We start in the far northwest of Europe, where we visit a spa in a lava field.

Let's stop off to see the world's most active geyser, which shoots a plume of water into the air every few minutes.

We've got a long ferry journey ahead of us. When the ferry stops en route, there's time for a quick excursion to a stretch of cliffs known for the vast numbers of nesting seabirds.

When the ferry finally docks in Hantsholm, we take a train to the capital city - home to a statue of that country's most famous writer, and another of one of his characters.

A day trip from the capital takes us to a town famous for its castle, which was the setting for a Shakespeare play.

Back to the capital, from where a short train ride across a bridge takes us to our next destination, site of another medieaval castle.

Now we travel to a city built on 14 islands. A ship which sank here in 1628 only a few minutes into its maiden voyage is now displayed in a museum here.

This train journey takes us over a national border, to the city where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented.

After a scenic journey through the mountains we arrive at a former Hanseatic League port, whose old wharf is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now we take a voyage on the Hurtigruten ferry, and disembark at a port which claims to be the world's northernmost town - the home of the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society.

Over another border to a town near the Arctic Circle, where we can visit the official residence of Santa Claus.

Our next train heads south to the capital of this country, home to the Kiasma modern art gallery.

We'll need a visa for out next trip; our first visit when we get there will be to the Hermitage Museum.

This country's trains are an institution in themselves, and an overnight trip on one of them takes us to marvel at St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square.

Back into the EU now, to a city noted for its Raekoja Plats (Old Town), with a Gothic town hall and mediaeval pharmacy.

There aren't many trains in this region, so we'll take the bus to our next city, noted for its hundreds of art nouveau buildings.

This town has an older ruined castle and an 18th century one intact - and when you've had enough castles you can try your hand at bobsleigh.

Now we move south again, to a city centred around Gediminas Hill. There's also a statue of Frank Zappa here.

Close to this city we find the Hill of Crosses, site of more than 100,000 memorials.

Another visa is necessary as we travel to the 'last outpost of communism in Europe'. The country's best-known landmark is the fortress in this city.

Onto our next country, whose capital city is the site of a cave monastery complex.

Another overnight train journey brings us to the Black Sea coast, where we find a staircase which featured in a film. The scene depicted never actually took place there.

A bus journey takes us to another capital city, just outside which lies the country's largest winery.

Now we take a day trip to the country's best-known attraction, a monastery complex cut into a cliff face.

Over another border, to a region known for its numerous painted churches.

The real Vlad Ţepeş never lived at this town's castle, but it's most associated with the fictional character based on him.

This city's Palace of Parliament is one of the largest buildings in the world. The dictator who organised its construction was overthrown and executed before it was completed.

The Aleksander Nevski Church is the main sight of this capital city.

The Romans built an amphitheatre in this town, which they named Philippopolis.

Now we come to the very edge of the continent - in fact this city lies partly in Asia. On the European side, Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque stand opposite each other.

We'll have to take the bus (or hitchhike) the next stage, as all international trains to and from this country have been suspended. We arrive in the city of the Parthenon.

We've only got time to visit one of this country's many islands. This city was the capital of the Minoan civilisation, and according to legend, the location of the Labyrinth.

Back on the mainland, in this town we find monasteries built on pillars of rock.

Just north of the border, this town in a national park has extensive Greek and Roman ruins.

This town is best known for its preserved Ottoman-era houses.

Crossing a border to the east, we come to a town on the shore of a lake which shares its name. It was once said to have a church for every day of the year.

This capital city was the birthplace of Mother Teresa, and now has a statue commemorating her.

This town, in a recently independent country, has an Ottoman-era bridge and fortress.

Over another border, this town was formerly the country's capital. Its monastery was rebuilt in the 18th century after being destroyed in a war.

This town has a well-preserved medieaval quarter, but is better known for its stunning location on the bay of the same name.

Just across the border is a city known as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'. Placa is the main street of the old town, starting at the Pile Gate.

Further along the Adriatic coast, the Palace of Diocletian is found in this city.

Now to a city with a famous bridge, which was destroyed during the war there in the 1990s but reconstructed.

Our next destination is the site of Vratnik Citadel and the Gazi-Husrevbey Mosque. It was also the scene of the assassination which sparked off World War I.

This city stands at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Its airport is named after Nikola Tesla, and there's a museum to his work in the city.

North of the capital, this city is the site of the Petrovaradin Citadel, which hosts the annual Exit Festival.

This city was formed from two towns, on opposite banks of the Danube. One is home to Castle Hill, the other to St Stephen's Basilica and this country's Houses of Parliament.

The castle here withstood a Turkish siege in 1552. The local wine is known as Bull's Blood.

Now to another capital, where we find the Dragon Bridge and a monument to the country's greatest poet, France Prešeren.

This town stands on the lake of the same name, with the Church of the Assumption on an island in the lake. The area is one of the best places in Europe for adventure sports.

Many of the greatest classical composers lived and worked in this city, and the Musikverein now hosts a famous New Year Concert.

Our next capital city is on the same river, so we can take the hydrofoil to get there. The city was formerly known as Pressburg.

