Posts Tagged ‘Norway’

Norway’s Top 7 Most Beautiful Fjords

Posted in Iceland, Norway | by admin
April 8th, 2010

The beautiful coastline of Western Norway features breathtaking fjords offering dazzling views of unsurpassed natural beauty. These coastlines have changed little since the days of the great viking sailors, and many remnants of the regions’ history can be glimpsed along the shorelines. Each fjord has its own personality and they have been given special nicknames.

Sognefjord - King of the Fjords

Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, extending more than 250 kilometers inland to the foot of the Jotunheimen Mountains.

Sognefjord, Norwaycredit

A boat trip along this dramatic channel leads to the charming city of Flåm snuggled into the mountain valley. From there you can hop on the Flåm railway and tour the countryside.

Lysefjord - Light Fjord

Described by Victor Hugo as one of the most terrifying ocean reefs in his book “Toilers of the Sea,” Lysefjordb’s waters plunge to 400 meters below the square topped Preikestolen cliff, known as Pulpit Rock.

Lysefjord - Light Fjordcredit

Day hikes to the cliff top during the summer reward travelers with stunning views of this narrow winding waterway.

Vindafjord - Turning Fjord

In the northern section of the Norway coast is the enchanting Vindafjord, named for the dramatic turn in this narrow fjord at Dragneset.

Vindafjordcredit

The winding fjord is dotted with charming hamlets but remains an important center of trade.

Hardangerfjord - The Fjord of Lovers

Known for its beautiful romantic views, the ever changing sunlight across this enchanting fjord adds a magic touch to the area known as “the garden of Norway” where charming farms have beautiful orhards.

Hardangerfjord Norwaycredit

Hardangerfjord is the the second largest fjiord in Norway. Considered the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’ and is a about a 2 hour trip from the city of Bergen.

Nærøyfjord - God of the Sea

Nærøyfjord is officially named for from the norse god ‘Njord’, but the name also refers to the extreme narrowness of its waterways. There are spectacular views for hikers on the Rimstigen trail.

Nærøyfjordcredit

In 2005, Nærøyfjord became part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Tour, together with neighboring Geirangerfjord.

Geirangerfjord - Venice of the North

Narrow cliffs and 1,700 meter high snow-capped mountains are reflected in the waters of Geirangerfjord, giving an appearance of a city floating under the sea.

Geirangerfjord by Gerald Brimacombecredit

On either side are breathtakingly high waterfalls with names like the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. The southernmost fjord on Norway’s western shore, it is located 120 km from Bergen.

To see more about Norway holidays and tours, visit our website’s Norway section here: http://www.baltictravelcompany.com/fu/co20/Norway-holidays

Escape the Euro Woes: Discover the Baltic Region

Posted in Holiday Tips | by admin
December 8th, 2009

It seems like the standard holiday plans for people living in Europe are to visit other typical European countries like France and Spain. Travel between them is convenient and easy. Even Americans, when they think of a European vacation, don’t often consider Eastern Europe and the Baltic region or the northern Scandinavian countries.

When planning their European vacations, more people should take the time to research travel in these areas. They may find that some of these less-visited countries are more affordable. They will also discover the beauty, history, and diverse culture that they are missing out on.

Vistdal Valley in the Norwegian fjordscredit

Some of the smaller Baltic countries are the most beautiful and fascinating. Why not an Estonia holiday? Estonia in Northern Europe is bordered by Latvia and Russia. This small country once was a Soviet occupied nation and is now proud to be part of the European Union. The capital city of Tallinn is an ancient medieval town and is still in remarkable shape considering everything the country has been through.

Toompea Castle is one of Estonia’s oldest and grandest architectural groupingscredit

If you take an Estonia tour, you’ll see it has amazing beaches springing from lovely little oceanside towns. The Baltics aren’t the warmest place in the world, so swimming season is pretty limited. An Estonia holiday also offers lush forests, quaint villages, and imposing historic castles.

Another little known gem of the Baltic is Latvia. It, too, spent 50 years oppressed by Soviet occupation. Even though they are still striving to overcome this period in their history, this little country has a lot to offer travellers. Riga, the capital of Latvia, is known as a World Heritage Site. For a Latvian holiday, Liepaja is an ideal destination, with one of the best beaches on the Baltic Sea. Latvia also offers the world’s widest waterfall, Kuldiga, and its own medieval castles.

Although Lithuania has a pretty non-descript landscape, the beautiful cities, its history, and its culture make it worth a visit. Perhaps Lithuania’s most famous city is Vilnius, the capital. If you go on a Lithuanian tour, definitely don’t miss this city. Vilnius is a very typical eastern European city and is representative of the country’s history and culture.

Roses for sale at the 24 hour flower market in Vilnius, Lithuaniacredit

Two other Baltic countries are Russia and Poland and may be a little more traveled than these other smaller countries. Rich in history, beautiful architecture, and unique cultures, both of these countries offer a lot for vacationers.

The remaining portion of the Baltic is Scandinavia, which consists of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Although parts of the area extend north of the Arctic Circle, the weather is mild enough to support tourism year round. Cities like Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, and Reykjavik have distinct cultures and architecture and are full of history and never ending possibilities to keep a vacationer occupied.