We had a truly wonderful time—the pace was great, Alta was a true gem, and we definitely got all of the Norwegian food we could ask for. A few notes:

1.Would have been helpful to know how necessary reservations were in Trondheim. We struggled each night—the first night/our anniversary, we had to ask the manager of the hotel to fit us into one of the hotel options (Jonathan’s wasn’t even our first choice) just so we could eat before 9p. It was apparently very busy that weekend both nights, and with the rain and our toddler, it was hard to plan ahead on site.

2. The Christmas lunch was interesting—the location was of course stunning, but the food was a challenge for me—there was no main option that wasn’t pork or fermented! But we managed. I wish we would have known the terrain a bit better (not that it would have mattered because of the weather/wetness)—to see the pixel forest, the mud was too slippery for all of us and the walk was too steep with the stroller, and none of us wore appropriate footwear. So, we missed out but saw it from what felt like maybe halfway up the path.

3. The experience with the Sami was amazing. First, our driver/guide was awesome. He happens to be a dad of a 4-year-old, and I don’t think we could have had as good of a time without his help with our little one. He really made it possible for us to enjoy. The guys at the reindeer camp were personable, fun and engaging. All three of us loved it so much and would recommend it for sure.

Alta ended up being my favorite spot! We all really loved the cabin at Bjornfjell and felt the team there was super kid-friendly. I could’ve spent several more nights there in the cozy cabin and playing in the snow. I did wish Trasti & Trine was a bit more open/friendly. We felt it was hard to get help (like when figuring out how to see the dogs, the answer was just “find someone” out there and ask). Also wished we could have spent time playing with the dogs or taking one on a walk or something. They let us cuddle the puppies in their pen, but we would have had to sit on yellow snow next to an excited but chained up mama dog in order to really play with them. And we were allowed to walk through the area in between all of the dogs chained up to their small houses, which was awkward and riled them all. They were so over excited that it was more like an obstacle course amid tons of barking than really saying hi/engaging with the dogs. The cooking session was excellent, for sure, though a bit strange to start by sitting with Johnny Trasti in the bar while our toddler got restless. Once in the kitchen, it was perfect.

And of course, lastly we were sad we missed seeing the Northern Lights! Apparently while at Trasti & Trine, others saw it further in the valley and near/in Tromso. I guess this means we have to plan another trip!

Thanks again to our planner Henriette for helping make this go smoothly.

The Bolder lodges offered access to hiking trails to the cliffs overlooking Lysefjord.

We visited Norway for the first time over American Thanksgiving week. Our trip was magical. It was just my husband and me and we both left saying it was the best trip we have taken. And that says a lot because we have been fortunate to have made many memorable trips around the world and around North America.

Our Norway trek began in Stavanger, Norway’s fourth largest city, but keep in mind even with that stat, it is a very charming small city of about 150,000 people. A church still stands and is used to this day from the medieval times. Stavanger also has an amazing museum dedicated to the oil industry that has been a vital part of the Norwegian economy. However, one thing you probably don’t expect is that we had some of our best culinary experiences ever in Stavanger. We ate at a Michelin star rated restaurant, Renaa, that was fabulous. But we also ate at another restaurant not Michelin rated, yet, that was just as fabulous named Tango. Not only was the food fabulous, but the sommelier, Jonathan, created the most enthusiastic experience we have had anywhere. We highly recommend both places.

During our stay in Stavanger, we stayed at the Eilert Smith Hotel. Our room was amazing with lots of space, a kitchenette, dining table where we were served breakfast each morning and a bath with double sinks and fantastic shower. The location was perfect in the heart of Stavanger with everything downtown in easy walking distance. Renaa also had its restaurant in the bottom floor of the Eilert Smith, which made it an awesome experience to spend 4 hours at an amazing dinner and walk upstairs to our fantastic room. We highly recommend this place to stay. The staff was amazing and most accommodating with any requests.

