For the love of nature, I suggest nothing can be more interesting than taking a vacation in Norway. Norway is known to be as “The Land of Vikings, and the Midnight Sun,”. Norway is the northernmost country in Europe. Norway has a jagged amplitude of islands and fjords. Norway is a perfect holiday destination. It is so called the land of the winter sun and ice fjords, pure natural beauty, a cool climate and warm people. It is blessed to be one of the most beautiful countries on earth. A vacation in Norway sure can be perfect, but be prepared though, Norway is expensive for travelers. If you are a budget traveler, you will have to plan and budget your trip well in advance. Oslo especially was voted by Forbes as one of the most expensive cities. During the summer months, on the other hand, northern Norway turns into the land of the Midnight Sun. Have you ever experienced it? Daylight lasts 24 hours above the Arctic Circle, so during nighttime, the sun bathes the entire area in splashes of fiery red, pink and yellow. If you’re visiting the northern parts of Norway in the summer, bring an eye mask to get some sleep.
While other countries have highly developed and turned into a country of high buildings and innovations, Norway is one of the last major countries of the world where you can experience a close encounter with nature in one of the last partially untouched wilderness in the world. It’s a land of contrasts, with soaring mountains, panoramic fjords, ice-blue glaciers, deep-green forests, fertile valleys, and rich pastures. The glowing red midnight sun and the Northern Lights have fired the imaginations of artists and craftspeople for centuries.
If you have a minimal time for a vacation in Norway, make sure to have it all planned out very well not to miss anything and make the best out of the costly visit which will soon make you realized that it was worth spending afterall. It can be difficult to pick out which will be among the best sights and attractions. There will be good ten suggestions yet it will all depend on what captivates you most.
North Cape
North Cape is the last point before the sea ice in the north. North Cape is a cliff of 308 meters above the Barents Sea which is located in Europe’s northernmost point. It can be visited any time of the year, and is usually the adventurer’s goal. North Cape is a meeting place for people from all over the world. For all of them the dream is the same, to let the eyes dwell over the endless horizon to the north and to know that now they have reached their goal. It is balm for soul and mind to hear the sound of the great powers of nature and feel the silence that rests over the landscape all the way to the north. Here people meet from all over the world irregardless of language and culture, people stand side by side to experience the greatness and beauty of nature. The North Cape is a monumental natural experience offering breathtaking views, unusual climatic conditions, the dramatic cliff itself…and of course the fact that one is standing at Europe’s northern end.
The Geirangerfjord in Norway
For a worthwhile vacation in Norway, book Geirangerfjord. The Geirangerfjord may be Norway’s single most dramatic stretch of water. It’s particularly narrow and steep with tall surrounding mountains, the closest thing in the country to a “box” fjord. The walls rise up over 1,400 meters above the inland waters of the Norwegian Sea, and for much of the year the surrounding peaks remain snow-capped. In many ways, Geirangerfjord is the quintessential fjord experience. The Geirangerfjord is so unique it has been included on UNESCO’s world heritage list. At the entrance to the fjord lies the Art Nouveau city of Ålesund, considered as Norway’s most beautiful city. The combination is unbeatable and highlights are thick on the ground. The beauty of the Geirangerfjord with its waterfalls and cliffs is so enchanting and missing Geirangerfjord from your iterinary could only mean you really haven’t seen all of Norway. Many Scandinavian cruises include the town of Geiranger in their cruise itinerary. On a map, you’ll find the Geirangerfjord about halfway between Trondheim and Bergen. Popular activities at the Geirangerfjord include guided tours, hiking, fishing, and boating. A vacation in Norway always include a trip to one of the northernmost inhabited areas of the world will be the journey of a lifetime. Accessible by ship, car, or air, the North Cape fascinates travelers in a way that outweighs its bleakness. Ship tours started in 1879 and, except in wartime, have gone to the Cape ever since. Hammerfest, the world’s northernmost town of significant size, is an important port of call for North Cape steamers.
Fjord Norway/T Rakke
19 km long and part of the Aurland Fjord, which in turn is an arm of the Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord extends to the little place of Gudvangen. The narrowest fjord in the world at only 250m at its narrowest point. The mountains in the area stretch 1800m above sea level. Nærøyfjord was included in 2005 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nærøyfjord is situated in Sogn and Fjordane county. Stunningly serene and majestic, Norway’s fjords are some of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights. The fjords are the reason for some of the Travelers in coming to Norway. Bergen is the place where two of the country’s most famous fjords, the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjordcan be experienced. If you have time for only one, our vote goes to the Sognefjord for its sheer, lofty walls rising to more than 1,000m (3,280 ft.) along its towering cliffs. Sheer cliff faces and cascading waterfalls create a kind of fantasy landscape. As Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord can be crossed by express steamer to Gudvangen. You can also consider going to iterinary going to Folgefonn Glacier.
