Norway Holidays

Geilo is a traditional Norwegian village, located half way between Oslo and Bergen and surrounded by a vast rolling landscape of snow fields and frozen lakes. The resort has a long tradition as a ski destination and has been welcoming tourists for more than 100 years, so it is well developed with all the facilities you could ask for. As well as grand old mountain hotels, Geilo has a range of modern accommodation, from cosy family hotels with heated indoor pools, sauna and solarium to B&Bs, hostels and cabins, situated within Geilo itself and also scattered around the valley. Geilo has 33 slopes for all levels and ages, and offers alpine skiing, snowboarding and telemark skiing. There are designated beginners areas and both mountains have excellent beginner and intermediate runs. There are also 3 great snowboard parks, Scandinavia’s only superpipe and 220 kms of cross country trails in beautiful mountain scenery. Five ski rental centres offer the latest equipment, while three different ski schools cater to all levels. There are also special areas for children with their own lifts and day care centres. And if you want to try something other than skiing, there are plenty of alternative snow activities for you to try, such as husky dog sledging, horse sleigh rides and snow shoeing. Skiiers and snowboarders in Norway will find uncrowded slopes, lift queues virtually unheard of, great quality accommodation and a warm and friendly welcome from the locals! Norway is more than twice the size of England, but has only one-tenth of the population. This means that you rarely have to queue for the lifts in Norway's ski resorts, and are guaranteed to have a lot of space to relax and play in! The uncrowded environment also means that the view from the slopes is not one of sprawling, high-rise apartment complexes; instead, you'll see small Norwegian villages set in a wooded landscape, scattered with log cabins, wood smoke curling out of the chimneys, and white mountains rolling away in all directions. One of the best ways to explore Norway's magnificent winter landscape is through the country's extensive network of cross-country ski trails. The skills involved in cross-country skiing are easy to master and most people pick up the basic techniques quickly. Cross country skis are longer and lighter than those used for downhill skiing. Shoes are attached only at the toe and your heel is free to lift, enabling you to push yourself over flat ground as well as up gentle slopes. There are a huge number of cross country ski resorts to choose from, and there are well-prepared and signposted trails throughout Norway, both through the forests and over the mountains. Lillehammer was the site of the Winter Olympics in 1994, and today there are clearly signposted ski trails in both forested and mountain terrain. The resort can be reached by train or by car from Oslo in approximately 2 hours. Norway is a very long-streched country. Travelling from south to north is the same distance as going from Oslo to Rome. Norway is divided into 5 main regions, each with its own characteristics, which makes Norway a diverse and beautiful country. Nature «Furrowed and weather-worn», says Norway's national anthem. Indeed, if it weren't for the Gulf Stream, no one but polar bears would thrive this far north. Thanks to the Gulf Stream and the Midnight Sun, it is possible to live in this otherwise uninhabitable land. But thanks to that and the Midnight Sun, it is possible to live in this otherwise uninhabitable land of extremes. Especially during the dark winter months. It is the four seasons with all the changes they bring that lay the groundwork for all Norwegian life.More than anything else, it is nature that makes Norway such a special place to visit. No matter what time of year you come. Though activities will naturally vary with the season, you'll actually find summer skiing in places like Stryn, Folgefonna and Galdhøgpiggen. Fishing enthusiasts can fish all year too, although salmon and trout fishing are restricted in the rivers and lakes at certain times in the summer. Staying in the mountains is a wonderful experience, whether it's a challenge or just peaceful silence you're looking for. There is a vast network of marked hiking trails that you can use for hiking from cabin to cabin, or you can stay in just one place and take different outings from there. And why not visit one of our many national parks? The glaciers and rivers invite the thrill seeker to glacier walking and river rafting. And there are farms throughout the country that receive guests. At some of them you can even participate in farm chores if you like. Whether it's rest you need or physical challenge, memories of your stay in Norway will last a lifetime. Even Norway's largest cities are small compared to other European metropolises. They are easy to get around in and have a lot to offer visitors. Each city has its own character. Many of them bear the marks of their contact with other countries via trade and shipping. Peoples associations with Norwegian history and culture vary a lot. Some would mention the vikings or the sami, and others would point to internationally famous authors, composers, actors and painters such as Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Grieg, Liv Ullmann and Edvard Munch. If you ask people what they associate with Norwegian history and culture, their answers will vary a lot. Some will say the Vikings who sailed to foreign parts to pillage and wage war, although the Vikings were in fact also merchants who founded kingdoms on foreign soil and brought back new impulses to Scandinavia. Others will point to internationally famous authors, composers, actors and painters such as Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Grieg, Liv Ullmann and Edvard Munch. Or attractions like Vigeland's sculpture park, Holmenkollen and the stave churches, the expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Maybe even smoked salmon, lutefisk, reindeer meat, shrimps or cloudberries.