Join a fjord cruise
The fjords are ultimately the number one attraction of Norway, and they’ve been wowing guests from different corners of the world. In fact, they all make a wonderful cruise destination.
Cruising along the fjords affords you a closer view of the surroundings. You will see up close the forested mountains, the gloriously flowing waterfalls, and the emerald water, all while listening to the sound of nature. It’s an unforgettable experience, especially since you’re sailing on some of the best fjords of the world.
What makes fjord cruising all the more special is that you’ll get to do more than sightseeing. Every once in a while, the cruise ship will stop at ports and allow you to visit coastal towns and cities, go to museums and art galleries, see historical venues and artifacts, experience traditions, witness cultural events, and engage in outdoor sports and activities.
Ski
Skiing is Norway’s national sport, and expectedly, the country has lots of ski resorts and provides cross-country trails. With such powdery snow and a beautiful landscape serving as a backdrop, Norway presents itself as a prime ski destination.
Ski season starts in November and lasts until April. During this season, ski resorts are highly visited by alpine ski enthusiasts, who love the quality ski equipment and facilities in the country. Mountain villages and towns also have their share of cross-country skiers.
Two of the best ski destinations in Norway are Jotunheimen and Oslo, which is also the ski capital of the country. Here and in other ski destinations, landscapes are varied, slopes are exciting, and the view is awesome.
Take a dog sledging tour
Revive history by having a dog sledging tour across the snowy landscape of Northern Norway. It’s an exhilarating experience, literally driven by strong and experienced huskies.
The dogs will pull you across the plains, in directions they know very well. And as you pass through the plains, breathe in the fresh air and marvel at the wintery beauty of Norway. The peaceful view goes as far as your eyes can reach.
You can either go for a day trip or have a dog sledging tour for some days. Don’t worry if this is your first time on a sledge, because dog handlers will train you how to lead the pack. You will be pulled by four or six dogs, all of which are agile but charming at the same time.
Dog sledging tours are usually done in Finnmark, but Røros and Trysil are also popular venues. Difficulty levels vary.
Walk on a glacier
Only few have the privilege to see glaciers up close, so when you’re in Norway, grab the chance to walk on any of its glaciers. Glacier walking is an adventure of a lifetime, exposing a different landscape for your curious eyes to see.
Glaciers provide spectacular scenery. They reflect blue light and create a beautiful palette on the icy surface. And unknown to many, they change shape, move to different directions, grow, and shrink.
Because glaciers cover over 2,600 square kilometers (1,004 square miles) of Norway, there are expectedly several glacier walking destinations in the country. One of which is Jostedalsbreen, considered the largest mainland glacier in Europe.
Glacier walking, however, requires the supervision of an authorized guide. It is not the usual adventure, because glaciers are always moving and sometimes break and collapse. But you’re going to be safe for as long as you heed the instructions of your guide, display alertness, wear the appropriate getup, and properly use your gear.
For your safety, join a glacier guided tour.
See the northern lights
If you come to Norway when the northern lights, also called aurora borealis, make an appearance, consider yourself very lucky. The celebrated natural light display is somewhat evasive, showing up only when it decides to do so.
But when it shows up, it does a great mighty show. Displaying a luminous green, it gracefully dances on the dark sky, sometimes showing a thin band of light and sometimes spreading out across the sky, to the amusement of the admiring audience. It simply is magical, leaving you speechless for the next minutes.
Aurora visits its audience more frequently during late autumn and winter to early spring. It doesn’t follow any schedule, so you oftentimes have to patiently wait for its appearance.
The whole of Norway plays a willing audience to the northern lights’ performance, which means wherever you are, for as long as the weather is dry and cold and the timing is right, you can witness the nighttime display. Still, the best viewing spots are in Northern Norway – in North Cape and Lofoten Islands, for instance.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.