There’s No Place Like Norway
There’s no place like home.
Dorothy’s famous words in the Wizard of Oz have a bit to do with the title of this post. While Norway is not technically my home, it sure feels like it. It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago I was braving the beautiful snowy weather of Lillehammer, Norefjell and Oslo. As scenic as Norway was this past February, nothing could prepare me for my journey along the West Coast Fjords. Here are a few major highlights from my recent trip.
Time Traveling in Håholmen
My first day in Norway was spent exploring Kristiansund, an urban fjord city in Western Norway. After a bus ride to view the famous Kvernes Stave Church, it was finally time to rest my head down after a red eye flight from NYC. As it turns out, my “hotel” was located on the small island of Håholmen. Instead of building a typical hotel, Håholmen Havstuer constructed each room to look nearly identical to how it did over a hundred years ago when the island served as a small fishing village. I took a walk the next morning and heard nothing but the sound of birds flying in the distance.
Mesmerized by the Mountains of Molde
The next stop on my fjord hopping itinerary was Molde, a small town that happens to have a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. Besides hosting their annual International Jazz Festival (the oldest of its kind in Europe), Molde is stunning from every angle. I say this with confidence because I saw Molde at its high and low points – literally. Before joining my local guide to a boat ride, we drove to the highest viewing point to gaze upon Molde’s seemingly endless mountain peaks.
Going Design Crazy in Ålesund
In my eyes, every Norwegian city is prettier than the next but Ålesund is really in a class of its own. The coastal city was actually voted the most beautiful among Norwegians, which is saying a lot about its undeniable intrigue. After a massive fire in January of 1904, the entire city was burned to ashes and thousands of residents lost their jobs. Surprisingly, Ålesund was completely reconstructed in an impressively short amount of time and with tremendous detail. Their Art Nouveau architectural style is a major draw for avant-garde travelers.
Driving up the Trollstigen Trail
Trollstigen is one of Norway’s most photographed viewpoints and it’s fairly easy to see why. I opted to take a local bus up the winding roads and had to close my eyes a few times when I looked out my window and nothing but the valley below. Once we reached the top, I took a deep breath that I had made it up alive and started snapping photos nonstop. Glancing at my photographs post-trip, I realize that none of these even begin to portray what I saw with my own eyes. Standing on such high ground made me recognize just how small I really am in the whole sceme of things.
Discovering a New Type of Goat Cheese
When the ferry from Kaupanger to Gudvangen docked, my local guide took me to the very off the beaten path destination of Undredal, a the tiny fjord village where Goat Cheese is produced. The cheese you see on the right is a unique type of cheese called Geitost and is made almost exclusively in Norway. I had always considered myself a wanna-be cheese connoisseur but I had never even heard of this caramelised type of whey cheese before popping by the farm.
Reuniting with City Life in Bergen
A true city girl at heart, I felt right at home in Bergen. Norway’s second most populated city has so much to offer in terms of global art and culture. My hotel was conveniently located steps away from Bryggan, the old wharf which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond these more historical landmarks, I enjoyed visiting various art museums, taking the funicular where this photo was taken and wandering through colorful residential streets and outdoor gardens.
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24 Comments
beautiful photos…I have never been to NOrway although there’s one time I plan on visiting but other travel plan came up. BUt now, after seeing all these photos..I so wanted to go:)..well, someday:) There’s really a lot of places in this world I want to go:))
Don’t worry – I’m sure you will make it to Norway one day
It really is a beautiful country all-year round.
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Bumming Around Bergen
Isn’t it awesome when you find a home away from home. Great to see you so fell in love with Norway. I would definitely love to visit some day. Your photos are stunning and the goat cheese sounds delicious!
Bobbi Lee Hitchon recently posted..The price of travel around the world-cheap eats
Thanks Bobbi! I always get so much inspiration whenever I’m in Norway. It’s my happy place
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Bumming Around Bergen
hehe I did pretty much the same trip when I was in Norway back in 2006
Jade – OurOyster.com recently posted..Australia – Northern Territory Indigenous Tours Review
Wow – awesome! You are like 6 years ahead of me then haha
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..The Mighty Fjords in Photos
Alesund looks magical! I love, love, love European cities.
Alesund was a really interesting city! I was obsessed with the Art Nouveau architecture.
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..The Mighty Fjords in Photos
Gah! Must. Go. To. Norway!
Alesund always looks so cool and colorful.
Amanda recently posted..My Bulgarian Babas
Yes you must Amanda! Alesund was one of my favorite stops for sure.
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..5 Underrated New York Neighborhoods
I SO want to go to Norway!
Diana Edelman recently posted..How Mr. Lucky got lucky
I’m sure you will make it there soon!
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Traveling through Norway in Style
Alesund just looks like a kind of fairytale toy town! I would love to take the Hurtigruten up the coast of Norway one day.
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..South Africa: Johannesburg and Pretoria
It really is! It was hard leaving Alesund. So effortlessly charming.
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Awesome Norwegian Art Oddities
Norway looks so beautiful. I love the way the quaint little towns look so at home in the landscape.
Turtle recently posted..The mysterious Lycians
It really offers a lot in terms of big cities and small towns. I’m usually more of a city girl myself but I really enjoyed being more outdoorsy in Norway
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..A Bohemian Weekend in Paris
Everything I’ve seen about Norway continues to convince me to visit. So I’m going to have to!
Laurence recently posted..In photos: from the Facebook page–edition III
Yes you must!
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Mozart and I are Having a Moment
Norway looks gorgeous. I must must must get there soon!
I hope you get there Cheryl!
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..My Five London Obsessions
Norway is high on our list for 2013! Thanks for sharing your insights.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..Winding Down 2012 With Our Biggest Eco Adventures Ever!
Of course! I think you two would love the fjord region. Lots of nature and adventure to do there.
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Turning 26 in the Dark
Very interesting story and great photos! I’d love to visit Bergen some time soon as well.
Zorica recently posted..Travel Crete: Joanna of Turkey Lovers
Thanks Zorica! Norway is such a beautiful country – I hope you make it there!