Travel to Norway

Norway is a place of awe-inspiring beauty, where many people's lives are dominated by the sea as in the days of the Vikings. The smaller cities are undiscovered gems. Here are Ten reasons to visit, to help start your holiday planning and further research.

Cruising: The best way of experiencing the coast and fjords is on a cruise ship. Hurtigruten (Norwegian Coastal Voyage) operates departures up and down the coast on every day of the year, with cruise ship standards.

Fjords: Deep inlets from the sea give the coast its character. You will enjoy outdoor leisure activities, such as walking, cycling and scenic tours if you base yourself at Hardangerfjord or Geirangerfjord.

Arctic Adventure: The north of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle, experiencing the midnight sun in June/July and weeks of almost constant darkness in December/January. Go whale watching in summer or snowmobiling in winter.

The Northern Lights: This meteorological phenomenon occurs in winter when the night sky is lit up in a dazzling display. Your best chance of observing them is on a cruise ship or far from civilisation.

Winter sports: The most popular ski resorts of Hemsedal, Lillehammer, Geilo and Voss have a snow record you can depend on, as well as fine facilities for beginners. March and April are the ideal months.

Glacial attractions: Even in summer, you can experience the majesty of ice. Jostedalsbreen glacier is easily reached from the fjord country north of Bergen.

Food and drink: Prices might be high but you'll dine well on breakfast and dinner buffets where fish, seafood and maybe reindeer take pride of place. It's best to take your own drinks however!

Vibrant cities: Oslo has all you might expect from a capital city, but Bergen has the advantage of a real maritime feel and fascinating medieval history.

Island life: A trip to the remote Lofoten Islands is unforgettable. Fishing remains the country's main industry and they are served by Hurtigruten coastal ships.

Furthest north: The visitor centre at the North Cape tells you this is the furthest point north on the European mainland, but another promontory nearby claims the same distinction.

Norway has got to be one of the most scenic countries in the world, and one that is increasingly easy to reach as more air links open up - now is most certainly the time to think about a holiday in Norway - it is simple to organise an independent trip, or of course you will find many specialist tour operators who feature city breaks, cruises and special interest holiday packages.

Norway is well known for its amazing and varied scenery. The gulfs, many high mountains on both sides, in the west are long and narrow. Norway was an old Viking kingdom. Economically it is known for its oil and seafood exports. Norway is a country with low population which is about only 4.76 million while its land area is as equal as Great Britain and Germany, about 385,155 square kilometers. Thus, for each inhabitant, there is 70,000 square meters of land. But the vast majority of the land is a rocky wilderness which is completely unusable for agricultural purposes. As a result, Norway has a large number of completely unpopulated areas, many of which have been converted to national parks.

In winter, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding are very popular. In summer, hiking and biking are good sports. For some people who love adventure, kayaking, rafting, cave or glacier exploration are good choices. Car tourists usually enjoy driving along the gulf and mountains. In short, Norway has a lot to offer you in terms of nature. Norwegians are very proud of their national parks which they strive to keep unspoiled.

You can see the polar day and polar night in north Norway. But you cannot see this marvelous sight in south Norway. The midsummer night of Oslo is very short, even simply does not have darkness. Norway is a Christianity country where the Luther churches belong to the government institutions. Christmas day and Easter are so significant holidays that many Norwegians will be away from work for one week or more.

Most people don't consider Norway as a travel destination. Most consider the top vacation spots like England, France, China, Japan, Italy, or the United States. Many might also want to go to a warm exotic island as a getaway. Just because everybody else is doing something doesn't mean that you have to play follow the leader. Isn't it time you got off the beaten path? Why not discover Norway? The next time someone asks you where you've been you can name it. Their eyes will glaze over as it is outside of the norm when you describe the experience of your trip.

If you love winter sports then you'll love Norway. There is plenty of snow here to get your ski fix. The slopes are wonderful and scenic. The 1952 Winter Olympics were held in Oslo, Norway. Many winter sports competitions are held here each year. If so is what you want this you won't be disappointed as snowfall usually occurs during the months of November to April each year.

As Norway is not as crowded as many of the other European countries you won't feel overwhelmed by all the other tourists. You can actually see the sights and not feel stressed. You can take a scenic ferry ride to see the natural wildlife and outdoors. It is close enough to take a day trip by ferry to Germany and Denmark if you miss your population fix.

Water is a natural beauty here. You can go scuba diving or river rafting. You can even take a tour of the fjords of Norway. What exactly is a fjord you might ask? It is a piece of land that was shaped into being by the abrasion of glaciers. They will have a diamond or triangular cut into the bedrock of the land. This is something that you won't generally see elsewhere.

For those that want to experience something a little different. You can come see the Northern Lights also known as the Aurora Borealis. This is the wonderful display of oxygen and nitrogen emissions in the sky which can be viewed in colors of blue, red, green or brown. As Norway is in the northern hemisphere you can have the experience of seeing the actual magnetic poles in effect. You might go to light shows that are artificially created but this is a natural beauty that is not manmade.

