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Before you scroll by way of to the subsequent article on sunny Mexico, bear with me a second:
I do know Europe is not everybody’s thought of enjoyable in winter, particularly in the event that they’ve been saving up the complete 12 months to splurge on that customary, all-inclusive seashore getaway.
Between the incessant London rain, the grey Parisian skies, and Italy’s plummeting temperatures, I can see how the thought of embarking on a Transatlantic journey proper now may sound unappealing, however what if you don’t should escape winter to have a cracking time in your subsequent trip?
Allow me to elucidate why winter is my favourite season to go to Norway, one of many world’s most Northerly international locations – and one of many most secure ones at that – and why it is best to give it an opportunity your self:
Why Is Norway Becoming So Popular As A Winter Destination?
Norway is surging in recognition in 2024, and I can’t say I’m shocked: one of many the explanation why I fell in love with it within the first place was how unspoiled and ample the character is.
Though it boasts a excessive Human Development Index and Quality of Life, a lot of the nation is comprised of forested areas and rural hinterlands, and no matter the place you’re headed, be it the Arctic North or the fjord lands, there isn’t a scarcity of pure wonders to be discovered right here.
From the minute you step out of the aircraft and breathe within the crisp, recent mountain air, with out having solid a single look on the nearest mahoosive peak but, you already know you’re not in terminally-industrialized Germany, nor overpolluted France anymore.
Caribbean seashores are nice, however I’m certain most would agree ice-skating on mirror-like frozen lakes, stress-free in saunas, snowboarding down winding slopes, and comfortable late nights sitting by a fireplace, sizzling chockie in hand, watching the snowstorm from the window might be simply as alluring a prospect.
Why Fly To Norway For A Winter Wonderland When You Can Go To Aspen Instead?
You could also be questioning why precisely I’m attempting to persuade you to fly midway throughout the globe for a winter vacation when you may simply go to Colorado as a substitute: as lovely as it might be, the Centennial State lacks Norway’s mystique, historic tradition, scenic railways and hearty ‘Scandi’ meals.
Still, it is a large nation we’re speaking about, with a fjord-traversed shoreline extending for 1,100 miles alongside the North Sea, and in case you’re warming as much as the thought of happening a bit of low season Viking journey, it’s possible you’ll be questioning the place to go for probably the most epic surroundings.
Away from the large cities and off the crushed path, listed here are 4 unbelievable winter locations in Norway (and why they need to be added to your bucket checklist):
4 Incredible Destinations To Visit In Norway In The Colder Months
Flåm
Flåm, a small village on the innermost a part of the historic Aurlandsfjord, is one among Europe’s best-hidden secrets and techniques this winter, dwelling to the four-star Fretheim Hotel, inbuilt traditional chalet fashion, an award-winning microbrewery, and the world-famous Flåmsbana prepare.
Rattling up a steep 2,841 ft ascent, with vast panoramic home windows providing views of deep valleys, slender fjords, majestic waterfalls and remoted, colourful villages with chimneys and lampposts poking out within the virgin snow, it’s a $50 round-trip price embarking on.
Sauna tradition isn’t as prevalent in Norway because it in fellow incredible winter wonderland Finland, the place it originated, however in Flåm it simply occurs to be one of many prime points of interest, with FjordSauna welcoming company onboard floating steam rooms on the fringe of the ice-covered fjord.
If you’re a fan of the Vikings, you may take a day journey out to Gudvangen to see a Norsemen village functioning as a folks park, or go for some beer tasting and fish supper at Ægir, a pub and restaurant modeled after pagan messhalls of the Tenth-century.
Voss
The unofficial ski capital of Western Norway, simply over an hour away from Bergen, Voss is a small settlement resting on the backside of an elongated valley dotted with lakes, the place colourful homes and a medieval stone church make for a picturesque townscape.
Popular for its gondola rides, different choice of Haute delicacies eating places, and surprisingly big selection of leisure choices – it has its very personal skydiving middle – this laid-back alpine village isn’t a spot you’ll need to skip when paying Norway a go to within the colder months.
Additionally, it’s the place the highly-reputed Myrkdalen Ski Resort is positioned, boasting 22 ski trails, 9 ski lifts, 2 of that are specific chairlifts, distinctive stays – assume repurposed barns and homely, self-catering wood cabins – and three distinguished eating places for both superb or informal eating.
Prices for double rooms begin at $239 this season, and if snowboarding isn’t your factor, Myrkdalen continues to be the proper base for exploring the encompassing nature, as it’s a stone’s throw away from UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, and mystical Gudvangen (Norwegian for ‘Valley of the Gods’).
By the way in which, ski season on this a part of Norway can final as late as April.
Bodø, Norway
An enthralling fishing port in Northern Norway, Bodø was recognized by the European Commission as one of many continent’s Cultural Capitals in 2024, and with over a thousand events deliberate to have fun the city’s wealthy heritage, beginning this winter, it’s undoubtedly someplace you don’t need to miss in 2024.
