What can you find in Norway that you won’t find elsewhere?
Mighty fjordlands and dramatic coastline. In Norway’s craggy northwest, the long blue waters of the Vestfjord are often graced with orcas while the Lofoten Islands archipelago, adorned with painted fishing villages, sheltered bays and dramatic peaks (perfect for the Instagram feed), exudes rugged beauty. Beyond the Arctic Circle, admire Lysefjord from the famous Preikestolen cliff, teetering at 1,982ft (those with vertigo beware) as well as Geirangerfjord, one of the world’s most picturesque inlets with its dwarfing mountains and wild waterfalls.
Who are Norway holidays best for?
Perfect for families. Spend a weekend in Oslo canoeing on the surrounding lakes, inspecting viking ships up close in the Viking Ship Museum and meeting the farm animals at 18th-century Bogstad Manor. If you have more time on your Norway family holiday, children can re-enact Disney’s ‘Frozen’ on the grand fjords, to the backdrop of magical waterfalls and wildlife. Alternatively, if you're the type who might like to ski by boat or take a snowmobile safari through polar bear country, you've come to the right place. Original Travel can arrange tailor-made adventure trips to the fjords of western Norway and the Arctic island archipelago of Svalbard, both of which major in big, bold scenery. The fjord region is, quite simply, one of the most dramatic destinations anywhere in the world, while Spitsbergen, the main island in Svalbard, is a frozen landscape of glaciers, mountains and fjords full of blue icebergs - think the Scottish Highlands during an Ice Age with added polar bears and you'll get the picture.
What are the best ways to discover Norway?
We recommend travelling the country in a hire car so that you can linger or roam as you please.
Armed with our top tips and little black book, there’s no shortage of activities. But before you set off to more rural pastures, Oslo offers a wealth of cultural treats. For an art-filled break, spend the weekend in Oslo, admiring world famous works by Edvard Munch in the dedicated Munch Museum. You can see his most famous painting, ‘The Scream’, in the National Gallery alongside works by El Greco and Pablo Picasso. Don’t miss a concert at the University of Oslo Aula, if only to admire its decoration – Munch himself was commissioned to decorate its large walls in 1914. Then stroll the Grunerlokka neighbourhood where the artist grew up and whose residences remain unchanged since the 19th-century. Today the neighbourhood still retains its creative streak with cool coffee culture and shopping scenes. Start at Munch’s first address, Thorvald Meyers gate 48, then follow the timeline to Fossveien 7 where his beloved sister (and possible inspiration for The Scream) died of tuberculosis. Meanwhile, fill in the gaps embracing your inner hipster, dipping into achingly cool scandi shops, sipping on cocktails in a trendy neighbourhood haunt and dining on inventive tapas.
Aside from a Munch-inspired tour, we can easily sweep you through the city’s highlights, including the Royal Palace, Stortinget (Norway’s parliament), the National Theatre and the Akershus Fortress, the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s ‘Frozen’ (a must for children). Not to mention some world-class museums and standout restaurants – naturally we’ll reserve the best tables in advance.
A special experience in Norway:
Spend a long weekend in the fjordlands in a traditional lafta (interlocking log) style lodge or a more contemporary style hotel immersed in nature. Kayak along the rivers without another person in sight and see extraordinary wildlife such as lynx, wolves and reindeer in the Langedrak Nature Park.