Trondelag
The Trondheim Fjord winds its way through the west coast’s cliffs and islands through the agricultural land, vast moors and fish-rich lakes of the Trøndelag region. To the south and southeast lie the mountain ranges of Trollheimen and Sylene. Almost all outdoor activities can be practiced here, with fishing being particularly popular. The climate is warm enough for bathing.
Polar lights
When charged particles from the solar wind hit the earth’s atmosphere, spectacular luminous phenomena occur. These amazing Aurora Borealis appear in Norway’s arctic regions from October to March. Northern lights are seen particularly frequently in Tromsø.
- Andyeducation: Introduction to education system in Norway, including compulsory schooling and higher education.
Grimstad and surroundings
The cityscape of Grimstad is characterized by narrow cobbled streets and historic wooden houses. The writer Henrik Ibsen, who now has a museum, lived in this sun-kissed city. Plays by Ibsen are performed at Fjæreheia Open Air Theater (Internet: www.kilden.com/fjereheia ). A trip to neighboring Arendal with its pretty old town and to Lillesand, to which the author Jostein Gaarder repeatedly refers in his books, such as Sofie’s World, is worthwhile.
Trondheim
In the Middle Ages, Trondheim was the royal residence and Norwegian capital. The glory years have left their mark on the city, as can be seen, for example, in the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral (Internet: www.nidarosdomen.no ). You should definitely visit the Ringve Music Museum (Internet: www.ringve.com ), which houses an extensive collection of historical musical instruments. Also worth seeing is the Palais Stiftsgården, Norway’s largest wooden building and royal residence in Trondheim.
Expedition cruise
The traditional Norwegian mail line Hurtigruten (Internet: www.hurtigruten.de ) has connected the towns on the Norwegian west coast between Bergen and Kirkenes since 1893. Today the ships are a popular tourist attraction. Passengers can stay in comfortable cabins and enjoy coastal views from the deck. Organized kayaking and hiking tours as well as lectures by lecturers complete the entertainment program. In the summer months, the ships also go to the Trollfjord and the Geirangerfjord.
Seeds and their culture
At the Várjjat Sámi Musea (website: www.varjjat.org ) in Varangerbotn in Finnmark County, you can learn all about the culture of the semi-nomadic indigenous people of Norway’s northern Lapland. Adventurers can stay in real Sami tipis on guided tours (website: www.sami-siida.no ).
The western fjords
The Land of Fjords stretches from Stavanger in the south to Kristiansund in the north and from the Norwegian Sea in the west to the mountain ranges in the east. The glaciers of the western Norwegian mountain region sometimes extend into the adjacent valleys. Hiking, cycling and boat trips are popular pastimes, as well as a boat trip on one of the fjords. The Sognefjord is the longest fjord in this area at over 200 km. The Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, which are considered to be the most beautiful fjord landscapes in the world, have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005.
Skiing and snowboarding
There are thousands of ski and snowboard slopes of varying difficulty in Norway, all in scenic surroundings. Almost all ski areas in the country are considered to have snow from December to April, and in some areas the season starts as early as October. In the north of Oslo is the famous winter sports area of Holmenkollen with a ski jump, museum and restaurant. Just a few kilometers to the north is Lillehammer (website: www.lillehammer.com ), home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Hardangerfjord
The Hardangerfjord is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. All of Norway’s typical landscapes can be found in the vicinity, from picturesque waterways, apple and cherry orchards to mountainous plateaus. The area is also home to Hardangervidda, Norway’s largest national park, two of the country’s largest glaciers (Folgefonna and Hardangerjøkulen), as well as some of the country’s most famous waterfalls, including Vøringfossen, Steinsdalsfossen and Låtefossen. There are also a number of museums, such as the ethnological Hardanger Folkemuseum (website: www.hardangerogvossmuseum.no ) and the Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter wooden boat museum (website: www.fartoyvern.no ).
Skien – Birthplace of Henrik Ibsen
Literature lovers are drawn to Skien, where the writer Henrik Ibsen was born in 1828. In his childhood home, visitors can gain insight into his life and learn more about the famous playwright in an extensive multimedia show. In the local Ibsen Theater there are regular performances of his works.
Stave churches
The stave churches with their unique architecture, in which the walls are formed from vertical sticks, are typical of early Christianity in Scandinavia (Internet: www.stavkirke.info ). Altogether there are still 33 stave churches in Norway from the former 750. The most impressive and famous is the Borgund Stave Church in Laerdal, which was built in 1150 and is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Europe.