Our stay in Stavanger also featured a private yacht tour of Lysefjord from Stavanger. We cruised on Helge’s 70+ foot yacht that was simply amazing. This also was our only day of significant sunshine on our trip and we took advantage with amazing views of Lysefjord from the top deck of the yacht. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch with Sparkling Wine on the back of the yacht enclosed with comfortable heating to make the experience one of a kind. We highly recommend the experience. You will be treated to the most amazing experience!

We then toured the Lysefjord and surrounding areas by car with a private guide. We visited a couple local markets and viewed an amazing boulder field in the surrounding mountains. The end of the day we finished with a dinner at a charming local restaurant before checking in at The Bolder lodges that overlook Lysefjord. Our tour guide was also an experienced hiker and my husband joined him on a hike the following day up to the top of the cliffs overlooking Lysefjord. It was a hiking trail only known to locals and proved to be well worth the effort with the view from the top.

Our next destination was to the arctic circle in the Lofoten islands. After four flights, we arrived in Leknes on our way to Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad. Three hours of daylight in this most magical place. Kristian, the owner along with his wife of Hattvika Lodge was an amazing host that took us on walking tours of the historic fishing village of Ballstad; a visit to a sheep farm where they weave their own wool clothing (Lofoten Wool); a visit to Lofoten Seaweed (the water was too rough to harvest our own seaweed that day) where we met the owner that has developed health products, food products, etc. using the sustainable benefits of seaweed; and a nighttime search for the elusive Northern Lights, which Kristian found unbelievably in a short window of clear skies before clouds rolled in again. Our cabin at Hattvika was part of the fishing village that is now converted into lodging. We had an amazing two bedroom, two bath cabin with a wood burning stove and kitchen. Hattvika also provided a tasting of Cod Liver Oil along with the history of its use and benefits. The lodge also had an amazing restaurant, Fangst. Fangst translates to catch, or catch of the day, and the meals highlighted the local fish offerings, which we amazing. We ate our all our meals there while staying and did not repeat one entrée during our stay. The Hattvika lodge is surrounded by the inlet bay in Ballstad and the views were incredible eating at Fangst and from our cabin. We highly recommend visiting Kristian and the team at Hattvika Lodge. You will not be disappointed.

From Ballstad, we departed by car to Kvitnes Gard with a stop in Livland Gard. Livland Gard is a sheep farm owned by Roy and his wife. Roy is a unique individual with lots of creative ideas. At Livland Gard, Roy has had local IT experts create a 3D experience of local history pursuing mining of iron ore. From the 3D historic record of the mines to the railroads and ships at the port, he will enthrall you with local history in his large viewing room. From there, Roy actually takes you physically into the surrounding area to actually view in person the sites he had recreated in 3D. it is an amazing experience in a beautiful part of Norway. Once all the touring is done, Roy and his wife treat you to an amazing charcuterie board consisting of local meats, cheeses and seafood. They then top it all off to Roy’s own ice cream brand they make locally on the farm. A hidden gem that we highly recommend everyone to see. You will come away enriched beyond your expectations.

Final destination via car was Kvitnes Gard. A local sustainable farm that offers both a lodge and a Michelin type experience (they are still seeking official star rating) at dinner in the amazing farmhouse. You enjoy a 20+ course culinary experience in a charming farmhouse and amazing staff serving dishes provided by the farm and local area. And then at the end of the meal, all you have to do is climb the stairs to a charming room to stay the night. The next day we even enjoyed helping the staff feed the animals including chickens, pigs, sheep and cows.

We flew to our final destination of Bergen before we had to head home. Bergen was the original capital of Norway and was established in the 11th century. A city that is a sister city to Seattle and it will absolutely remind you so much of Seattle. We stayed at the posh Opus XVI. Our room was a junior suite that was well apportioned. The history of Bergen is unmatched and buildings still exist from its early days, and the fort at the entrance to the harbor is a site that must be visited.

