Norway is a land of mythical heroes and weeks of perpetual day. While one can’t see the midnight sun or run into Norse legends in Trondheim, the oldest large city in Scandinavia is worth a look. The metropolis blends young and old, history and excitement; it is one of the best places to get a true taste of where Norway has been and where it is headed.

In 1997, Trondheim celebrated its 1000th birthday. It was long a center of trade for northern Europe. Aged wooden mansions are scattered around the city. These serve as reminders of the city’s past economic clout. There are many smaller aged structures, but the most impressive is a building known in Norwegian as Stiftsgaarden. It was once used by the King of Norway as a summer residence. The ancient island fortress of Munkholmen, which is accessible only by boat, offers another glimpse into just how long Trondheim has been a inhabited.

But Trondheim is not only a place of history. The University of Trondheim, one of Norway’s largest, adds a youthful flavor to the town’s activities. A hip and happening nightlife can be found in the center of the city. High drink prices and early closing times mean that you’ll probably need to befriend some locals so that you can take part in a kind of progressive party that is unique to Norway. The night begins with what locals call “Vorspiel,” a pre-party. A trip to the local watering hole is followed by a return to someone’s house for “Nachspiel,” the after party. Trondheim’s residents are often very friendly and can speak good English, so don’t worry about making acquaintances.

Trondheim is a city of both past and present. It is one of the best places to experience all that Norway has to offer.

Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky. It is nowhere near the size of a major metropolis, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a cosmopolitan flare. Despite the fact that it sits in a state mainly known for its rural countryside, Lexington is not (by any means) a backwater.

Horses are at the heart of Lexington’s image. Kentucky horse farms have produced more than their share of champion thoroughbreds over the years. Colts hone their skills at nearby Keeneland Race Course before trying to break into the big time. Kentucky Horse Park is a tourist-oriented site with a museum and the occasional horse show. A short drive out of town will lead to some of the oldest and largest horse farms in the U.S. Many winners of one of the prestigious Triple Crown events took their first steps inside one of the barns.

Lexington is not all about horseshoes and saddles, though. A large part of the city’s atmosphere comes from The University of Kentucky. The city owes a lot of its diversity and energy to the fact that it is home to one of the largest schools in the U.S.

Highbrow culture can be found at the Downtown Arts Center or the Lexington Opera House. There are also plenty of upscale eateries in or near downtown. But, this being a college town, cheap local grub and a laid back atmosphere is always just a block away. Spacious bars with patios and pool tables are scattered throughout the city’s center.

Visitors can get a taste of just how crazy Kentucky is about basketball at Rupp Arena, home of the Kentucky Wildcats. They are consistently one of the best NCAA teams in the country. Kentucky lacks a pro franchise, so locals lend their boisterous support to the Wildcats whenever they have a home game.

No one would mistake Lexington for a big city. However, no one who takes the time to visit would label it as anything but exciting.

Tokyo is the world’s most populous city. It is through no fault of its own that it has become synonymous with Japan. However, there are major metropolises through the nation. One of the best of these “other cities,” as far as visitors are concerned, is Osaka . While it lacks the notoriety of Tokyo, it has more than enough in terms of attractions and atmosphere.

Osaka has a friendly rivalry with Tokyo. This is highlighted by locals, who like the compare the two cities, especially when Osaka gets the better of the comparison. Osaka exceeds its more famous neighbor when it comes to food. Specialties like Okonomiyaki (a cabbage pancake) and Battera (hearty Osaka style sushi) are best eaten at local mom-and-pop restaurants found throughout the city. Seafood is often the center of attention at a meal; though, being a major metropolis, one can find any kind of cuisine in Osaka. There are actually some good Italian places, Saizeria being one of the more popular ones, scattered throughout the city.

Osaka Castle and Park are major attractions. During spring’s cherry blossom season, locals flock to the park to enjoy the annual show of color and the pleasant weather.

Osaka is home to one of the world’s largest aquariums, Kaiyukan. The centerpiece of this venue is a 5500-ton tank featuring marine life from the Pacific Ocean. A bit pricy to enter, but this is a great place to bring the kids.

