Explorer’s Journal: Discover Norway’s Wild Beauty with Destination Expert Renata

Join Destination Expert Renata on an unforgettable journey through Norway — a land of soaring fjords, storybook villages, and landscapes that shift from tranquil to dramatic at every turn. From Oslo’s cultural heartbeat to mountain valleys, mirror-like lakes, and the legendary Flåm Railway, each moment reveals a country where nature and tradition come together in breathtaking harmony.

Hello from Oslo! I’m Renata Ferreira, Destination Expert (right) at SA Expeditions, and I’ve just arrived in Norway’s vibrant capital—a city where history, culture, and cutting-edge design come together in the most captivating way. Join me and my cousin Ale as we explore fjords, mountains, and charming villages on an adventure filled with discovery and inspiration.

Exploring Norway’s Vibrant Capital

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Destination Expert Renata exploring the beautiful capital of Norway: Oslo (Renata Ferreira).

From the moment I stepped outside, Oslo felt both grand and inviting. Tree-lined streets lead past the Royal Palace and Parliament toward the waterfront, where elegant wooden ships sit alongside modern landmarks like the striking Opera House and the futuristic Barcode District. The blend of old and new gives the city a uniquely Norwegian pulse—proud of its past yet always looking ahead. 

Oslo’s culinary scene is just as impressive. Whether it’s reindeer stew in a cozy restaurant or Michelin-starred Nordic cuisine, every meal feels deeply connected to nature. My favorite stop so far was Fish Me, a harbor-side spot where I tried the famous Norwegian fish soup—silky, rich, and brimming with fresh seafood straight from the fjord. 

Art and culture thrive here too. The National Museum, home to Edvard Munch’s The Scream, and the Fram Museum, celebrating the golden age of polar exploration, both offer fascinating windows into Norway’s creative and adventurous spirit. 

As evening settles in, Oslo reveals its playful side. The Oslo Street Food Market—once a swimming hall—now hums with music, aromas, and laughter. Locals and travelers gather for global bites, craft cocktails, and late-night conversation. It’s the perfect ending to a first day in Norway: a city that feels elegant yet alive, and the ideal gateway to the adventures ahead.

Discovering Lillehammer’s Warm Alpine Spirit

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Postcard views in Lillehammer (Renata Ferreira).

After leaving Oslo behind, I arrived in Lillehammer, a charming alpine town that first captured the world’s attention as the host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. But beyond its sporting fame, Lillehammer has a warmth and character that draw you in immediately. Nestled along the shores of Lake Mjøsa—Norway’s largest lake—the town is surrounded by rolling hills, colorful wooden houses, and the crisp scent of pine in the air.  

Walking along its pedestrian streets feels like stepping into a postcard. Elegant boutiques, cozy cafés, and traditional bakeries line the cobblestone lanes, each inviting you to pause for a coffee or a slice of warm apple cake while everyday life unfolds against a backdrop of snow-dusted peaks. 

One of Lillehammer’s greatest treasures is Maihaugen, a remarkable open-air museum featuring more than 200 historic buildings, from rustic farmhouses to the beautifully preserved Garmo Stave Church. Wandering through it feels like traveling through centuries of Norwegian life. The Norwegian Olympic Museum is another highlight, rekindling the energy and pride of the Winter Games through interactive exhibits and fascinating memorabilia.

The town also celebrates its culinary traditions. I enjoyed local cured meats, sweet pastries, and a hearty meal in a rustic restaurant where everything tasted authentically homemade. There’s a simple joy here—the mix of mountain scenery, history, and hospitality makes Lillehammer feel both vibrant and peaceful. 

It’s an ideal stop between Oslo and the mountains, offering a gentle introduction to Norway’s alpine culture before the landscapes grow wilder and the adventure continues north.

A Journey into Lom’s Mountain Heart

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Seeing the iconic Lom Stave Church and tasting Ljøs Lomb beer! (Renata Ferreira).

The journey from Lillehammer to Lom is one of those drives that feels like a destination in itself. As the road climbs through the Gudbrandsdalen Valley, Norway unfolds in all its pastoral beauty—rolling farmlands, mirror-like lakes, and wooden farmhouses that seem untouched by time. Along the way, it’s worth stopping to sample the region’s artisanal cheeses, still crafted with age-old traditions that capture the purity of the Norwegian countryside. 

