Fabulous fjords in the land of the midnight sun

The Kingdom of Norway is a long sliver of land occupying the full length of the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Bordering Sweden to the east and Finland and Russia to the north, Norway’s long Atlantic coastline is riddled with the famous Norwegian fjords; narrow, steep-sided waterways that were carved out of the rock by melting glacial waters from the last ice age. These beautiful natural channels lend themselves perfectly to tourism, with fjord cruises providing a great way to see the breathtaking natural beauty of Norway. Needless to say, Norway is a seafaring nation, with shipping and shipbuilding among its core industries. The capital, Oslo, is Norway’s largest city, with history dating back to the 10th century. Oslo is rich in history and culture, as well as being the main economic hub of trade, industry and financial services in Norway.

Why Go?
Oslo is a pleasant, historical capital with an interesting mix of architectural styles. The excellent public transport means you can easily get out and explore the country, but the true appeal of Norway is the striking natural environment featuring glacial waterfalls, fjords and scenic mountain trails.

When to Go?
The best time to visit Norway somewhat depends on your intentions. Winter in Norway is excellent for winter sports, when resorts such as Geilo, Hafjell near Lillehammer and Hemsedal attract skiers and snowboarders from all over Europe. To enjoy some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery, visit between May and June when the melting snow swells the waterfalls, blossoms are on the trees and Norwegians celebrate the spring with National Day (May 17th).

How to get there?
Cheap flights to Norway are operated by Ryanair, including flights to Moss Airport (RYG) in Rygge, which is about 37 miles from central Oslo, and flights to Torp Airport (TRF), around 75 miles southwest of the capital, near the town of Sandefjord. Flights to the main Oslo Airport (OSL) in Gardermoen are offered by low cost carrier norwegian.com, from Edinburgh and Gatwick; Scandinavian Airlines from Manchester and Heathrow; and British Airways from Heathrow.

Must see
Explore the magnificent fjords of western Norway - the Geirangerfjord has UNESCO World Heritage status - and stop off in some of the charming little villages in the area. In the capital, Oslo, visit the Viking Ship Museum to see the world’s best-preserved 9th century Viking ships. Visit Lillehammer to enjoy a reindeer safari in the Forollogna National Park. The 500 year-old UNESCO-protected wooden buildings of Bryggen Wharf, part of Bergen, are an insight into what was part of a massive European trading empire between the 14th and 16th century.