| Apart from its awe inspiring fjords
(the biggest of which are Sognefjord and
Hardangerfjord), popular sights are the Lofoten
islands, the beautiful Sørlandet (the
South Coast), and the many charming towns and cities,
most of which are found along water's edge. Norway is
home to 4.5 million people, and occupies an area of
323.759 square kilometers.
Most tourists visit in summer, when the days are
long, or even never-ending as the midnight sun appears
in much of the northern parts of the country. Popular
destinations such as boating towns in the South, the big
fjords on the West Coast, and the Lofoten islands in the
North see their fair share of tourists, especially in
June, July and August, but crowds are never much of a
problem. In the winter months, travelers can enjoy
winter-sports in the mountains across most of the
country. Norway's reputation as a pricey destination
stems from high prices on dining and other tourist
necessities. However, with some planning it is quite
possible to experience this country on a budget. Public
transportation is both well developed and affordable,
accommodations are usually reasonable (inexepensive "hytter"
or rooms to let are often available), and most scenic
destinations are free. Almost all Norwegians speak
English, and most are happy to talk to or help tourists.
The principal cities are Oslo, the Capital of Norway;
Bergen, the historic port city on the West Coast, and
Trondheim, the Viking Age Capital and home to Northern
Europe's only medieval Gothic Cathedral. Tromso, the
"Gateway to the Arctic" is a lively city, centrally
located among Northern Norway's spectacular
scenery; Stavanger, "The Oil Capitol" of Norway is a
scenic town in the far Southern part of the country.
Hidden Trails offers a variety of Wilderness
Horseback Riding Tours out of Trondheim:
Riding Tours in Norway
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