Bodø is finest recognized for its walkable, museum-packed historic middle, vibrant artwork scene, with progressive installations and awe-inspiring avenue artwork lurking in each nook, and in recent times, it’s developed a fame for being a foodie hotspot.
Reindeer is often served in eating places, in keeping with Northern Europe’s staple food plan, and it’s Kjelen kafé in Bodø the place you’ll discover probably the most scrumptious møsbrømlefse, a Norwegian flatbread full of camarelized goat cheese, and different native delicacies.
Winters in Nordland might be harsh, with freezing temperatures and restricted daylight by way of March, nevertheless it’s sometimes within the darkest of nights the sky bursts into one million totally different shades of inexperienced and purple (sure, we’re speaking about Aurora sightings).
Lofoten
My remaining entry on this checklist is Lofoten, a grouping of islands related by a sequence of bridges and undersea tunnels additional North from Bodø that really feel nearly otherwordly, with jagged peaks capturing as much as the celebrities, and fishing villages sitting on rugged coasts.
Three of probably the most sought-after winter actions amongst guests to the archipelago embody horse driving, taking sea eagle safaris to Trollfjord, an space of excellent pure magnificence, and looking down the elusive Northern Lights.
Village-hopping across the islands can be a must-do: Reine and Nusfjord are significantly lovely, with their centuries-old fishing custom and Instagram-ready, brightly-painted cottage homes lining quaint, snow-dusted harbors.
To prime it off, Lofoten enjoys a way more gentle winters in comparison with different locations on the mainland: as it’s surrounded by the North Sea, the local weather is usually maritime, which means you’re unlikely to be caught knee-deep in snow when snowshoeing within the wild.
That’s to not say it’s heat. By all means, do put on a number of layers.
Why Is Norway Surging In Popularity Despite The Harsh Winters?
According to the latest data, reservations for Norway – extra particularly, freezing chilly Northern Norway – have skyrocketed this winter, a lot in order that European airways are launching new direct routes to secondary airports like Harstad/Narvik, Evenes, and Alta.
Alta is Norway’s distant capital for aurora sightings, and its Northern Lights Cathedral, eclectic structure and Arctic life-style have been on our radar since last winter; now, new flights arriving from Frankfurt with Lufthansa have tremendously improved connectivity within the space.
Similarly, a rise in arrival figures for Tromsø Airport, serving probably the most Northerly main settlement in mainland Norway, has led to the development of an extra terminal.
Wintertime visitor bookings between 105 journey corporations throughout Norway now complete 350,000 so far, with Best Arctic CEO Trond Arne Kongsli claiming his firm alone had ‘triple’ the quantity of reservations this season in comparison with the 2022-2023 interval.
Norwegian authorities have cited Norway’s various vacationer supply, superb meals, and rising recognition as a cultural vacation spot as three of the primary drives behind the rise in demand, regardless of its harsh winters.
What I Think As Someone Who’s Been To Norway In Winter
Personally, I’d add tourist-friendliness as a significant factor contributing to Norway’s surging recognition as a year-round vacation spot.
Having traveled solo in Norway within the useless of winter, when service availability is usually decrease and plenty of points of interest are shut down, I nonetheless had a exceptional time.
Naturally, it is best to handle your expectations: going mountaineering in most trails isn’t potential as a result of heavy snowfall and poor visibility, so you’ll be able to scrap the long-lasting Trolltunga or depart it for the hotter months, however there’s nonetheless loads to maintain you entertained on the character entrance.
Norway’s ‘Right to Roam’ is a freedom enshrined within the structure that’s fairly telling of this historic nation’s appreciation for the good open air. In Norway, everybody has the precise to get pleasure from and make cheap use of nature with out paying to entry it.
In essence, you’ll be able to go roam freely throughout nature preserves, camp out within the open, try mountaineering, and even dwell off of any uncultivated land as long as you’re not finishing up business actions, beginning harmful fires, or polluting.
Exercising the precise to roam in winter is trickier, as I wouldn’t be sleeping exterior in damaging temperatures myself, however as you’ll be able to attest from the locations listed above, nature in Norway is all the time breathtaking, and it may be significantly lovely when it’s frozen and glistening white.
Finally, Norway is an extremely protected nation to discover – one of many most secure on the planet, at that.
According to the U.S. Department of State, it’s one among a handful of locations globally to get pleasure from a Level 1 standing, which means vacationers shouldn’t have to be overly involved about their security when visiting.
Violent crime charges are negligible, pickpocketing isn’t widespread, in contrast to in different European states, and poverty ranges are very, very low. Whether you’re in a significant city middle like Oslo or Bergen or the huge countryside and fjordlands, you’ll be able to put your worries about private security apart.
The greatest menace going through Norway these days is recurring terrorist assaults, like most Western international locations, however even these don’t occur on a big scale.
Caught the journey bug? Read on about Norway, and begin planning your frozen journey here.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.
