largest of the Westman Islands off the Icelandic coast, Heimaey is best known for a volcanic eruption in 1973 from a previously unknown fissure that rained ash and lava and changed the landscape forever. A heroic effort was made to save the town – and the valuable frozen fish stock stored at the pier – by pouring seawater on the molten lava. This slowed the red-hot lava’s march toward the sea, and all residents were able to escape. In time, residents were able to return and rebuild the community, now situated amidst the lush landscape of volcanic peaks.

Connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River, Hamburg sits just a few miles up river from the busiest manmade waterway in the world – the Kiel Canal. Needless to say, Hamburg has a rich maritime history, and this is a city of superlatives on a worldwide scale. It has the most bridges at 2,300, six times as many as Venice. The Speicherstadt district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest complex of architecturally significant warehouses, and Miniatur Wunderland is the world’s largest model railroad and cityscape.

Gothenburg, located on Sweden’s west coast, is the country’s second largest city and an important trading center. Start your explorations with a stroll down the cobblestone streets of the Haga district. The main street, Haga Nygata, is for pedestrians only and is lined with cafés and artisan shops. A must-see is the Feskekorka fish market. Meaning “Fish Church,” Feskekorka was built in 1874 to resemble a church and is a mecca for seafood lovers. For car buffs, there’s the Volvo Museum, and for thrill-seekers, the Liseberg amusement park.

Scotland’s capital is a city of handsome Georgian buildings, many architectural highlights and two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The first is Edinburgh Castle and the medieval Royal Mile, Scotland’s most visited site. Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town are also part of this designation. Perched on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle affords unrivaled views of the city, and its Esplanade is where the spectacle of the Royal Military Tattoo takes place every August as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Perched upon a rock in the harbor, the Little Mermaid welcomes all to this lively, fun-loving city of Danes, said to be some of the happiest people in the world. From the fabulous food and fresh water to free education, free healthcare and a 37-hour work week, this is a society firmly focused on the good life, and its capital is a joy to explore.

Often referred to as the "Venice of the North," Bruges dates from the early Middle Ages when the town was world-renowned for its immensely prosperous wool and cloth trade. It was also Northern Europe’s most important trading port until the 15th century, after the gradual silting of the estuary that linked Bruges to the sea. Today this magnificently preserved city is one of Belgium’s greatest attractions.

Located in southwestern France, Bordeaux is a handsome 18th-century city with stately buildings, broad avenues and historic public squares. Highlights include the majestic gate known as Porte de Bourgogne, the stained glass windows of Bordeaux Cathedral, the 12th-century Romanesque basilica and the impressive Hôtel de Ville, or City Hall. But no visit to Bordeaux is complete without an acknowledgment of what makes this region of France known worldwide – wine! Wine lovers everywhere will recognize appellations such as Pauillac, St. Emilion, Margaux and Sauternes.

Perhaps no single edifice has had more impact on a city than the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao. Designed by renowned architect Franck Gehry and opened in 1997, the massive, billowing, titanium-clad structure reflects the city’s revitalized relationship with the river that runs through it, and the modern collection within the museum is as impressive as the exterior. Other worthwhile museums include the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Euskal Museoa, devoted to Basque culture.

This seaside resort in French Basque Country lies only 15 miles from the Spanish border. Long popular with surfers, Biarritz now offers stylish boutiques and sophisticated restaurants to complement its beach bars. Perhaps French fashion designer Coco Chanel foresaw the future when she opened her first shop here in 1915. Visit the city’s most famous landmark, Hotel du Palais, built by Napoleon III as a summer home for his bride, Empress Eugenie. Just 20 minutes from Biarritz, the resort town of St. Jean de Luz features beautiful 17th-century architecture, including the Church of St.

Belle Île means “beautiful isle,” and indeed it is. Located off the coast of the Brittany region of France, the island boasts 60 gorgeous beaches and a rugged coastline. Worth a visit is Citadelle Vauban, a star-shaped fortress in the town of Le Palais that was built by the famous military engineer in the 18th century. Further afield on the island’s northern tip, the fort at Pointe des Poulains houses a museum dedicated to 19th-century actress Sarah Bernhardt, who made it her home in 1894.