Norway is a beautiful country, with water and mountains that highlight that beauty, but we walked away experiencing the beauty of its culture and people. We met the most engaging and interesting people. That is what made our trip most magical and memorable.

Spending 11 days in Norway felt like spending 11 days in winter wonderland. We were able to experience the lights, snow, beautiful landscape, and so many friendly locals! We are SO happy that we were able to see so many different areas of Norway! Our team was very attentive and super easy to communicate with when we had questions. They even helped us coordinate a last minute change in our trip when the weather was bad. If you are in Loften, Peter was a amazing host! My husband and I have never done a Europe trip, and the team made it so easy! We would recommend it to everyone!

Pater Noster is nestled on the tiny rock lighthouse island Hamneskar.

My husband and I toured Sweden just recently from September 29 through October 6. We started the first 3 nights in Gothenburg, mixing work and vacation. Our trip was planned by Torunn and her company, and we stayed at The Dorsia Hotel to start. A fabulous hotel and one of the best experiences we have ever had. The room was incredible, and the food was awesome from a late-night dinner on the evening of arrival after a long trip to the wonderful breakfasts included in our package.

Early the next morning we met a young amazing artist quickly becoming a Swedish sensation at an arranged private tour of a local art gallery. The next two days we explored the immaculate city of Gothenburg including the old walled city with the Fish Church. Definitely recommend a visit to this city and a tour of Volvo World.

We departed Gothenburg for a one-night stay at Ästad, a wellness hot springs in the country, just an hour by private car. There we enjoyed the various saunas before an amazing dinner experience at Restaurant Ang, a Michelin-rated eatery with food and ambiance unparalleled. It is safe to say a definite top culinary experience for the two of us.

The next morning we departed Ästad by private helicopter to a private island that was once a working lighthouse and now an island getaway inn called Pater Noster. We were greeted with champagne upon landing on the island by the inn manager and amazing staff on the island. The inn has 9 rooms and we shared our one evening with one other amazing couple and the inn’s proprietor. A setting to relax, but also a lighthouse to explore and a seafood dinner enjoyed with new friends. Such an amazing and unique experience.

After eating a fantastic breakfast, we left via a RIB that swiftly took us to town to connect with a 3-hour lobster fishing excursion. After a private car transfer, we spent our last night in a castle room at Nääs Slott.

We definitely recommend visiting Sweden with wonderful people and a most beautiful and amazingly clean country!

Meeting the owner of a sheep farm—and making purchases in her wool shop—was a “fantastic” surprise.

Our trip to Norway was fabulous. Torunn and Torstein did a great job of coordinating every detail! The trip planner app on our phones was great and the fact that we could download it and use it when offline. The trip planner truly had all of our reservations and details and more. The hotels, guides and restaurants were perfect! All the activities were perfect for women in their 60s who wanted to take part in activities but not scale mountains.

Our quest was to see the Northern Lights, which we knew was not a definite, but we were fortunate to see many nights of those special lights. Our WOW Moment was truly special, getting to meet the owner of Lofoten Wool and their Viking sheep was fantastic. There was a knitter in our group and she was in heaven, not to mention that we had the opportunity to buy some of her things in her shop. The owner of Hattvika Lodge was very secretive and led us to her farm, he never spilled the beans, truly a WOW Moment.

There was a hiccup at the end, where the airport hotel in Oslo did not have our room reservations marked as prepaid, but an email & call to the team and all was settled. I would definitely use the company again and recommend to friends. You must keep them on your WOW List.

My husband and I wanted to explore Stockholm before our Baltic Cruise and then spend time after the cruise in Norway to enjoy the fjords. Torunn, Torstein & the team developed an excellent itinerary with wonderful hotels and experiences. The restaurant recommendations were perfect. All arranged transportation was timely with very professional drivers.

