When you glance at a map of Norway, you begin to grasp its complexity. The intricate geography has compelled Norwegians to develop an equally intricate road network. As you might expect, Norway is a fantastic country for lovers of winding roads, stunning vistas, and not least, the aroma of oil and the sound of a combustion engine. I am one of those enthusiasts. According to family lore, the first word I ever spoke was ‘car’, much to the disappointment of my parents. My childhood room was plastered with posters of Maseratis and Mercedes. To this day, I harbour an unhealthy love for cars. Dur ..read more

As an avid enthusiast of the great outdoors, I easily forgo a myriad of daily trivial luxuries. When embarking on multi-day hikes in Norway, I carry only the absolute essentials. However, the one luxury I never relinquish is coffee. I just NEED my coffee while hiking. I always bring a small ziplock bag of coffee that I grind at home before setting off. In the morning, I prefer to kindle an open fire to boil my coffee water. However, if it’s rainy or the midst of summer, I resort to using my Primus stove. Being somewhat of a romantic (and a bit of a traditionalist), an open fire brings me th ..read more

Due to an enduring influx of questions, search queries, and inadequate and ill advice on the world wide web on what winter clothes to wear when visiting Norway, I shall guide you through three essential steps in preparing your wardrobe for a stay in Norway. Spoiler alert: it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Having lived here for nearly a decade, coupled with the insights gained from my Norwegian partner, I have learned from my mistakes so you need not repeat them. Firstly, it is vital to understand that the warmth you experience emanates from your own body. Clothes merely serve to regula ..read more

As the title kind of reveals; I'm not much of a fan of cruise ships. Let me elaborate a bit. Massive quantities of wastewater, encompassing sewage, greywater, and bilge water, pose significant threats to marine life if inadequately treated or illegally dumped. Then there's waste. Cruise ships generate colossal volumes of waste, including plastic and surplus food from their lavish buffets, thereby exacerbating oceanic pollution and jeopardising marine ecosystems. In addition to waste, cruise ships emit a whole lot of harmful substances such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide ..read more

Planning a journey to Norway can be somewhat overwhelming, especially when you intend to spend ample time camping. Hence, I thought it appropriate to share my Norway packing list with all the essentials when preparing my 70L backpack for an extended trek through the wilderness. Naturally, this list isn't exclusively for backpackers. If you’re embarking on an adventure with your camper van and plan to enjoy the great outdoors, it’s highly advisable to bring along many of the items below. As you may already know, Norway is a land of remarkable diversity, offering a wide range of conditions. Th ..read more

You may find it hard to believe, but I firmly regard autumn as one of the most delightful seasons. The landscape undergoes a transformative change, preparing for the impending winter, which tends to be quite long here. This creates a unique atmosphere, one that fills me with a touch of melancholy. Nonetheless, the air is imbued with a wonderful scent, and I can indulge in foraging for blueberries and mushrooms. Moreover, the sauna season commences in autumn, a particular joy for an avid sauna enthusiast like myself. Additionally, the cultural season kicks off, offering an array of performanc ..read more

Wait a minute, it has been painted. In fact, apart from Munch’s 'The Scream', Harald Sohlberg’s 'Winter Night in the Mountains' is perhaps one of the most iconic Norwegian paintings ever created which is on display in Norway's National Museum. And Sohlberg found his inspiration in the breathtaking landscape of Rondane National Park. I recently visited for the first time and was equally blown off my feet by the unspoiled beauty of this mountainous and incredibly diverse part of Norway. Being just over a 2.5-hour drive from Oslo, it’s one of those spectacular landscapes that you can easily inc ..read more

I spent two nights at the Stokkøya Strandhotell, and it was an unforgettable experience. Although I rarely dedicate an article to merely a stay, in this instance, it would be a disservice to the hotel and its location to mention it only in passing. For numerous reasons, Stokkøya Strandhotell is a destination in its own right. With this modest little article I hope to: Convince you that spending at least two nights here will be unforgettable if you are travelling through Norway (forget about any hotel chains). Tell you about what it is that makes Stokkøya Strandhotell so exceptional ..read more

Many travelers to Norway have traversed the route from Oslo to the spectacular fjord landscapes of the west coast. This journey takes you through an expansive, mountainous, and forested area that remains rather underappreciated on many itineraries: Telemark. In this article, I aim to highlight a few spots that you might ordinarily pass by, but which are almost obligatory stops when crossing this region. By the end of this article, I hope you will understand that Telemark is a destination in its own right. You will at least know: Where to find the most spectacular views A secret museum hid ..read more

For somewhat dubious reasons, I recently found myself in Haugesund. Due to a significant disruption to my travel schedule, which resulted in a day's delay, I regrettably had no time to explore Haugesund. Therefore, you can expect an article from me about this illustrious place on the west coast of the country at a later date. Anyway, the plan was to drive back to my hometown from Haugesund, a journey that could be completed in one day, but would entail approximately seven hours in the car, which seemed rather long. Thus, I sought out a charming hotel to spend the night midway. A particular hot ..read more