Norway- a Natural and Nautical Trip
Western Norway is home to some of the most spectacular sights in the entire world. Its landscape is utter perfection, quite literally there to take your breath away. With so much of the country to explore, it’s well worth looking into taking some of the journey by car and with help from some car hire comparison sites you can find a cheap deal. Then all that’s left is to grab your passport and head to this glorious land, which, with its oil rich economy and low crime rate, is one of the best places in Europe to visit.
Western Norway is the perfect travel destination all year through, with the gulf stream warming the cold air through the winter making it much more palatable than the sub-zero temperatures found further north. Summer days stretch long into the night, giving you endless hours to explore everything Norway has to offer. To begin your trip, start in one of the larger cities, by flying direct into Bergen or Stavanger and ensure you’ve packed one of local boy Jo Nesbo’s books as there is nowhere finer to read them!
The natural beauty of Norway should be your starting point for exploring the country. The fjords in this area are utterly spectacular and are worth the trip alone. Ferries are widely available to take you around the fjords and they really are the best way to explore these beautiful expanses of water. With so many, it’s hard to know where to start but there are some you absolutely must take the time to see. Ensure you visit Sognefjord, also known as ‘The King of Fjords’ being the longest and deepest in the whole of the country and which lies to the north east of Bergen. It’s well worth the drive out! Whilst here you can head to Flam, which is a stunning town to visit. Here you can take the railway through the mountains from the fjord below and the views are some you’ll treasure for a lifetime. In the Sogne Fjord, you’ll also find the Jostedals Glacier which is the largest in Europe and is some sight to behold as millions of years of ice cascades down the mountainsides. If you want to add a little adventure to your trip, there are many activities available to do here including hiking, white-water rafting and kayaking. In the south, there are smaller glacier fields where this is also available.
Western Norway isn’t just about the stunning landscape though and here there is a real chance to experience the traditional Norwegian way of life. Once back down near Stavanger, head across to the island of Karmoy for the authentic Norwegian experience. Here you can take part in some fishing and then come back to shore to sample some fine Norse cuisine, including the delicious gradvadlax and smoked herring. If you’re around in July, you can witness the Skude festival which sees all manner of boats head for the coast in a celebration of coastal culture.
Category: Travel Guides
