Denmark

· Copenhagen city break
This compact city is the most affordable of Scandinavian capitals, and its centre of historical waterfronts and pedestrian walkways is easy to stroll around. During the summer months, the city comes alive with street entertainment during the day, and at night many of the bars and clubs have live music. Where to book: from £333pp for two nights' B&B staying at Hotel City close to the harbour area and with spacious rooms. Includes flights but not transfers. Osprey Holidays (08705 605605, osprey-holidays.co.uk).

· Castles and kings
Denmark is Europe's oldest kingdom, with an abundance of castles and manor houses, some of which have been converted into hotels. Sauntehus is a village flanked by the castles of Kronborg and Frederiksborg. If you want to introduce some culture into your holiday, Hamlet, at Kronborg Castle in Elsinore, could be the answer. Two variations of Shakespeare's play will be performed in English, using the ballroom, courtyard and many of the castle rooms as a stage, with a cast of Danish, Asian and European actors and dancers. Where to book: £389pp for three nights' B&B at a country-house hotel with four-poster beds, including flights and car hire. Scantours (020-7839 2927, scantours.co.uk). The plays are performed throughout August; for details and tickets contact the theatre office on 0045 4920 0811, hamletsommer.dk.

Finland

· Helsinki city break
Helsinki is a lively and modern city that has established itself in an architectural mélange of European styles. Highlights include the Russian Orthodox Uspensky cathedral, and the bizarre Church in the Rock. Eating out is a treat for lovers of fish and game, and the city has a vibrant nightlife. Where to book: from £258pp for two nights' B&B, staying at the renovated four-star Grand Marina overlooking the harbour, and including return flights but not transfers. Norvista (020-7409 7334, norvista.co.uk).

· Spa attraction
Naantali Spa is located on the country's southwest coast. Nearby Turku is Finland's oldest town and the country's former capital, while Naantali itself is a popular holiday destination with its yacht harbour, narrow lanes, old wooden houses, art galleries and boutiques. Where to book: from £645pp for three nights' half-board. The price includes a programme of treatments, flights and transfers. Erna Low (020-7590 1777, bodyandsoulholidays.com).

Iceland

· Whale watching
Iceland claims to be Europe's top whale-watching destination. The six-day tour involves staying on board a traditional oak-built boat, from where you can spy minke whales, harbour porpoises, humpback and blue whales. An overland safari takes you to the bubbling hot springs of Myvatn and to an active volcano. You also visit the Blue Lagoon - a unique bathing experience under the midnight sun. Where to book: from £754pp for six days' B&B including some other meals, entrance to the Blue Lagoon, a guide, flights and transfers. Arctic Experience (01737 214214, arctic-experience.co.uk).

· Wilderness walking
The "Land of Ice and Fire" is shaped by extreme natural forces with a backdrop of mountains and wilderness, immense ice-caps and ice-falls, giant rivers and waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs. The backpack trek in the Torfajokull region involves daily walks between simple hut accommodation. You need to be able to manage between 14km and 20km of walking each day, and a maximum of 15 people can join each trek. Where to book: from £549pp for 15 days, including hostel-style accommodation, all meals and land transport; from £781 including air travel. Sherpa Expeditions (020-8577 2717, sherpaexpeditions.com).

Scotland

· The Orkneys
Twenty miles north of the Scottish mainland and across the Pentland Firth lie the Orkney Islands - 70 of them in all, of which only 18 are inhabited. The islands are places of great historical interest, with chambered cairns dating back to the Stone Age, relics of Viking Norse rule and the wrecks of ships in Scapa Flow. You can fish in the lochs and the sea, as well as dive, cycle, pony trek and sail. Where to book: from £120-£155 per week for the Smoogro Studio for two, a detached stone cottage with a wood-burning stove and views towards the sea. Mackay's Agency (0131-225 3539, mackays-scotland.co.uk). Get there by ferry from Aberdeen or Caithness, or by air to Kirkwall.

· The Shetlands
Shetland's earliest settlers arrived in the Neolithic times and built oval, stone-walled homes, the remains of which can still be seen. The Vikings settled and farmed the land, building communities such as Scatness and Jarlshof. Puffins and the famous ponies can be spotted on the islands. The Shetlands comprise 15 inhabited isles that are 100 miles off the coast of Scotland and reachable by ferry between Aberdeen and Lerwick, the islands' capital. Where to book: £90 per night B&B for a double room at the Shetland Hotel, conveniently close to the ferry terminal in Lerwick. Arctic Experience (01737 214255, arctic-experience.co.uk).

Sweden

· Stockholm city break
Acclaimed as one of northern Europe's most attractive cities, the Stockholm archipelago is spread over some 14 small islands and connected by more than 40 bridges. Three of the islands, Helgeandsholmen, Riddarholmen and Staden, make up Gamla Stan - or Old Stockholm - a cluster of 17th- and 18th-century buildings and narrow alleyways. The four-star Birger Jarl, a modern hotel in the centre, is named after Stockholm's 13th-century founder. Where to book: from £273pp for three nights' B&B at the Birger Jarl, including flights and transfers. Eurobreak (020-8780 7700, eurobreak.co.uk).

· Waterways
The Gota Canal offers the opportunity to see the Swedish countryside close up. Dating from 1874, the canal steamers offer superb cuisine as they drift over the great lakes and along narrow waterways past the private home of all shapes and sizes between Gothenburg on the west coast and Stockholm on the Baltic. You pass through 65 locks during the 350-mile voyage, and the steamers take a maximum of 50 passengers each. Space is at a premium: the cabins are small, with washbasins but shared shower rooms.
Where to book: from £930pp in a twin cabin for an eight-day trip including two nights' B&B in both Stockholm and Gothenburg, and three days' full-board on the canals. Scantours 020-7839 2927, scantours.co.uk.

· Fishing adventures
The Byske is one of Sweden's most famous salmon-fishing rivers, but sea trout and grayling are also much in evidence here. The river descends speedily and for a short distance through a deep and narrow valley, resulting in many fine rapids. The river holds the unofficial record for salmon caught on a rod of 33kg (72lbs). There is a good beach nearby, making this a suitable destination for both families and non-fishing partners.
Where to book: from £630pp for eight days' full-board (based on four people travelling together and sharing a chalet), all licences and permits, rental car and three days' guiding. Flights from £250 return. Deep Forest (0870 7572533, deep-forest.co.uk).