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.

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.

Trondheim’s wooden buildings look much as they would have done in the Middle Ages, rebuilt in the same style and layout throughout history. Here also Norway's national sanctuary, Nidaros Cathedral, was built over the grave of St. Olav, Norway's patron saint, with parts dating back to the 12th century.

The town of Åndalsnes itself is rather nondescript, having been badly damaged during World War II, but the surrounding scenery of the Romsdalfjord is magnificent. There are some lovely hikes and scenic drives to enjoy, along with the historic Rauma Railway, one of the most spectacular train rides in Norway.

Olden is a lovely little village surrounded by green meadows and rippling mountain scenery, at the mouth of the Oldeelva river. The most popular excursion is a trip to the nearby Briksdalsbreen, an arm of the vast Jostedalsbreen glacier.

The pretty village of Vik, on the southern shore of the Sognefjord, enjoys a wonderfully scenic setting. Highlights include the lovely Fridtjov Park, with its statue of Viking hero Fridtjov the Bold, and the 12th-century wooden Hopperstad Church, the oldest surviving stave church in Norway.

Situated at the very northern tip of Jutland, Skagen is famed for its wonderful light and beautiful coastal scenery, which attracted many artists during the 19th century. Today it’s a popular destination for well-to-do Danes, drawn here by the beaches, charming architecture and spectacular sunsets.