Norway is known for its exceptional natural beauty, especially the fjords along the west coast. Once a haven for marauding Vikings, but now it is a wonderful destination with something for everyone. Norway is a country that was formed by the Ice Age, with towering mountains, beautiful waterfalls and vast forests.

Norway is located on the west side of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe, and is often referred to as an one of the best places in the world to live, especially for the infrastructure and quality of government. Oslo is the capital of Norway, where tourists can enjoy the modern architecture and learn about the history of this city. In addition, Oslo, has the best rail system in Europe. Along with London,

Norway is not a densely populated country, has excellent seafood and – as one third of the area is located in the Arctic Circle – a year-round holiday destination. This means that you can go skiing and hiking in the summer or mount biking in the winter.

Norway is officially the best place in the world to live, according to the UN. And it is also pretty good for a holiday. Most of us only know the country for its postcard image of skiing, snow-covered mountains, western fjord cruises and alternative knitwear. But there is more…much more….

Few tourists venture down the country´s east coast for their summer holidays. Which is great for the tiny number who do because the stretch of south-eastern coastline from the Kragerø down to Mandal is one of Scandinavia´s best-kept secrets.

Scenically it is stunning: mile upon mile of tiny rocky islands and skerries, hidden bays and coves, white clapboard houses and clear glistening fjords, all set against a backdrop of lush green forests and lakes. What is so striking is the uniformity of this coastline – not just its geography, but also its architecture.

Nowhere is the view marred by a huge hotel or high-rise apartment block. Instead you find slight variations on one theme: the Norwegian summer house, made of wood, with a red-tiled roof, windows overlooking the water and in just three colours – white, terracotta and a mustardish yellow.

This is where Norway´s urban dwellers stay during their holidays. It´s their second home, or belongs to a relation, or is rented from a friend. Many of the houses are copies of grander originals found in the historic and picturesque coastal towns of Risør, Tvedestrand, Arendal, Grimstad and Lillesand.

It´s astonishing how well preserved these former timber ports and shipbuilding centres are, with their narrow streets of white buildings, picket fences and rose gardens, leading down to harbour areas flanked by shops and restaurants.

Draconian building restrictions allow few opportunities to experiment with this architectural tradition. The Norwegians are fiercely proud of their heritage and fear its loss; you also feel that anything brash is anathema to this nation´s psyche.

The best place to see this picture-postcard heritage is in Lyngør, which is made up of four islands. If you look at photographs taken at the beginning of the last century and compare them to today, Lyngør appears eerily the same; only the boats moored to the jetties have changed.

The determination of these islands to maintain their local character is impressive – they are car-free and only accessible by boat. Any outsiders who want to buy property here must pay a hefty premium – and prove they intend to live in the house for most of the year.

With every holiday house comes a boat. For a Norwegian, a boat in summer is as important as skis in winter. On a sunny day each fjord or piece of benign coastal water is littered with craft of all sizes. And this is the secret to really enjoying this region – being able to travel out to and explore the thousands of small islands along the Skagerrak Coast.

There are few beaches on this Riviera. Sand is a scarce commodity here, which is why as you chug along in your boat you´ll see ever-resourceful Norwegian holidaymakers draped across any vaguely flat, accessible rock they can find. People here are masters at exploiting a moment of sunshinet.

But sun in this part of Europe does come at a price – which is probably the main reason why so few foreigners seek it here. Most things cost more here – taxes are high and much is imported into this sparsely populated nation of just over four million people. But the elemental beauty of the Skagerrak Coast is well worth saving for.

It´s great for cycling, walking, fishing and sailing, very child-friendly, and clean and safe. Riviera is an apt way of describing parts of it: there are yachts, wealthy visitors, exclusive residences – but they´re all on display in a typically understated Norwegian way. It´s possibly the best place to go on holiday in the world.

Flekkefjord in the west to Risør in the east, and from Lindesnes in the south to Hardanger in the north. The Skerries is Destination Sørlandet´s trademark.