If you are traveling with your family you might want to take your kids to see the reindeer. Every child wants to know where Santa gets reindeer for his sleigh. You can visit them and watch their eyes fill with wonder and amazement. It will bring the stories to life for them. They might actually wonder if Santa might make an appearance.

Norway is a natural beauty that hasn't allowed modern construction to overtake the wildlife and outdoor environment. There are many parks, lakes and trails that you can experience. The summers are very mild so if you have a major heat wave in your country during June through August you might want to cool off and enjoy it here. The memories will last a lifetime.

In this article from Norway Advice I'll give you some tips on where to travel in the winter if you love to ski. I have picked out a total of 5 ski resorts in Norway that I believe you should consider during the planning of this year's winter holiday.

Voss
Voss is known as a ski resorts in Norway which has both Norwegian and foreign tourists who want to experience a challenging and beautiful scenery. Many visitors from Bergen also travel on day trips to Voss to use the resorts. Voss is located north-east in Hordaland county, about 1 hour and 15 minutes driving from Bergen. Centrally located along Vangsvatnet municipal center that goes under the name Vossevangen, where the council seat is located. Not far from here, (10 minutes from Vangen), you find Norway's major ski resorts called Bavallen, with 40 kilometers of groomed ski trails, cable car and 12 lifts with a total capacity for 12000 persons per hour.

Voss is also a mecca for extreme sports. The place has its own week called Ekstremsportvekå, (usually the last week of June), where everything that happen is dedicated to extreme sports. So if you are interested in sports such as rafting, abseiling, canyoing, fishing and hiking this is the place for you.

Beitostølen
Mountain village Beitostølen is a tourist center located in Øystre Slindre in Oppland county. The place has a location 900 meters above sea level and is not far from Jotunheimen. This is something that makes the snow come very early and ski season last until April. In Beitostøen you find a huge ski resort, hotels and widespread cottages. The place is very family friendly and there are short distances between the slopes, ski trails and habitations. The skiing area starts in the middle of Beitostølen city center and stretches up to 1100 meter above the sea.

Geilo
Geilo is a ski resort located  approximately 4 hours driving from Oslo. The Bergen train line also passes through, so you can also choose to travel by train from both Oslo and Bergen. Geilo is located 794 meters above sea level and has approximately 3000 inhabitants. There are many hotels and cabins, so the accommodation options are many. During winter many tourists come here to use the huge ski domain which consists of 40 ski slopes and 220 kilometres of groomed cross country trails. The ski resort consists of all types of slopes, from the simple to the more difficult ones. Geilo is also one of the largest ski resorts in Norway and you will definitely find something that suits your skills.

Norefjell
Norefjell is the most dominant mountain range in southern Norway and Oslo's nearest mountain. It has become a very popular ski resort, and the winter-Olympics in 1952 took place here. Since then Norefjell has been one of the largest and most modern ski resorts in Northern Europe. The mountain range is located between Eggedal in West and Krødsherad and Hallingdal in East. Many people from the Eastern part of Norway have cabins here, that they use a lot during the ski season. Norefjell Ski Center consists of 13 lifts and 24 slopes. The place is also a popular distination for cross country skiing because of miles of groomed trails.

Hafjell
Hafjell is located 230 kilometres from Oslo and is a popular ski resort, both for the Norwegians and visiting tourists. Hafjell Resort is located at the entrance to Gudbrandsdalen, 15 kilometres North of Lillehammer, and is one of Norway's largest resorts. It was here the Winter Olympic slalom took place in 1994, and it was due to that Hafjell was given a more recognized status as a ski resort. After the Lillehammer Olympics the ski resort was further developed and consists now of 30 trails, 1 cable car, 3 chairlifts and 11 ski lifts. It has also a large floodlight system and a terrain park for snowboarding and freestyle racing. The top point at Hafjell is located 1030 meters above sea level and has a fall of 835 meters.

We have to admit that Bergen is our one of our favorite towns in Norway... because there is so much history there, and because the old center seems so small and manageable. Our most personal reason is because we have good travel buddies who have a summer hutte (a summer house) on nearby Varaldsoy Island in the middle of the Hardangerfjord. That's relative of course.... As the crow flies, it's not far, but by narrow roads and two ferries, it's a two hour drive. Still Bergen is the closest airport to fly into. And what a great city. Its Norway's second largest city, and it's a city with a long history. It was Norway's capital in the 12th and 13th centuries, and later it was a trading hub for the Hanseatic League. During that time it was probably the largest of all the towns in the Nordic countries because of shipping... later it was one of the four most important trading stations of the Hanseatic merchants.

If you stick to the old center, you'll find it a completely charming city. The area in and around the harbor is attractive and easy to walk. Down one side of the waterfront you'll find the Hanseatic Quarter which is called Bryggen. It's the heart of the old town, and this is where you find the colorful buildings you always see in the tourist brochures. Roaming around in this part of town, you'll really feel the history. Check out the Hanseatic Museum which is housed in a medieval merchant's home with type furnishings representative of the era. The wooden buildings in this quarter have burned down several times through the centuries, but they have always been rebuilt in the "old style". The area is touristy and full of pricey little restaurants and boutiques, but it's a fun place to stroll and cries out for you to use your camera.

