The essence of Norway’s appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

Stirring Landscapes

Impossibly steep-sided Norwegian fjords of extraordinary beauty cut gashes from a jagged coastline deep into the interior. Glaciers, grand and glorious, snake down from ice fields that rank among Europe’s largest. Elsewhere, the mountainous terrain of Norway’s interior resembles the ramparts of so many natural fortresses, and yields to rocky coastal islands that rise improbably from the waters like apparitions. Then, of course, there’s the primeval appeal, the spare and staggering beauty of the Arctic. And wherever you find yourself in this most extraordinary country, these landscapes serve as a backdrop for some of Europe’s prettiest villages.

The Call to Action

Enjoying nature in Norway is very much an active pursuit, and this is one of Europe’s most exciting and varied adventure-tourism destinations. While some of the activities on offer are geared towards the young, energetic and fearless, most – such as world-class hiking, cycling and white-water rafting in summer, and dog-sledding, skiing and snowmobiling in winter – can be enjoyed by anyone of reasonable fitness. Whether you’re here for seemingly endless summer possibilities, or for snowsports and the soul-stirring Northern Lights in winter, these activities are an exhilarating means of getting close to nature.

Scandinavian Sophistication

The counterpoint to Norway’s ever-present natural beauty is found in its vibrant cultural life. Norwegian cities are cosmopolitan and showcase the famous Scandinavian flair for design through the ages. Bergen, Trondheim and Ålesund must surely rank among Europe’s most photogenic cities, while contemporary Arctic-inspired architectural icons grace towns and remote rural settings alike. Food, too, is a cultural passion through which Norwegians push the boundaries of innovation even as they draw deeply on a heartfelt love of tradition. At the same time, a busy calendar of festivals, many of international renown, are worth planning your trip around.

Wonderful Wildlife

When it comes to wildlife, Norway has few peers in Europe. Here you can watch whales – humpback, sperm and orca, depending on the season – off Andenes, Stø or Tromsø, while the interior offers up wild reindeer, prehistoric musk oxen, ponderous elk (moose) or beguiling Arctic foxes. Birdwatching, too, is a highlight, from the puffins of Bleik to the migratory seabirds of Runde and Varanger. But the real prizes inhabit Norway’s high Arctic, in Svalbard, where polar bears and walruses are the poster species for a wilderness of rare, dramatic and precarious beauty.

Some delicious things to eat in Norway

Norwegian waffles

These heart-shaped delights are served all over Norway, from ferry boat food stalls to museum cafes and more. They’re often eaten midday as a snack and can be topped with jam or brunost — or better yet, both. They’re a bit thinner than your better-known Belgian waffle, so the edges crisp up nicely. Otherwise, the basic ingredients are what you’d expect: flour, water, eggs, sugar.

Where to find it: Try them on a ferry ride through a fjord or at Bergen’s BarBarista, which serves several fun twists in addition to the traditional style.

Fiskeboller

This humble dish translates literally as “fish balls,” and involves a white fish such as cod that’s been blended with eggs, milk, and flour and formed into a ball. It’s an everyday meal in Norway, and many Norwegians keep canned fish balls at the ready in their cupboards.

Where to find it: Your friendly neighborhood grocery store will carry fiskeboller, and most Norwegians can offer tips on how it should be prepared.

Matpakke

Literally meaning “packed food,” matpakke is something you’ve probably been doing your whole life, ever since you packed a lunch to take to school. Well, kind of — Norwegians do it a bit differently. 

Beyond school lunches, matpakke is something pretty much every Norwegian takes when they go hiking, skiing, or biking. It’s super simple: sliced, homemade bread (has to be Norwegian bread — less sugar) with cheese, sliced meats, and other toppings, like vegetables. It’s open-faced and there’s usually more than one, with a layer of special “matpakke paper” separating the layers. You’ll find the paper at any local supermarket, and it’ll even be pre-cut into the right sizes (with even larger paper to wrap it all up).

Where to find it: True matpakke is homemade — the perfect excuse to get to know the locals on your trip! 

So long for now, hope Norway treats you well, I would love it if you comment down how Norway has treated you…

Fashion- and technology-forward but also deeply traditional, this dynamic city mashes up palaces, temples, cutting-edge design and mountain trails, all to a nonstop K-Pop beat.

Design Matters

Over the last decade Seoul has worked hard to soften its industrial hard edges into an appealing urban ideal of parks, culture and design. Glass, concrete and steel are crafted into natural forms at the spectacular Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park and City Hall. The popularity of the beautifully landscaped parks alongside the central Cheong-gye stream and the Han River has spurred on the creation of more green spaces and cycle routes. Join Seoulites enjoying time out shopping in stylish boutiques and drinking at cool cafes and convivial bars.

Historical Fragments

Gaze down on this sprawling metropolis of around 10 million people from atop any of Seoul’s four guardian mountains and you’ll sense the powerful pungsu-jiri (feng shui) that has long nurtured and protected the city. History clings tenaciously to the ‘Miracle on the Han’, a phoenix arisen from the ashes of the Korean War. So while Seoul has its eye clearly on the future, you’ll also encounter fascinating fragments of the past in World Heritage–listed sites such as Jongmyo shrine, in the alleys between the graceful hanok (traditional wooden homes) in Bukchon, and striding along the magnificent Seoul City Wall.

24-Hour City

Whatever you want, at any time of day or night, Seoul can provide. An early-morning temple visit can lead to a palace tour followed by tea-sipping in Bukchon and gallery-hopping in Samcheong-dong. By the time you look at your watch, it will be dawn again.

Beyond the Walls

Public transport is brilliant, so there’s no excuse for not stretching your travel horizons beyond the city limits. The fearsome Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), splitting South from North Korea, exerts a powerful attraction and makes for a compelling day trip. To the west, Incheon is a fascinating port where the modern world came flooding into Korea at the end of the 19th century, and today whose Chinatown and waterfront are still an interesting fusion of people. To the south is Suwon, home to impressive World Heritage–listed fortifications, built by King Jeongjo, that snake 5.7km past majestic gates and pavilions.

Things to see

Gyeongbokgung- Like a phoenix, Seoul’s premier palace has risen several times from the ashes of destruction. Hordes of tourists have replaced the thousands of government officials, scholars, eunuchs, concubines, soldiers and servants who once lived here. Watch the changing of the guard ceremonies at the main entrance Gwanghwamun, then set aside at least half a day to do justice to the compound, which includes a couple of museums, ornamental gardens and some of Seoul’s grandest architectural sights.

Seoul Racecourse- Enjoy a day at the races at Seoul’s impressive and hugely popular horse-racing track. A 40,000-capacity grandstand faces the sandy track and its backdrop of verdant hills, where giant screens show the odds, the races and close-ups of the horses. You’ll need a subway card to get through the turnstiles; once inside, make a beeline for the ground-floor Foreigner Information Desk to collect the day’s form guide in English and a handy leaflet explaining how the betting system works.

My advice find the next best holiday to fly off to Seoul and till that time share, follow, like and comment.