Norway is without question one of the most beautiful countries in Northern Europe and an absolute paradise for people who love getting out and about in the great outdoors. Its mountains, fjords and lakes will take your breath away and the pureness of the fresh air will send even the pastiest of city dwellers home with a glow on their cheeks.

One of the best ways to see the country is to book a ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour. These tours give you the option of spending between one and three days taking in some of the best fjords and places of natural beauty in the country. If you prefer to explore under your own steam then it’s a good idea to hire a car as some of the best sights are off the beaten track and a little tricky to get to on public transport.

The most popular tourist destination for nature lovers is probably the Voringsfossen Waterfall in Hardanger where a number of waterfalls converge into one in a magnificent spectacle. Purpose built lookouts have been constructed both above and below the falls to give visitors a dazzling view and there are lots of beautiful picnic spots nearby where you can enjoy a bite to eat after taking in the sights. Whatever you do, don’t forget the camera!

In Norway everyone has the ‘right of access’ in the countryside so hill walking and climbing tours are very popular. You’ll find trips to suit all levels of fitness and skill, from a gentle stroll around the lakes to something a little more challenging in the mountains. The mountains around the Trollstigen Mountain Road are some of the most impressive and a drive along this road is a great way to take in the scenery if you don’t fancy getting out the ropes and crampons.

One of the most incredible natural phenomena in Norway is that of the midnight sun, which means that the sun never sets and it is bright literally 24 hours a day. This lasts from the 12th June to 1st July in Nordland, but lasts for the entire 6 months of the summer in the North Pole. This can be quite difficult to adjust to when you’re used to sunrise and sunset, but there’s nothing quite as enchanting as taking a midnight stroll through the countryside in broad daylight.

Of course Norway is not all about fjords, mountains and lakes. A break in one of its main cities also makes for a great trip, and with accommodation costing less than most other countries in Europe a weekend break needn’t break the bank. One of the most popular destinations is the capital city of Oslo, which is a bustling modern city, yet rich in culture and heritage. Spend your days strolling round Bogstadveein, the trendy heart of the city, which is great for shopping and eating out, or find out more about the city’s Viking and Scandinavian past at the Viking Ship Museum. Then top your day off with a trip to the beautiful National Theatre which runs an ongoing programme of plays and operas.

Flights to Norway are very reasonably priced and if you hunt around and plan ahead you can get some really great deals. Add this to the fact that accommodation and eating out are also relatively inexpensive and you’ve got yourself a real bargain of a trip.