With a population of only 160, this little island plays host to half a million sea birds of 230–240 species including 100,000 pairs of migrating puffins that stay here from May until late July. You may also see different kinds of seagulls, cormorants, eagles and many more.

Norway’s premier tourist attraction is a breathtaking array of crystal clear water, towering rock walls, abandoned farms and countless waterfalls. Even large cruise ships frequently find their way through the narrow fjord and sometimes three or four of them anchor at Geiranger town.

Opened in 1936 by King Haakon VII after 11 years of construction, it is the most famous and spectacular mountain road of Norway, which turned into the most popular tourist attraction of the country. The view of the 11 hairpin turns in this almost vertical rock wall and down into the valley 2,500 ft. deep and surrounded by impressive mountain ranges is simply gorgeous! Norwegian folklore includes references to all sorts of supernatural beings – and the most famous of them all is the troll, which is thought to have emerged in Norway at the close of the last Ice Age. Trolls are said to inhabit gloomy forests, moonlit lakes, deep fjords, snowy peaks and roaring waterfalls, but they are predominantly creatures of shadow and darkness. They come in all shapes and sizes, their lifespan is several hundred years, and it is said that they have produced both Thor’s hammer and Odin’s spear.

The picturesque little town of Ålesund (population ~45,000) is crowded onto a narrow fishhook–shaped peninsula. It is considered by many to be even more beautiful than Bergen and it’s far less touristy. After the sweeping fire of January 23, 1904, which left 10,000 residents homeless, the German emperor Wilhelm II sent shiploads of provisions and building materials to Ålesund and it was rebuilt in characteristic Art Nouveau style. Canals and bridges add to the harbor atmosphere so that the town with its turrets, spires and gargoyles is also nicknamed “Little Venice”.

Eight storm-lashed bridges between Vevang and the island of Averoya connect 17 islands. People here have to live with strong winds all year long and you can only imagine nature’s wrath on a stormy day! The road was built between 1983 and 1989 and has attracted countless visitors since then. The British magazine “The Guardian” voted it “Best Road Trip” in 2006.