Norway

Norway, stretching over 1,700 kilometres (1,056 miles) from its southern tip at Lindesnes to its northernmost point at Nordkapp, is a land of geographic diversity. Famous for its dramatic fjords carved by glaciers, it boasts some of the most rugged and second largest coastlines in the world, including the iconic Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord. The country's interior is characterized by vast plateaus and forests, while the Arctic north, where Lofoten is located, is a realm of midnight sun and polar night. Norway's landscapes range from urban waterfronts like Oslo’s fjord to remote wilderness areas, offering a mix of natural and cultural wonders. With a population of just over five million, and 44 untouched national parks, this Scandinavian nation offers a rare chance for total quiet and oneness with nature.

Whether you use this opportunity to ski in Norway like in in Lillehammer, home to the 1994 Winter Olympics or explore the panoramic plateau of Beitostølen and the Jotunheimen mountains, where Norway hosts the annual cross-country ski world cup. Fish in the Trøndelag region, climb the rocky wilderness and waterfalls of the Seven Sisters Falls, enjoy the natural drama of Alstad, or simply enjoy some world-class modern design in Oslo, you won’t feel anything even close to resembling ordinary. Like art? Follow a sculpture trail called Artscape Nordland which is 33 speculator sculptures strewn across 32 Norwegian regions. In Norway’s northwestern Lofoten Islands, discover isolated beauty among the fjords and mountains of the Arctic Circle and a distilled culture in Svolvær that’s wholly unique to this region. 

The only thing to be aware of is that daylight varies greatly during the year. In December, the Oslo sun sets around 3:30, while in the summer months, there is a prolonged sunlight known as the “white nights”. Norwegians have taken advantage of this vibrant Nordic sun by creating a thriving outdoor music culture, which includes the annual Øya Festival in August, one of the largest and most popular music events in the world, as well as several “midsummer” all-night parties, where heads are traditionally strewn with crowns of wildflowers. 

Meanwhile, all those months of darkness have helped create a dynamic nightlife culture, filled with lingonberry cocktails and Akevitt Apéritifs, which make the long winter evenings go by all the quicker. Come winter or summer, Norway will leave a distinct mark on you.