Oslo, Norway

Here's the definition of a tough pick: Choose the best city to visit of the four Northern European capitals: Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen.

No matter which one is selected, you probably are right. They are all very, very nice and worth a visit. It helps that all are on the waterfront.

Oslo has been around for about a thousand years. It's easily the most populated part of Norway, with about a 1.2-million people within driving distance. Oslo usually in near the top in world surveys about quality of life. It also is expensive, as is all of Norway. 

It can get warm here - the record is 95 degrees. It can get cold here - the record is 14-below. In other words, the temperatures are less moderate than those in, say, Bergen. The parks are pleasant, the architecture is fascinating, and the economy is doing well. No wonder people keep moving here. 

I've attached a photo of the city taken from the Opera House, but that's not enough. You need to take a long look around.