Stockholm / Helsinki / Oslo

About the destination: Sweden's capital - a Nordic vision of waterways, parks and spire-filled skylines - is rightly celebrated as one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Spread across no fewer than 14 islands and surrounded by literally thousands of smaller, rocky islets, it blends the drama and open skies of Scandinavia with the energy, dynamism and urban cool of Western Europe. The soul of the place lies in its many facets: the stucco walls of the Old Town, the contemporary pulse of the galleries, the consumerist hum of the shopping districts, the deep tranquillity of the parklands, the thumping bass of the nightlife and, increasingly, the gourmet allure of the restaurants. Stockholm's location on the shores of the Baltic Sea means seasonal variations hit hard, and many locals will tell you that the only thing to rival the beauty of a summer's evening in Stockholm is the winter charm of its frozen lakes and snow-fringed skylines. It's certainly true that Stockholm's unique character is a major reason for its popularity among travellers and, in a continent where charismatic urban destinations are plentiful, it says a lot that the city's cultural scene is vibrant enough to rival anywhere else in northern Europe. In addition to its exhibitions, museums and concerts, it's also a deeply romantic setting in which to spend a long weekend - you'd have to be hard-hearted not to fall for the mix of preserved medieval architecture, sweeping water vistas and consistently intense nightlife. Most importantly though, it's worth emphasising just how much this is a city apart. It's the most populated urban area in Scandinavia, yet two thirds of it are still made up of water and greenery. And if this doesn't seem likely, well, you've got the perfect excuse to go and check.

About the destination: Helsinki is located on a small peninsula at the southern tip of Finland. If you approach Helsinki from the sea, you'll see neoclassical buildings with elegant lines and pastel colours, and a marketplace brimming with strawberries and salmon. The city has grown with a focus on harmony. In the summer, many locals swap city life for their country cottages, but in winter the capital comes alive with theatre, political institutes and over 20,000 university students. Architecture enthusiasts will adore Helsinki. The attractive neoclassical buildings around Senate Square were almost entirely designed by German architect Carl Ludwig Engel in the early 19th century, shortly after Helsinki took over from Turku as the capital of Finland. The jewel in the crown is the Lutheran Cathedral, which has recently been refurbished and looks better than ever, with the 12 apostles on the roof once again looking down at the world below. Elsewhere in the city, the bold, simple designs of the city’s great 20th century architects, notably Aalto and Saarinen, blend with the clean neoclassical lines. The stunning Jean Sibelius Monument, dedicated to Finland’s most famous composer, consists of hundreds of steel pipes sculpted by Elia Hiltunen. The monument is located in Sibelius Park. The Kansallimuseo, or National Museum, has fantastic displays of Finnish culture. The exhibits of the City Museum illustrate the history of the city. The islands surrounding Helsinki make for excellent day trips. The sandy beaches and smooth rocks of Pihlajasaari make it a popular summer spot for sunbathing Finns. Every summer, there are many free outdoor concerts in one of the city’s numerous parks. In the afternoons, all kinds of music can be heard on the leafy Esplanadi. Helsinki may be a small city compared to the world's mega-cities, but it still has a cosmopolitan spirit. Helsinki is a beautiful city, especially in the summer. The streets are clean and there's always a peaceful spot to be found, if you need one. Some say that Helsinki is "the biggest village in the world" and it's a fantastic place for tourism, history, museums, galleries, theatre, music, shopping, restaurants, clubs, and so on, all environmentally friendly, free of pollution and traffic congestion.

About the destination: Oslo is lively and modern with a mix of architectural styles, cutting-edge nightlife and world-class museums. Situated between the Oslofjord and the forests, nature is at the heart of the capital, where you can sail, ski and hike to your heart's content just a short distance from the city centre. This is definitely a spot for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. As you sail past lush green islands and towering rocky outcrops, the city unfolds before your eyes - spreading out from its compact centre around the quays to the forested sides of the surrounding hills. Made all the more beautiful by its diversity, Oslo boasts a mishmash of modern and ancient buildings that give the city a varied feel, with the steel-and-glass Munch Museum giving way to the old-world charm of the City Museum and the rugged medieval walls of the Akershus Fortress, which looms over the fjord. Most visitors will find themselves torn between Oslo’s numerous museums, which offer something for nearly every taste: a face-to-face with the haunting image of Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Gallery, a chance to stand in the shoes of an Olympic ski-jumper at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, or a glimpse into history and culture at the unforgettable Viking Ship, Polarship Fram or Folk Museums on Bygdøy. And Oslo is certainly the cosmopolitan heart of Norway, with a rapidly growing café and bar culture, top-notch restaurants, and nightlife options ranging from world-class opera and jazz to indie rock. The capital’s thriving restaurant scene has seen it awarded with four Michelin stars. The Grünerløkka district is close to the Munch Museum and is teeming with bustling little pavement cafés and stylish bars. A thriving, truly lively city, the cosmopolitan heart of Norway really does have something for everyone.