Norway

• 1.Europe

Norway is one of my favorite European countries. I visited three times - Oslo and Bergen in the summer, then Tromso in the winter for the Northern Lights, and Oslo once again on my way to Svalbard.

The highlight of the capital city of Oslo is the Vigeland Sculpture Park (or Frogner Park) designed by Gustav Vigeland and full of sculptures of naked people in various life situations, including fighting, arguing or having a bad time. I loved it because it's so bizarre. There's also the Vigeland Museum close to the park which contains more of the artist's work. The striking Oslo Opera House building is very nice, while Ekebergparken sculpture park is also worth visiting.

I also enjoyed the Akerbrygge area and the main shopping street Karl Johans Gate, and visited the Viking Ship Museum.

From Oslo I drove to Bergen on the E16, which was one of the most scenic drives I've seen in Europe. Norway has beautiful scenery and landscapes, so driving around is very nice. On your way to Bergen you'll pass through the Laerdal Tunnel - the longest road tunnel in the world (25 km) featuring some very nice lighting schemes.

Bergen is a scenic coastal town that I enjoyed a lot. Don't miss the cable car ride on Mount Ulriken and the historical Hansa Bryggen district. A cruise to see the fjords is another must-do - you'll get lots of photo opportunities.

Tromso was another charming Norwegian city that I enjoyed. The Northern Lights are stunning and out of this world - the sky comes alive with moving green lights of varying shapes and intensities, complemented by shades of dark red and purple at times; it feels like you're on another planet. This is one of the most intriguing natural phenomena on planet Earth.

You need to get away from the city to properly experience the lights - I used tours provided by Tromso Friluftsenter which I highly recommend - convenient, effective and very friendly.

Tromso is not all about the Northern Lights, though: the Polaria Arctic Centre, the Polar Museum, the Planetarium at the Science Center, Sami Week festival in February and the Arctic Cathedral are nice attractions in town. In February the city is bathed in a warm twilight/sunset light all day long which makes for some spectacular daytime pictures as well. Watch out for the cold, though - Tromso is way past the Arctic Circle.

Read more about seeing and photographing the northern lights in my guide available here.

Additional info:
- country entry on Wikipedia
- country profile on Wikivoyage

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