Norway: 5 Things I Learned
by Michael Bennett, Ed.D. | Co-Founder of Explorer X
I recently returned from a 10-day / 9-night scouting trip to Norway. To be honest, I was the slightest bit worried about this adventure: Norway has been this iconic destination in my mind for as long as I have been in the travel industry, and I wondered if it would hold up to the expectations I had placed on it … or if I would be disappointed.
Well, spoiler alert: It met all of my hopes and expectations and then some!
Norway is the ancestral land of the Vikings, with breathtaking nature, world-class cities, award-winning food and drinks, and some of the happiest citizens in the world. The geography of the country ranges from snow-capped peaks to quaint islands, deep-cut fjords to jagged mountain ranges, and pristine beaches to massive glaciers — it is a nature lover’s paradise on earth. Whether you’re visiting in the summer months or during the winter time, Norway has everything a traveler could want from a destination.
Here are just a handful of the things I learned about traveling to – and traveling in — this amazing country.
1. The best time to visit is September.
Whether you are hunting for the Northern Lights or excited to experience the land of the midnight sun, Norway can accommodate: It is a true year-round destination. With that being said, based on my time there – and after speaking with countless locals in Norway — I think best time of year to visit may in fact be September. Here’s why:
– The weather is still quite nice, especially the further south you go
– Many of the tourists are gone, so you will have more space to explore
– Fall colors explode — red and yellows and oranges — and harvest season arrives!
– The Northern Lights start to come out, especially in Northern Norway
– It’s a great time for the arts: You’ll find music and art festivals galore!
Again, there is no bad time to visit Norway – it all just depends on your preferences and what you are looking to do/see.
2. The Perfect Combo: Bergen, the Fjords, and the North
Most of our travelers spend about 12 days in their destination of choice. When traveling to Norway, there is a combination of locations that flows well logistically, offers a wonderful variety of landscapes, cultural experiences, and adventure activities, and hits many/most of the highlights travelers want to be sure to see:
3N @ Bergen – Fascinating History & Culture, Incredible Food Scene; imagine walking around and meeting the artists/craftspeople of the Bryggen, visiting the Edvard Grieg house, having a pint at Frille og Dyvekes Vinkjeller, and dining on world-class seafood!
3N @ The Fjords – Stunning Landscapes, Heart-Pumping Adventures, Beer/Cider Tastings; opportunities for adventure (hiking, kayaking) and jaw-dropping scenery abound in the Fjords, but don’t forget the ciders, beers, and Viking heritage that make this region so special.
6N @ The North — Lofoten, Senja, Svalbard, Kirkenes; the north is the place to go if you want the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, but don’t forget about the Midnight Sun as well! You’ll also find incredible wildlife adventures here (Dogsledding, Reindeer Viewing, and Polar Bear Safaris) to go along with a hearty people shaped by the vast landscapes that surround them.
Of course, all of this depends on your passions and interests, but if you are looking for a well-rounded trip to this beautiful destination, this 12-day combo works really well!
3. Norway has a Fierce Dedication to Environmental Conservation
One of the first things I noticed when arriving in Norway was how dedicated to environmental conservation the country as a whole was. Most (if not all) of the buses, trains, and other forms public transportation —including ferries and even some small cruise ships — run on electric power. Norway is one of the most innovative and progressive destinations in the world when it comes to climate change, environmental awareness, carbon neutrality, and sustainability: They have a national goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and in 2023, over 80% (!!) of all new cars sold were electric vehicles.
All of which is amazing, but is a bit (or a lot) paradoxical when you consider …
4. Overtourism is becoming a big issue.
On the other hand, and in stark contrast to its focus on the environment, Norway has become a mass tourism destination: From cruise shippers to Northern Lights chasers, you will see no shortage of tourists (not travelers) in Norway if/when you go. When I was in Bergen — and this was in April, mind you! — there were loads of people disembarking from cruise ships for a few hours at a time, crowding the restaurants, shops, and streets.
All of this left me wondering about the paradox of overtourism with cultural and environmental conservation in Norway. When flooded with tourists, any destination would struggle to maintain the culture that drew these people in the first place, and Norway is not an exception. The more people show up on cruise ships, the more watered-down the history and culture may become. And the bigger the demands are on efforts to preserve the stunning natural beauty that drew people there in the first place.
The good news? It is absolutely worth spending time in Norway — especially when traveling with Explorer X. Why? Well, …
5. Opportunities for Human-to-Human Connection Still Abound
Of course, you know us well enough by now to understand that we’ll get you away from the mass tourism spots so that you can meet the people — artists, experts, and local craftspeople — that truly bring this amazing destination to life! Some of the moments, connections, and experiences we have planned for travelers in Norway include:
– Meeting local artists/artisans in the Bryggen section of Bergen to learn about their craft
– Having a private tasting and lunch with a world-renowned cider maker out in the Fjord area
– Taking a private boat cruise down one of the Fjords with a local captain
– Spending a day out with a professional king crab fisherman learning all about his craft
– Going on a privately guided hike with a local husky trainer … and, of course, the dogs!
… And so many other intimate and local experiences that we can offer you that give you a real glimpse into local life in Norway.
Those are just a handful of the many things I learned about Norway during my time there. If you have questions, want to learn more, or – better yet – want to begin planning your adventure to Norway, reach out to us to begin your Journey.
The Visit Norway website also has a ton of amazing information and inspiration for you!