Unassuming Oslo has gained new-found confidence, adding shiny museums to its waterfront along with inventive cocktail bars and seafood restaurants. This is a place for taking in the view from one of the floating saunas in the harbor, sipping an Arctic beer, then stepping outside and jumping into the water. 

Stockholm is gorgeous: all historic palaces, impressive castles, waterways and bridges, with a soaring Abba soundtrack over the top. It’s easy to explore on foot, from the cobbled medieval streets of the old town Gamla Stan to the creative district of Södermalm.