Norway in 8 days
Vision of the Fjords
- Bergen
- Norwegian Fjords
- Oslo
- Accommodation
- All flights
- All transfers.
- Some meals
- Activities
Norway in 8 days
Vision of the Fjords
Exoticca Travel Stories
Creating unforgettable memories, one traveler at a time
If you want to know the best time to travel to Norway, you first have to know about its climatic conditions. The Kingdom of Norway has a third of its territory in artic areas. In addition to this, its geographical location means that in general, it has a very cold climate.
To know when to travel to Norway, the first thing to keep in mind is that this country has two climatic zones: west of the Scandinavian Alps, the climate is humid and temperate all year. In the east, however, the climate is considered continental, being warm in summer and cold in winter.
On the other hand, the location of Norway near the Arctic Circle means the sun shines all day in the middle of summer, while the days are extremely dark throughout the winter months. During these dark months, the phenomenon of the Northern Lights occurs.
From the end of May until the end of July, the sun never goes down fully in the areas north of the Arctic circle. Hence the famous name "Land of the Midnight Sun", as there are up to 20 hours of light per day. On the contrary, from the end of November until the end of January, the sun never rises, and the daylight hours per day are drastically reduced.
In general, we can conclude that the best time to travel to Norway is from May to September. During these months the temperatures are warmer and there are more hours of sunlight, so you can enjoy more outdoor activities. July and August have the best temperatures.
Let's look at when to travel to Norway according to the region or area of this country which you plan to visit.
LEARN MORENational events and festivities in Norway are based strongly around tradition. Many of them are related to the natural phenomena of the country, winter sports or music. Some such as the Northern Lights Festival are special events that are only celebrated in certain areas of the country and when the weather is good. The Norwegians are often very athletic people, so it is common for many of their holidays to be organized around activities in the mountains or marathons.
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Norway's cuisine is mainly characterized by being rich in fish and seafood. It is famed for its salmon, but also for dried cod, whale meat, king crab or game meat such as elk or reindeer. It is a light cuisine, but very tasty, since many of its dishes are usually accompanied by mild sauces.
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Norway is known to be quite an expensive country. Even so, it is hard to resist shopping in Norway as the quality of their goods is high. The highlight is its design pieces, often created by young local artists who have come to be recognized internationally. The best places to go shopping are in the big cities like Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger or Tromso, among others, since that is where more variety of shops there are. Keep in mind that in Norway there are many Tax Free Tourist establishments, this means that the prices are somewhat lower because the fees you pay in the purchase are returned to you at the airport when you leave the country.
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A mythical land of mountains, fjords, and glaciers, Norway is a Scandinavian country, located in Northwestern Europe. Both a true winter wonderland in the colder months and a haven of lush greenery and sparkling fjords in the summer, a holiday to Norway is the perfect choice for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. You cannot experience landscapes much greater than those found in this country.
Bordered by Finland, Russia and Sweden, and separated from Denmark by the Skagerrak Strait, the nation of Norway is famed for being the land of the Vikings, a heritage that can be relived today in the Viking Museum in the capital of Oslo, a cosmopolitan city sat on the head of the Oslofjord and known for its green spaces and cultural offerings. As well as the mainland, the territory of Norway also comprises the remote Jan Mayen volcanic island and the Svalbard archipelago, one of the world’s most northernmost inhabited territories.
Famously a very prosperous country, Norway has a strong economy and is known for having the highest Human Development Index rating, indicating that Norwegians have the best quality of life in the world. With captivating landscapes, brilliant amenities, diverse cities, and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in nature, a tour of Norway is an attractive choice for all travelers.
Although the first settlers in, what is today, Norway, can be traced back to the end of the last Ice Age, when they lived as hunter-gathers, the most famous era in the human history of the country is, of course, the Viking Age. Between the 8th and 10th century is considered the most active period in the history of Norway’s Vikings. They traveled, explored and raided many settlements across the British Isles and North America, showing impressive navigation, organization and battle skills. They also discovered Iceland in the 9th century.
