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From cultural delights to natural wonders
One thing you will notice about Norway is that nature and culture are closely intertwined. Design, art and architecture are often heavily influenced by the surrounding landscapes, and nature is seen as a work of art in its own right.
Do you have clients who take no interest in activity and nature holidays? People who want city life with art, restaurants, cultural events, music and festivals? No problem, we have plenty of that too!
City breaks
As one of the fastest growing capitals in Europe, the cityscape in Oslo is under transformation with plenty of new and interesting architecture and venues to visit. The most obvious example is the opera house, built like an iceberg that is melting into the sea. A brand-new, 13-floor high museum devoted to Edvard Munch, the artist behind The Scream and other iconic modernist paintings, is due to open in 2021.
The cities of Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Tromsø and Ålesund are easily accessible from Europe and offer a wide range of cultural experiences.
Art and culture
Those with an interest in Norwegian and international art (including Edvard Munch), Vikings, polar explorers and their ships, the Nobel Peace Prize, the playwright Henrik Ibsen and the composer Edvard Grieg have many good reasons to visit Norway all year round.
Video: Sit back and relax
Where to see Munch in Oslo
Festivals and live music
In Norway you will find a festival on almost any subject, during any season and in any part of the country - film, food, cycling, hiking, northern lights and all kinds of music from classical and jazz to rock and metal. Many festivals and concerts take place in beautiful surroundings, so it is also a great way to experience the Norwegian nature.
Restaurants with local food
Norway has seen a surge in new restaurants that serve creative versions of traditional Norwegian dishes. The highest concentration of restaurants can be found in Oslo, of course, but you will find that the local food trend has spread even to the most remote areas of the country.
Design and architecture
Sweden and Denmark are already famous for their design and architecture, and Norway is determined to catch up. There is a lot going on at the moment, both in the cities and in the countryside. Imagine the typical minimalism of Scandinavian design blended with the Norwegian love of nature, and you get an idea of the new wave of design in Norway.
Combining culture and nature
As you have probably noticed by now, Norwegian nature and culture are two intertwined concepts that constantly influence each other. In many places, cultural hikes are offered for those who want to combine outdoors activities with art and history. A great example is “Artscape Nordland”: A collection of 35 pieces of art placed across Nordland in Northern Norway.
Next is our favourite holiday pursuit: Outdoor adventures! The summers are short in Norway, so we try to make the most of the long, light evenings and pleasant temperatures. This is the time to go hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking and rafting, or try a wildlife safari to see animals like whales, eagles, moose or musk oxen.
Cycling along Rallarvegen (the Navvies' road)
The 82-kilometre / 51 mile long Rallarvegen is one of the most popular cycling routes in Norway. Located in Fjord Norway, Rallarvegen goes through the most marvellous mountain- and fjord landscape. The road was constructed by the navvies (“rallare” in Norwegian) when the Bergen Railway was built.
Over the last few years, the interest for cycling has soared in Norway. As a result, more destinations invest in facilities for cyclists and many skiing resorts stay open for downhill cycling and MTB in the summer. Cyclists are also advised to check out the "Cyclists welcome" (Syklistvelkommen) accommodation options.
Hiking at Besseggen
Norway’s scenic landscapes are best enjoyed on foot, and hiking is a very popular leisure activity among the Norwegians. All over the country, there are marked trails and tourist attractions as well as wild and untamed mythical paths. A classic hiking route, and the Norwegian Trekking Association’s favourite hike, is Besseggen. It is a tough trek, but well worth it for the astonishing view over one blue and one green lake at the top.
Fisherman's friend
Some of Norway’s first tourists came here to fish. We’re not surprised – Norway is closely connected to the sea. Many visitors come here for the giant cod called skrei, which appear in huge numbers by the coast every winter. Apart from sea fishing, there are lakes and rivers for freshwater and salmon fishing all over the country.
Safety first
Video: Sit back and relax
For everyone who likes skiing, there is nothing depressing about five months of winter. The Norwegian skiing season lasts from around November to April. The biggest skiing resort in the country is Trysil, followed by Hemsedal, Hafjell/Kvitfjell, Geilo and Voss/Myrkdalen. You can also combine a city break in Oslo with skiing at Oslo Skimore or Norefjell.
All ski resorts are family-friendly and usually less crowded than the common resorts in the Alps – great for kids!
For those who prefer cross-country skiing, there are endless tracks around the country – this is where Norway’s Olympic skiing stars start their journey.
Not into skiing? Not a problem!
Although it is hard for us to understand, we do know that there are people in the world who take no interest in skiing.
Luckily for them, there is so much more you can have fun with in the snow. Here are a few examples.
- Northern light hunts
- Skating on frozen lakes
- Dog sledding
- Reindeer sledding
- Snowshoe hiking
- Fat biking
- Visit the activity park Hunderfossen Winterpark, Sorrisniva Ice Hotel or Kirkenes Snow Hotel
Wrap-up with Isabel
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Good work! One of Norway’s most popular cycling routes is the 82 kilometres long Rallarvegen, which was used by navvies (people who build railways) during the construction of the Bergen Railway. “Rallarvegen” means “the navvies’ road”.
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Well done! Not every town in Norway has an Edvard Munch exhibition, but she could go almost anywhere in the country. Norwegian nature and culture are two intertwined concepts that constantly influence each other. In many places, cultural hikes are offered for those who want to combine outdoor activities with art and history. Even in the capital Oslo, it is easy to combine art and nature experiences. Another great suggestion is Artscape Nordland, which consists of a collection of 35 pieces of art in nature.
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