The panel that made the selection was handpicked from among 200 seasoned
travellers, expert in the fields of ecology, geography, urban and regional
development, travel writing and photography, heritage conservation, archaeology,
sustainable tourism etc. The experts were asked to evaluate places they knew
personally, using six criteria to assess destinations. The criteria were:
ecological and environmental quality, social and cultural integrity, the quality
of historical buildings and archaeological sites, aesthetic attractiveness,
quality in tourism management and future prospects.
Photo. Prekestolen (604 metres over sea level) - experience Lysefjorden with
the famous Pulpit Rock, rising a sheer 600 from the fjord (photo copyright
Reisemål Ryfylke A/S www.ryfylke.com).
I am here proud to tell our readers about my home country,
which I love from my deepest heart. As you can understand I am so enthusiastic
about my home country that I am not able to be objective in the thoughts
and information I share with you in this case. But anyway I hope you understand
by reading this article why I got these strong inspirations.
Norway has it all
Norway is the world's most northern
country. It's called the "land of the midnight sun
". It's a country full of mountains, fjords and glaciers. The country has also
unsolved mysteries both from past and today. During the ice age both the ice and
the rivers carved deep valleys in the mountains. As the climate changed, most of
the ice melted, and the valleys were gradually filled with salt water from the
coast, thus creating the fjords.
Not all of the ice melted though, leaving parts of the high mountain areas
covered with ice, thus creating the glaciers. As Norway is far north the summer
evenings are light, and past the Arctic Circle the Midnight Sun shines during
the summer nights. Nature has thus offered some of the most exotic and
spectacular tourist attractions in the entire the world.
Norway is also famous for the Vikings. They lived for thousand years ago, and
were the best shipbuilders and sailors in the world at that time. They ventured
as far as Greenland, North America (Vinland) and other places around the world.
The typical Viking warship, the "long ship," had a high prow, adorned with the
figure of an animal, and a high stern. Just as their ancestors the Norwegians
like great challenges, adventures and extreme sport.
Activity vacations are offered all over Norway. These vacations may feature
river rafting, diving, hiking, glacier tours, cave tours, climbing, fishing,
horseback riding, boat tours, elg (moose) safaris, moskus safaris, whale
watching and swimming in the summer. In the winter Norway offers skiing, dog
sledding, sleigh rides and snow scooter safaris. Ready for the action you ever
have dreamed about?
What do you think the world famous author Henrik Ibsen become
inspired from?
In Vinstra, Gudbrandsdalen, you will find the
beautiful area which inspired Henrik Ibsen to write his dramatic masterpiece,
Peer Gynt! Most kind of activities and recreation can be experienced in a
wonderful wilderness between Jotunheimen and Rondane. Today, just as it was when
Ibsen visited the area, Peer Gynt's Kingdom in Vinstra offers mystery, adventure
and inspiration.
|
Photo. A statue of the great adventurer Peer
Gynt in Vinstra, whom the world famous author Henrik Ibsen wrote
about in his dramatic novel with the same name.
Beside the statue stands the author of this article,
Stein Morten. He was born and grew up in Vinstra too. |
 |
Henrik Ibsen was a dramatist, whose realistic plays dealing with
psychological and social problems. That won him recognition as the creator of
modern drama. He was born 20 March 1828, in Skien, and died in 23 May 1906. Here
is an extract from the novel about PEER GYNT: The Royal Hall of the King of the
Dovre-Trolls. A great assembly of TROLL-COURTIERS, GNOMES, and BROWNIES. THE OLD
MAN OF THE DOVRE sits on the throne, crowned, and with his sceptre in his hand.
His CHILDREN and NEAREST RELATIONS are ranged on both sides. PEER GYNT stands
before him. Violent commotion in the hall
.).
This is just what Norway is: full of legends, mysteries, surprises and
untouched places. It's time to be inspired too. Here we present 15 reasons why
Norway is one of the most exciting tourist destinations in the world.
1. Fjords
In Norway you can explore mountains
and blue fjords winding inland. It`s a great experience to discover islands of
tranquillity and villages where there is no haste. Listen to the sounds and
silence wind bending the grass tree crowns and summer skies filled with birds.
