Norway Travelers Recommend

The Aurora Borealis – also known as the Northern Lights – is a spectacular, natural nighttime phenomenon caused when dust particles from solar winds collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere and begin to glow in the sky. They can be seen in skies from the Arctic southwards, occasionally even in the northern UK, but the dark winter nights and mountainous archipelago around Tromsø provide the perfect backdrop to spot the dancing flashes of color glowing fluorescent green, yellow, red and blue dancing across the sky. Although sightings of the Northern Lights are never guaranteed – atmospheric conditions have to be perfect – Tromsø’s fantastical light displays can most confidently be seen from 6pm until around midnight from December through February, although sightings are made from October to March.

Oslo - a city in the countryside. If that sounds confusing, consider that Oslo is one of Europe'€™s largest capitals in terms of the area it covers but with one of the smallest populations. Begin your stay by getting a feel for this diverse and cultural city on a sightseeing tour taking in Viking history, folk museums and art galleries, including the wonderful Vigeland Sculpture Park. If you want to combine sea and land, take the boat/bus tour which includes the maritime museum, although the Vikings are long gone. And if time is of the essence and you want to get a look at everything - fjords, museums, Kon-Tiki Raft and the Holemnkollen Ski Jump - go for the Oslo experience: city, fjord, and countryside all in one go. Modern-day Oslo has plenty to offer if you have time to just wander and take in the sights. Climb aboard the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus and explore the cafes and shops of this cosmopolitan, if expensive, city.