1.Norway has a tiny population, yet it is vast in terms of geography. Because tourists are unaware of how big the country is, they frequently plan their journey incorrectly. To provide you some perspective, Norway’s mainland measures about 15 degrees of latitude–the same as that between New York City and Miami. There are also 3000 kilometers from its southern tip to its border with Russia in other words, Norway is larger than Germany, somewhat smaller than California, but three times longer! Norway’s total length of coastline is 25,000 kilometers when fjords are included (longer than the mainland US coast and one of the world’s longest), but it’s 100,000 kilometers with islands included. Norway is both an eastern and a western country because the easternmost settlement on the mainland is farther east than St. Petersburg, Kiev, or Istanbul. While Bergen is further west than Cologne, Geneva, and Milan, it is not as far from London as these cities are from each other.
Although Finnmark is one of the largest counties, it has a small population of only 70,000 people. Kautokeino, which is the largest administrative district in Finnmark, is about the size of Lebanon or Jamaica.
The terrain by the coastlines, fjords and mountains can be complicated to navigate; additionally, public transport usually runs once per day. Consequently, it would not be possible to “see” Norway in such a short amount time.If you’re coming for a short time, pick either one or two cities to focus on, rather than trying to see everything at once. For example, driving from north to south can easily take up several days if you factor in rest stops and sightseeing detours. First-time visitors often make their schedules too complicated by filling every hour with an activity months ahead of time instead of leaving room for the unexpected (like closed attractions or traffic delays).
Because the nation extends all the way to the North, how far north should you go? This is determined on days, preferences, and itinerary. Norway has several appealing destinations ripe for exploration, while going further north will get you to Ålesund, Trondheim, Lofoten Islands, as well as the North Cape at its northernmost tip. One may also visit Svalbard near the North Pole , which is a rather difficult journey but is certainly worth it.
Norway is a state-of-the-art country that makes traveling easy with its plenty of tours and transport services. Despite this, there’s still abundance of space and long distances between places, making it ideal for the self-reliant traveler who doesn’t mind venturing into the unknown. Such travelers will be richly rewarded if they put in extra effort..
My advice: Plan your trip according to type of transport available and travel times. Don’t make too detailed or tight schedules (particularly in winter). Get a good map so you can sketch some rough initial itineraries.
2. The attractions in Norway are the country itself, landscapes, and nature. Norway has a lot of fjords, islands, coastline, forest, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls. The “ruggedness” of the nation is mentioned in the opening lines of the national anthem: “Rising storm-scarr’d from the ocean , Where the breakers foam…..” As a tourist, making a mistake in Norway is to rush from city to city. There are several lovely and fascinating cities in Norway that have earned a reputation (such as Bergen), but even some of its most important cultural treasures are located far away from population centers. Although many people think of Norway as a country consisting only of major and well-known cities, the truth is that the top attractions are not just scattered in specific places. In fact, some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenes can be found between these urban areas – you just have to take your time and enjoy them! Furthermore, contrary to what some might believe, some of Norway’s best sights aren’t actually located within its national parks – so explore everything this wonderful country has to offer!
3.Norway is extremely far north, however it does not have an Arctic climate. The southwest coast (Bergen) has a mild humid climate similar to that of Britain and the Netherlands. The east (Oslo and “eastern valleys”) has a continental climate with summers that can be hot (20-30 dg C). Rain is a problem rather than cold weather for the average summer visitor. Even if it isn’t warm, the nordic sun can burn your skin, especially on snow fields, in the high mountains, and near water surfaces. Bring sunglasses that have a UV-filter to Norway in order to protect your nose and lips from the harmful sunrays, especially if you plan on visiting during the summertime. Most people visit when there is an abundance of daylight due to the pleasant temperatures; however, some tourists come for skiing season which ranges from November until April–and in some places it extends until May. Despite this long time period, keep in mind that climate and weather can change dramatically depending on what part of Norway you travel to. The climate in Norway can be unpredictable, with large temperature changes happening even within a few hours’ drive. However, since most cities are located near the coast, they benefit from the Gulf Stream and tend to have milder weather. Spring usually arrives in May, but parts of the country can still be deep in winter until April. Driving a car during winter conditions (November-March) is only advised for experienced drivers. In case of strong winds or heavy snowfall, mountain passes may close on short notice, or drivers may be instructed to follow behind Snowplows.[/optinlocker]Hiking season in the higher mountains, on the other hand, begins somewhat late (July through August is the optimum period) owing to the significant snow accumulation in central mountain regions. Hiking season along the coast and at lower elevations is considerably longer. Note that even in summer, it may be cold in the mountains; temperatures typically drop 1°C for every 100 or 150 meters more of elevation gained.
4. The greatest fjords in Norway are the Fjordlands, which attract huge numbers of tourists during the warmer months. The most famous (and UNESCO-protected) fjords are Geiranger and Flåm on the west coast. nFjords can be found all over Norway, although they are more prevalent in Western and Northern Norway (stopping at Tromsø). There’s no need to go to Geiranger, Flåm, or Lysefjorden (pulpi rock) if you want to experience the beauty of Norwegian fjords.
5. The midnight sun, of course, is a fantastic experience. It may be seen throughout the North of Bodø (not just at North Cape) in mid-summer. Norway extends above the Arctic Circle half of the country. There’s no need to go to North Cape if you want to see the midnight sun. The impact of the midnight sun can, however, be observed further south, notably during midsummer (also known as “white nights”), when there are very short nights (sometimes called “white nights”). It is not yet dark at all in even Oslo (people may read outside at midnight). This is an important part of the Norwegian (or Nordic) summer, and for many people, it’s a more intriguing experience than seeing the midday sun. Because of this, some people feel that the midnight sun is somewhat underappreciated.
Advice: If you are determined to see the midnight sun, include it as a bonus in a visit to the great landscapes of north Norway.
6.Norway is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, and various items are thus pricey (particularly personal services such as restaurants and cabs, as well as some food items). Note that service and taxes (VAT) is always included in the price given; there is no additional charge. If you’re flexible about time and date, air travel can be quite inexpensive. The most essential things, however, are all free: everyone has the right to access nature (including beaches) even if it is privately owned. Admission fees are not charged by some state organizations (such as the National Gallery). Adjustment of transport and accommodation choices must be considered in light of prices. Consider public transportation rather than a taxi, for example.
7. In order to maintain high safety standards, tourists don’t have to worry about their personal security. For example, the tap water is not only drinkable, but often of excellent quality (even better than bottled water). Furthermore, during summer there is 24 hour daylight everywhere. This increases safety for all. However, it is important to keep a safe distance from glaciers, waterfalls and ocean waves as accidents are more likely to happen in these areas.
8.In order to save money while in Norway, eating at supermarkets is your best bet. Budget supermarkets such as Kiwi, Rema, and Prix are located throughout the country and offer fresh produce and baked goods at a fraction of the cost of restaurants. Pizzerias are very popular, and while their quality varies, they are typically the cheapest option for “dining full” (often 120-150 NOK for a pizza). When compared to a restaurant that charges anything from 160 – 290 NOK for a main dish.