Cascading waterfalls, rain drumming the surface of the lake. It's time to
satisfy your senses and let your heart live the holiday of dreams.
|
Photo. One of Norway many beautiful fjords -
Geiranger. On the top (at right): see the man on edge of mountain
viewing the fjord scenery. |
 |
Norwegian fjords were carved by glacial ice in river valleys. Each fjord is
different in character, changing as they snake their way in from the coast and
end somewhere deeper inland, where they are usually much narrower. While there
are long lush fields stretching down to the edge of the water in some places, in
others the surrounding mountains plunge straight into the fjord. Some of the
most spectacular Norwegian fjords are the Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord,
Hardangerfjord and Lysefjord. A cruise or ferry ride into the Lysefjord brings
you past the impressive Pulpit Rock and the towering Kjerag mountain ridge.
| Photo. One of Norway`s many beautiful
fjords, Lysefjorden (near Prekestolen), surrounded by high mountains.
|
 |
The world's longest fjord, the Sognefjord, lies in the heart of the Norwegian
fjord country and extends more than 200 km inland. The region where this deep
fjord meets the glaciers and Norway's highest mountains is considered one of the
world's most beautiful travel destinations.
Ryfylke is a natural part of any trip to Fjord Norway, situated south of
Bergen, inland between Stavanger and Haugesund. Ryfylke is where your fjord
adventure begins. Centrally located in the south of Fjord Norway, Ryfylke makes
an excellent base for long, memorable round trips. This region offers mountains
and deep fjords, a fascinating maze of islands and pleasant villages. A glance
at the map reveals a veritable web of fjord arms. To get a closer look you can
take a boat for a fjord cruise, and experience Lysefjorden with the mentioned
famous Pulpit Rock, rising a sheer 600 from the fjord.
2. The Norwegian riddle in the sky - UFOs in Hessedalen
What is really happening in Hessdalen? Mysterious lights
have frightened locals for many years. Now it's time to find out what it really
is, and some of the most advanced equipment is used to solve the great mystery.
A scientific project is established revealing the great mystery. Mysterious
lights in the Norwegian sky attract people from all over the world to the
country. It is probably the first time in history to investigate a UFO
phenomenon, which happens repeatedly. This is just what the Norwegians do with
very advanced equipment.
According to the web site Project Hessdalen (www.hessdalen.org),
there was a big "UFO-wave" in that valley from the end of 1981 to 1984. Several
hundreds observation was done. At the most there were about 20 reports a week.
About 85% of the observations describe a bright light. The others describe
daylight observations. This web site is updated with a new picture every hour.
|
Photo. Mysterious lights have frightened
locals for many years in Hessdalen, Norway (from the website www.hessdalen.org) |
 |
This is Norway's riddle in the sky. How can you explain a miracle in a world
that can explain everything? This is not an alien hunting project, but a serious
scientific research. But so far it seems that the lights are kind of objects in
the sky and that they behave intelligently. After the phenomenon become famous,
tourists have invaded the little village Hessdalen not so far from the third
biggest city Trondheim, located in the middle part in Norway.
3. The Sami (laps)
In the
northern part of Norway is Finnmark County, where you will find the Sami. The
Sami are considered the indigenous people of Norway and live according to
customs and tradition much different from the Norwegians. The Sami culture in
Norway is unique. Tanahorn Peak is a steep mountain peak (270 metres above sea
level), known as a former Sami place of sacrifice. It's located at the mouth of
Tanafjord, with a breath-taking view of the fishing grounds, the Tanafjorden,
the Nordkinn peninsula and the mountain landscape.
| Photo. The Sami on sledges dragged by
reindeers. |
 |
It's not known from where the Sami (laps) came from, but the Laps language is
vaguely related to Finnish, even though the Sami (Laps) where living here long
before the Finns came. But there is not just Norwegian's and Laps in Finnmark.
At the end of the 1700 century a large immigration of Finns (or Kvæner as they
are called) came to Norway. Famine in Finland resulted in a large emigration
towards the fishrich Barent Sea. The Finns (Kvænene) maintained their language
and their traditions. There are still people in Finnmark that has Kvænsk as
their native language.
4. Still living prehistoric animal - the Moskus (Musk
ox)
It's a prehistoric animal living in Norwegian mountains. It
looks like a big hairy ox and can sometimes be very frightened. Moskus safaris
are very popular among tourist who like a thrilling experience and to view an
animal that not could be found other places in the world except
Greenland.
