Sons of Norway Blog

Norway has a vibrant brewery culture and an interesting wine history to match. In the September issue of Viking magazine, we explored the wine culture found throughout Scandinavia.

Situated at a small bay at the head of the Oslofjord, Oslo City Hall brims with color, charm and history.

Sometimes called “The Norwegian Riviera” for its temperate climate and abundance of “must experience” attractions, the county of Agder rests on the southernmost end of Norway. Idyllic, tree- dotted valleys are draped between rugged mountains and wooded heathland. They follow the rivers as they bend south through the hill country, emptying into the sea. The name Agder itself is mysterious. It predates the Norwegian language and is thought to be derived from Old Norse terms meaning either “the land that juts out to the sea” or “the land by the troubled sea.” Both would be appropriate.

Norway’s national dog, the Norsk elghund (Norwegian Elkhound or more accurately “moose dog”) is a medium-sized dog that has hunted, herded and played guard dog since Viking times. This ancient Spitz is one of the oldest dog breeds, having originated as early as 5,000 B.C. Elkhounds have been found buried at Viking grave sites such as the Svarthola in Jæren, Norway. According to DNA research, the elkhound is descended from an extinct type of gray wolf originating in western Russia and central Europe.

In a recent analysis conducted by French travel agency Voyage Avec Nous, and data firm Flashs, Norway has topped the chart as the safest holiday destination in Europe. This analysis was structured using five criteria: health, security, road deaths, robberies, and intentional homicides. The data for these criteria came from the EuroHealth Consumer Index, Global Peace Index 2021, and Eurostat. The areas that tipped the scales to Norway were Norway’s security, as well as low levels of road deaths and murders.

Named after King Olav II, a renowned Viking leader buried in Trondheim’s Nidaros Cathedral, St. Olav Ways is a group of historical pilgrim pathways with a variety of destinations for travelers to explore today.

Haakon Magnus was just 17 when his grandfather died and his father became King. At that time, it was tradition for the first-born son to succeed the throne. Despite his sister Märtha Louise being 2 years his senior, Haakon Magnus was given the title Crown Prince and became heir to the throne.

The original home of most of the founders of Sons of Norway, Trøndelag county spreads across the central section of the country. Its 16,000 square miles are dominated by mountains, with slips of green valley tucked along its coasts, fjords and rivers. Its most notable natural feature is the Trondheim Fjord, which slices about 80 miles inland; first southward to Trondheim, then jagging northeast up to the town of Steinkjer.

Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer born in 1872, is known as one of the greatest figures in the field of polar exploration. In fact, he was the first person to reach the South Pole and the first to cross the Arctic by air.

This simple, healthy wrap is a take on the traditional Norwegian matpakke. Matpakke is a lunch you take to school or work and most commonly includes an open-faced sandwich wrapped in parchment paper. This wrap is a great option for children to make as they head back to school or a tasty snack for a fall hike.

As you soak up the remaining weeks of summer, now is the perfect time to relax with a good book. In our August issue of Viking, we shared 13 new Nordic books covering a range of genres that offer a glimpse into Scandinavian literature through captivating stories. Here are five more wonderful books from Norwegian authors to add to your list.

With famously snowy winters, it’s no surprise that Norway is home to many cozy saunas—one of which was featured in the July issue of Viking. The Telemark Canal’s stunning Soria Moria Sauna is one of six art installations in “Tales of the Waterway,” with design elements reflecting the surrounding natural beauty. Here are three more unique sauna experiences only found in Norway.

Every spring, Vikings who wintered in settlements along the Otta River in south central Norway would gather together their livestock, pack up their sledges, and traverse snow-covered mountain passes through the Jotunheimen mountains to their summer farms at Neto, heading down again in the fall. Along the way, items would inevitably be lost or discarded.