The Music of Railways: The Top Five
18/06/2018 · By Jack Stacey
The sound of the railway is a symphony unto itself and has inspired artists and musicians across the world to compose music about and on the theme of rail travel
Read moreFew destinations lend themselves to enjoyable discovery by rail as well as Norway. No matter when you choose to holiday in this magical country, you cannot fail to be moved by the beauty of ever-changing landscapes that are as breath-taking in summer as they are dramatic in winter.
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Experience the awe-inspiring Northern Lights in Norway's Arctic skies, a celestial ballet of green, pink, and purple. Tromsø and Lofoten offer the best views, painting the winter nights with a magical display that captivates both locals and visitors.
Discover Norway's charm in cities like Oslo, where sleek architecture and a vibrant cultural scene unfold. In Flåm, the renowned Flåm Railway winds through stunning fjords, while Bergen enchants with colourful wharves and a rich maritime history.
Indulge in Norwegian cuisine, a reflection of the country's maritime and agricultural heritage. Seafood, featuring salmon, cod, and herring, takes center stage. Try smørbrød for breakfast - open-faced sandwiches with various toppings and explore local food markets for authentic flavours.
Norway's unforgettable Bergensbanen Railway links two of Northern Europe's most charismatic and culturally-rich cities - Oslo and Bergen - via a five-hundred-kilometre train journey that surely ranks amongst the world's greatest.
As you join Rail Discoveries on this remarkable rail adventure, from the comfort of your seat you'll witness the best of Norway's magnificent scenery from soaring mountains to snow-dusted pine forests and, of course, the spectacular coastal fjords for which the country is famous. As we head north to the Arctic Circle and the beautiful Lofoten Islands, Norway reveals some of its most wondrous natural treasures. In summer, daylight persists around the clock for three months as the sun remains steadfastly above the horizon; this is truly the 'land of the midnight sun'.
In winter, meanwhile, Norway's dark northern skies play host to the awe-inspiring illuminations of the Aurora Borealis; the fabled Northern Lights.
The slender Kingdom of Norway, situated where Northern Europe meets the Arctic Circle is a truly exhilarating and hospitable destination. Largely dominated by mountains and the deep, ocean-filled fjords that were created by the retreat of ancient glaciers, Norway's pristine, unspoilt beauty demands admiration and exploration.
Visitors expecting intolerable, year-round wintry conditions may be surprised by the mildness of Norway's climate. Admittedly the weather can be unpredictable, but cold extremes are limited to just a handful of locations in the depths of winter. Summer in Norway is generally sunny and warm with temperatures reaching the mid-twenties between June and August. As inland temperatures are cooler in spring and autumn, Norway's long western coast is almost always the warmest place to be.
Norway is a safe, tolerant and relatively laid-back country. Major cities are both friendly and cosmopolitan and guests enjoying a rail tour with Rail Discoveries will find a wealth of wonderful attractions to explore and enjoy including galleries, museums, historical buildings, theatres and public gardens. Norwegians take their leisure and recreation seriously, and the country offers some of Europe's best café's bars and restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.