We were impressed with the quality of the local guides who gave us private walking tours in Stockholm, Alesund and Oslo. They readily understood what interested us and the level of detail for telling stories and history. For example, an exclusive meal experience at Gurines Farm was cancelled due to illness of the owners. Instead, a lunch and guided city walk in Alesund was substituted. Although we were sent to a restaurant that was closed that day, our local tour guide was so engaging she brought the city of Alesund to life. She even talked our driver into taking us to the top of Mount Aksla and gave him a pass card so we could go out on the viewing area. She went the “extra mile.”

The Storfjord Hotel is a secluded luxury boutique where the views are fantastic and the service is top-notch. The staff would go out of their way to provide assistance. When my luggage was delayed, they located 3 swimming suits for me to use so I could enjoy the hot tub. We were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary and were surprised with a special cake.

A highlight was a private fjord cruise and visit to the historic Hotel Union Oye where the rooms are like living museums. Our boat captain was very engaging in spite of the overcast, rainy weather. We enjoyed working with Torunn’s team and recommend their services.

We had the most amazing time on our trip to Norway! The team tailored a trip that was perfect for us with a variety of outdoor activities that allowed us to see the amazing views. They set up a cooking / dinner experience in Bergen that was incredible and something that’s not even offered to the general public.

Every time we asked locals for recommendations on hikes, restaurants, activities, etc. they were all items that we already had on our itinerary from them. They were also great about taking into account my father-in-law’s food preferences. Almost every single meal he had was prepared gluten and dairy free without even asking!

The most unique experience of our trip was this amazing treehouse (the Woodnest) in Voss that we got to stay in for one night. It included a hike to the cabin and provided great accommodations with incredible views.

10/10 would recommend to anyone considering this trip!

We recently returned from an unforgettable two-week adventure in Copenhagen and Norway with another couple that are our close friends. Torunn and Anya orchestrated a perfect journey for us.

First, they prepared us impeccably for the unpredictable weather—thank goodness! Norway’s climate can be a bit of a surprise, but Torunn and Anya had us pack for everything from 75 degrees and sunny to 45 degrees and rainy. Our wardrobe included shorts, bathing suits, rain pants, jackets, smart wool layers, and fleeces—layers, layers, layers! While other travelers canceled activities due to inappropriate gear, we were always ready to embrace the elements.

Although a couple of activities were canceled, we quickly pivoted to alternatives from a list they had provided. We spent one delightful day exploring museums in Trondheim (including their awesome Rockheim museum of pop and rock) and another indulged in extra spa time in the beautiful surroundings of our hotel. Both days turned out to be incredibly enjoyable. Ironically, we received your article about adapting to inclement weather right around that time—we could have been the poster children for it!

Second, Torunn and Anya excelled in finding authentic experiences to connect us with locals—something you know well! They really listened to our needs, preferences, and interests and created a great itinerary with a great mix of active, relaxing, engaging, and memorable. Some highlights include:

• Our private bike tour in Copenhagen began with a bit of disappointment, as our guide was an expat from LA, but we had such interesting conversations with her about her decision to move her family to Denmark and the process for citizenship and talking about the different cultures and lifestyles that we were thrilled by the end. We learned so much from her.

• In Trondheim, we enjoyed a hilarious evening at the Visit Bjørn dinner—it was a real hoot! With only one other group present, employees from the dairy cooperative Tine, we had some engaging conversations. Spotting Tine products throughout our trip became a fun game. Bjørn and his wife were very fun, wonderful hosts and the food (and drink) were great.

• During a travel day, we stopped at Tingvoll for a cheese lunch and farm tour. It was captivating and the cheeses were amazing! We could have spent the whole day talking to the owner about their ethical and thoughtful farming practices.

• We requested something like a “WOW” moment, a surprise activity that we paid for ourselves (used our last WOW certificate already), and they delivered! We had a magical dinner in Øye with a local couple in their family’s milking shed up in the valley, followed by a walk to a hidden waterfall. It felt like stepping into a fairyland, a truly enchanting experience, and getting to know the couple and hear their history and family stories made the whole thing highly meaningful and really special.

