The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago in Northern Norway located above the arctic circle, the land of the midnight sun, where the mountains meet the sea. In this region of the world, the sun never sets from the end of May to mid-July i and it never rises from December through the New YearThis means that this region is perfect for seeing the famed Northern Lights during the winter, and don’t worry about the sun keeping you up in the summer–most hotels are equipped with blackout curtains.
Norway has a long history of fishing and in the Spring you can often see Stockfish hanging to dry from wooden scaffolding known as “fiskjehjell,” when walking around local villages.
Traditional fisherman’s cabins, known as rorbu, dot the streets and are usually painted a deep red color due to the cod liver oil paint that was the cheapest option for the Norwegians that built them.
It is possible to stay in one of these historic houses, giving you a truly authentic experience of the local culture. Norwegian hotels are also a great option as they take their breakfast buffets VERY seriously, so you will never have to start your day hungry. Your days in Norway can be filled with hiking, climbing, mountaineering, golfing, skiing, surfing, sauna sessions, polar plunges and authentic, nourishing meals.
Many of the most common local dishes include delicious fish, shellfish, elk, reindeer and bread. Be sure to try their sweet treat called lefse, a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread layered with butter and cinnamon sugar.