9 Nights Arctic

The exotic capital of Finland is a consummate city of the sea, built along a series of peninsulas and islands jutting along the Gulf of Finland. Neoclassical schemes of the early 1800's and modernist Finnish styles of the mid 20th century combine to make it a sprawling masterpiece, outfitted with sea-bordered parks, picturesque boulevards and waterside walkways.

Longyearbyen is a great jumping-off point for experiencing the humbling power of the Arctic islands. Glaciers, mountains and primitive wildlife are the main attractions here. Be warned, though: Those polar bears look cuddly enough, but they are extremely dangerous and don't take kindly to gawking tourists.

The settlement of Smeerenburg on Amsterdam Island in northwest Svalbard was founded by Danish and Dutch whalers in 1619 as one of Europe's northernmost outposts

Bellsund is a 20-kilometer long sound on the west coast of Spitsbergen, part of the Svalbard archipelago of Norway. It is separated from Van Mijenfjorden by the islands of Akseløya and Mariaholmen. Bellsund is located south of Nordenskiöld Land and north of Wedel Jarlsberg Land.

Longyearbyen is a great jumping-off point for experiencing the humbling power of the Arctic islands. Glaciers, mountains and primitive wildlife are the main attractions here. Be warned, though: Those polar bears look cuddly enough, but they are extremely dangerous and don't take kindly to gawking tourists.

The exotic capital of Finland is a consummate city of the sea, built along a series of peninsulas and islands jutting along the Gulf of Finland. Neoclassical schemes of the early 1800's and modernist Finnish styles of the mid 20th century combine to make it a sprawling masterpiece, outfitted with sea-bordered parks, picturesque boulevards and waterside walkways.