• At the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, we enjoyed a private guided tour with the director, Thor Heyerdahl’s granddaughter. It was particularly thrilling for us because we studied Heyerdahl’s work in college, and exciting for our friends learning about his amazing achievements for the first time.

Third, the hotels and restaurants they chose were all lovely and very charming and well-located, with friendly staff who made us feel at home. Special thanks to Martha at the Storfjord Hotel and the delightful day and evening staff at the Britannia Hotel in Trondheim. They were simply wonderful and made a great hotel that much more memorable.

We’d highly recommend Torunn and her team—they really made our time in Norway and Copenhagen special.

We had a fantastic trip to Copenhagen and Norway in June-July 2024 through Torunn’s office. Our family of four (parents and two young adult daughters) loved everything about our trip. The hotels chosen by Henriette were lovely and always in great locations where we could walk easily to most everything we wanted to do. We had several great meals at restaurants either booked or recommended by Torunn’s team. Our favorite stay was in Nikkahuset, a 250-year-old farmhouse in the small town of Valldal. Our host, Leif, was so friendly and cooked us fantastic dinners from his grandmother’s recipes. We loved exploring the farm grounds and the fjords from this location, and learned that in our next trip we’d like to have more of these rural experiences where we get to know our hosts.

We also spent several days in each of Copenhagen, Oslo and Bergen, and we left each place wishing we could stay longer. The two highlights of our trip (other than Nikkahuset) were the private cruise through the fjords with a wine tasting and lunch in the very small village of Trandal, and the guided hike in Bergen, where we rode the funicular to the top of the mountain and then hiked over and down to a 500-year-old farm where we had lunch and a brief baking class (the baking was our Wendy Perrin WOW Moment). Everything during the trip went off without a hitch — drivers were on time, our scheduled activities went smoothly, the hotels expected us, etc. We almost always use Wendy Perrin planners for our “big” trips because they are able to arrange unique experiences that we would not find on our own, and this trip was no exception.

I will say that early in the planning process we found Torunn’s office to not be as responsive in their communications as we are used to with other planners recommended by Wendy Perrin — i.e. they would say they would get back to us in a week, and we’d have to follow up multiple times to get a response a month later. I’m used to planning trips very early — especially so we can book airline tickets — and I was initially concerned that it took so much time and follow-up to get responses to basic questions and an initial trip outline. But once we were on the trip itself, Torunn’s staff were very quick to respond to messages sent through their trip app. We are already planning a return trip to Norway and would definitely use them again.

From May 8th to May 18th, my husband and I traveled with friends, another couple, to Norway. This was our first time traveling together and we worked with Torunn’s team to put together a trip that met all of our needs. We worked with Danny and he created an itinerary that included many of the aspects of travel that we had requested. We shared with Danny that we wanted to experience Norway over ten days, inclusive of both city sights and experiences as well as country- and nature-focused activities, great food (but too fancy), art, culture, architecture, attentive service, physical activity (not too hard, not too easy), intimate lodging (but with amenities and not too small). We were asking for a lot and he delivered.

We learned that travel around Norway can be time-consuming, there is a lot of ground to cover and the initial itinerary had us traveling to four or five different areas, which we felt would add too many logistical details and travel-day stress, and Danny and Anja had no trouble shifting things around so we agreed on three days in Oslo, three days in Aurland and three days in Bergen, which was a wonderful balance.

The hotels they selected were really nice. Amerikalinjen was pleasant, great location, walkable to everything we could want with a pleasant restaurant on site, and a solid breakfast buffet. The Opus XVI in Bergen was also on target and a great location from where we were able to experience the big May 17th celebration without being too central to the wide range of activities. The crown jewel of the trip was staying at 29/2 Aurland: an eco lodge in the countryside that delivered on everything — lodging, food and dining, atmosphere, personnel, and wonderful guides.

