Whale safari in the Arctic Circle, sleepover in a lighthouse at 71° north, or what about a GPS-pub crawl in Bergen?
30/07/2007 :: If you think Norway is just about blonde girls and Norse mythology, you better think twice. In the northern country, not only can you look at the mountains and hop on a trip with Hurtigruten and cruise on the fjords along the coastline. In the surroundings of Norway’s wild nature, a variety of exotic attractions are available the whole year through, from Finnmark in the north to Oslo in the south.
On Ice
In the northern part of Norway tourists are invited to take part in activities such as snow mobile and mushing safari on land, and whale safari at sea. Helnes lighthouse outside Nordkapp is available for bookings. Moreover the Sámi people will give you a taste of their culture. If you want to put yourself on ice, you can literarily do it at the Alta Igloo Hotel, an entire accommodation made of ice.
Close up on the killer whale. Photo: Sara Wennerqvist
Bikini skiing
Speaking of ice, even in the summer when most people is drawn to the beach, several places in the mountains of Norway offer skiing on silky snow in mid July. Stryn Sommerskisenter (Stryn), Sognefjellet Sommerskisenter (Lom), Galdhøpiggen Sommerskisenter (Bøverdalen) and Folgefonna Sommarskisenter (Jondal), to mention a few.
GPS vacation
Moving south, on the little less extreme string, tourists and travellers are invited to take part in a GPS- trail in Bergen.There are routes for both children and adults.
Festival lovers
The summer months represents the time for festivals. Festivals of all genres appear, especially music, where everything from Edvard Grieg to hard core heavy metal pop up at least once if not five, or how-many-times before the fall kicks in.
Capital fun
Oslo is the capital of Norway and there is always something to take a peak at. This summer, an outdoor exhibit by photographer Steve Bloom is set up by Oslo’s harbour. The Royal Palace is open for the public and guided tours are provided. If you are not into the conventional, Oslo is like all capitals, a melting pot of different people, cultures and has a vibrant night life and a variety different venues.
Karl Johan, Oslo. Foto: Petter Foss/ MFA Norway
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs