Do you know that there are nicely over 1,500 fjords lining Norway’s unbelievable shoreline or that this Scandinavian nation ought to be on the radar of all touring chocolate lovers?
Or how about the truth that any customer who occurs to be in Norway on Could seventeenth shall be in for an unforgettable day of conventional enjoyable?
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Be taught the small print on all these issues and far, extra about this distinctive European nation on this interview with David DiGregorio, Head of North American Journey Commerce Relations for Visit Norway.
Scott Hartbeck (SH): What makes Norway particular in comparison with different European locations?
David DiGregorio (DD): All locations have one thing particular to supply however you will not discover Norway’s mixture of mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords anyplace else. Norway can also be main the cost in relation to sustainable tourism making a nationwide sustainable technique that encourages companies to truly enhance their merchandise, and their backside strains, in a method that not solely helps the environment and communities, but additionally creates experiences for vacationers which might be really higher than they in any other case could be.
SH: What surprises vacationers essentially the most about Norway?
DD: I believe Norway’s sheer dimension and the huge variations in experiences from South to North. Southern Norway could be very completely different from Northern Norway, particularly relying on the season. Guests to Norway ought to at all times take into account seasonality and geography inside Norway after they make their plans. Particularly in the event that they want to expertise the Northern Lights or Norway’s many outside nature-based actions.
SH: As an example I’ve 10 days to see the most effective of Norway. How would you advocate I spend these days?
DD: With 10 days you could possibly positively expertise a couple of very completely different locations inside Norway. I’d recommend beginning in Bergen (benefiting from the brand new service from New York-Newark on United Airways) and utilizing this as your gateway to the fjords. Make your method from Bergen into the Sognefjord through ferries and all the way down to Flåm earlier than persevering with by practice to Oslo. After a few days exploring Oslo, hop a flight to Tromsø, the capital of Northern Norway, and expertise a unique facet of Norway which can embody the Northern Lights within the winter, or the Midnight Solar in the summertime.
SH: What is the one Norweigan meals merchandise I will in all probability miss essentially the most after my journey ends? Any drinks?
DD: It may actually be the recent seafood as that is laborious to beat anyplace else. Drink-wise, Norway has a few of the finest apple juice and cider on the planet. However I might should say the chocolate. Norway does not get practically sufficient consideration for the standard of its chocolate, which I firmly consider is the most effective on this planet. You should definitely fill up at duty-free in your method house!
SH: I’ve heard that Norway throws one in every of Europe’s finest events on Could seventeenth every year throughout its Structure Day celebrations. Is it secure to imagine that this might even be a unbelievable time to go to?
DD: Completely! You will not discover a higher time to go to Norway if you’re concerned with seeing the nation come collectively in celebration and nationwide satisfaction. It is customized for Norwegians to put on their conventional “bunad”, or conventional costume, on 17 Could. And from the largest cities to the smallest cities, everyone seems to be partying in celebration of what it means to be Norwegian.
SH: As an example I am a traveler who, sadly, solely has time to go to one place. What vacation spot has the most effective probability of providing me “the most effective of Norway” in a single spot?
DD: Norway is an enormous nation with a dynamic vacationer providing so there may be actually nobody spot I’d take into account the “finest”. Nevertheless, most guests are drawn to the Fjord Norway area within the western a part of the nation, specifically the well-known Sognefjord – often known as the “King of the Fjords”. This area is definitely explored from each Oslo and Bergen and may be simply skilled by the well-known “Norway in a Nutshell” program.
SH: From the “solely in Norway” division … is there a fjord that you just assume will get ignored too typically by vacationers that deserves extra consideration?
DD: Norway has over 1,700 named fjords however by far the preferred for guests are the Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and Hardangerfjord – that are all within the Fjord Norway area. For these keen to go a bit additional afield nonetheless and journey to Norway’s magnificent North, the Trollfjord, positioned throughout the Lofoten Islands, is actually particular. These touring aboard the Hurtigruten coastal ships will get to expertise the fjord first-hand.
SH: Think about I am in the midst of my journey to Norway, the solar has simply popped out and it is a wonderful day. What could be one of the best ways to spend a couple of hours having fun with the day like a neighborhood?
DD: What you do precisely could differ wildly relying on the place within the nation you might be and what season it’s. However one common technique to take pleasure in Norway just like the locals is to get out and take part in nature. Norway is “powered by Nature” and even our main cities, like Oslo and Bergen, are constructed across the premise of being in shut proximity to nature always. So get exterior for a hike, seize a kayak, strap on some skies, get on a ship or discover a bicycle and expertise what makes Norway so particular.
SH: Final however not least, what’s one of the best ways to make your greenback go additional in Norway?
DD: Norway isn’t as costly as you would possibly assume. A technique you may see that is to make the most of the nation’s world-class transportation infrastructure. As an alternative of hiring a automobile and driver to take you from level A to B, make use of Norway’s unimaginable transport system encompassing ferries, trains, trams and buses. Costs are cheap, indicators are in English and you will find all the things works nicely, strikes rapidly, and arrives on time – even when connecting to our neighbors like Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
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