Family Travel: Visit Norway

In Sacramento, California, the weather is hot and the air is smokey this week. As I wish for safety and clean air for everyone, I reminisce about the trip I took to Scandinavia where the cool, fresh air was plentiful. While traveling in Scandinavia, I enjoyed the beauty of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Estonia. However, Norway had a special impact on me, especially because of its massive green spaces and outdoor, open-air treasures that cannot be witnessed anywhere else in the world. In addition, the culinary treats in Norway are mouthwatering and worth a taste!

Norway recorded a total of 6 million tourists in 2019, according to www.worlddata.info. Families enjoy visiting Norway because of its numerous mountains, glaciers, coastal fjords and other outdoor attractions allowing for hiking, fishing, skiing, and much more. Many tourists come to learn about Norway’s Viking history among its numerous ships and museums on display throughout the country, especially in its capital of Oslo. Among the many tourist attractions in Norway, I’ve highlighted a few I believe your family will enjoy. 

Frogner Park

Oslo boasts an enormous, gorgeous green space named Frogner Park that attracts visitors year-round to its open-air pool, restaurants, playground, rose garden, museums, and sculptures. In fact, Vigeland Park located within Frogner Park is one of the top tourist attractions in Norway. “It is the largest sculpture park by a single artist in the world, with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron by acclaimed Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, whose realistic work represents the cycle of human life and all its emotions,” states – Theculturetrip.com. I enjoyed walking through Frogner Park and felt myself contemplating human kind and what it means to be a parent. It was an enlightening experience for me and one that I will never forget. 

Fjords

A fjord is a deep, narrow and elongated sea or lakedrain, with steep land on three sides. Norway’s fjords are plentiful and beautiful. There are several fjord boat tours you can reserve while visiting the country. Fjordtours.com offers a 3-hour boat tour departing from Flåm with stops along the way including a small village for shopping and famous goat cheese tasting. In addition, “you will make stops at attractions and spots for seals, porpoises, and eagles. Your guide will tell you about the fjord, local history and the wildlife; and share with you stories, tales and legends, from various places of interest.” I recommend booking a fjord boat tour during your Norway vacation to experience these amazing natural wonders. 

Flåm and Bergen

Among the many cities you can choose to visit, I highly recommend stopping in Flåm and Bergen. “Flåm is probably one of the most visited fjord destinations in Norway. Not only is it a popular stop for Norwegian cruises, but it’s also an important element of a very popular formula – Norway in a Nutshell,” adds www.fullsuitcase.com. I suggest hopping on the Flåm Railway which offers valley and waterfall views as it climbs to a station on the Hardangervidda Plateau. Your family will enjoy the Viking Valley in Gudvangen where the kids can meet real-life Vikings and learn about their lifestyle and history. About 2 ½ hours by train or car from Flåm is the coastal city of Bergen. While in Bergen, your family will love Mount Floyen and the funicular there. This attraction is voted the #1 thing to do by TripAdvisor while in Bergen because of its beautiful views. “The funicular brings you up the hillside, from Bergen city center to the top of the mountain in 6 minutes. At Mount Floyen you will find beautiful views of Bergen, the nearby islands, fjords and mountains surrounding Bergen. Floyen is a great destination for hiking, mountain biking and other adventures,” adds www.tripadvisor.com. In Bergen, visit the many seaside wharfs and villages or hike the trails in the mountains to stops with breathtaking views. Both Flåm and Bergen have numerous family attractions for both children and adults to enjoy. 

Local Flavor

The food in Norway is unlike any in the world. Some of its culinary treats you don’t want to miss are the local cheeses, seafood, and fruits. However, families in Norway rave about their homemade dishes like Kjottkaker. This is a minced meat formed into small cakes and pan fried. It is served with a delicious gravy with mashed peas or creamed cabbage. Rakfisk are fermented fillets of freshwater trout. The Norweigians salt and layer fillets in wooden barrels and cover them with spruce before fermenting them for months. The kids will enjoy Norway’s version of pancakes called Svele. Svele is usually an afternoon treat with coffee, eaten warm from the pan. They’re served buttered and covered with anything sweet from syrup to uniquely Norwegian brown cheese or Brunost. Brunost is a tan-colored, whey cheese with a caramel flavor. There are many varieties of brown cheese, but the most common is made from a mix of goat’s and cow’s milk, with a history that can be traced back more than 150 years called Gudbrandsdalsost. It’s a must try for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. You’ll find it all over Norway.

As you can see, Norway has a variety of family attractions and adventures that will keep your children (and you) entertained and amazed throughout your journey among the Viking homeland. Not only will you experience sights and tastes like no other, you’re sure to grow as a person as I did after visiting the parks, fjords, mountains, cities, and restaurants. If you’ve been to Norway, we’d love to hear your stories and see your photos or videos. Will you share your Norwegian experience with us? Connect with us on Instagram @MapsCookingKids or on Twitter @MapsCookingKids. Until next time, agape, be kind, and happy parenting.