The history of the Vikings is closely linked to their role as masters of the sea. For more than 200 years (from 800-1050AD), the Vikings were feared as fierce and ruthless pirates. But this is not the full story. The Vikings were also poets, lawmakers and artists. Their ships explored unknown seas, and they settled new lands.
Norway is on the edge of Europe ’s most northerly land mass, where sea and mountains have merged to produce one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and a country whose ancient peoples, the Vikings, helped shape the history of northern Europe . The Vikings once controlled half of Britain and sent mariners as far west as Newfoundland and as far south as the Strait of Gibraltar .
It is this vigorous and resourceful national character, reflected in Viking foundation that still exemplifies modern Norway .
The broad southwestern half of the country is known as the South Country. Here, on the coastal fringe and around Oslo , is Lowland Norway, where the sheltered coast is a favorite vacation destination for Norwegian families.
Farther north lies fascinating Bergen , against a setting of island and mountains. Bergen is the starting point for boat journeys to the north along the coastal islands and into the 120-mile long Sognefjord, the deepest and longest fjord in the world. Norway is an extremely well run constitutional monarchy. Norwegians are level-headed, open and generous people who are unfailingly courteous.
You can eat very well in Norway . Norwegians are experts at buffet preparation, the ideal lunch experience, often with smoked salmon, trout and smoked lamb dishes as favorites.
BERGEN , “Gateway to the Fjords”, is a World Heritage City . It is north’s largest city with a population of 235,000 people; situated in the heart of Fjords of Norway, which makes it a natural starting point for exploring this exciting landscape. Bergen is a cosmopolitan city, rich in tradition and history. It dates back 900 years and contains an Old World charm and atmosphere amplified by wooden houses, narrow alleyways and a busy historic harbor. It’s an old city with a young outlook.
Bergen is unique, not in the least because of its magnificent location and world famous surroundings: seven spectacular mountains and beautiful fjords for a backdrop to an international atmosphere.
Aside from their commercial interests, Bergen merchants had a nose for culture. It was they who laid the foundations for Bergen to be the cultural city it is today. Bergen has one of the world’s oldest symphony orchestras, the country’s first national theatre, a host of international festivals and a whole range of museums and institutions that owe their existence to the generosity of merchants.
Start your day with a stroll around the Fish Market and the old Hanseatic area, Bryggen, and visit one of the city’s many museums and visit composer Edvard Grieg’s home, Troldhaugen.
Nina and Edvard Grieg’s home lies on a promontory jutting out into Lake Nordas with an outstanding view of the lake. Grieg lived here from 1885 until he died in 1907. Today Troldhaugen is a living museum consisting of the museum, villa and composer’s hut. www.troldhaugen.com
Bergen is a well-established cruise port. More than 245 international cruise ships with a total of 190,000 passengers annually visit Bergen from May to the end of September.
Every day, year round, the famous coastal voyage “Hurtigruten” starts and ends its popular round trip to the North Cape Kirkenes and the Russian border in the port of Bergen , just board the coastal ships at any of the ports and disembark wherever you like. www.hurtigruten.com
ONBOARD MS NORDNORGE: With 34 ports of call, the Norwegian Coastal Voyage is a lifeline along the west coast of Norway, carrying freight, cargo and passengers -showcasing the dazzling scenery of fjords, snow-capped mountains and farm communities tucked away in between rolling hills, as well as bustling fishing villages and picturesque towns.
The fleet provides adequate comfortable small cabins, variety of public areas and panoramic lounges fill the ships. Breakfast and lunch buffets were typically marvelous Norwegian fare. At night there were two sittings and it was time to be waited on by the pleasant and hard-working staff. www.norwegiancoastalvoyages.us
The seven-day northbound voyage, Bergen-Kirkenes is considered “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage.” Each day the ship offered a selection of enriching and educational shore excursions for the passengers who want to learn more about the nature, history, and people along the Norwegian west coast.
Our ship sailed into Geurangerfjord and we took an excursion via the Trollstiger Road and along the panorama of Romsdalsfjord. The 11 hairpin turns kept me at the edge of my seat and I was extremely awed by the spectacular scenery. www.visitgeirangerfjorden.com
The sightseeing tour of Trondheim included a visit to beautiful Nidaros Cathedral , Norway ’s biggest Gothic-style medieval church.
Bodo sightseeing included a visit to Saltstrumen, the world’s strongest tidal current. www.visitbodo.com
The Tromso city tour included Polaria Arctic Experience center, an interactive museum and Tronso museum. www.destinasjontromso.no
The North Cape bus excursion from Honningsvag through reindeer-filled Arctic landscape to the north-most point in Europe brought us to a small Sami camp, a great spot for photos.www.northcape.no
On the ship, there was an initiation ceremony to receive your Certificate of the Arctic Circle (indicating you crossed the Arctic Circle ). You had to either sing a song or have an ice cube put down your back by a costumed “King Neptune, a ship’s officer in a grotesque rubber mask, aided by the Captain. I chose to sing “You are my Sunshine.”
While cruising on MS Nordnorge the stunning sights along the way will make you forget there’s no casino, shopping or entertainment.www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us
OSLO is the capital of Norway and a free pass from the tourist centers is all you need for sightseeing, museums, sights and public transportation. www.visitoslo.com
It’s a small, modern city of great character, but without the grandeur of many larger European capitals. Its spacious suburbs, forests and parks, all within sight and sound of the sea presents great vistas.
The most impressive attraction, Fram Museum , has the preserved Arctic vessel Fram, with a bow like a battering ram and hull as solid as a castle wall built in 1892 and used by Norwegian explorers in polar expeditions. www.fram.mueum.no
The Kon-Tiki Museum has the vessel from Thor Heyerdahl’s expedition on display and the original Kon-Tiki’s balsa-wood raft and papyrus boat Ra II. www.kon-tikt.no
The Viking Ship Museum exhibit has the best preserved Viking ships in the world. The ships were used 1100 years ago to serve as vessels for royal owners. www.khm.uio.no
The Sculpture Park and Museum Vigeland covers an area of 80 acres, which is open 24 hours, year-round. The park contains 192 sculptures and more than 600 figures, all modeled in full size by Gustav Vigeland.
I left Norway fulfilled with an aesthetic enthusiasm for glorious breathtaking scenery, coupled with Viking culture and history.