To get a taste of something truly Japanese, visit Osaka in springtime. Not only will you get a chance to see the cherry blossoms, but you might also get to check out the Sumo Spring Grand Tournament. The event is held in March and features gigantic wrestlers competing in the most spectacular and ancient Japanese sport.

No, Osaka is not Tokyo. It doesn’t try to be. Perhaps that’s why it is such an attractive place to visit.

Kona is a small town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It has become a popular tourist destination. The Kona coast is a great place for surfing, snorkeling, swimming, or sunbathing. The coast has a kind of rugged beauty and is not as crowded with resorts as some areas of the islands are. The town is small enough to get around by foot and has a pleasant atmosphere, though it can get a bit crowded during tourist season.

Kona is most famous for its coffee, not its beaches. This one of the few places in the U.S. where coffee can be grown, and Kona’s coffee is recognized as one of the finest in the world. It is sought after by roasters and bean aficionados from New York to Tokyo to Paris. Many of the area’s coffee plantations have free tours, which include samples of the coffee. There is a local roastery, UCC Hawaii, which offers tours and sips of its caffeinated product. The delicate flavor of the coffee and its slightly sweet aftertaste makes one think more of a good tea than a cup of java. Coffee lovers will find their contentment on Kona.

Kona has some great eateries featuring local dishes like Ahi. There are good bars along the beach as well. In general, things seem a little more laid back here than they do in other parts of Hawaii.

Perhaps the most spectacular bit of geography in the area is Mauna Kea. The mountain rises from under the sea and peaks at nearly 14,000 feet. If you count the 15,000 feet of Mauna Kea that sits under the water, it is the highest mountain, base to peak, in the world. It is no Everest, though. Visitors can drive to the summit of the mountain. It takes some time to do so, but the views are sublime.

Kona is home to some off the world’s finest coffee. It offers visitors a chance to see beyond Hawaii’s resort culture and into the mountainous islands that have so much to offer.

Alaska is not known for its cities. The tundra and its wildlife dominate the imagination of would-be travelers. Its geography makes Alaska second to none amongst adventure destinations. It is probably the least urbanized of the 50 states. That is not to say, however, that there is no cosmopolitanism to be found so far north.

Anchorage is the 49th state’s largest city. It boasts a population of about 300,000 and is a major cultural and economic center. Most cities on the west coast offer direct flights to Anchorage. The winters are cold, as one would expect from a town so far north, but they are not unbearable. The average low in January is nine degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, temperatures reach into the sixties.

Summer means outdoor activities to Alaskans and visitors alike. Anchorage’s roads might leave something to be desired, but it has an extensive network of bike trails running through the city and along the coast. It is not uncommon to see moose in the developments on the outskirts of town.

Anchorage is a good base for skiing and snowboarding expeditions. Because it is located at the foot of the Chugach Mountains, there are many slopes within striking distance. Most companies offering helicopter-skiing tours high on the Chugach peaks have offices in Anchorage.

Anchorage has a glut of pubs and bars. Many remain open until 3 a.m. on weekends. Plenty of these places serve locally made micro-brews.

The best place to experience local culture is the Anchorage Market and Festival, which is open weekends from May to September. This open-air market has several hundred vendors hawking locally produced goods and foods (especially seafood). This is a great place to find a souvenir.

Anchorage is, admittedly, best visited during the summer months. Visitors might be surprised by the cosmopolitan vibe of this northern town.

Hong Kong Island is at the heart of the Hong Kong. The skyline, as seen from Kowloon or the harbor, has been featured in countless movies. The shoulder-to-shoulder skyscrapers are a trademark of the former British colony. Hong Kong Island is one of the most densely populated places on earth.

The Hong Kong Island experience starts before one even sets foot on land. The best way to get to the island is on the Star Ferry. The trip begins at Tsim Sha Tsui, in Kowloon. The views, and if you don’t mind labeling yourself a complete tourist, the snapshot opportunities, are many.