5. Stone carvings from ancient time
It's found
several places in Norway and its reveal the country's dramatic past. One of the
best places in the country to admire old rock carvings from the Stone Age, is in
the northern part, Alta. These incredible rock carvings are listed on UNESCO's
World Heritage List. Alta Museum received the "European Museum of the Year
Award" in 1993. Furthermore you can experience "Sautso" - the Northern Europe's
greatest canyon, the Alta River (one of Norway's largest and best salmon rivers)
and Sápmi - a Sami theme park.
6. Diving in the Oslo-fjord searching for
treasures
The beautiful Oslo fjord in Norway offers many
exciting places for diving. It's an Eldorado for divers. Here you can find
artificial walls, high and steep cliffs and mountains, wrecks from boats and
ships, coral reefs and flourishing marine life. This is well known for the local
people, but not for the rest of the world. Some places are especially good.
Around Drobak (Drøbak) you can find stone corals. Also wrecks are available for
sports divers there. Perhaps you can find to fantastic treasures here? Several
other places in the country there are unique possibilities for diving too.
7. Oslo - the world best party place
The Norwegians now how to "party",
especially in Oslo, also called the Tiger City - for many reasons I think. Oslo
is the capital of the Kingdom of Norway. The city has a blue-green image, as it
is surrounded by the blue Oslo fjord and green hills and forests. Oslo has a
wide range of good restaurants and an extreme lively nightlife. It can probably
offer the wildest party life in the world. Especially on the 16 May most
Norwegians go crazy and show their best Viking attitude. This day is before
Norway's national day.
|
Photo. Oslo - the world best party place.
Here you see one of the wild Oslo tigers in action! |
 |
One of the most popular places is John's bar. It's here the real Tigers come
to party. They who stumble in to this wild place will be lifted up to the roof,
and when they come down again they will beg for more. When it comes to an end
late in the night, visitors have to take out their last efforts to climb up the
exit stairs, but some visitors have to be carried out. John's Bar is located in
a small basement in down town Oslo, the Norwegian capital (Universitetsgaten by
the main street Karl Johan gate). Oslo is also called the Tiger City. This is
the place where all the real Tigers join. They are a special sort predators, but
don't worry they don't eat you. Or at least; don't worry, they only eat you
once!
Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, and its history goes back to
1000 years ago, when the first settlements were built at the inlet of the Oslo
fjord. After the Great Fire that destroyed the city in 1624, the Danish King
Christian IV, decided to rebuild the city in brick and stone, and named it
Christiania. Three hundred years later, in 1925, the citizens decided to rename
their city Oslo.
| Photo. The Royal Place in Oslo, a very
popular tourist attraction. |
 |
Photos. St. Haugen Park in the Autumn. Norway`s
capital Oslo is full of beautiful parks for sightseeing, fotball, picnics,
partying and more.
Oslo is a pleasant city with over 500 000 inhabitants. The city is
characterized by a mix of old and new architecture, parks, hills, museums,
monuments, lakes, forests and the fjord. It is a vibrant city, excellent for
shopping, cultural and sports activities.
|
Photo. On a boat trip in the Oslo Fjord.
In the Oslo Fjord you can find several small calm islands where
you can have a good time - eating, drinking and bathing. |
 |
The geographical area of
Oslo is 450 km2, and only 1/3 of the area is developed. The city centre is
surrounded by woods, lakes and 40 islands in the fjord. These places are also
popular for great parties under open air in the summer.
Read
more about Norway in our article part 2.
Stein Morten Lund, 20 May 2004
To find out more about Norway, please check out some of the following
web-sites:
Norwegian Tourism Board: www.visitnorway.com
Information
about Norway: www.norway.org
Oslo Promotion A/S
(tourism and congress information): www.oslopro.no
Oslo Teknopol: www.oslo.technopole.no
Confederation
of Norwegian Business and Industry: www.nho.no
Nordlyssenteret -
northern lights: www.northern-lights.no
Fjord
Travel Norway, Bergen: www.fjordtravel.no
Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT): www2.turistforeningen.no
According to DNT, the organisation
has for around 135 years shown the way to the most magnificent experiences of
Norwegian scenery. Walking or skiing trips give you time to look and space to
think. The Norwegian wilderness lets you experience freedom and solitude, far
from noisy roads and frenetic cities. Almost 200,000 of Norway`s 4,5 million
inhabitants are members of the organisation.
DNT offers its members budget accommodation at over 380 mountain cabins all
over the country, plus a discount at privately-owned cabins and mountain lodges
incorporated in our route network. The buildings vary from two-bunk cabins to
the large staffed mountain lodges sleeping almost 200 people.
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