Ten more reasons to visit Norway even in the summer. What to do and what to see, why prefer it to many other destinations. All the reasons in the post.
Wilderness
Mountains, forests, glaciers, lakes, fjords, beaches, islands whipped by the wind ... Norway, also by virtue of its very low population density (just 5 and a half million inhabitants for an extended territory more than Italy) truly has wilderness in the DNA!
Anyone who loves the kind of emotion that only nature can give will find the promised land in Norway, and the beauty is that there is no need to go who knows where or to travel who knows how long. Seeing is believing.
Outdoor Activities
Want to really try #norwegianwayoflife? Abandon civilization every now and then (one in two Norwegian has a house in the middle of nowhere, hytte in the local language, just for this purpose), and dive into outdoor activities.
Norwegians do it since they were children (they are said to be born with skis on) and think that it is the same law that imposes it, as well as, of course, on their mentality (25% of the hours of gymnastics must be done outdoors ).
What to do? You are spoiled for choice! Sailing, swimming, glacier excursions, rafting, paragliding, bunjee jumping, cross-country skiing, cycling, bird watching, whale watching, forest walks, mountain climbing, more or less demanding, canoeing. Get over the initial, understandable, reluctance, and go for it, even if you're not a skilled athlete! You will see that all this will slowly enter your blood, and will be part of you, even when the Nordic stay is over, it will be the best souvenir of the holiday.
Festivals and Concerts
During the summer, Norwegians, like all Nordic peoples (from Canadians to Germans), love to have fun.
Proof? Go and see all the festivals that are organized, and you will be amazed.
From rock festivals, Viking festivals (Haugesund), concerts on the beach (Kristiansand), passing through food fairs (Gladmat in Stavanger above all), summer is a time of celebration and joie de vivre, even in these latitudes. Try the summer in a Nordic sauce and you will be hooked.
Night Life
Even in the cities that are not too big, there is a flourishing of bars, restaurants and clubs, especially in the areas near the port. From jazz to Irish music to salsa, every beat vibrates behind the windows. Anyone who thinks Norwegians are staid will do well to change their minds.
Architecture
Even those who, like myself, do not go crazy for modern architecture, will have to take back their words here. The modern buildings (as well as the historic ones, which are kept really polished) are just beautiful. Glass, wood and light are the masters and many buildings (not all but a good number) really give the idea of lightness. It is no coincidence that Norwegian architects are among the most appreciated in the world.
Museums
The Norwegian museums, although they do not have the endless collections that the Italian ones have, have the great, very great advantage of having an interactive approach with the visitor. Whoever enters a museum is not a passive spectator who is mercilessly bombarded with scholastic notions, but becomes an active subject, invited to experiment, get involved, express their creativity. All museums, even the smallest ones, are designed to involve the visitor, who will be drawn into a very pleasant experience. From the manufacture of wool to the smoking of fish, passing through the touching of children's games, every experience in museums is allowed, without anyone looking at you sideways. The country of museums 2.0 is just a few hours away by flight.
Kids
If Norway is a country with one of the highest birth rates, there must be a reason. The reason is obvious. Aside from the numerous state services (from free education to student loans), children are the object of almost "touching" attention, sometimes even excessive. Every public office (even churches) has an area dedicated to them, in the houses the ovens are made so as not to be opened by children, children do not pay or pay less in many places (museums, buses, monuments).
They even go so far as not to give them marks in school so as not to hurt their susceptibility.
If you want to bring your little children / grandchildren / cousins, know that they are in good hands in this country.
Services
The services in this country work really well. From free shared printing, to libraries open even on Sundays, to public offices with water dispensers, to buses that break the minute. Despite some flaws, there will be moments in which you will have the feeling of spending your money (not a few for the truth, but this is already known) for something and this, trust me, is priceless.
If I'm convincing you, I recommend you visit the Fly Go website to find low cost flights to Norway.
multiculturalism
Rogue nostalgia? Yearning for the home climate? No fear! Norway, also by virtue of its wealth (conquered, it must be said, mainly with oil), is a state with a very high percentage of immigration, where, however, the different ethnic groups do not have excessive problems of coexistence, unlike what happens in other countries. A data? In Kristiansand alone (82000 inhabitants, the fifth largest city in the country) there are people of over 130 different nationalities! Whether you want to celebrate Hanukkah or Chinese New Year, there will always be a place for you here, somewhere.
Allemans Retten
Last but not least, let's talk about the real ace in the hole, reserved only and exclusively for connoisseurs. This apparently unpronounceable term indicates something very specific, in some ways surprising in a country that certainly does not make economic its strong point. In detail, the "right of the people" consists in free use of public land. Yes, you got it right! If one is on public land (a wood, a clearing, a lake, etc.), he can, in compliance with the law, do whatever he wants; fishing, picking mushrooms, camping.
It is taking advantage of this that a good number of people, legs on their shoulders, leave by camper for this splendid country, often camping for free. Why not follow their example and go on a road trip?
There are plenty of roads! From the mythical E39 that runs along the North Sea to the tracks that wind inland (dominated by a long mountain range, somewhat similar to our Apennines, which cuts the country in two), your camper or car will be placed hard test, but you will see that it will be worth it.
The sun
In the summer, the sun really seems to never want to leave you. Enjoying a cold beer (absolutely must try the one from the Nogne O craft brewery) and watching the sun set at 23pm (you got it right! It's not a typo) alone is worth the price of the trip.
