On the River Rhine and overlooked by the towers of its stunning 157m-high Gothic cathedral, Cologne (Köln) is one of Germany's largest cities. The city's unique identity is a mix of the narrow alleys of its old town, the Kölsch dialect (and Kölsch beer), and contemporary architecture down by the ultramodern Rheinauhafen riverfront complex.

With three rivers that feed a maze of waterways and canals, Hamburg has been dubbed the "Venice of the north" (with six times as many bridges). The city has its roots in Maritime history, but also in music-making. It was the birthplace of Mendelssohn, the formative city of the Beatles, and recently, the state-of-the-art Elbphilharmonie concert hall has put Hamburg firmly on the map as one of the top cities for live music, as has its hip-hop and jazz club scene.

Capital of contemporary art, rising star of gastronomy and home to a dance-until-dawn nightlife: Oslo is a city where a waterfront stroll in the nordic sun feels just as luxurious as sipping an Aquavit at a rooftop bar. Thanks to a handful of sprawling parks, you won't need to go far for a dose of natural beauty, but the Oslofjord's islands make a wonderful day's excursion.

With three rivers that feed a maze of waterways and canals, Hamburg has been dubbed the "Venice of the north" (with six times as many bridges). The city has its roots in Maritime history, but also in music-making. It was the birthplace of Mendelssohn, the formative city of the Beatles, and recently, the state-of-the-art Elbphilharmonie concert hall has put Hamburg firmly on the map as one of the top cities for live music, as has its hip-hop and jazz club scene.

The capital and most populous city of The Netherlands, Amsterdam is known for its art, colourful architecture and myriad canals. It's also packed with fascinating museums and independent shops, and has thriving food and nightlife scenes.