The Fjords in Norway

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

You come to Norway to see the fjords.  These narrow inlets of the sea are book-ended by steep walls of rock or craggy cliffs: wildly dramatic, the effect is heart-stopping, breath-taking, and awe-inducing.

To be honest, Norway was never on my short-list of places to visit, namely because I knew nothing about the place except that it was very cold during the winter, was known for its Vikings, and had fjords.  I have never seen a picture of Norway, let anyone met anyone from there. It was one of those places I had heard of and nothing more.

But now that I have been, now that I have seen, I tell you this: you must go to Norway.

IMG_3426

IMG_0588

I feel compelled to spread the word: Norway is one of the most naturally gorgeous places I have ever been to.  After a day of admiring the colourful houses in beautiful Bergen and contemplating the view from the city’s cable car, Liebling and I hopped on a ferry and embarked on a two day tour of the Sognefjord and the Fjaerlandsfjord, two of  the most impressive fjords in Norway.

Take a fjord cruise

The best way to tour Norway’s fjords is via special ferries, known as fjord cruises. While there are a great deal to choose from, Liebling and I opted for the Norway in a Nutshell tour, the country’s most popular fjord trip, which itself has a variety of routes and itineraries.   For the first leg of the cruise, we did a four-hour stretch from Bergen to Balestrand, which showed off the best parts Norway’s fjord network.  Now, I have to admit that, as someone who frequently gets motion sick, I worried about how I would fare on such a long ride on the open seas.  But Norway in a Nutshell hooked us up: our ferry was HUGE, brand new, and extremely comfortable! I didn’t feel sick for one moment.
IMG_0572

IMG_0574

Salivate over the majestic Sognefjord and beauteous Fjaerlandsfjord

If you’re looking to be wowed by crazy scenery, one needn’t look any further than the fjords in Norway.  At 204 kilometres long and 1038 kilometres deep, the Sognefjord is the king of all fjords, the largest in Norway;  and the emerald-green Fjaerlandsfjord (say THAT five times fast!) is the crown jewel.  Bow down, lowly serf!  The immensity of the water-filled valleys is almost intimidating, especially for me since it is well-documented that I can barely swim.   But I’ll be damned if I didn’t drape myself over the railing time and time again to get an amazing picture of the fjords in Norway.

IMG_0748
IMG_0757
IMG_0760
IMG_0778

The takeaway

I am smitten with the fjords in Norway and realize that the only reason tourists don’t flock there in droves is because they don’t know that beauty like this exists there. Norwegians seem to be a humble people, unwilling to sing their country’s praises in an international forum, but there’s no reason that Norway shouldn’t be a prime European travel destination like France or Spain or Italy. I was duly impressed by all the natural beauty Norway had to offer and and am hoping that, after my seeing my photos and reading my words, you are, too. Because if Norway isn’t on your travel hit list… then you should put it on. Like immediately.

What do you think of Norway?  Has it ever figured on your travel wish list?  Have I convinced you that you absolutely need to go before you die?

 I was a guest of Visit Norway USA, but all opinions and kick-ass fjord photos are mine.

SHARING IS CARING

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

61 Comments

  • Wow. I am sold! I also want to go there to see the Northern Lights. They were meant to be especially good at the start of this year but I was too busy saving for South America.

  • Visited Norway over the summer (I hit Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Flam) and loved it! You’re right, it’s just a natural beautiful country. I definitely want to go back and explore more!

    • Well Copenhagen is basically next door!! So no excuse not to go back 🙂

  • Just WOW! This pics are amazing Oneika. Norway has been on my places-to-visit list for about 3 years now. Like you, I knew nothing about the place. It was not until I went to Germany did I hear that I ‘must’ visit. Now that I have seen your breathtaking pictures, I know I really must get there. It is really expensive to fly there though from Toronto. And, isn’t it expensive period? This is what I have heard and from looking at pictures, I think it might be true. Expensive or no, I need to go. Thanks for this beautiful post.

    • I think you can fly to Norway fairly cheaply on Iceland Air actually! Norway on the whole is really expensive but so worth it! You can cut costs by buying groceries because eating out is insane!

  • I actually went a few short weeks ago and feel the same way! I was awestruck by Norway’s beauty. It was even snowing, which made the fjords and the town I was in quite magical. I tell everyone I know to go to Norway now!!

  • Love Norway!! We’ve been once to Oslo in the dead of winter to visit friends but I would love love love to do a fjord trip – it looks amazing!

  • Seriously- wow. I’m not sure what it is but Norway has been killing it lately on Facebook and Twitter. IT’s like everytime I turn around someone else is posting about it or talking about Norway! Must get there asap- looks and sounds incredible!

  • Wow, stunning! Love the photos and would love to see the fjords with my own two eyes. Isn’t Norway insanely expensive to visit? The cost is what’s keeping it off of my travel list in the near future.

  • I can totally understand becoming smitten by these fjords! Wow, they’re so gorgeous!

    Must. Go. To. Norway.

  • Oh wow! It looks INCREDIBLE. Norway is on my travel list!

    Amazing.

    (Also I hate to do this, but I also have a giveaway going on my blog)

  • Wow thanks for all those kind words, I’ve been looking on your site because I’m planning a trip to Peru (I am studying Spanish) and when I noticed you’d been to Norway i could not help but feeling slightly curious to how you would describe my home and country. I’m born and raised and still live in Bergen:) I love your site even more now haha x

  • We went to Norway / 3 years back . The place is smazing and unlike anything we have seen in europe . The northern lights are worth visiting . It’s one of the best countries we have visited

  • The Fjord Safari tour in Flam is also amazing! Jet boating through the Fjords, you get to go right up to the edge of the Fjords and see mountain goats!

  • I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also go to see this website on regular
    basis to obtain updated from most recent information.

  • Attractive part of content. I simply stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I get actually loved account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing in your feeds or even I
    fulfillment you access constantly rapidly.

  • An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who was doing a little
    homework on this. And he in fact bought me lunch because
    I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….

    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this topic
    here on your site.

  • Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the issues.

    It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely
    helpful. Thanks for sharing!

  • First of all I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question which I’d
    like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you
    center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my
    ideas out there. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes
    tend to be wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?

    Appreciate it!

  • Usually I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to
    check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me.

    Thank you, quite nice article.

  • Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?

    I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share
    some stories/information. I know my subscribers would enjoy
    your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.

  • I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay
    a visit this blog on regular basis to get updated from most recent news.

  • Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting
    to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  • When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox
    and from now on each time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment.
    There has to be a means you can remove me from that service?
    Appreciate it!

  • My brother recommended I might like this blog. He
    was totally right. This publish actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much
    time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  • My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right.
    This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  • This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent
    post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  • Have you ever considered about adding a little bit
    more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
    But just imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this
    blog could certainly be one of the very best in its field. Great blog!

  • My spouse and I stumbled over here different web address
    and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to checking out your web page yet again.

  • Hello, its fastidious post about media print, we all understand media is a enormous source of facts.

  • It’s difficult to find educated people on this subject,
    however, you seem like you know what you’re
    talking about! Thanks

  • This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of
    your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  • You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really
    something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  • Nice blog right here! Additionally your site so much up very fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink in your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours
    lol

  • My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress
    on numerous websites for about a year and am nervous about switching
    to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  • I really like reading a post that can make people
    think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

  • Great post! I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part I care for such information a lot.

  • I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of your website?

    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

Comments are closed.