The Best of Norway

Norway is a country entrenched in history and shrouded in lore. The Norse people are perhaps most famous for their Viking history, notorious explorers, traders and conquerors. Vikings were the first Europeans to travel to Greenland and North America in 1000 CE, and they conquered lands as far south as the Mediterranean. Norse mythology gave way to Christianity in the middle ages, and the country evolved into a more centralized government that created closer ties to other Christian European nations. Their economy is prosperous in part because of the oil and natural gas founding in the North Sea and most people enjoy a high standard of living. Norways topography has been made famous for the dramatic fjords, amazing road trips, and northern tundras with wild polar bears. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Norway, and we would love to share some of our favorite things:

one

Take a Fjord cruise –

Millions of years of glacier movement cut deep valleys of steep rock and granite, which were then flooded by the seawater and created amazing geologic marvels. The deep cobalt water sits cold and glasslike between waterways lined with small farms and adorable towns. Electric boats and kayaks allow travelers to appreciate the quiet stillness found in the shadows as they travel down the waterway. We could understand how Norwegian mythology made so many connections to the mountains, waterfalls, storms and sea as we navigated this wondrous land. There are more than 1000 jaw dropping Fjords in the country, so no matter where you visit you should be able to make time to appreciate this unique bucket list activity. 

TWO 

Drive the Lofoten Islands –

An archipelago of islands found in the north, where jagged mountain lands give way to fishing villages nestled up to turquoise waters. The roads wind and twist around the islands, providing ample viewpoints, crossing bridges and cutting though innumerable tunnels. This is a road trip worth taking, and one of my favorites of all time. It is about 80 miles down the E10 roadway to get from the beginning of the island chain to the end, which should translate to about 3.5 hours of driving. However, this is a misconception. We drove it in one day and it took at least 5 hours without stopping- and you will absolutely want to stop! So give yourself at least 3 days to enjoy the journey, explore the plentiful beaches, and hike along the unique coastline. If possible, stay a night at Eliassen Rorbuer- a traditional fishing cabin converted to a cluster of hotel accommodations. At night when the wind whistles around the cabin, you can imagine yourself as a fisherman in a quaint village living a slow and simple life. You can enjoy the Lofoten Islands in any season, as each are unique in their offerings from luscious wildflowers to frozen waterfalls. It’s fun to see the Arctic cod hanging to dry on huge wooden racks in the winter, a tradition carried on from Viking ancestors. 

Three

Take the Flam Railway –

A very touristy package is to take the Flam Railway in the south, perhaps en route from Oslo to Bergen. It is very well laid out and easy to navigate, simply exit the main train line to the Flam Railway, which will lead you to a Fjord cruise, a buss to Voss, and then meets back up with the train to Bergen. Flam is a really cute town with some lovely bakeries and waterfront dining. We recommend staying a relaxing night at the Flam Marina Hotel- the staff is amazing and the views from the rooms are superb.  Even though this may be pushed by the tourist industry, it is absolutely worth the hype. 

FOUR

Bergen –

Our favorite cities in Norway was the maritime city of Bergen. Colorful houses, churches and shops dot the very walkable city, with Mount Floyen towering over it all. You can hike or take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of the mountain for amazing views. Visit Bergenhus Fortress to learn about the history of the region, and top off your day with fish cakes from the fish market. We also enjoyed the super unique restaurant called the Daily Pot, featuring comforting dishes with fresh ingredients and unique flavors. 

Tromso –

Found in the far northwest of Norway, this costal town is nestled deep in the Arctic Circle. Known as a destination for both the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun, Tromso attracts visitors for a wide variety of interests. It is nicknamed the “gateway to the Arctic” because it is easy to navigate to quintessential Arctic experiences such as dog sledding, reindeer sledding with the Sami people, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, or whale watching. You can also proceed further north to Svalbard for a super unique Beluga whale safari! We really enjoyed the Aurora Borealis in this area, the cross country skiing, and of course- the saunas! 

SIX

Oslo –

The capital of Norway and one of my favorite capital cities around the world. We spent way more time in Oslo than originally planned because Colby decided to catch Covid on our trip and we were forced to stay in country and quarantine for 5 extra days. We didn’t happen to see any sights in those five days aside from the inside of our very fancy penthouse suite, but we did binge watch the series Vikings and got a good rest before heading home! However, before the illness we were able to catch the cool vibes of the city center, check out a couple of museums, and enjoy the sprawling parks. The city was clean and well-kept, and the people seemed genuinely kind and happy. 

Norway is amazing for so many reasons- the waffle culture, the polar bears, and their deep belief in trolls. The love of brown cheese is real- sometimes served on said waffles, and the funky condiments are fun- hello oof bacon. Norwegians love being outdoors; hiking, skiing, and enjoying the “open air life”. I really wonder if this is why the people seem so happy and contributes to their high standard of life. In any case, the country has so much more to offer than our 6 favorite things, so we highly encourage you to visit and chase your own adventure!