Norway may be the most dramatic place I’ve ever been – landscape-wise, at least. During my visit, we traveled between the lakes and rolling mountains of the dense Finnskogen forest and the jarring yet captivating Arctic tundra. | | | | | If you know me, you know I am not one for a cold vacation. I am the one who can’t stop talking about Palm Springs and Vietnam. Well, the autumnal week I spent in Norway might have changed some things for me. Norway is a destination I have been intrigued by. The landscapes, the culture and the food all had an allure, but I always put visiting on the back burner. Having now spent time cozying up with this Scandinavian star, I can say, Norway may be the most dramatic place I’ve ever been – landscape-wise, at least. During my visit, we traveled between the lakes and rolling mountains of the dense Finnskogen forest and the jarring yet captivating Arctic tundra. We canoed quiet, babbling streams, hiked the cold permafrosted fields in Svalbard, got up close to glaciers and even swam in Arctic waters. This was a trip that pushed me out of my comfort zone (I was hiking in the cold rather than sipping a cocktail by a beach), but it also inspired me to continue to look to destinations that aren’t always on my radar. Here’s to more trips that surprise us in 2026! | | | Morning: In typical Svalbard fashion, we began our day dogsledding.
When we arrived at the dog yard, the environment was chaotic. Loads of barking dogs jumped with excitement at the prospect of getting out on the run. We donned our exposure suits, and it was time to begin. As the dogs started running and we weaved our way through the valley, they fell quiet, focused on the task at hand. Whether I was driving the cart or along for the ride, it was exhilarating.
Afterwards, we went to the lodge for waffles and jam before meeting the new litter of puppies.
| | | Afternoon: We took a 1.5-hour boat ride to Isfjord Radio, a hotel/retired radio station at the edge of the island of Svalbard. We were met with steaming cups of Solbærtoddy, a warm drink made with blackcurrant syrup.
After settling into our rooms, I hit the sauna. Situated on the edge of the tundra, the sauna offers views over the fjord and allows visitors to watch for whales and walruses.
After sweating it out for a while, we proceeded to take a dip in the Arctic waters. At roughly 6ºC (43ºF), it was chilly but invigorating. | Getting around: A car is necessary to navigate beyond the town of Longyearbyen or a boat, depending on the distance of your travel.
What we ate: In Svalbard, we leaned into the Arctic diet, eating reindeer soup (delicious), seal and Svalbard Arctic ptarmigan, a local bird. | | | Keep chasing those northern lights | | | Photography credits: Luigi Morbidelli/Shutterstock, Chamidae Ford/Lonely Planet (2), Sasha_Suzi/Getty Images, Chamidae Ford/Lonely Planet (4) | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