Arriving in Lom, you instantly sense the quiet charm of this mountain town. At its center stands the magnificent Lom Stave Church, dating back to the 12th century and considered one of the best-preserved examples of Norway’s medieval wooden architecture. Surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Jotunheimen Mountains, it feels like stepping into a living postcard of rural Norway. 

Lom is also a paradise for food lovers. The town’s bakeries are legendary—and for good reason. Their warm cinnamon buns, nutty loaves baked with local grains, and buttery pastries are impossible to resist. Pair one with a glass of Ljøs Lomb beer, a craft brew born right here in 2016, and you’ll taste the pride of this small community. 

Accommodation here has a timeless charm. Many visitors stay in historic boutique hotels where wooden beams, wool blankets, and mountain views create an atmosphere of cozy elegance. From town, hiking trails begin just steps from your door, winding through meadows and into the highlands. Whether you opt for a gentle walk by the river or a challenging trek toward Norway’s towering peaks, Lom invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace the rhythm of mountain life.

From Lom to Geiranger: Norway’s Most Legendary Road

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Exploring the beautiful Geiranger (Renata Ferreira).

No journey through Norway feels complete without this legendary drive. The route from Lom to Geiranger takes only about an hour and a half, but every curve of the road feels like a discovery. You’ll cross high mountain passes, glittering lakes, and valleys that open into views so vast it’s impossible not to resist stopping for photos.

Arriving in Geiranger, the scenery becomes almost surreal — deep blue waters framed by steep, green cliffs that seem to rise straight from the fjord. To experience it up close, we boarded a high-speed RIB boat and skimmed across the mirror-like surface, wind rushing past as waterfalls thundered from the heights above. The most famous — the Seven Sisters and the Bridal Veil — are steeped in local legend, each cascade with its own story of love and longing.

As we glided near the rock walls, we passed the remains of ancient mountain farms clinging impossibly to the cliffs. It’s humbling to imagine the generations who once lived there, isolated yet deeply connected to the wild beauty around them.

Back on land, we followed the winding road to Ørnesvingen (Eagle’s Bend), one of the most spectacular lookout points over the fjord. From this vantage, the panorama of emerald waters, steep peaks, and winding valleys is pure magic. Standing there, with the crisp mountain air and the sound of distant waterfalls echoing through the valley, it’s easy to understand why Geirangerfjord is considered one of the true wonders of Norway — a place that leaves you both awed and deeply moved.

Into Aurland’s Quiet Beauty

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The beauty of Norway at Aurlandsfjord and Stegastein Viewpoint (Renata Ferreira).

The drive from Lom to Aurland feels like crossing the very roof of Norway. Traveling over Sognefjellet — the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe — is an experience of pure wonder. The road winds through a landscape of glaciers, mirror-like lakes, and rocky tundra glowing in shifting shades of silver and blue. Every curve reveals a new panorama — vast valleys below, endless sky above — reminding you just how immense and untouched this country still feels.

Along the way, art, history, and nature merge seamlessly. At Mefjellet, cubist stone sculptures rise starkly from the mountain plateau, a striking contrast to the soft lines of the surrounding peaks. Further on, the viewpoint at Nedre Oscarshaug opens to a scene of glaciers and high summits that seem to stretch to infinity — a humbling reminder of the raw power of Norway’s wilderness.

As the road descends, the scenery changes dramatically. Alpine tundra gives way to lush forests and, finally, to the calm, reflective waters of Aurlandsfjord, one of the most beautiful branches of the great Sognefjord. Nestled on its edge, the peaceful village of Aurland feels like a world apart, framed by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

From the Stegastein Viewpoint — a sleek architectural platform suspended high above the fjord — the view is simply unforgettable: a 650-meter drop to the shimmering blue below. Later, a stop at a local café brings the simple pleasures of life in the fjords: a plate of cured lamb (fenalår), a warm berry dessert, and the serene rhythm of village life. Here in Aurland, time seems to slow, inviting you to breathe deeply, savor the silence, and truly feel the soul of Norway’s natural beauty.

A Slow Day in Aurland

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Spending the day relaxing in Aurland (Renata Ferreira).

