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Norway
Oslo
Oslo is Norway's administrative capital and largest city,
a cultural centre and laid back comfortable home to about
500,000. It has a small centre, easily covered on foot, with
much green space, and only a short journey from areas for
climbing and walking. It has also been home to three of Norway's
great artists, of whom they are justifiably proud, and you
can visit museums dedicated to each of them: the playwright
Henrik Ibsen, who's museum is based in the house in
which he once lived; the sculptor Gustav Vigeland,
who has had a museum and a park of his sculptures created
in his honour; and the painter Edvard Munch, best known
for 'The Scream', several versions of which can be viewed
in the Munchmuseet, or the original, amongst other
European masterpieces, in the National Gallery. |
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Oslo is a capital of history as well as art, and is overflowing
with museums. Particularly worth a visit are those on the
Bygdoy peninsula, where you can see real Viking ships
in the Vikingskipshuset, and examples of traditional
Norwegian life in the open air Norsk Folkmuseum, among
many others. To delve deeper into the Oslo history, the city
also boasts a castle and fortress.
For something a little different, it's just a short trip
out of the centre to the Holmenkollen ski-jump. Not
only does it give you a fantastic view over the city, but
you can also experience jumping for yourself, in a much safer
way, on the Ski-simulator. There's also another museum there,
dedicated to the 4000 year history of Norwegian skiing!
Bergen
Norway's second largest city was voted one of Europe's Cities
of Culture for 2000. It is also a relaxed university town,
reputedly with the best nightlife in the country. It is also
just a stone's throw from the fjords, but the water has to
come from somewhere and in Bergen it's the sky - this city
suffers up to 300 days a year of rain, but it does make the
surrounding landscape very green!
Bergen has much to offer in the way of beauty, both in the
near by mountains, in the man-made Hanseatic Wharf
at Bryggen, your point of arrival if you come by boat, or
the picturesque cobbled streets that make up many parts of
the city. The city as a whole can be admired from the surrounding
mountains, made effortlessly accessible by cable car or funicular
railway.
Voss
A small town on the magnificent rail journey between Bergen
and Oslo, and a Mecca for adrenaline sports enthusiasts, particularly
in the last week of June when they hold their annual Extreme
Sports Week.
Lillehammer
Famous for being the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics,
it still has many remnants of that occasion, in the form of
ski jumps, a bobsleigh run and a museum. It is still a popular
ski destination, and if you're here in the winter, each year
it holds a White Christmas festival, complete with
sleigh rides and a visit from Santa.
Trondheim
The ancient Viking capital, and a place of such historic novelties
as a 'traditional' Viking club night out! The city still preserves
many signs of its medieval history, as can readily be seen
in a stroll through the streets. For the more religiously
curious, it is also home to the Nidarous Cathedral, Norway's
most sacred building, and a long-standing point of pilgrimage.
Lufoten Islands
Accessible by the Hurtigren Coastal Steamer, or by ferry from
the town of Bodo these picturesque islands show a traditional
way of life still in action. You can come and stay in a real
fisherman's hut and see its famous racks of drying cod, or
go bird or whale watching.
Svalbard
This group of islands north of Norway is, at 2hrs flight from
the mainland, the most accessible place this close to the
north pole, and has some of the most amazing landscapes you
are ever likely to see. It claims to have the world's most
northerly permanent community, New Orlesund (or Ny
Alesund), a scientific base investigating the effects of global
warming. However, most visitors will only make it as far north
as Lonyearbyen, the largest town on the main, southern
island of Spitzbergen. The islands also home to more
polar bears than people, and carrying a rifle is compulsory
for protection in the unlikely case of them attacking. It
is possible to strike out into the wilds here, but this is
difficult without guided as part of a guided group, and completely
out of the question without proper survival training.
Lapland
Alta
The largest town in Finnmark (a surprising claim for
such a tiny town), the northern district of Norway which is
home to many of the indigenous Sami people, it is considered
the gateway to the area generally known as Lapland. It is
also known as the town of the Northern Lights, holding the
annual, week long Borealis Winter Festival in their
honour, and place renowned for good viewing of them. It is
also home to the most extensive area of prehistoric rock paintings
in Northern Europe, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kautokeino
The cultural capital of the Sami people, right in the heart
of Sami Norway, and one of the oldest settlements in Norway,
dating back about 5000 years. Visit the open air museum, depicting
details of traditional Sami life, which also has an indoor
section displaying traditional Sami handicrafts.
Nordkapp
Literally 'north cape', this tiny town is considered the most
northerly point of mainland Norway, and is believed by many,
including the Sami, to be a place of special power, and as
such attracts all sorts of pilgrims. The less spiritually
minded can enjoy the numerous polar exhibits, spot of bird
watching, and a visit to the local Thai museum (yes, you did
read that right!).
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