18 Scenic Roads, ‘Fjord Cuisine,’ Electric Car Tours

Everyone knows that Norway is a beautiful land of mountains and fjords. However there are fashionable and thrilling surprises, too. We requested Harald Hansen, a long-time Norwegian journey professional, to share a sampling of the perfect of the previous — and the brand new.

Inform me about Norway’s new designated Scenic Roads.

“The Norwegian street authorities picked 18 roads which can be particularly scenic, with no big buses or industrial site visitors allowed, all alongside the coast and throughout mountains all the way down to southern Norway. To enrich nature, they invited architects, designers, and artists. So you will have all these incredible viewpoints, and distinctive relaxation stops. One even has a gold bathroom.

Alongside the way in which, modern younger architects have created distinctive buildings. Some are proper on the ocean, and provide incredible views — in the event you’re there by your self you possibly can actually construct up your internal self.”

In summer season, what do you suggest?

“Alaska and New Zealand even have lovely fjords, however in Norway, folks dwell proper there, and you may benefit from the previous farms and the native meals. It’s a dwelling society.

It’s also possible to take pilgrimage excursions, alongside routes with picket stave church buildings that return to the eleventh century. They’re constructed like upside-down Viking ships.”

What about winter pleasures?

“The shoreline of Norway is ice-free, so you possibly can go on winter expeditions on passenger boats like Hurtigruten. Folks love dog-sledding, reindeer safaris, or going out with guides looking for the Northern Lights.

Above the Arctic Circle you possibly can keep in distinctive ice motels and snow motels and exquisite lodges.”

For animal lovers, what’s to not miss?

“Alongside the coast we have now humpback whales, white whales, orcas and beluga. On the island of Svalbard, midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, there are extra polar bears than folks. We’re not allowed to seek for polar bears as a result of they’re protected, however you’ll see them within the distance.

The Sami people dwell inland within the winter on the Finnmark plateau, a nationwide park. On the finish of April they begin migrating with their reindeer to the coast. For those who go to Northern Norway can at all times meet reindeer.”

Give us an thought concerning the foodie scene.

“A lot has occurred the previous 20 years. The Oslo Opera Home, opened in 2008, actually put Oslo on the map, and a brand new museum and a library opened close by. So the entire waterfront space is now outlets and bars, eating places and artwork galleries.

Bryggen, the previous wharf of Bergen, has develop into actually in style due to new cooks opening eating places. They catch their very own meals, so there’s a lot of seafood. We name it ‘fjord delicacies.’

And there’s a city referred to as Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost settlement, which was truly based by an American, the place you will have lovely motels, eating places, and among the finest wine cellars in Norway.”

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With scenic roads in thoughts, I discovered a particular tour which completely highlights each the previous and the brand new Norway.

The seven-day Drive the Fjords supercar journey — accessible on June 12; August 7; and September 4, 11, 18 — has been created by Off the Map Travel to showcase Norway’s National Tourist Routes in the Fjords. (For the final word splurge, a non-public model of this system can be accessible.)

You’ll journey by Norwegian fjords and the Sunnmore Alps having fun with open roads behind the wheel of an electric Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. The route is pre-programmed; you do the driving.

Highlights: An evening within the artwork nouveau city of Alesund, with a ship journey within the fjords, and an evening in a standard Sami tent within the pine forests. You’ll journey alongside the Atlantic Highway, “the street throughout the ocean,” with its seven bridges and community of tunnels; journey deep into the mountains to the Troll Wall, the biggest rock wall in Europe; take a ferry into the Geiranger fjord; journey up a gondola for the views of the North Atlantic; and expertise the fjords from the sky in a non-public helicopter.

The electrical supercar achieves 283 miles on a cost, and has a built-in “charging planner” that calculates the optimum route, based mostly in your cost standing. Onsite chargers are supplied on your car.

This uncommon inexperienced journey emphasizes sluggish journey in a quick car. The menu options the area’s finest native delicacies, together with seafood from native purveyors. All resort lodging assist this system’s sustainability, from the electrical automotive to eco-toiletries.

(Harald Hansen’s feedback have been edited and excerpted from Episode #9 of my award-winning journey podcast, Locations I Bear in mind with Lea Lane. For the entire interview, go to your favourite podcast app, or to the hyperlink in my bio.)