Adventure travel is gaining momentum as more and more travelers, from the young to the young at heart, seek out trips that offer a gateway to self-discovery, connection with nature, and unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
I experienced such a trip last year, trading in my dress flats for snow shoes, my computer for active, in-person discoveries, and my comfort zone for boundary-pushing exploits I thought I could never do again. What I learned about myself, my abilities and my desire to reconnect with nature was akin to reawakening my soul with equal parts of excitement, tranquility and personal challenges I, like so many of today’s like-minded travelers, long to experience again.
Go in search of big mountains, deep fjords and pure happiness and find it on a restorative, nature-based getaway in Norway like I did last year when Up Norway exceeded my travel expectations from the moment I landed. Inviting with life-changing stays and wilderness adventures, Norway is the destination of choice if you’re looking for transformative, bespoke holidays in some of the most breathtaking settings anywhere. And it’s no wonder. Stays in remote fjord cabins, forest cottages and sea-view lodges, Norway rich, offer picture-perfect opportunities to lose oneself in nature, transporting travelers like me to places of indescribable beauty, inside and out.
Wake up, cup of hot coffee or locally pressed cider in hand, to panoramic views of glacial wonders, crystalline in the morning sun, from secluded lodges steeped in understated luxuries for the privileged few. Look out over a meandering fjord, millennia old and surreal with a transcendent serenity that enriches your stay, at a blissfully quiet luxury hideaway, no crowds in sight. Gaze up at mountains, snow kissed, majestically posed and inviting with alpine adventures, seasonally diverse and always rewarding, from forest cabins, hidden villas and historic hotels designed to reflect an authentic sense of place, where time is measured in truly meaningful moments. Promising soul-stirring sights and cultural delights from dawn to dusk – along with a colorful Northern Lights night sky mesmerizing with surrealistic ribbons of light for those lucky enough to marvel at it – during stays in one-of-a-kind properties, Norway inspires endless personal discoveries.
That’s the motivation behind Up Norway, founded to wow luxury travelers with sustainable, immersive journeys that celebrate Norway’s hidden gems. Their focus is on orchestrating responsible, meaningful travel through nature immersion and lasting cultural connections. They work closely with partners who share their passion for delivering regionally distinctive experiences, authentically curated and exclusively crafted, and have sought out a unique portfolio of properties for discriminating clientele who value quiet luxury, in-the-moment discoveries, and the personal space to enjoy them. What makes each stay unlike any other are the stories their guests like me take home with them, real-life tales of reflection, renewal and transformation that become more precious with time and each retelling.
Dan Mariner for Qantas
Boating is a way of life in this coastal nation of ships and seaside lodges, inviting with activities and scenery by land and sea. Cast your cares to the wind for a voyage of discovery around the incredible Lofoten Peninsula aboard HMS Gåssten, a meticulously restored wooden warship, commissioned to ensure guest comfort and delight year-round on a chartered cruise that promotes sustainability, champions local fare and promises year-round excursions – even ski touring from atop panoramic snowcapped peaks or eagle watching – from a new perspective.
Every season has its charms at Skagenhaugen, whether it’s the views of the ocean or the call of the mountains, the allure of the midnight sun or the quiet pageantry of Northern Lights. Choose your accommodations for a peaceful solo escape, a couple’s idyll or a houseful of family fun; making the most of a nature-inspired getaway, the three architect-designed luxury cabins you’ll find here are thoughtfully sized and sited with individual interests in mind.
Imagine the memories you’ll make after traveling to the far north, where the sky meets the sea, for a cozy stay in one of the region’s best Arctic lodges, exquisitely yours. Varanger View seduces with the sounds of nature, day and night, amidst views, celestial and terrestrial, that take your words away. Seaside charms abound throughout Norway but the luxurious boathouse, architect-designed and culinary-focused at Naustet Stokkøya, takes them to a new level, satisfying all the senses with an elite-style sophistication that honors the nature-made treats – and that new favorite bottle of wine – you can enjoy here.
You can become one with nature at the award-winning PAN Treetop Cabins, embodying the height of design innovation high up in forested Finnskogen. Nature meets nurture in the most memorable ways at the spa-like retreat Mivo, an idyllic haven of cabins where you can follow your own health-minded, restorative path. History makes a well-traveled companion in lavish suites at one of the country’s best secluded lodges, Norway’s Hotel Union Øye; a Relais & Chateaux property, it’s been a favorite mountain-meets-fjord hideaway for royalty and celebrities for more than a century – and one of my personal picks.
Woodnest Odda Treehouse, Tor Hveem
Shaped by glaciers over millions of years, nestled in forested valleys and crowned by towering once-frosted peaks, the country’s fairytale fjords – and the farms and cabins that overlook their shores – enchant locals and visitors alike with scenic bliss unrivaled anywhere. Eco-minded families will enjoy staying at a reimagined centuries-old farm, 292 Aurland, whose tourism practices protect nature and culture while benefiting the local community. Stunning views of the fjord, located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage area of the western Norwegian fjord landscape, and carbon-friendly activities such as cycling, kayaking, walking and skiing ensure well-spent time away. Nestled deep within the fjords, Åmot is a rare gem where authentic rural charm meets high-end hospitality on a historic farm estate. Boasting a rich family heritage, this country retreat blends timeless traditions with modern indulgences and natural diversions where you can unwind, unplug and connect with nature as you wish, as deeply as you like. Stroll past scented flower gardens and roaring waterfalls. Discover the secrets of the fjord or the mysteries of the forest, interrupted only by birdsongs that embody how you feel when you are here.
The not-so-active nature-minded can enjoy welcome seclusion and elegant accommodations at a hidden hideway in the heart of Oslo at exclusive Villa Inkognito. With 11 rooms and suites, a living room, a dining room, library, kitchen, bar and fitness room, the villa offers flexible stays – and urban pampering – in individual rooms or in the entire villa as you wish.
In Norway, the possibilities to immerse in breathtaking scenery and solitude are as endless as the luxuries found in nature. Take it all in on a dream escape crafted just for you by Up Norway – and don’t forget to breathe. ☐
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