Lausanne was once an intellectual capital, attracting great thinkers such as Rousseau and Voltaire. Today it is a haven for those who love water skiing, swimming and sailing. The International Olympic Committee is even headquartered here. The town's history is evident, though, in its medieval cathedral, the museums of the Palais de Rumine, and Ouchy, the port where Lord Byron wrote "The Prisoner of Chillon" and the Treaty of Lausanne was ratified. For great views, hike up to the Signal de Sauvabelin.

Typified by steep mountains and the flat lowlands where they meet the Norwegian Sea, Nordland is known for its stunning scenery. The Lofoten Islands off the mainland are considered among the world's best for travelers and include unique attractions like the Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg. Saltstraumen near Bodo has the world's strongest tidal current. Further south, Vega has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its age-old lifestyle of fishing and eider duck down harvesting.