The Fish Market, Torget i Bergen, is situated in the very heart of the city at the end of the harbor, but you won't only find fish here. It's full of vegetables, flowers and .... yikes.... even souvenirs. It's colorful and camera friendly. For an affordable lunch buy some freshly boiled shrimp and eat on the waterfront. For one of the best views of the city, take a ride up Mount Floyen in the Funicular... The Floybanen. You'll only be 320 meters (1050 feet) above sea level, but you can see a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains and islands. The station is 150 meters from the Fish Market. The Funicular departs every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Picnic up here or take in the sunset.

This city is a good starting point for the Norway in a Nutshell fjord tours... especially if you want to try and make it a day tour. There are also coastal ships that depart from here and steam north along Norway's scenic coast. Bring a raincoat or an umbrella. There's more than twice as much rain here as in Oslo. Our friends on Varaldsoy tell us they'll have to spend the winter in Florida to work on a tan. Like all of Norway, things tend to be expensive, but with so many areas to walk and so many free views, you shouldn't feel the pinch too much. With all of this to see and do, you really should add Bergen to your travel wish list.

Now it seems as though there is no other option other than to find help yourself. There are many types of aids that can help you. The Norway Scholarship is a type of international funding that is given to qualified people to assist them in their financial need.

If you thought that going to college would be difficult because of your financial status, than think again because there are all types of assistance out there to help you over this problem. No matter your race, sex, or age, there is help for you. Scholarships are offered to qualifying people that find themselves in financial bind but have been approved for these types of funds. The amount is based upon the issuer and the persons qualification.

This scholarship is granted to those who plan to do their study in Norway. This particular scholarship is used at the University of Oxford. It has been used since 1920 and it is still going on strong today. Many people are not aware of this type of funding. It can help take a load off your mind when it comes down to getting your child ready for college. No matter what he/she is planning on majoring in, they can still qualify for a scholarship.

If you are even in Norway and you are thinking about doing your studying there, you may want to consider filing for this type of scholarship. It is to help people advance in their international studies.  It is just another form of funding for college. This is the only scholarship in Norway offered by the University of Oxford. Now are many other funds for your college education. The Norway Scholarship is just a little better because you will not have to look for any other funding. This scholarship takes the place of all the government grants and aids that are offered.

Here are a few of the favourites:

Trysil
Trysil is the most trendy center for skiing in Norway, and the biggest if you count the amount of pists and lifts. They contain a major focus on security and the balance with all kinds of slopes.
Trysil has 32 lifts and 65 pists.

Oppdal
Oppdal is close to E6(the highway through Norway), and is roughly speaking 190 miles south of Trondheim.
This is a place for you if you wish to ride in the slopes, offpiste or only choose to walk on skiis.
All the lifts are on 4 individual mountaint tops. Many of the slopes are faced to the south - prefect for you if you'll like a tan in the early on summer. Oppdal has 17 lifts and 39 pists.

Hemsedal
There are other places with more lifts and longer slopes, but Hemsedal is more compelte once it comes to other offers aswell, like afterskii, entertainments and restaurants. This makes Hemsedal to the principally complete skiplace in Norway. Hemsedal has 22 lifts and 39 pists.

Stranda
National Geographic assumed that the norwegian fjords are one of the greatest places to travell to in the world. Close to the most trendy "Geiranger fjorden" is one of the most royal mountains for downhill skiing in Norway. Are you one of those who likes offpist is Stranda the greatest place north of the Alphs. Here the mountains are very steep, it is alot of snow and the view over the fjords are magical. But if you are one of those who likes it furthermost in the slopes or is gonna travel with your household, there would probably be better alternatives in Norway than Stranda. Stranda has 5 lifts and more or less 10 pists.

Hafjell and Kvitfjell
Hafjell and Kvitfjell is more or less 30 miles north of Lillehammer, and roughly speaking 3 hours with a car from Oslo. Since OL in Lillehammer in 1994 have these two places developed alot. In Hafjell and Kvitfjell there is slopes for the whole family and for all skill levels. There are 5 places around Lillehammer which all uses the "Ski Resorts Ski Pass" This is a liftpass that allowes you to travell freely connecting all those 5 places. This will acquire you a absolute access to 43 lifts and 66 slopes.

Geilo
Geilo is one of most safest places in Norway when it comes to having enough snow. Geilo has slopes for the complete family and can even offer you the opportunity to try kite-skiing, which Geilo have one of the best circumstances for in the world. Additionaly Geilo provides about 220km slopes in place of cross-country skiing.
Geilo has 20 lifts and 38 pists.

Beitostølen
Beitostølen is about 3 hours with a car from Oslo. Beitostølen can offer lots of wounderful untouched off-piste adventures, but does also offer the whole specter of different types of slopes for the family. Here you can find two centers with a total of 9 lifts, 21 slopes and 320km of pists for cross-country skiing.