Norway
Juliet Kinsman, sustainability editor
‘I’m craving fresh air and time eating local and seasonal food, engaging in a meaningful way with small communities, in a land where the whole way of being is naturally sustainable and sensitive to living more greenly. Norway is only a short flight away, and you see colourful low-rise cities, sea, fjord, forest and mountain scenes in one trip. I’ll fly into Oslo, maybe take the overnight train from Trondheim to Bodø, then head to Leknes, pick up a Tesla for a road trip – some crazy percentage of the population has electric cars so there are charging stations everywhere. I’d spend a night in this landscape of dramatic mountains and open sea, maybe in one of the fisherman’s huts at Holmen Lofoten in the Lofoten Islands then head to a traditional cabin at Hattvika Lodge and prepare for some hearty hiking. Back at the wheel, I’d follow one of Norway’s 18 scenic routes from Lofoten to Kvitnes Gård, and stay in an Airbnb room on a farm. I’m really keen to get to Davvi Siida to meet the Sami, and learn about the history and culture of these indigenous people here in the Arctic. Hotel Nordkyn is a simple stay with a view of one of northern Europe’s most captivating coastal cliffs – the website doesn’t look so slick but I’m assured by my friend at Up Norway it’s characterful, which is why we often need to rely on local travel experts for advice! Then finally I’d end up back in Oslo, if only to have dinner at Rest were they turn food waste into fine dining.’