New York to Reykjavik

The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps. Call it what you may, New York reigns as one of the world’s most dynamic cities. But where to begin? The sacred soil of Ground Zero or stunning Central Park? The Guggenheim or the American Museum of Natural History? Should you take in a Broadway show or simply enjoy the nonstop show of people that parade through the streets? The possibilities are endless in the five boroughs of New York City, so get out and enjoy.

Famous for its Gilded Age mansions, many of which are open for tours, such as the Vanderbilt’s opulent Marble House, Newport remains a charming, well-heeled resort city. For a different view of the mansions, take the scenic Cliff Walk. The rocky shoreline is also dotted with lighthouses, including the granite Castle Hill.

Historic Sydney boasts several landmarks from the late 1700s, such as the colonial Cossit House and the Jost House, which features an unusual beehive bake-oven. St. Patrick’s, the city’s oldest Catholic Church, doubles as a fascinating museum.

Situated on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Havre-Saint-Pierre is a charming town embraced by the spectacular scenery of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. With a geological history dating back 500 million years, the archipelago is a captivating array of more than a thousand limestone islands, islets and reefs. Granite monoliths, soaring cliffs, graceful arches and secluded grottoes adorn the islands, along with an amazing diversity of plant and animal life. Marvel at the unique seascape during a coastal drive along Route 138, or take a boating excursion to visit several of the islands.

Explore Canada’s oldest continuing museum, the New Brunswick, where displays include the skeletal remains of a rare North Atlantic right whale. Saint John is also known for the bizarre Reversing Falls, a daily tidal phenomenon so severe it reverses the flow of the Saint John River. Birders will enjoy serene Irving Nature Park.

The largest city in Greenland, Nuuk is the cultural and economic center of the country. Explore the picturesque colonial harbor with its quaint old buildings and the newly renovated market where locals sell their daily catch. Greenland’s history comes alive in the National Museum, and its culture thrives in the Nuuk Museum of Art and the Katuaq Cultural Centre. Nuuk’s extensive fjord system is home to many whales, and the area is also populated by seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hares and ravens.

Paamiut, formerly Frederikshåb, is a town in southwestern Greenland in the Sermersooq municipality.

One of the most stunning agricultural locales in Greenland, Narsaq offers a rich blend of Norse history and gorgeous South Greenlandic landscapes. The valleys, mountains and surrounding fjord system offer great hiking trails and other opportunities for outdoor exploration. Spend the afternoon kayaking or take a boat tour to explore nearby glaciers, waterfalls and arctic wildlife. The Narsaq Museum in the historic harbor offers a deeper understanding of the Norse period, with exhibitions covering Norse settlers and local history.

Nestled along the shores of one of the most breathtaking fjords in Iceland, Akureyri is the nation’s second largest city and a center of Icelandic folk culture. Visit the museums and art festivals, hike along the extraordinary vistas, or explore the botanical gardens. Also of interest is the most northerly 18-hole golf course in the world.

Although remotely located in northwest Iceland and surrounded by ruggedly beautiful fjords, Isafjordur is surprisingly cosmopolitan. The capital of the Westfjords has long been a cultured oasis in the midst of this haunting beauty, fueled by the rewards of being one of Iceland’s largest fishing centers. The first merchants lived in wooden houses now preserved in the Neöstikaupstaöur section of town, which is alive with shops and restaurants. Two museums are of particular interest – the West Fjords Folk Museum for tools and heritage items and the Maritime Museum for a look at the 19th century fishing industry.

Discover this fascinating land where the forces of nature hold sway as you visit the modern capital with its thermally heated outdoor swimming pool, remarkable botanic gardens and folk museum. Explore the starkly beautiful countryside of lava formations, glaciers and incredible waterfalls and the site where the first parliament sat in 930 A.D.