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Read more about the Bikers' trip to Norway

KRISTIANSUND

Situated on the western coast of Norway, Kristiansund is the global capital for Klippfisk; a type of dried, salted cod. Literally translated, Klippfisk means ‘cliff fish’ a term originating from the way cod was air-dried on the surrounding cliffs of the town. Much of the fish is exported to Mediterranean countries, such as Portugal who call it Bacalao. Knut Garshol, a local expert sells some of the best Klippfisk in his shop on the harbour front.

Four islands make up this pretty conurbation, connected by bridges and its also known as being the gateway to one of the best road trips in the world

HÃ…HOLMEN ISLAND

A beautiful, weather beaten island just off the western coast of Norway, a few miles south of Kristiansund. HÃ¥holmen is owned by famous Norwegian explorer Ragnar Thorseth. It was once a thriving community of fishermen, but is now run as a hotel and restaurant complex.

THE ATLANTIC ROAD

Described by some as the best road trip in the world, the Atlantic Road won ‘Norway’s Contruction of the Century’ award in 2005. Twists and turns jut out over the sea, while sweeping bridges connect the dramatic landscape along the coastline, providing a valuable transport link for the local communities.

DALE GOAT FARM & BROWN CHEESE PRODUCER -NORDDAL

Ashild Dale and Jostein Sande are fifth generation goat farmers in a remote and beautiful valley near Norddal. In the winter months, the herd stays near the valley farm, but in the summer the goats and the farmers head to the mountains for greener pastures. Brown cheese (Brunost) is almost unique to Norway: made from the whey that is normally discarded by cheesemakers. The whey is heated slowly with milk until it starts to turn to caramel, which gives the brown cheese its distinctive sweet taste.

JUVET LANDSCAPE HOTEL -VALLDAL

On a sheer river bank, amongst alpine trees and nestled between snow-capped mountains lies Juvet, Europe’s first landscape hotel. At first glance, the seven detached rooms look like small wooden sheds, but on closer inspection they are designed to connect you to the surrounding nature with panoramic windows looking out on the stunning Norwegian landscape. Owner, Knut Slinning conceived the idea six years ago and made his a dream a reality with award-winning architects and distinct Scandinavian design. 

NIKKA GRØNNING

Next door to the ultra-modern Landscape Hotel, lives 95-year old Nikka, who still bakes bakelse, lefse and other baked Norwegian treats in the traditional way. Despite her age, Nikka shows no signs of slowing down in making her favourite biscuits and breads and often holds classes to pass on her skills to younger people in the local area. 

GEIRANGER FJORD

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Geirangerfjord is arguably the most beautiful but certainly the most famous of the Norwegian fjords. 11 hairpin bends on the Eagle Road (Ørnevegen) lead down to the fjord, where huge cruise liners dock on a daily basis in the summer months. In the winter, Geiranger has a population of just 300 people, but more than 700,000 tourists flock here during the peak season.

In the middle of the 1800s, Sunnmøre and Geiranger were "discovered" as travel destinations by British mountaineering pioneers. A few years later, in 1869, the first tourist cruise ship sailed into the Geirangerfjord.

The increasing numbers of visitors led to the establishment of a local transport company, bringing tourists up Geirangerveien (the Geiranger Road) – now only open in the summer because of risk of avalanches! 

MORTEN SCHAKENDA – BAKER -LOM

A favourite destination for Norwegian holiday-makers seeking outdoor action, Lom is also renowned for the bustling bakery next to the gushing waterfall in the centre of the town.

Not content with being a successful national chef, Morten turned his hand to baking. After training for three years at Apent Bakeri in Oslo, Morten opened his own bakery in the small town of Lom in 2004. The bakery makes more than 17 types of bread every day, and sells a range of sticky, sweet and fruity buns and cakes. The best-seller is the Skillingsboller, a name derived from ‘shilling balls’ because they used to cost a shilling to buy. Morten sells more than 2000 of these sweet buns every day in the height of summer.

PEER GYNT GÃ…RDEN -VINSTRA

Situated in the picturesque Gudbrandsdalen Valley, Peer Gynt Gården is thought to be the place where a local farmer lived in the 19th century, who became the inspiration for Henrik Ibsen’s story of Peer Gynt. The story encompassed a range of Norwegian fairytales that Ibsen had collected on his travels through Norway, including tales of mountain trolls and gnomes. Edvard Grieg later composed music for the play, such as the fantastical ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’.

Peer Gynt Garden is now owned by Mikkel Dobloug, whose passion for the heritage of the old farmstead has transformed many of the historic buildings into accommodation frequented by Norwegian royalty. 

OLYMPIC PARK- BOB & LUGE TRACK- LILLEHAMMER

This is Northern Europe's only artificially frozen bob and luge track, and the only bob and luge track in Scandinavia. The track is located at Hunderfossen, 15 km north of downtown Lillehammer, the venue for the 1994 Winter Olympics. The Wheel Bob operates all year round and the sled reaches speeds up to 100 km/hr!

ICE BAR -OSLO

This is Norway’s only permanent bar made entirely of ice and is kept at minus 5 degrees at all times. Everything inside is made of crystal clear ice harvested from the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Northern Sweden. The bar is operated in 45-minute time slots, and visitors are given thermal hooded capes to keep warm. Aquavit is a traditional Norwegian spirit (typically 40% alcohol), made from potatoes and spices. The effects of drinking Aquavit or other alcoholic drinks in the very cool temperature of the Ice Bar are not felt until leaving the bar and warming up! 

NORWAY DAY – 17 MAY -OSLO

After being part of the Danish autocracy for 400 years, Norway got its own constitution in 1814 and joined into a loose union with Sweden that lasted until 1905.

Norway's Constitution, which declared the country to be an independent nation, was signed at Eidsvoll on 17 May 1814, and despite full independence having had to wait until 1905, this date remains Norway's official National Day.

Colourful processions of children with their banners, flags and bands march through the capital and hundreds of towns and villages across the country. In Oslo, tens of thousands line Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main thoroughfare, every year to watch the parade. The Royal Palace Square is another popular spot - many gather here to get a glimpse of the Royal Family waving to the passing procession from the palace balcony. The children's parade in Oslo is the longest in Norway, and includes some 100 schools and marching bands. Everyone in the parade and attending and spectating wear traditional national costumes, particular to their country or region.