Trondheim, Norway

Founded as a Viking trading post, Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city and was the country’s capital until 1217. A cyclist’s paradise, the city center is covered with dedicated bike lanes and is quite walkable as well. Museumgoers can choose from numerous options within a one-mile radius, with topics ranging from pop music to criminal justice, and one of the finest examples of Norwegian architecture is the palatial royal residence of Stiftsgården. Some of the city’s best cafés and restaurants can be found among the cobbled streets of the hip neighborhood of Bakklandet. For a perspective on Trondheim from above, visit the hilltop Kristiansten Fortress or climb the 130-foot tower of Nidaros Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece dating to the 12th century. An exhilarating speedboat ride along one of Norway’s largest fjords provides views from the water.