Stavanger, Norway

Tracing its roots as far back as the 12th century, Stavanger is one of the oldest communities in Norway. With one of the few urban centers in the region not destroyed by fires or World War II, Stavanger has retained a wealth of historic treasures to explore. With its plentiful music venues, international festivals and museums featuring everything from Vikings to sardines, the city is also a vibrant cultural hub. Gamle Stavanger, with its cobbled streets and beautifully preserved 18th-century homes, is one the largest surviving settlements of wooden houses in northern Europe. A short walk away, the 12th-century Stavanger Cathedral stands in likewise pristine condition. For all of Stavanger’s charms, its most popular attraction stretches for 26 miles beyond the town – the vivid blue waters of Lysefjord bordered by cliffs soaring to heights of 3,300 feet. On a boat tour through the majestic fjord, be sure to watch for the massive granite plateau of Pulpit Rock overhead.