While we were camping most of the time in beautiful Norway, we did also have a few opportunities to marvel at some of the ingenious architecture across the country. And though we saw so little of it, it still made quite the impression!
Continue reading “Architecture That Will Amaze You in Norway”
While Norway has endless fjords, Geiranger Fjord is one of the most magnificent. Because of this, nearly a million people visit each year during the high season from May through September. Cruise ships alone bring in nearly three hundred thousand people from all over the world. We somewhat dreaded the possibility of crowds, but were pleasantly surprised it wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. Here is how we avoided the crowds and enjoyed our time at Geiranger.
In America, we’re accustomed to certain amenities in a campground. Space to lay out a tent, a spot to park our car, a pre-established fire pit. If we’re feeling fancy, we’ll ensure there’s an outhouse nearby. A step up from that might also offer a wooden picnic table in our site and perhaps – gasp! – real plumbing-connected toilets. Now, that’s almost no longer camping at that point.
But what about showers? Rarely. A community kitchen? Haha, no. Wifi? Are you serious?
We were quite surprised to find out what was considered standard in Norwegian camping.
Driving in Norway was easier than we thought it would be. The road signs were easy to follow and many times we had the road all to ourselves. Doing a car camping road trip through the country was very peaceful compared to anything we’ve ever done in the U.S. or in Costa Rica. It was hard to believe we drove over 2,000 km, but some of the best views were right off the road. Why do a 20 km hike for one view, when you can drive for a thousand? Here were some of our best views.
When visiting someplace new, first impressions can make a big difference. A single day can determine if we want to return, what we think of the people, and how much we’ll talk about it when we return. The first few hours can set the mood for the entire trip.
Fortunately, Oslo was a delightful introduction to Norway.
We just arrived back from Norway a few days ago and were completely stunned by how beautiful it was. Our route included many fjords, glaciers, snowy lakes, and other breath-taking scenery that seemed to be non-stop. Every time we were wowed, there was something even more beautiful around the corner. During our last day we saw a glacier that emotionally impacted us in a way that no pictures or words could describe.
We started to get worried that we would be disappointed going to other countries or even back home in Oregon wondering what could top this. However, there is so much world out there to see that we are up for the challenge. Since there is a lot of material to go through, and we are dead tired from the trip, here are just a couple of the highlights (the highlights never stopped, nor the high jumps).
This week we are heading to Norway and working through the last details before beginning our adventure. As this is being written, we are finalizing what is going into our bags and making sure we have everything we need. Norway is a little different than most trips as we are car camping. Here are some of the things we are considering while planning the last minute details of our trip.
Photo by Kristoffer Trolle Creative Commons
Norway is a stunning country and is home to many natural wonders that are too numerous to count. It has many incredible cities rich with viking history and some of the happiest people. It is a bit expensive – just a tad – but you can find ways to do it cheaply and still have an incredible experience.
Photo by Deconvertini, Creative Commons
Croatia is a Mediterranean landscape paradise. From ancient walled cities and Roman ruins, to the many islands lining the coast, Croatia has it all. There are many well preserved Medieval towns and old forts that are worthy of Game of Thrones, just like in Ireland. Let’s check it out!
Ireland is a beautiful country rich with rolling landscapes and ancient heritage. The people are friendly, the food is comforting, the music is lively, and the history is fascinating. What’s not to love?