Hong Kong Island’s restaurants are not cheap, but, like elsewhere in the city, there are plenty of mom-and-pop eateries that serve good fare at cheaper prices.

The island has a glitzy nightlife. One interesting fad is the many bars housed in skyscrapers. Prices vary, but sipping something while looking out over the city is a great way to end the day.

Man Mo Temple, the oldest of its type in Hong Kong, is located on Hollywood Road, as is another Hong Kong landmark, known around town as The Peak. Trams and mini buses go up and down the steep slopes. There are walking trails. Taking these is a good idea if you want to avoid the crowds. However, the incline is severe at times, so a level of fitness is required if you want to rely on your feet. The views on top of The Peak are great, but it is very crowded most of the time.

The less densely populated southern coast is home to some nice beaches. Elsewhere, the trademark rugged shores of Hong Kong make for some scenic panoramas of the South China Seas.

Causeway Bay is a popular shopping district, but if you want to get a feel for the local lifestyle, take a tram through Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun. The rhythm of residential Hong Kong is quite different from the business districts and tourist spots.

New Haven is known best as the home of a famed Ivy League School. But you don’t have to get into Yale to enjoy the East Coast flavor of this mid-sized Connecticut city. History is alive and well here, but it’s not all hidden behind the exclusive ivy-covered walls.

New Haven was one of the first planned cities in the U.S. The square at town’s center, known as The Green, has sat unchanged for almost 300 years. The Green hosts events on a regular basis and is a great place to relax and take in the history infused atmosphere.

New Haven has a disproportionate number of gourmet-style pizza restaurants. There are also plenty of upscale eateries and restaurants with an international flavor. Downtown is the place to find Thai, Chinese, and Italian food, as well as nose-in-the-air upscale restaurants and cutting edge kitchens.

The party takes place in the pubs, wine bars, and clubs located in near downtown. The crowd of revelers is quite large, especially on the weekends. The epicenter of the merrymaking is on Crown Street, one of downtown’s main drags.

Yale has one of the oldest campuses in the country. There is a lot to see. The Sterling Memorial Library has a collection of ancient manuscripts and artifacts. There is also an art gallery and a theater on campus. The Peabody Museum of Natural History is a good visit, as one would probably expect. Simply wandering the grounds of one of America’s oldest Universities is an experience in and of itself.

New Haven’s downtown area is pedestrian friendly. Likewise, bicycling is easy. There are even several shops that rent bikes for the day or the week.

New Haven is a classic East Coast city. Its age and the prestige of its University make for an attractive atmosphere.

Korea’s Seoraksan Mountains are high on the itinerary for domestic and international tourists alike. The picturesque cliffs, with trees doing the impossible by clinging to the steep rock wall, seem like something out of a classical painting. The valleys in between the mountains are home to rare plant and animal life. The area is designated as a national park and has been recognized by the United Nations as a Biosphere Reserve.

There are plenty of sites in the mountain range highlighting Korea’s diverse and lengthy history. Sinheungsa Temple, built nearly 1500 years ago, is home to numerous statues and incredible views of the surrounding slopes. Fort Gwongeumseong is near the temple. It was built in the 13th century to protect Korea from invading Mongolians.

There are several hot springs in the Seoraksan region. The most famous is Osaek Springs. The water is supposed to give those who soak in it a youthful glow because of its high mineral content. Whether that is true or not almost doesn’t matter once you relax in the hot water and take in the surroundings.

One of the best (and least strenuous) ways to see the Seoraksan area is by taking the fifteen-minute ride in the Gwongeumseong Gondola. The large car climbs above the tree line from the ground to the mountain above. You’ll surely be able to capture several postcard-like shots during the trip. And, seeing as the cable pulling the car up the slope does all the work, your thigh muscles won’t get stiff from walking constantly uphill.

The Seoraksan area is a popular tourist destination. As such, things can get a bit expensive. However, booking trips, finding transport, checking in to your accommodation, and all other basics are fairly straightforward. If you don’t mind running into the occasional crowd, this is a fun and easy region of Korea to visit.