Changing of the Royal Guard in Oslo
The changing of the Oslo Royal Guard is one of the most interesting routines in Norway you can not missed. The sight of men in uniform taking part in the age old event is one of the highlights in any trip to the country. This takes place at the Royal Palace of Oslo, home of the King of Norway. It can be found in Karl Johans Gate that leads to the palace area. It takes around 40 minutes to witness this event. In summertime, a Norwegian military band and mounted police officers lead the guard parade beginning at Akershus Fortress. This takes place at 1:10 pm. The procession proceeds to Kirkegaten. From there it goes to Karl Johans Gate and finally to the palace. The changing of the Oslo Royal Guard will take place at 1:30 pm sharp. The guards at the procession are known as the King’s Guard. They are composed of men and women whose task is to guard the royal family 24/7.
The Town of Lillehammer, Norway
Lillehammer is a picturesque town in south-eastern Norway – many remember the name Lillehammer from the 1994 Winter Olympics. Today, Lillehammer attracts travelers year-round for outdoor activities and relaxation close to nature at Lake Mjøsa. Sport events are being held each year which takes place especially from February to March. During summer in Lillehammer activities include fishing at the Mesna River, most people do hiking. Visit also the Maihaugen open-air museum. In Hafjell, you’ll find family activities and then there’s Jorekstad waterpark. Storgata pedestrian street is Lillehammer’s famous shopping area. In Winter time, people purposely go for skiing, or try dog sledding, sleigh rides, Hunderfossen Winterpark (a winterized amusement park), the Luge Track in Hunderfossen, the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jump, ice fishing, and much more. Skibuses connect Lillehammer to the ski areas Hafjell and Nordseter/Sjusjoen.
The Vigeland Park
The Vigeland Park was mainly completed between 1939 and 1949. The Vigeland Park is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, and is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions in Oslo. The park is open to visitors all year round. The unique sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland’s lifework with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Vigeland was also in charge of the design and architechtural layout of the park. Most of the sculptures are placed in five units along an 850 meter long axis: The Main gate, the Bridge with the Children’s playground, the Fountain, the Monolith plateau and the Wheel of Life.
Seeing the Midnight Sun at the Arctic Circle
Midnight sun is one of the major reasons people go for a Vacation in Norway. The Arctic Circle marks the boundary of the midnight sun of the Arctic summer and the sunless winters of the north. The midnight sun can be seen from the middle of May until the end of July. The Arctic Circle cuts across Norway south of Bodø. Those tourists who comes during winter time miss the midnight sun but are treated to a spectacular display of the aurora borealis, the flaming spectacle of the Arctic winter sky. In ancient times, when the aurora could be seen farther south, people thought it was an omen of disaster.
The Snow Hotel in Kirkenes, Norway
Kirkenes Snowhotel opened in 2006. Everyone is welcome for a fun and exciting stay in the amazing winter world. It offer adventurous Northern Lights holidays including an overnight stay at the amazing Snow Hotel located in the Arctic town of Kirkenes “at the top of the world” by the Barents sea, close to the Russian border. The Snow hotel is rebuilt each winter and opens approximately at December 20. The hotel is exclusively built with ice and snow, but there are normal beds with mattresses for a healthy sleep comfort. Next to the Snow hotel there is a heated service building and an exotic, heated Lavvo restaurant. Normal health condition is required for an overnight stay in the Snow hotel.
The Town of Trondheim, Norway
The town of Trondheim was founded by the Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997 and was the capital of Norway for 200 years. Norway’s capital of technology is a lively and historical university town, This is largely due to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the research foundation SINTEF being located here. NTNU has a national responsibility for education and research within the field of technology, and as a result of these scientific communities, Trondheim is today a city of innovation and development.Trondheim is also a home to the famous Nidaros Cathedral.
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump
Holmenkollen Ski Jump at the very top of Oslo towers is the new and the world’s most modern ski jump. It is an imposing monument of steel and concrete. Holmenkollen Ski Jump is the newest in the world, and one of the first designer ski jumps. It also constitutes a monument boasting world-class engineering. At night it is lit up and easy to spot from afar. It is also possible to visit the top of the ski tower, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Oslo and the Oslofjord. The Holmenkollen Ski Jump in Holmenkollen is Norway’s most popular attraction for travelers. Holmenkollen hosts FIS World Cup ski competitions each year. Holmenkollen is not merely a sports venue; it is also a tourist magnet of note. Visitors can enjoy lots of interesting ski history and a beautiful view of Oslo and the surrounding fjord. And if you get bored, you can even experience flying 100 meters in the world famous ski jumping hill inside the ski-simulator. The Holmenkollen ski jump is host to the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
Ten of the famous must see and experience are just few of the amazingly beautiful destinations you can look forward to for a vacation in Norway. It will be an awesome experience to see how refreshing and beautiful nature is far from what you can just virtually see online. A holiday to a paradise is how it is suitably described.