Norway is a place of awe-inspiring beauty, where many people’s lives are dominated by the sea as in the days of the Vikings. The smaller cities are undiscovered gems. Here are reasons to visit, to help start your holiday planning and further research

Cruising: The best way of experiencing the coast and fjords is on a cruise ship. Hurtigruten (Norwegian Coastal Voyage) operates departures up and down the coast on every day of the year, with cruise ship standards.

Fjords: Deep inlets from the sea give the coast its character, and you’ll enjoy walking, cycling and scenic tours if you base yourself at Hardangerfjord or Geirangerfjord.

Arctic Adventure: The north of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle, experiencing the midnight sun in June/July and weeks of almost constant darkness in December/January. Go whale watching in summer or snowmobiling in winter.

The Northern Lights: This meteorological phenomenon occurs in winter when the night sky is lit up in a dazzling display. Your best chance of observing them is on a cruise ship or far from civilisation.

Winter sports: The leading ski resorts of Hemsedal, Lillehammer, Geilo and Voss have a reliable snow record and good facilities for beginners. March and April are the ideal months.

Glacial attractions: Even in summer, you can experience the majesty of ice. Jostedalsbreen glacier is easily reached from the fjord country north of Bergen.

Food and drink: Prices might be high but you’ll dine well on breakfast and dinner buffets where fish, seafood and maybe reindeer take pride of place. It’s best to take your own drinks however!

Island life: A trip to the remote Lofoten Islands is unforgettable. Fishing is still the main industry and they are served by Hurtigruten coastal ships.

Norway has got to be one of the most scenic countries in the world, and one that is increasingly easy to reach as more air links open up – now is most certainly the time to think about a holiday in Norway- it’s easy to arrange an independent trip, or of course you will find many specialist tour operators to Norway who feature city breaks, cruises and special interest holiday packages.