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 exciting, natural norwayNorway & Sweden form the "Scandinavian Peninsula", which is surrounded by the Norwegian, North and Baltic Seas. 
Bergen Harbor, Norway The cities of Oslo and Bergen were trading and shipping ports that have continued to thrive due to their strategic locations and deep harbors. Both are beautiful cities and very easy and friendly for travelers.
Oslo Fjord, Gunnar Strom, Norway Oslo, Norway The capital of Norway, Oslo, is a small, manageable city set on a fjord (an inlet). The city has excellent public transportation, numerous parks & no pollution or traffic - great for walking or cycling.
The main boulevard, Karl Johans, runs thru the center of town from the train station, past the Parliament bldg, the Grand Hotel, lively cafes, & up to the Palace, the home of Norway's much loved king & queen.  Karl Johans Street in Oslo and the Palace From the waterfront, cocktail cruises, sailing charters and ferries take visitors out to enjoy the islands and bay.
No matter what sort of weather Mother Nature dishes up, the residents of Oslo will be out enjoying their fjord.
Being Californians, we were amazed by how many people were out rowing, running, sailing, kayaking, etc, etc, even on a rainy evening. At home people would be safely tucked in front of the TV in that weather, what wimps we are!
The Norwegians truly cherish nature and embrace being outdoors.  Bergen Homes, Norway
Bergen, NorwayBergen, one of Norway's most popular cities for travelers, is known for its wooden houses, narrow, picturesque alleys and colorful buildings. It is a small, artsy and outdoorsy city, in spite of the frequent rain that keeps the place so green. Like Oslo, Bergen is also an adventure mecca for cycling, kayaking and hiking  Bergen Alley, Norway  Visitors to Bergen can enjoy quaint shops, artist studios and great restaurants at Bryggen, the historic waterfront. At the famous Bergen fish market, many of the merchants speak English, so you can learn lots about fish, a staple of the Norwegian diet.
As for adventure in Bergen, you can start with a hike up and a ride down the cable car right in the middle of town, then progress to kayaking or cycling! www.njord.as
 overlooking a fjord, Norway Norway - Get Your KicksThe fjords are the symbol of Norway and excursion under the towering walls is the trip of a lifetime! In one day, on the journey between Oslo and Bergen, you can travel by boat, train and bus to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. www.FjordNorway.com
 kayak norway fjords The fjords around Flam offer stunning terrain for cycling, hiking, kayaking. Once you arrive in Bergen, there are plenty of adventure opportunities here also!
 Shopping on Karl Johans street, Oslo Norway Culture Lifestyle
One might think that in a country so clean and organized the people would be a little reserved, maybe even uptight? Not the Norwegians - we found them to be warm and easy-going, with an excellent sense of humor.
The fact that most of them speak English eliminates that barrier between cultures, and allows you to really interact with the locals, even share humor.  'Bergensers' enjoying a sunny afternoon on the Bergen harbor  Vikingship-GunnarStrom The Viking Ships museum in Oslo - History
Several factors fueled these waves of marauders - Norway's cold rugged landscape made agriculture difficult, a cultural tradition of large families burdened the resources, and only the eldest son inherited the family property, thus forcing younger brothers to seek their fortunes on the high seas.
At the turn of the century, these same forces created widespread famine and poverty, fueling a mass exodus of Norwegian immigrants to America.
Archaeological finds reveal a Viking culture that was rich in handicrafts - the Viking Museum displays everything from whole ships to delicate object d'art.  Nancy Bundt Folk Museum
At The Norwegian Folk Museum, scenic paths wander past historic buildings collected from around the country and interactive displays bring 17th & 18th Norway century to life. There are demonstrations of ancient crafts and lots of interactive displays, great for kids and adults. One of my favorite places in Oslo is the Vigeland Sculpture Park, named for the artist, Gustave Vigeland, who created over 200 statues depicting the full range of human emotion.
From the center of town, we rode bicycles to the park. We discovered that the large pillar in the distance was, at closer inspection, a mass of entwined, naked figures - maybe representing the human struggle to get to the top of the pile?  Nancy Bundt Monolith Around the pillar are some of the most interesting and poignant sculptures I have ever seen. They were especially compelling because Vigeland chose to portray the human form in all its diversity, not in magnificent perfection.
Kicks in Oslo:In addition to its choice location on the edge of a fjord, Norway's capital, Oslo, is blessed with vast areas of forest, mountains and lakes.
Nature is never far away, and the Norwegians take full advantage - they can kayak, cycle, hike, sail and ski all within the city limits, and so can you! Oslo to Bergen, by trains, ferries and bus  Flam Railway Norway
The railway part of our excursion ended in Flam, a crossroads for Fjord ferries, trains and kayaks. Visitors may choose to stick around for a day or two and tour the fjord in a kayak or hike to the top of the fjord for a magnificent view. Or, you can continue on by ferry to Bergen.  Flam Cruise Ship Norway The Village of Laerdal
In addition to the charming ambiance of Laerdal, the main attraction here is fishing. The royalty of Europe discovered the area long before fly fishing became trendy. You can fish rainbow trout, brown trout, and salmon in the local river. There is even a cultural center dedicated to Salmon where you can observe the natives in their natural environment, peruse historic displays, try casting, and even learn to tie a fly!
When you have finished exploring the Flam area, you'll continue your journey to Bergen on a fjord ferry, an incredible trip, then you'll take a bus up a 20% grade, around 13 hairpin turns, to arrive on top of a mountain for a spectacular view down the valley.
Norway Food and ShelterIn Oslo, you will find just about any type of food your taste buds desire - ethnic, continental and even the swankiest McDonalds I have ever seen (not that I ate there!)
I discovered a hip wine bar and restaurant out at the Aker Brygge, the pier, can't remember the name, but it should be easy to find - appears to be a favorite with businessmen. As soon as the sun pops out, the many outdoor cafes and restaurants along the main street, "Karl Johanns Gate", fill up quickly. Seafood is the mainstay of Norwegian cuisine, and there is no shortage of fine restaurants in which to enjoy a feast - just be prepared to drop some bucks! In Oslo, you can ride the ferry out to some quaint places for fjord-side dining. Try the mussels when they are in season! If you are in Bergen be sure to hit the fish market - a really fun place to shop and sample all kinds of stuff, from jams to smoked fish. Have fun! We sure did...
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