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Trondheim , Norway's third largest city, is also one of the country's oldest. Founded as a trading post by the Vikings in AD 997, it was Norway's capital until 1217, and new kings are still crowned here. Built on a peninsula and linked to the mainland at its west end, Trondheim is the main town of the county of Sør-Trøndelag in central Norway. Bakklandet and Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) Cross the river Nidelva through the red arches of the Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) to reach the picturesque lanes and colorful old houses of the Bakklandet neighborhood. It feels like a small village, and the historic wooden riverside buildings have become small shops, galleries, coffee houses, and restaurants. Stroll along the river for views of the buildings lining the opposite bank. This is Trondheim's most historic and atmospheric neighbourhood. Kristiansten Fortress Standing on a hill to the city's east, Kristiansten Fortress (Kristiansten Festning) was ...

The docks of Tromso , northern Norway's largest city, lies between Narvik and Hammerfest on a small island 349 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Established in the 13th century, Tromso remains an important fishing port, as well as a popular location from which to view and study Norway's famous aurora borealis, or northern lights. Each year in late January/early February, Tromso hosts the Northern Lights Festival, a musical extravaganza that attracts artists and symphonic orchestras from across Scandinavia. Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden The Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden and its unique collections are a must-see for those interested in Northern Norway's unique flora. Despite the snow, the flowering season starts early in May, rewarding visitors with displays of purple saxifrage and yellow cushion plants, pasqueflowers, and a variety of flowering bulbs. The garden is divided into 25 collections, each showcasing a different cold-weather species or ...

NORWAY the Land of Surreal mountain ranges, vast stretches of glacier-carved valleys, and colourful communities perched in unlikely places. While the scenery here tends to take centre stage, let’s not forget the food. You don’t truly know a country — or its people — until you know its cuisine, and dependable Norwegian fare surely isn’t something you’re likely to find back home. Tube caviar Scandinavians seem to have an affinity for providing improbable items via tubes. In Norway, you’ll find caviar in a tube, as well as numerous flavours of soft cheese spread (try the bacon cheese…obviously). You should totally hold the tube, which is pretty much the flawless way to package food for long train rides, mountain hikes or fjord cruises while in Norway. Pickled herring Norwegians love their fish. You’ll see it in every form imaginable, including poached, smoked, grilled, fried, dried, and pickled. Lunch and breakfast buffets often feature a small bowl of pickl...

Bergen , Norway's second largest city, is also the west coast's major port and one of Scandinavia's busiest cruise ship stopovers. Enclosed by a ring of hills recognized locally as the Seven Mountains, the city's idyllic scenery and spectacular natural harbour has covered its reputation as one of Norway's most prevalent tourist spots. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf Colorful Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf is one of Bergen's most popular tourist attractions. Chock full of restaurants, studios, workshops, and boutique shops, its narrow alleyways and old wooden merchant houses simply beg to be explored. Guided English-language walking tours of Bryggen are available from June through September, where you can learn about the Hanseatic merchants and life in medieval Bergen, as well as visit ruins from the Middle Ages. Bergenhus Fortress The old Bergenhus Fortress has dominated the entrance to Bergen's harbor since the late 16th Century, and remains one of t...

Oslo is one of the world's largest capitals in terms of area, but only 20 percent of this land mass has been developed - the remainder consists of parks, protected forests, hills, and hundreds of lakes. Regularly ranked as one of the best cities in the world in which to live, Oslo boasts a rich cultural scene and numerous things to do, and is famous for its theatre, museums, and galleries. The National Museum Oslo's National Museum encompasses the National Gallery and the National Museum - Architecture, as well as additional collections of contemporary art and design. Oslo's National Gallery houses the country's largest art collection, featuring the works of Norwegian artists from the 19th century through the present, including J. C. Dahl and several works by Edvard Munch, including his most famous work, The Scream.  Royal Palace Located high up on the northwest end of Karl Johansgate, the Norwegian Royal Palace , built in 1825...