Norway’s May 17 celebration is our biggest, loudest, most cheerful day of the year. We call it Grunnlovsdagen, Constitution Day, and it is very different from many national days you may know. There are no military tanks rolling down the street here. The heart of the day belongs to children’s parades, brass bands, and an … Read more
Fueling up in Norway is straightforward once you know the local quirks. Most stations are unmanned, you’ll use a card at the pump, and the labels can look a bit different from what you’re used to. We also have long stretches with few stations, especially in rural and northern areas, so a little planning pays … Read more
If you are visiting or living in Norway, knowing how to reach help fast can make all the difference. Our emergency system is simple, robust, and English friendly, and it works well even out in the fjords, mountains, and long road tunnels. As someone who grew up here and has guided travelers for years, I’ll … Read more
If you are planning a road trip in Norway, you will spend more time than you think at gas stations. Our network is widespread, reliable, and increasingly focused on low-carbon and electric options. Still, a few Norwegian quirks can trip up visitors: unmanned pumps, price swings, card preauthorizations, and the simple fact that the next … Read more
Norwegian waffles are thin, heart-shaped, and gently spiced, the kind of treat that shows up everywhere in Norway from mountain cabins to city cafés. They are softer than Belgian waffles and meant to be folded, topped with sour cream and jam, or simply eaten warm with a swipe of butter and a sprinkle of sugar. … Read more
If you stroll past a café in Oslo or a kindergarten in Tromsø in winter, you might notice rows of prams parked outside, each with a bundled baby sleeping soundly while the air nips at your cheeks. To many visitors this looks shocking. To most Norwegians, it is simply part of daily life. Outdoor naps … Read more
Viking names never fully disappeared in Norway. They settled into our family trees, resurfaced in our baby announcements, and kept evolving with modern tastes. If you’ve traveled here or followed Norwegian culture from afar, you’ve probably heard names like Bjørn, Ingrid, Leif, and Astrid. These are not museum pieces. They’re on kindergarten cubbies, business cards, … Read more
Norway in 2025 is a small country by headcount but big in space and quality of life. If you’re planning a visit, a move, or just curious about who lives up here at the top of Europe, understanding the population picture helps explain everything from why our cities feel calm to why trains can be … Read more
Balestrand is one of those fjord villages that quietly steals the show. Set on a sunny spit where side valleys open into the Sognefjord, it blends gingerbread-style wooden villas, glacier views, fruit orchards, and easy trails right from the harbor. I grew up visiting this corner of western Norway and still go back whenever I … Read more
Myrdal is one of those places that appears small on the map but looms large in Norwegian travel dreams. Perched high on a mountain plateau between Bergen and Oslo, this tiny railway junction connects the famous Bergen Line with the world-renowned Flåm Railway. There are no public roads to Myrdal. You arrive by train, step … Read more