The first thing that comes to mind on
reflecting the descent into Oslo is – “Gosh, this is where all the trees in the
world are!” As everyone who’s been says, Norway is one of the most green,
perfectly preserved places in the world, nestled somewhat close to the pole and
surrounded by the most pristine blue waters you will ever see.
Our first stop was the port town of
Kragero. A town that zigzags between terrain running uphill and all the way
down to the waters with ferries and private boats, this town has been home to
one of the most globally renowned artists of his time, Edvard Munch. The houses
are mostly wooden, bright with a subdued palette of colors and the curving
cobblestone streets are lined with mountain trees that are as green as they are
majestic.
A stroll through the quiet town square
leads to curio shops with the articles dating to the age of the Vikings, right
down to modern knick-knacks that reflect minimalist Scandinavian designs. The
coffee shops close to the water have a vibe that makes you want to spend
several hours just musing and savouring solitude.
The port has daily ferries that sail between
this charming town to a pretty little island called Jomfralandor the Virgin
land. This amazing landmass is the summer capital for many and is littered with
many hiking trails through the woods, replete with horses and close enough to
the white waters. There are also light houses and a quirky art museum that
houses works from local artists. There are bikes available for rent as well.
Regular, comfortable buses ply from the
tourist centre in Kragero to the main capital city of Oslo – a fine example of
town planning that integrates modern architecture with sloping, wooden
Norwegian housing and stone monuments from centuries ago. Add to it sloping streets
and the water all around and you have one of the least polluted and happiest
cities in the world, something that easily explains why this breed of
Scandinavians is one of the happiest in the world.
From Oslo, the train ride to the student
town of Bergen is nothing short of the fabled Polar Express. Misty white, snow
draped mountains, clear aqua blue water and winding tracks make this a
memorable ride where you can get a dazzling frame just by pointing and shooting
your camera from the window. The majestic journey is perhaps a heritage that
will charm generations of tourists for ages to come, much like the country
itself.
Best places to visit in Norway:
1. Drive the Atlanterhavsveien (The Atlantic Road)
3. See the beautiful Hamnoy
4.
Visit the tiny village of Reine
5.
Explore Bergen
6.
The Oslo region
7.
Explore the Arctic Circle on a
Spa Boat
8.
Spot puffins on Runde Island
9.
Hike Pulpit Rock
10.
Visit the Briksdalsbreen
Glacier
11.
Find polar bears in Svalbard
12.
Explore Alesund
13.
See the Geirangerfjord
14.
Drive the Trollstigen
15.
See Norway’s National Mountain,
Stetind
16.
Hike to Trolltunga
17.
Lofoten and Nordland
18.
The Stavanger region
19.
Trondheim and Trøndelag
20. Kristiansand and Southern Norway
21. The mountains and valleys of Eastern Norway
Clearly, Norway has an unimaginable
assorted variety that goes far beyond its stunning landscape, with its culture
being similarly as exhilarating and beautiful to encounter. The entire nation
is a proper goldmine of places that every explorer should see.
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