AMSTERDAM

• The world's largest collections of Rembrandts, Anne Frank's house, a superb museum dedicated to Van Gogh, lively cafes and restaurants, the notorious Red Light district and, of course, canals. It could only be Amsterdam.

BERGEN

• From wooden Hansa houses, wooden stave churches and medieval fortresses where Norwegian monarchs were once crowned, to waterfalls, mountains and fjords, Bergen is a visual delight.

BERLIN (ROSTOCK)

• Smart shops and restaurants, opulent neoclassical architecture and superb museums. But the city is also home to no fewer than 60 lakes, vineyards and one of the world's most comprehensive zoos.

COPENHAGEN

• It won't take long for you to see why Copenhagen enjoys its reputation as the liveliest of all European cities. You might begin with Tivoli Gardens and the colourful cafes and shops of Nyhavn - and be certain not to miss Amalienborg Palace, home of the Danish Royal Family.

CORK (COBH)

• Cork has more to offer than its famous Blarney Stone - despite its somewhat spectacular location atop the battlements of Blarney Castle. There's also the gold leaf and dazzling mosaics of St Finbarr's Cathedral as well as artisans working at traditional Irish crafts at the Shandon Crafts Centre.

DONEGAL

• Gateway to the stunning cliff and inlet-strewn scenery of western Ireland, Donegal town offers access to the unusual 15th Century Donegal Castle, the remains of the Fransiscan friary, and the famous Magee tweedy factory where tweed from country cottages is finished off and made ready for the shops.

EDINBURGH (Leith)

• The beautiful city is dominated by lofty Edinburgh Castle which towers over the city from the cone of an extinct volcano. Wander down the city's Royal Mile, which winds past historic houses and inviting restaurants to Hollyrood House, home of the Roayl Family. Visit the superb collection of the National Gallery of Scotland and, for an impressive view over the city's crags and spires, climb to the top of the Scott Monument.

GALWAY

• Once a Norman port, Galway was chartered back in 1484 by Richard III of England. Extensive trade with Spain resulted in some Iberian touches to the architecture, yet Galway somehow remains more Irish than any opther city in Western Ireland.

GEIRANGER

• It's no secret how the tiny hamlet of Geiranger maintains its picturesque beauty - the only way to reach it comfortably is by ship! Isolated in the narrow valley at the tip of Norway's most picturesque fjord, the village overlooks panoramic views over cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, glaciers and lakes.

GHENT

• Port of call for cruises and gateway to some of Europe's most thrill-packed regions. Brimming with history, tradition and culture, Ghent offers the visitor numerous sights and attractions, fine shopping malls and art galleries, beautiful crafts and an exquisite cuisine. Within easy reach of other famous tourist destinations such as Brussels, Waterloo, Bruges, Antwerp, Bastogne, Ypres ...!

GREENOCK

• Familiar territory for the QE2 - it's where she was built. But Greenock is also the gateway to the art collections of nearby Glasgow and to the islands and inlets of the scenic Firth of Clyde.

HELLESYLT

• Commanding one end of Geirangerfjord, Hellesylt overlooks its mighty waterfall and fjord's cliff walls, which fall sheer to Europe's deepest lake, with deceptively clear waters that plunge to a depth of nearly 2,000 feet.

HELSINKI

• This lively city somehow preserves the flavour and traditions of a 19th century seafaring town, brimming with parks, museums and remarkable examples of modern Finnish architecture.

LIVERPOOL

• For a taste of Liverpool's rich shipping history you can sample the attractions of the restored Albert Dock - which include a branch of the Tate Gallery, fashionable shops and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Or venture further afield to the walled medieval city of Chester.

NORTH CAPE

• The northernmost point of mainland Europe, the North Cape offers you two pretty impressive sights: a view that stretches out uninterrupted over the top of the world and the spectacle of the midnight sun, which never completely dips below the horizon.

OSLO

• Oslo is one of the world's largest capitals - but only geographically. The city sprawls to include everything from forests to mountains right within the city boundaries.

PLYMOUTH

• Sir Francis Drake set out to sail around the world from Plymouth's Barbican. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade, drink in panoramic views of the waterfront and browse through shops housed in restored Elizabethan buildings.

REYKJAVIK

• Set in a fjord and overlooked by mountains, Iceland's inviting capital is the gateway to the country's thermal marvels - from the bubbling Great Geyser that gives its name to geysers around the world, to plunging Gullfoss Falls and the powerful plume of Strokkur which erupts in a fountain of water every few minutes.

SPITZBERGEN

• The northernmost point of land in Europe offers you two pretty impressive sights: a view that stretches out uninterrupted over the top of the world and the spectacle of the midnight sun, which never completely dips below the horizon.

STAVANGER

• Step back into the days of old in Scandinavia, with its narrow lanes lined with wooden houses, imposing cathedral and Iron Age farms.

STOCKHOLM

• An archipelago of 14 islands, open air museums, the world's largest palace and an enchanting Old Town - Stockholm is a visual delight. It's also a gastronomic one where you can sample the famous Swedish smorgasbord - a dazzling buffet that can consist of as many as 100 different dishes. MORE about the beautiful city of Stockholm">

TROMSO

• Know as the "Paris of the North" for round-the-clock nightlife inspired by the light of the midnight sun, the actual population of Tromsoe is scattered between islands and mainland. Be certain not to miss the spectacular Arctic Church, its eastern wall made entirely of stained glass.

TRONDHEIM

• Once Norway's first capital, Trondheim still commands pride of place as the country's third largest city and a lively university town with a wealth of historical riches that include Scandinavia's largest medieval building, the Norwegian Crown Jewels, stave churches and 18th Century wooden houses lining cobblestone streets.

WATERFORD, Ireland

• Home to Waterford Crystal, whose factory tour and magnificent Visitor Centre/Gallery is a worthy centrepiece. The city is of Viking origins and boasts Europe's oldest mortared fortress in Reginald's Tower . The old city's waterfront has been described as "the noblest quay in Europe". Nearby is Waterford Castle and Woodstown House where the late Jacqueline Kennedy stayed with her family the year after JFK died. Also worth a visit are Kennedy Park (an arboretum), Hook Lighthouses, Tintern Abbey, Duncannon Fort, and Dunmore East (arguably Ireland's prettiest seaside village - the QE2 has anchored there).