13 Best Things to do in Stavanger, Norway The Culture Map I’ve waxed lyrical about Norway many times on this blog. It’s a country that has captured my heart more than any other country. The rugged coastline, the towering mountains, and the pristine wilderness will never fail to uplift and inspire. I also find many of the towns and cities incredibly charming, and one of the best things about visiting any urban area in Norway, is that you’re never far from breath-taking nature. Stavanger, Norway’s 3rd largest city, is a prime example of a city that’s blissfully surrounded by magnificent ..read more

14 Unique Rock Formations From Around the World The Culture Map The world is a geological marvel, boasting a plethora of unique rock formations shaped by millions of years of natural processes. These geological wonders are a testament to the Earth’s natural beauty and its remarkable ability to sculpt stunning landscapes over countless millennia. Each one tells an extraordinary story of our planet’s history and the forces that continue to shape it. When I travel, I love seeking out unusual rock formations. Though a bit of a niche hobby, I figure I’m not alone so I’ve put together a list of m ..read more

Several of Norway’s famous landmarks are named after trolls and Trollpikken is by far one of the weirdest. I’ve been to some amusing places around the world and it has come to my attention that a few of them have something striking in common. To put it politely, they all pay homage to the male anatomy. There was the time I visited the Penis Museum in Reykjavik, sought out the ‘sexiest’ tomb in Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, and now added to the list is Trollpikken, or bluntly in English: The Troll’s Dick. Norway really is fascinated with Trolls. In Odda they have the Troll Tongue (Trolltunga). Ned ..read more

If some of you lovely readers have been around for a few years, you might know that a piece of my heart lies in Scandinavia. It’s the region of the world that fills me with endless wonder and inspiration and my go-to place to recharge my batteries. Before the pandemic when I worked in the travel industry, I would go to Scandinavia several times a year and in my spare time I would often write about the destinations on this travel blog, but none of that was possible once Covid gripped the world. The thing I never truly realised, however, was the sense of relaxation these destinations brought ..read more

Thinking of visiting Norway, but not sure how to plan for your dream trip?  Norway is one of my favourite countries, so it’s about time I put together a guide where all the essential things are in one place.   Best time to go When you should go all depends on what you want to do. The climate is more extreme in Norway ..read more

Introduction to Alta Alta is located more than 375 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, in the heart of Finnmark, the area also known as Norwegian Lapland. Recently its population has peaked to 20,000 inhabitants and this steady rise in inhabitants is reflected in a number of growing restaurants, shops and things to do. Alta has a rich history and culture, in 1960 rock carvings and paintings thought to be several thousand years old lef ..read more

Situated perfectly along the Sognefjord, Balestrand has long been admired for endless fjord views, enormous mountains and beautiful wooden villas. The centre of Balestrand is very small and provincial, you certainly don’t come here for shopping and big city attractions. In fact, you come here to escape from all that. Balestrand is where you go to switch off and experience some of Norway’s best scenery. There’s also much more to do a bit further afield, making it perfect for hiking and road trip opportunities. How to get to Balestrand By Ferry: Take the Norled fast ferry from Berg ..read more

The 192 islands of the Franz Josef Land Archipelago have long been shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Located northeast of Svalbard and between the Russian mainland and the North Pole, these remote islands are notoriously inaccessible due to heavy sea-ice conditions and severe weather for a good portion of the year. Unlike Greenland or Svalbard, Franz Josef Land does not have and never has had a resident population or hunting tradition. The archipelago remained virtually unknown until 1873, when it was discovered purely by chance. An Austrian-Hungarian expedition accidentally drifted there, t ..read more