Mythical Landscapes of Norway

By Jennifer J. Lacelle

The Vikings considered the northern lights a gleam of armour from the Valkyrie, mythical female warriors who brought the souls of deceased soldiers to Valhalla. These days, the locals refer to the lights as “the green lady” instead of the Valkrie.

Norway’s first monarch was a Viking by the name of Harald Fairhair. He succeeded his father by the age of 10, and ended up becoming one the best warriors in his era. Fairhair claimed all of Norway under his domain.

If you’re someone who has an interest in some of the world’s most astounding landscapes, then Norway is the direction to go. It also happens to be one of the best regions in the world to watch the Aurora Borealis.

The reason Norway is one of the best places to watch the Northern Lights is because the country sits directly in the zone for auroral frequencies, which also happens to enhance the intensity of the sky when the natural light show is blazing.

This “belt” that sits around the northern hemisphere of the earth is also where the sky lights are most likely to appear

The best time of year to chase down this mystical sky is late autumn to early spring.

Norway plays host to thousands of people wanting to see the lights, as such, there are a numerous hotels and accommodations available for tourists. For those a touch more adventurous, be sure to check out their ice hotels.

Don’t forget, if you’re hunting the light show you, and expect to be outside, then you absolutely need to be prepared for the winter weather. That means wool, layers of clothing, the outer layer should be waterproof, and rubber soled shoes.

Try to avoid cotton, it can make your body chill as you sweat.

Alternatively, you can select any number of cruises that feature the northern lights from the comfort of the deck.

These cruises can take anywhere from four to 13 days, depending on what sites and stops you’re seeking.

Speaking of cruises… Norway’s coastline is as magnificent as it is massive.

The country’s border sits along three seas: Norwegian Sea, North Sea and Barents Sea.

While Canada has the largest coastline in the world, Norway is second in line with 100,916 km.

To top it off, there are over 1,000 fjords in Norway. One their top attractions is Geirangerfjord, which is also a World Heritage Site with UNESCO.

It’s mythical and fairy-tale essence oozes from the superior and towering mountain peaks that are accompanied by numerous waterfalls.

Yes, you can travel the fjords in the winter as the water doesn’t freeze solid, despite the dropping temperatures

But that’s not all! If you’re hoping to see wildlife then hop on over.

Norway has some of the most beautiful creatures in the world. You can see polar bears, arctic foxes and “Santa’s” reindeer in Norway.

Their capital, Oslo, is also a massive hub for anything art-related. Located in the southern region of the country, their capital is known for its many museums, art exhibits and lush landscape. The Viking Museum even houses Viking ships from the 9th century!

Over half the city is covered by parks and forests in Oslo, and has been slowly going car-free.

Visitors can go kayaking, swimming, island visiting, and the fjord extents all the way to the city centre.

The cool temperature in Norway is the perfect excuse to dip into the hot springs and spas.

The fashion, art and architecture in Oslo makes worldwide headlines for their innovation as they continue to be one of Europe’s fastest growing cities.

Overall, the city is a unique experience with great diversity — when was the last time you saw a city wrapped in nature?

If you’re thinking of making the trip, consider Norse Airlines for your smooth ride into the land of mystery and intrigue.  

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