A free day in Aurland feels like being handed the rarest luxury of all — time. The morning begins in stillness, with the fjord shimmering like glass and soft mist clinging to the mountains. Without a fixed schedule, the day unfolds naturally, guided only by curiosity and the rhythm of the water.

For those drawn to the outdoors, the trails surrounding Aurlandsfjord promise endless rewards. A morning hike along the mountain paths reveals wildflowers in bloom and ever-changing views of deep valleys and glacial peaks. Others might prefer a slower pace — perhaps a quiet stroll through the harbor, where fishing boats glide gently across waters that perfectly reflect the sky and cliffs above.

For me, the highlight of the day was a plunge into the icy fjord, followed by the soothing heat of a wood-fired sauna — an invigorating Nordic ritual that locals swear by. The shock of the cold water and the warmth that follows seem to awaken every sense, a reminder of the simple joy of being present in nature.

Aurland is also rich in heritage. The town’s proud tradition of shoemaking gave the world the original Aurland shoe, the inspiration for the classic penny loafer. Visiting the small workshop where this craft continues today offers a glimpse into the soul of the community — where respect for the past meets quiet innovation.

Life here flows at the pace of nature. It’s about lingering over coffee in a garden café, tasting homemade berry jams, or simply sitting with a book as sunlight dances across the fjord. In Aurland, less truly becomes more.

The Flåm Railway & the Mighty Sognefjord

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The famous Flåm Railway and taking the ferry to Bergen (Renata Ferreira).

This was the day I had been waiting for — the legendary Flåm Railway, often described as Europe’s most beautiful train ride. In just one unforgettable hour, the train climbs nearly 900 meters from sea level to the mountain plateau, revealing landscapes that seem almost unreal. As we ascended, the scenery unfolded like a moving painting: emerald valleys, thundering waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks rising in the distance. At times, the train slowed near Kjosfossen Waterfall, where mist swirled around the cliffs and the roar of the cascade echoed through the canyon. Each turn brought a new perspective — tiny mountain farms clinging to the slopes, rivers carving their way through deep gorges, and tunnels hand-carved through solid rock. Even the shifting weather, with clouds and soft rain drifting across the peaks, only heightened the drama, wrapping the landscape in a veil of mystery.

Back in Flåm, my journey continued from rails to water as I boarded the express ferry bound for Bergen. Gliding through the mighty Sognefjord — Norway’s longest and deepest fjord — felt like traveling through time itself. For nearly five hours, the boat traced its way between sheer mountainsides and hidden waterfalls, passing clusters of colorful wooden houses that seemed to float at the water’s edge.

The sheer scale of the fjord was humbling — its depths plunging over a thousand meters and its cliffs towering just as high. As the sun dipped low and the air grew saltier near the coast, the landscape softened into rolling hills and scattered islands. By the time Bergen appeared on the horizon, I knew I was approaching the perfect finale to this journey through Norway’s heart.

Ending the Journey in Bergen

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bryggen and exploring the rest of the city of Bergen (Renata Ferreira).

Bergen feels like the perfect finale to this remarkable journey through Norway. After days spent tracing mountains, fjords, and valleys, arriving here is like stepping into a living painting — a city alive with color, culture, and the salty breath of the sea.

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by Bergen’s charm. The row of painted wooden houses along Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, glowed in the golden evening light, each façade whispering stories of the Hanseatic merchants who once filled these streets with trade and laughter. The harbor, lively with fishing boats and ferries, reinforced Bergen’s role as Norway’s gateway between the fjords and the world beyond.

I spent the afternoon wandering the narrow cobblestone lanes, discovering cozy cafés tucked between old timber buildings and climbing the hills for sweeping views across the city and its seven surrounding mountains. At the Fish Market, the scent of smoked salmon and the sound of cheerful voices created a symphony of everyday life — vibrant, bustling, and unmistakably local.

As the sunset cast a soft glow over the harbor, I felt the weight of the journey settle in — memories of waterfalls plunging into fjords, the quiet of mountain villages, and the warmth of the people who call this place home.

This trip has been far more than travel. It has been an immersion into Norway’s landscapes, traditions, and spirit — a reminder of the beauty that emerges where nature and culture intertwine. Bergen leaves me both grateful and deeply inspired.