This town has a mediaeval castle, and an inscription on the rock face below commemorating a Roman military victory.

On to another country - the first city we come to has a castle built on Wawel Hill, as well as the largest old market square in Europe.

A day trip from this city takes us to a town better known by its German name. A museum now commemorates the atrocities committed there during World War II.

A quick trip back over a border to a country we've been to before. Near its western edge is a city whose Old Town includes the Potocki Palace and St George's Cathedral.

Back to the last country to visit its capital, home to its Royal Castle - and a museum to Maria Skłodowska, better known by her married name.

Unlikely though it may seem to an English speaker, the name of this city is pronounced (approximately) 'woodge'. Its biggest attraction is the Piotrkowska shopping street.

Our next train journey takes us to a city which was divided by a wall for 28 years. Since the wall came down, people can walk freely through the Brandenburg Gate.

Johann Sebastian Bach was the choirmaster at St Thomas's Church in this city; 250 years later, it was the scene of protests which led to the downfall of the communist regime.

This city was devastated by Allied bombing raids during World War II, but its historic centre, including the Frauenkirche, was rebuilt afterwards.

Another international train journey takes us to the 'City of a Thousand Spires', overlooked by a castle complex including St Vitus's Cathedral.

Back to our last country, and a city whose town hall clock entertains the tourists at noon every day when two knights come out for a fight. It also holds an annual beer festival.

Another country revisited, where we come to a city whose main tourist pull is as the birthplace of Mozart, and it now hosts an annual music festival.

Now we head south, to a city famous for its canals, St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

Be careful crossing the road here, this city is known for its crazy drivers! Let's hope we can make it from the Arch of Constantine to the Colosseum without getting run over.

Entirely surrounded by the last city is the world's smallest country, the site of St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Further south, we stop off to visit the remains of a city which was buried by the eruption of the nearby volcano in the first century AD.

The train goes on a ferry to get here, the largest island in the Mediterranean. This is the largest city on the island, whose cathedral is a mixture of architectural styles.

A ferry ride takes us to an island country; the megalithic temples here are the oldest man-made structures in the world.

Back northwards, we come to a city renowned for its art and architecture. The cathedral doors are known as the 'Gates of Heaven', and the Uffizi is its best known gallery.

Along the coast to a tiny country where we find a large casino, palace and Oceanographic Museum.

The old port of this city is overlooked by two forts. A 19th century lighthouse stands in the harbour.

This city has several examples of the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, including the Sagrada Familia - a church whose construction was begun in the 1870s and is still not finished.

The trading hall in this city, the Llotja de la Seda, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here we find the Alcázar royal palace, another World Heritage Site.

Where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, lies this British-owned territory with its colony of Barbary macaques - the only wild primates in Europe.

We cross another border now, into the country which contains the most westerly point on the European mainland. The main landmark in its capital city is the Belem Tower.

Now to another capital, home to the 'Golden Triangle' of art museums: the Prado, Museo Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Back over another border to a country we've already visited. This city is the centre of one of the world's largest wine-making regions, and gives its name to the variety produced.

The Lumière brothers developed their first film projector in this city. It has a Roman amphitheatre, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

The European headquarters of the United Nations are located here, as are the International Red Cross Museum and the CERN nuclear laboratory.

Situated at the meeting point of three countries, this city's most noted attractions are its cathedral, town hall and medieaval city walls.

This city lies close to a border, with another country just across the river. The city has a pink sandstone cathedral, and it's also home to the European Court of Human Rights.

The eponymous capital of one of Europe's smallest countries, here we find the Bock Casemates (fortifications).

We only have to step outside the station here to see the city's main sight, a Gothic cathedral whose twin spires make it the second tallest church in the world.

This city is famous for its canals; situated next to one of them is the house where Anne Frank and her family went into hiding during World War II.

We'll have to plan our trip to get here at the right time of year - the spectacular floral displays in the gardens are only in bloom for a few weeks each year.

Another day trip to a town with many historic buildings preserved, including the 16th century university, the Zijlpoort (city gate) and Hooglandse Kerk.

Off to our next country, whose capital is centred around the Grand Place. It also houses the European Parliament, and gives its name to a variety of vegetable.

This city's historic centre includes a 13th century belfry, the Béguinage and Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Now to another capital city, site of the Eiffel Tower and Louvre museum.

Next we take a day trip from the capital to see the palace and gardens of Louis XIV. The treaty which ended World War I was signed here.

We take the Eurostar to our next destination, where we can visit Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

This city's cathedral is the tallest in the country; it's also a handy hopping-off point for visiting Stonehenge.

Known to the Romans as Aquae Sulis, the hot springs which feed this city give it its modern name. Saxon kings were crowned in the city's abbey.

One of the world's most prestigious universities is located here, with more than twenty colleges. King's College chapel is often mistaken for a cathedral.

This city was known to the Vikings as Jorvik. Today it's the seat of one of the two archbishops of the Church of England.

Now we head north, where we can visit the Royal Mile - with a castle at one end and palace at the other. It's also known for its festivals of music, books, comedy and more.

The final leg of our journey requires a ferry, and we arrive at the city of Trinity College and the Guinness brewery.