HONNINGSVAAG Norway Located in Norway’s most northerly municipality, Honningsvaag – the ‘North Cape port’ – is the capital of Nordkapp. Bounded by the Barents Sea, Nordkapp comprises Magerøy and the facing stretch of mainland, but the place everyone wants to visit is the North Cape Plateau about 20 miles from Honningsvaag. On a clifftop more than 270 metres above the sea, this is Europe’s most northerly point and the fi nal frontier before the Arctic Ocean. Many thousands of photographs have been taken of visitors beside the globe sculpture on the clifftop, often lit by the Midnight Sun which shines here (clouds permitting) 77 nights of the year.
HORTA Azores A hugely popular meeting point for intrepid yachties travelling across the mighty Atlantic Ocean, look out for swish private yachts as you cruise into Horta. It was also the favourite stopping-off point for 1930s transatlantic fl ying boats, as recorded in the fascinating Horta museum. Horta is the capital of Faial, one of the smallest of the nine remote Azores islands which are 760 miles away from their parent country, Portugal. There is some superb scenery as you tour the island, discovering sheltered bays and hidden coves but, for the most breathtaking views, head for the huge volcanic crater, Caldera.
HUELVA Spain One of Andalucía’s provincial capitals, Huelva claims to be the Flamenco capital. The fascinating Franciscan monastery, La Rabida, was built on a Muslim fortress in 1412, and is where Columbus prepared for the voyage on which he discovered America. The scenic Sierra Morena lie to the north of the city and a chain of fi ne beaches to the west. The nearby Coto de Doñana National Park is a massive area of sand dunes, pine woods and freshwater lagoons, fi lled with scores of fl amingos, rare birds of prey, endangered Spanish lynx and a startling variety of migratory birds.
HVAR Croatia It’s easy to see why Hvar is such a popular town on this beautiful Dalmatian Riviera island, where terracotta tiled houses cling to the lush hillside rising from the pretty yacht-fi lled harbour. The area is rich in history and known for its medieval architecture. Take in the incredible views over Hvar and the surrounding islands from the 16th century Fortica Fortress. The Franciscan monastery, founded in 1461, is home to an intriguing museum. The area benefi ts from the Mediterranean climate known as ‘the climate of the olive tree’. As a result it enjoys a characteristic clear blue sky for the majority of the year.
INVERGORDON Scotland The tiny port of Invergordon, is set on the edge of Cromarty Firth – an area of outstanding natural beauty which teems with wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins. In Invergordon itself you can visit the Naval Museum and Heritage Centre and wander the pretty town. Alternatively, you can head out of town to explore the beautiful Scottish Highlands or nearby Inverness.
ISAFJORDUR Iceland The Icelandic fi shing port of Isafjordur embodies the magnifi cent natural beauty of the West Fjords, and its two valleys of Tungudalur and Engidalur lend themselves well to outdoor pursuits. Surrounded by steep sloping mountains you can indulge in a spot of skiing, golfi ng, or hiking – just some of the activities on offer. The town is also rich in art, culture and historical signifi cance. Main points of interest include the Slunkariki Art Gallery and the West Fjords Folk Museum which houses a remarkable collection of traditional tools and relics. Nearby Nedstikapstadur consists of the oldest buildings in Iceland, including four from the 18th century, which belonged to Danish merchants. The town centre is interesting to walk around as it has a selection of old streets, small shops and a unique array of houses.
ISTANBUL Turkey Magical Istanbul – 3,000 years old, spanning two continents and a crucible of cultures where east meets west – is a key Turkish port. If this is your fi rst visit, a tour of the main sights is a good introduction to the city’s treasures, which include the world- famous Blue Mosque, the vibrant old city, the Grand Bazaar (a warren of narrow streets containing more than 4,000 shops, stalls, restaurants and artisans’ workshops) and the Topkapi Palace, famed for its jewels, but which also has spectacular gardens.