Torunn’s office paired us with local guides and drivers that were full of stories of the regions and their own experiences, and this allowed us to really feel that we were getting a taste of real Norway, not just a tourist’s perspective. It also allowed our guided excursions to be more fluid and take different directions than we originally planned. A highlight that I will mention was a visit to a cheese farm while we were in Bergen. When we saw this on the itinerary, we thought sure, fun, why not and expected a large, commercial operation but what we experienced was so much more! A small dairy farm of maybe twelve cows and a family-run operation with six employees. We were treated to a tour of the operations and then a buffet of cheese selections, including one voted World’s Best Cheese. The cheese was delicious but it was the way we were welcomed, the stories shared that made it special and in fact, the farmer/owner, Jørn, even offered to take us out on his sailboat the following day! The sail did not work out but it was a generous offer!

The travel planned was all quite comfortable — the scenic train ride to Flam was beautiful and a great way to experience the landscape. As was the electric ferry when we headed to Bergen. My only comment there is to be aware of the cruise-ship schedule, as our ferry ride coincided with a very large group of cruise goers and was quite crowded.

All in all, we felt that we were able to experience different parts of Norway, enough that we will definitely return to further explore. Torunn’s team heard us when we described our vision for the trip, helped with logistics so it was all seamless and created an itinerary that met all of our needs and it went so well that not only did we stay friends, we are starting to plan our next trip together!

All things considered, this holiday in Scandinavia was what some would describe as a bucket-list journey. Torunn’s office laid out a comfortable mix of travel modes and a leisurely time schedule. There were many memorable moments dining, talking with locals and looking at the stunning countryside. We would enjoy visiting Scandinavia again and would engage Torunn and team if we decide to travel there.

Barbara Lich’s son climbing in Norway’s mountaineering capital of Andelsnes.

Our trip (planned by Torunn and Karin) exceeded expectations! Wow! Norway. My husband and I wanted to take our four children on a graduation trip to Norway. When we first talked with Torunn, she listened to what worked for my family in previous trips, what we were looking for (an active trip to see and experience as much as possible). And she delivered!

Our children are ages 25, 22, 18 and 14. Our trip started in Oslo where we dined at the amazing Solsiden Restaurant. My family has a multitude of food allergies and Torunn’s office managed this expertly by advising the restaurants ahead of time and helping select restaurants that could manage them. We ate very well! The hotel selections were perfect for my family. When Torunn heard that our daughter is a competitive figure skater and wanted to see sights near the 1994 Olympic venue in Lillehammer, she arranged that we would stop in Lillehammer and even set up bobsledding (!) at the Olympic Training site! That was an experience to remember.

We next enjoyed a beautiful train ride to Andelsnes! Our historic hotel was so beautiful! We felt like we were sitting in the middle of a postcard. Andelsnes is near the most gorgeous mountains and a top destination for mountain climbers. Our oldest son is a climber and has earned some certifications for climbing. Karin arranged the most expert mountaineering guide with international certification and amazing demeanor for my oldest son—it was the highlight of his trip. They climbed for 12 hours and the Alpine Hike was one of the most difficult. It was an experience he will never forget…and the lovely staff at Hotel Aak held his dinner for him to enjoy when he returned at 11 pm at night! The hotel was not only beautiful but the staff was so helpful and kind. From Hotel Aak we went to Nikkahuset, a villa owned and run by Leif. My family enjoyed two days with him preparing outstanding meals and he took us to see Trollsvegen since it was closed near Andalsnes. We loved to sleep listening to the running river and seeing the adorable sheep across the way.

