Norway Holidays

When it comes to Norway holidays, the appeal is simple – the great outdoors! This is a land of deep, shimmering fjords, wild mountains, green valleys and deep stretches of forest, the sort of landscapes that breed myths and legends, where you can imagine Odin and Thor stomping about on the lush hillsides. Nature will always be the star of the show in Norway and while many visitors don’t get far beyond the fjords, you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere within Norway’s borders, from the Arctic tundra to the rocky and rough, Atlantic buffeted coastline, that isn’t spectacular. And there are so many ways to explore it! Cruise on the fjords, ride scenic trains like the Bergen Railway and Flam Railway, take winding roads through the mountains – in Norway, nothing is out of bounds.

While the wilderness is fully untamed, Norway’s settlements, be they colourful fishing villages hugging the shoreline or large, vibrant cities like Oslo and Bergen, exude a warm and amiable small town feel that makes everyone feel welcome. The people too are relaxed and friendly; long gone are the marauding Vikings (by a thousand years or so), today locals are living their lives within the concepts of friluftslive (open air living) and koselig (feeling cosy and content). Cities are cool, cosmopolitan and attractive. Lively capital Oslo has explorable islands, exceptional culture hubs and mix of ancient and contemporary history while charming Bergen boasts a UNESCO-listed waterfront and old alleyways where the powerful, medieval Hanseatic League once did their deals. Both are ideal for atmospheric wanderings.

Norwegians consider themselves some of the world’s happiest people on earth; when you’ve seen their home and playground it’s easy to see why.