Aurlandsfjord, Dalsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, Lysefjord, Naeroyfjord and Sognefjord – panoramic, majestic, wild and beautiful; these make Norway impressive and extraordinary. Each fjord is unique in a way different from the others making every one of these fjords unforgettable.
Aside from the fjord-indented coastline, Norway is admired for its scenic, mountainous surroundings, pristine and natural countryside, cultured cities, and its seafood and lamb-based cuisine.
Only in Norway
- Aurora Borealis -Lighting the Winter Sky: There is nothing more moving than the natural phenomena of the northern lights over the winter skies from October to March. Lights take forms and come alive with its spectacular swags of radiance; this is caused by the sun’s charged particles interacting with the earth’s magnetic field and the atmosphere. During summer, the sun doesn’t set in these latitudes so you see endless days.
- Hiking through Jotunheimen: The attraction boasts of being the largest Alpine region on Norway’s high plateau. It is home to Scandinavia’s highest mountain (Galdhøpiggen) and in its shadow are the iconic trails of Hurrungane and Besseggen as well as spectacular waterfalls, lakes, rivers, glaciers and wildlife. Skagastølsbotn and the Skagastølsbre glacier is approximately 4,429ft and can be climbed in four hours.
- Dog-sledding: Exploring North Pole can be made more memorable on a sled pulled by a herd of yelping huskies. Sled across the snow; find out about half-day jaunts to multiday treks to Norway’s far north under the stunning light of the Arctic winter.
- Sami culture: Take a peek at Sami life with their sleds, coastal fishing and reindeer herds living in structures of mellow wood, a masterpiece in design. Immerse in their culture – Sami language and dialects, joik, food and handicrafts.
A Taste of Norway
There are food and drinks that scream Norway! You can’t afford to miss them whilst in Norway.
- Lamb is big here: Fenalår, Pinnekjøtt, Fårikål and Smalahove, the strange salted lamb head, an autumn and Christmasfare.
- Seaffood Staples: With its deep, cold waters, fish has always been a staple –Smoked Salmon, Tørrfisk (stockfish), Lutefisk, Stockfish, Gravlaks and Reker.
- Other Norwegian Must-eats: If you have a sweet tooth Multekrem and will not Brunost fail you. Rømmegrøt, Pølse i lompe and Kjøttkaker are staples you should discover while in Norway.
- Traditional Deink : Finally, down all the goodness with Aquavit, a traditional Christmas spirit.
- Where to go for great food? Find out from Norwegian food at Oslo’s restaurants. Some places it suggests include Kaffistova, Dovrehallen and Restaurant Schrøder for classic Norwegian food. Head to Olympen, Gamle Raadhus Restaurant, Kvadraturen, Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri and Engebret Café for Norwgian exotic fares such as moose, reindeer and lutefisk. For the best seafood, Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, Louise and Tjuvholmen Sjømagasin, Solsiden Restaurant, Restaurant Havsmak, and Restaurant Fjord are the most patronized.
.Places to Be!
- Svalbard – A Slice of the Pole: The place is located in the heart of Spitzbergen, just 810 miles from the North Pole. It is among the continent’s last wilderness regions and home to polar bears, Arctic fox, seals, whales, seabirds and reindeer. On the edge of permanent ice cap, it has a backdrop of heartbreakingly stunning fjords, colossal ice fields and shapely ice-capped summits,
- Unforgettable Lofoten Islands: Awe-inspiring from a distance, Lofoten Islands is unforgettable in green and yellow during summer with its pointed peaks jabbing against a flawless, azure sky. The villages are charming the island trails are a hiker’s dream linked by bridges.
- The Quaint Town of Ålesund: This charming town with its now famous Jugendstil art nouveau architecture arose from the ashes after a devastating fire razed it to the ground its wooden structures a hundred years ago. The designs of the young Norwegian architects are remarkable for its ornate embellishments – spires, turrets, gargoyles and other whimsical rudiments based on local inspirations. Alesund is ripe with many attractions.
- Icy and scenic Jostedalsbreen Glacier: This southern Norway’s pride is located in the heart of Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park. Global warming or just plain evolution, it has significantly shrunk making hiking and glacial skiing dangerous and regulated.
Way to Go!
- Rail Routes -Zipping along Scenic Norway: The rail routes in Norway are most amazing because of the panoramic mountain views along the way.The best ones start in Oslo – the Bergen Railway, the Dovre Railway, Rauma Railway and the famous Flåm Railway. For unique experiences check out the gourmet train excursions, classic steam trains and pedal-powered rail tricycles or “draisines.”
- Kystriksveien – Route along the Coast: Got time for some “slow-travel”? Take this coastal route even if it will just be a part of its 650km. There are many wonderful and seductive sights along this coastal route – stunning seascapes, inland glaciers, and accessible off shore islands like Vega and Lovund.
- Atlantic Ocean Road: Go island to island via this 5-mile stretch of National Tourist Route that meanders through weaving through in Eide and Averøy in More og Rømsdal. It also one great lure for those wanting to get as close to the sea, the charming wooden churches, small fishing villages and the celebrated Trolls’ Church Cave.
- Hurtigruten Coastal Ferry: If you can’t pull yourself away from the sea, its beautiful fjords and docks at remote villages, take the Hurtigruten coastal ferry. It is reminiscent of the coastal steamers sailing leisurely at 15 knots to Kirkenes and back in 12 days.
It’s City Life!
- Oslo: Norway’s capital is a Scandinavian pride. It is bursting to the seams with fine attractions – museums and world-class art galleries and top-notch opera house. If you can’t get over Viking culture, the Viking Museum in this city will give you the goose bumps as you get to touch and see real wooden ships and other Viking mementoes.
- Tromsø: A holiday in the Arctic Circle will not deprive you of a city life. Just 400 km away, Tromsø is an unforgettable city in northern Norway with its cathedral, botanic garden, brewery, clubs and pubs, and loads of fun entertainment including skiing and watching the Northern Lights.
- The Heritage of Bryggen, Bergen: Bergen is Europe’s one of the most stunning cities. INESCO was quick to claim it and grant the title of a World Heritage Site with its antiquated tangle of wooden edifices. Bryggen now home to modern boutiques and old-fashioned restaurants for which the city is known for.
Nobody said any of these is more stunning or popular as Norway’s fjords. Just know that a holiday to this country is more than awesome fjords; there’s more to Norway.