JERSEY The pretty island of Jersey is known for its beautiful scenery, acres of clean, white sand beaches and wildlife. Here too you’ll fi nd castles and museums that really bring the island’s history to life. The capital, St Helier, boasts smart, sophisticated shops and vibrant Victorian markets including the attractive vegetable market and fi sh market, these coupled with cafés and restaurants encourage a relaxed ambience. And, of course, lower taxes and no VAT mean that you get really good value for money. Outside of town there are plenty more shopping opportunities where you will fi nd items such as jewellery and pottery.
NEW FOR 2012 KALMAR Sweden From Sweden’s largest gold coin discovery (found in the wreck of 17th century warship) to the turrets of its impressive castle, the city of Kalmar offers a treasure-trove of attractions. Once one of the most important cities in the North, it remains a vibrant commercial centre yet retains an old world charm. With winding lanes and wooden houses, the evocative Old Town was the heart of the city until 1647 when it was almost totally destroyed by fi re and the centre moved to Kvarnholmen. Encircled by a canal, this island is well-known for its museums, shops and restaurants. No visit to Kalmar is complete however without experiencing the strategically important Key to the Kingdom – a well-preserved Renaissance castle and signifi cant defensive fortifi cation.
KATAKOLON Greece The small Greek port of Katakolon was developed in the 19th century to serve the thriving local trade in currants. Today it is your starting block for Olympia – birthplace of the Olympic Games. A pretty town
on the banks of the River Alpheios, Olympia lies only a short drive away from the port and its historic stadium, where the fi rst Olympic torch was lit in 776 BC is a fascinating site to explore. You can still see the marble starting blocks used by early athletes in the 45,000 seat arena, as well as the ruins of the Temple of Hera and the gigantic Temple of Zeus – its gold and ivory statue of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
KIEL CANAL Germany The Kiel Canal is a 61 mile long canal that links the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel- Holtenau. In June 1887, construction work started at Holtenau near Kiel and it took over 9,000 workers eight years to build. On June 21, 1895 the canal was offi cially opened by Kaiser Wilhelm II who laid the fi nal stone.
KLAIPEDA Lithuania Alongside the Baltic Sea, on the beautiful west coast of Lithuania lies Klaipeda. Brimming with bays and beaches, this interesting array of sand dunes, shops and shipyards offers something to suit every taste. The lovingly restored old town retains a unique atmosphere and allure. Antique lamposts appear on every corner and half-timbered buildings stand much as they did 100–200 years ago, among stone-paved sidewalks and cosily hidden courtyards. At its heart is Teatro Square named after the ornate Neoclassical theatre building on its northern side.
KOPER Slovenia Koper has a well-preserved and compact medieval centre with the 15th century Praetorian Palace as its crowning glory. A mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles, this beautiful building has become the symbol of the city. One of the oldest buildings in the city is the 12th century Romanesque Carmine Rotunda church, which is fi lled with precious 14th century frescoes. For a more leisurely time try the lovely sandy beaches at the seaside resort of Ankaran, just across the bay.
KORCULA Croatia As the reputed birthplace of that great explorer Marco Polo, the Croatian island of Korcula is a must-see for any cruise traveller. Its medieval Old Town, which juts out into the Dalmatian archipelago between Dubrovnik and Split, is surrounded by 14th century stone walls and contains a succession of narrow streets. A fascinating place to explore, the Old Town has numerous gothic, Renaissance and baroque palaces, monuments and galleries.
KOTOR Montenegro Ruled by Venice for hundreds of years, this lovely coastal town’s architecture bears heavy Venetian infl uences. Surrounded by impressive medieval walls, a stroll around the Old City will take you past historic buildings, criss-crossed with narrow streets and squares. The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, constructed in 1166, is one of the oldest and most beautiful examples of Roman architecure along this coast. If you choose to head to Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro, you can visit King Nicola’s Palace, home to the fi rst and last king of Montenegro.
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