Trifter

Land Of The Midnight Sun 

Midnight Sun seen at Nordkapp – Image Credit

Well, above the Arctic Circle it is anyway.  In all other parts of the country, you’ll have to content yourself with twenty hours of daylight.  A great place to take in the Midnight Sun is Nordkapp. For tourist purposes you’ll be told it’s the northern most tip of Europe, but between you and me it isn’t, that distinction belongs to a much less picturesque point not far from Nordkapp.  It’s still a must-see destination in summer.

Hiking, Fishing and Camping 

Preikestolen – Image Credit

Since two-thirds of Norway is covered in sparsely populated mountain terrain, just about anywhere you happen to be in Norway outside of a city is a great place to take in nature.  With 21,925 km (13,623 miles) in coastline, not to mention inland lakes, streams, fjords, and over 50,000 islands, fishing is prime, especially in its many Salmon rich rivers.

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Hardangerfjord – Image Credit

Food and Drink

While you are in Norway, you’ll be glad to know, familiar food won’t be hard to find.  In fact, the most popular entree in restaurants is pizza.  However, if you want to eat some local food, you’ll have your pick of delicious to disturbing, here are some favorites:

Reindeer Steak

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Doesn’t look too bad, right? Anyone who likes venison will enjoy a properly cooked reindeer.

Smalahove

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A boiled sheep’s head.  The tongue and eye muscles are said to be the best parts.  I’ll take their word for it.

Beer

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Norway isn’t  really known for its alcohol, although they have quite a few lovely microbreweries, specializing in pilsners and red beer or ale.

Landmarks and Tourist Spots 

Norway is more than wilderness, it has it’s share of cultural hotspots. Here are a few.

Bryggen, Bergen

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The old wharf in Bergen is a relic from the trading empire of the Hanseatic League from the 14th to the 16th century. Despite many fires, the main wooden structure survives and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Krageroe, Norway

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Edvard Munch, the painter of the famous masterpiece “The Scream”, came to Krageroe for peace and relaxation, and if anyone needed it, it was him.  If you would like to see a traditional Norwegian coastal town, this is it.

Borgund, Stavekirk  

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Nothing will put you in touch with Norway’s past, like a visit to a Stave Church, a medieval post and beam church.  In Norway, churches that are still surviving are dotted across the landscape. Another Stave Church, the Urnes Stavekirk located near Luster, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim

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The majority of Norwegians believe that there is “some sort of spirit or life force”, but organized religion has largely fallen out of favor in Norway.

Ice Hotels 

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There are three wonderful ice hotels in Norway, The Ice Lodge at Bjorligard Hotel, Kirkenes Snow Hotel near the Russian border in the north, and Sorrisniva Igloo hotel in Alta.  Everyone should stay at a ice castle at least once.

Oslo

Norwegian Parliament Building, The Stortinget, in Oslo - Image Credit

Downtown Oslo – Image Credit

City Hall in Oslo – Image Credit