From Valldall and Nikkahuset, we took a very long and scenic drive through the mountains to Hotel Walaker in the Lusterfjord. What a beautiful place. Here we enjoyed a RIB boat ride and gorgeous waterfall hike! Not to mention the outstanding meals we ate at the hotel. Friendly and helpful staff. Gorgeous location on the fjord. Karin arranged for us to end our trip in Bergen. There my daughter and I had a great morning horseback ride with the most friendly and kind trainer. That afternoon, my husband and children took a 90-minute helicopter tour over Hardangerfjord. Karin called and confirmed that morning that the weather was good for the helicopter and that it might be a bit windy. My family loved that helicopter experience. Sadly it was time to depart the next morning. What a beautiful country and special family time! We really loved every minute and would recommend Torunn’s team to everyone.

Barbara Palter and her husband during their ice fishing/snowshoe adventure in Alta, Norway.

My husband and I had watched the episode of The Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy where he had visited Finland to see the Northern Lights. We had the bug and had to see them for ourselves!

We immediately contacted Wendy to find out where we should travel to not only see the lights but also to experience a great adventure. She suggested that our needs would be best met in Norway. We were then connected with Torunn and her team, who listened to our requests and put together a terrific 10-day itinerary.

We spent the bulk of our time in the north of the country dogsledding, ice fishing, meeting the Samis, the Indigenous people of Norway, and interacting with the most fascinating people.

We were lucky to see the Northern Lights quite a few times and the phenomenon did not disappoint. However, the highlight for us was the dog sledding excursion from Engeholm Husky Lodge. We were under the impression that we would be riding in a sled pulled by some huskies, but boy were we wrong! We were driving the sleds ourselves — that was quite the experience and one we will never forget.

We ended our adventure in Oslo and had quite a treat planned by Torunn’s office. We visited Grøndalen farm, a family-run dairy farm. Hans, his son Lars who now runs the farm, and his family have owned the farm since the 1600s and can trace their lineage back to the Vikings. He introduced us to his dairy cows, which he taught us how to milk. Most importantly, he shared with us his family’s philosophy for taking care of the cows; specifically, how calves and mothers are not separated at birth as is typical in most farms. Instead, calves stay with their mothers until 2 months of age…happy cows make extra-yummy milk! That milk is then turned into a delicious thick labneh type of product called Nyr. To top it off, we were invited to have dinner with the family. Hans’ wife cooked a delicious meal complete with ice-cream Nyr; the food and the conversation made it a truly special evening!

A huge thank you to Torunn’s team for creating an unforgettable adventure!!

Kathye and her husband watched for the northern lights from inside this glass igloo.

Seeing the Aurora Borealis has been on my bucket list for ages and it was time to make it happen! With Wendy’s help we were connected with Torunn Tronsvang, who planned a terrific 10-day adventure for us in northern Norway in February, 2024. I worked with Karin Andresen on many of the details and Karin did a wonderful job too. My focus was seeing the lights (we saw them twice, yippee!), but the entire trip turned out to be way better than we expected due to the fun activities Torunn and Karin planned for us.

We started in Alta, well north of the Arctic Circle, and stayed at a great property outside of the town in a beautiful setting on the banks of a frozen river. We went snowshoeing (easier than I thought it would be) and ice fishing with Kelle of Glod Explorer, and his husky Bruno. Jim caught an Arctic Char so our lunch was as fresh is it could get! Sitting in a lavvu, around a fire, sipping hot chocolate and eating fresh-caught fish was a real treat. We also took a snowmobile ride at night at Bjornfjeld Mountain Lodge. We were cozy in a beautiful mountaintop glass igloo, cooked our dinner over a fire and looked for the lights. On our last day in Alta we spent several hours dog sledding in the beautiful Finnmark forest and on frozen lakes, which was one of the highlights of the trip. Our guide, Hannah, ran the Iditarod two years ago and was so expert on the trails. We loved our day with her and her dog teams.

While en route to our next destination (we saw moose, reindeer and foxes along the way), we had lunch with Johan, a Sami elder, in the village of Maze. His family has raised and herded reindeer for generations and his sons are poised to take care of the business someday. We learned so much from him about his profession, about the Sami, and got to meet some of his reindeer. Fascinating.

