Norway offers fascinating Viking history, dramatic scenery and northern lights viewing. Trek across mountainous terrain and cruise through sheer-sided fjords. Re-energize with fresh seafood and locally brewed beers.

Home to orcas, reindeer, walruses and polar bears, Norway is popular with animal lovers. Spot brown bears, moose and arctic foxes in the north and look for the Eurasian lynx in ReisaNational Park.

Norway has an interesting cultural heritage, as displayed in Oslo’s museums, the art nouveau architecture of the port town of Ålesund and art collections of Stavanger. Tour the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo to see two well-preserved 9th-century Viking ships and tour the Historical Museum, located in the same building.

Visit Bergen on Norway’s southwestern coast to see the colorful wooden houses of the UNESCO-listed harbor district of Bryggen. Stroll around the shops lining the waterfront, explore the local fish market and learn more about this area’s heritage at Bryggens Museum. Mount Floyen, a mountain in the heart of Bergen, offers the perfect vantage point from which to admire the cityscape. Ride the funicular to the top to reach the restaurant and children’s play area.

Norway’s fjords are rightly famous. Among the most well known is the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord, which encompasses deep blue water, cascading waterfalls and steep mountains. Enjoy a range of outdoor activities including rafting, canyoneering and hiking.

For yet more dramatic scenery, head to Lofoten, a cluster of islands famous for fishing, skiing and windswept beaches. Come from late September through April for the chance to glimpse the northern lights.

Most flights to Norway arrive via Oslo Airport, which features an express train to the city and its suburbs. Trains and buses are a fast, efficient method of travel around the country. Ride a ferry around the fjords for an unforgettable experience. From fjords and fresh fish to colorful harbors and museums, Norway is a country of fascinating contrasts.