Sørlandet is the region with the highest number of hours of sunshine in Norway, and since time immemorial the inhabitants have been involved with the sea, the islands protecting the mainland (the skerries) and everything smelling of seaweed.

Take the trip through Blindleia from Kristiansand, but it can be made in either direction. The trip starts by crossing Byfjorden in Kristiansand, through Randesund where the typical, white wooden houses lie cheek by jowl.

After crossing Kvåsefjorden we arrive in Blindleia, with its beauty spots one after the other. We pass old trading posts such as Gamle Hellesund, Kjøbmannsvik Ågerøya and Brekkestø before arriving at what is perhaps the most beautiful town in the region.

BLINDLEIA

Blindleia is a cultural delight with the tang of the salt from the setting of islets and reefs. Summer guests are strongly recommended to pay a visit to this coastal sea-way with historical roots far back into time as a means of communication for dwellers on the coast. Scenery and environment in abundance.

ÅKRASANDEN BEACH

Åkrasanden beach is a the local windsurf/kitesurf and a public recreation area. The dunes are a rare habitat in Norway. In Rogaland, we find many small dunes. Åkrasanden is well known for the plant life found there. At times you will find a rich bird life on Åkrasanden.

More information:

Even more information:

• VisitNorway.com - Official site of the Norwegian Tourist Board. Information about nature, towns, accommodation, farm holidays, camping, conventions and events. Touring suggestions, what to do and how to get there, as well as general information. [English and Norwegian]
• Birding Norway - Sightings, overview of birding by habitat and season, and tours.
• The Coastal Route - Free travel guide for The Coastal Route, from Steinkjer to Bodø. Also available for download in PDF format.
• Cruise Norway - Cruise Norway and Norwegian fjords by cruising the CruiseNorway site. CruiseNorway lists cruise ships and prices.
• Fjord Norway Travelguide - Experience the narrow fjords, the silence of the mountains, the tumult of the waterfalls, the crash of the sea and the hustle and bustle of busy towns.
• FjordKysten and Sunnfjord - Travel and holiday information about "Fjord Norge"; Outer Sognefjord and Dalsfjord, Askvoll, Fjaler, Hyllestad, Solund, Gulen, Høyanger, Sognefjorden.
• Flam (Flåm) Fjord Norway - Tourist Destination in the heart of the Norwegian fjord country with Sognefjord, Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord. Cruise harbour and starting point for the Flam Railway.
• The Hardanger Fjord in Norway - Read about attractions and activities in the area around the Hardanger fjord.
• iExplore - Norway - Adventure and experiential travel group provides a guide on the country and its history, events, places to go and activities with tours, photos and other tourist information.
• Jannes Adventure Lofoten AS - Offers guided tours and accommodation in Lofoten. Read about sea kayaking, hiking, climbing, sailing, fishing and fishing villages with unique culture.
• Lonely Planet - Norway - Comprehensive facts and advice for traveling along with background material on the culture and history of the country.
• Norway by Doworld - Basic information and 36 photos of Norway; Oslo, Bergen, Lillehammer, Aalesund, Hardanger and fjords.
• Norway.com - Virtual travel guide to Norway. All you need to plan and visit Norway and Scandinavia including multimedia presentations, online web Travel Directory, travel deals and personalized guides.
• Romsdalsalpene.com - Atartpage with information and pictures from the tourist area Rauma. Also features information on known landmarks as Trollstigen, Trollwall and Romsdalshorn.
• Travel.State.Gov - Norway - Offers travel information including Quick Facts, embassies and consulates, entry and exit requirements, safety and security, local laws, health, transportation and Fact Sheet. From the U.S. Department of State.
• Traveller's Trip to Norway - Find information about the places, which was visited, and a link collection.
• Welcome To Valdres - Tourist information for the Valdres area consisting of Fagernes, Aurdal, Tisleidalen and Vaset.
• World Travel Guide - Norway - Tourist and business travel information with facts on climate, visa, health, passport, currency and customs requirements.