The Vikings still remain in the popular memory today, famed for their long-tailed ships, Norse mythology and fearsome reputation. In the 10th century, the Viking leader King Harald Fairhair unified the country and the traditions of the Vikings began to wane and fall out of popularity to be replaced by Christianity. In the 13th century, Oslo became the center of power and although parts of Norway were integrated into both Sweden and Denmark throughout the following centuries, in 1905 it gained complete independence. Today, Norway is a global champion of egalitarian ideals and its inhabitants are proud of the country's long history and progressive politics.
A package holiday to Norway will no doubt focus on the fabulous landscapes and natural environment of the country. With an astonishing 4000 lakes and almost 240,000 islands scattered around the vast, rugged North Atlantic coastline, there is certainly a lot to explore. The country’s fjords are a highlight for travelers, deep grooves that were cut into the land during the last Ice-Age, filled with sea-water. The Sognefjorden is the most famous of all of Norway’s fjords, the second deepest in the world, and located in Sogn og Fjordane county in the west of the country.
A cruise on this famous body of water is an unmissable experience on a trip to Norway. Other notable fjords include the Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord. The remote Svabard archipelago is the best place to discover the abundant and unique wildlife of the country, unlike that found in other European countries. Here, arctic animals such as polar bears, walrus, and arctic foxes wander the snowy landscape, whilst the elusive puffin can also be sighted in the archipelago.
Throughout the country reindeers and moose can be found, and in the cold North Atlantic waters, orca, humpback and sperm whales can be seen in the winter months, making it a popular destination for whale-watching cruises. In the Reisa National Park, located in the county of Troms, lynx and wolverines roam freely amongst the landscape of woodland, waterfalls and rocky gorges, as well as golden eagles who sweep through the bright arctic skies. Of course, the dazzling Northern Lights can be sighted in the northern parts of the country, particularly in the area between Bodø and Svalbard, if you are brave enough to face the brutal winter weather.
Aside from the natural wonders of the country, Norway has an array of interesting cities and towns, each with their own particular charm. Oslo attracts visitors with its modern appeal, cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural delights. It is known for having a fantastic food scene and for its innovative Vigeland Sculpture Park, which displays the works of Gustav Vigeland in an open-air setting.
Bergen, the base for many adventures on the fjords, was once a center of the Hanseatic League's trading empire, and charms visitors with its brightly colored historic buildings and old wharf. The Bryggen area of Bergen, a row of traditional buildings sat on the harbor, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many visitors on a tour of Norway choose to enjoy a ride on the Flåm Railway, a 20-kilometer long railway line between Myrdal and Flåm, which runs through the picturesque valley of Flåmsdalen and allows riders to take in the pristine landscape from the comfort of the train.
Norway is a very proud country with a culture closely linked to its unique history and geography. The 19th century saw the emergence of a strong romantic nationalist movement in Norway which focused on the unique nature of the country’s culture, landscapes, language and folklore, something which still exists today in the popular imagination and public sphere.
An example of this can be seen in the traditional Norwegian fairytales of Ashland, ‘the small man who succeeds where others fail’, perhaps a metaphor for the country itself. Norway has a strong tradition of fish farming, evident in the country’s cuisine which focuses on fish such as salmon, trout, and cod, alongside dairy products, all of which are produced within the country. Notably, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each year in December in Norway.
Norway; a country of prehistoric glaciers, snowy mountains, quaint fjord-side villages, rugged coastline, a strong Viking heritage, and proud national culture. A trip to Norway is a unique experience filled with scenic drama to excite all travelers.
Entry requirements
Valid passport with 6 months validity and 2 blank passport pages.
Visa
No visa is required to enter the country for less than 90 days.
Time zone
UTC + 01:00.
Currency
Norwegian Krone
Language
Norwegian language, Nynorsk, BokmŒl
Tourist Office website
https://www.fjordnorway.com/top-attractions
Electricity
220 V. European style plug.
Other useful information
Norway is famous for its fjords of which two, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Health
There are no mandatory vaccinations for travelers from the U.S.