In Karasjok we stayed at one of the most unique, exceptional small properties we’ve ever seen. Every cabin and all of the furniture in each of the 7 cabins has been built by hand from natural materials. This place is a hidden gem, set in the forest and truly magical. On property were 45 Alaskan Huskies who were very friendly and loved “cuddles” from everyone. One of our days was spent with Magrit, a Sami woman who has spent her entire life raising and herding reindeer. We went with her by snowmobile, up high in the mountains, to see and feed some of her family’s herd. We spent time in the forest around a warm fire and she shared stories with us about her life. On our last day there, I went dog sledding with the Alaskan Huskies—it was an exciting ride where the dogs broke a new trail in deep, newly fallen snow on the frozen lake. It was a wonderful experience I will never forget.

The last few days of the trip were spent in Oslo where our expert guide took us to the Nobel Peace Prize Museum (very, very moving), and the National Museum (which houses Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”). We saw several contemporary buildings—the Library and the Opera House—watched some young men run from the sauna and jump into the 32-degree water of the harbor (yikes!); and toured the Vigeland Sculpture Park.

The Aurora was as wondrous as I expected and we were so lucky to see it. Northern Norway is a beautiful part of the world with clean water, clean air, warm and friendly people and so accessible to the outdoors. When we asked local guides (who grew up in Alta and Karasjok) if they ever wanted to move away, their answer was NO!!!! We could understand why.

The trip was so smooth due to Torunn and Karin’s expertise. Prior to and during the trip we made a few itinerary adjustments and all went perfectly. All of the guides and ground transportation services were there when and where they were supposed to be, and the outfitters and lodging choices were a great fit for us. We are so glad we saw the lights but we are also so appreciative of the adventures we experienced on this wonderful, enchanting trip.

Norway was truly magical! I had an unexpected week off after Thanksgiving and saw Norway pop up on the Wendy Perrin newsletter. After speaking with Torunn, I was sold. Torunn, Mari and the team gave me a great itinerary as a solo traveler with only a week available. I rode the magical Flam Railway and was mesmerized by Hafslo. The pictures I took did not fully capture the beauty I had the privilege of witnessing. BesteBekken was the best place to stay. Lindis cooked all the meals (accommodating all dietary restrictions) and was the tour guide to boot. We bonded in just the few short days. Her alpacas were adorable as well!

Next it was travel up north to the Lofoten Islands. Despite needing to change planes a few times, the process went off so smoothly. I was a bit anxious about renting a car but Torunn’s team was absolutely correct that this was the way to go. The apartment I stayed at in Henningsvær was on the water and a perfect location for the places I needed to get to. I had a blast making cheese with organic cheesemakers and making glass beads with a seasoned glassmaker. We were unlucky with our Northern Lights excursion but learned a lot about the physics behind their occurrence. Luck visited me the next night when I saw the lights while walking to dinner. This trip was an unexpected joy. I can’t wait to visit again in other seasons. But to be honest, I would totally go back in the winter again (so many more places to visit in this winter wonderland).

Our family spent a memorable 12 days in Norway in August. Norway is a beautiful, large and varied country and there was no possibility to see it all in the time we had. Thankfully, we had Torunn on our side! She listened and delivered on our request for an active, adventurous vacation with our kids (17 & 19 years old), mixed in with some downtime. Our trip did not disappoint.

Torunn suggested a loop that included mountains, forest and the coast, as well as varied transportation (train, car, boat and ferry), so that we could experience a wide range of what Norway offers. The lodging were all boutique hotels and while they may not have had typical luxury amenities, they were full of charm, local food and character, and really lovely people.

After exploring Oslo, we took the scenic Rauma Railway from Oslo to Lillehammer, followed by a bus to Andalsnes where we climbed the via ferrata (a real highlight!) and e-biked up the switchbacks of Trollstigen Road. The train was supposed to go all the way to Andalsnes but recent rains had flooded the tracks, which required us to switch to a bus midway. Torunn’s office seamlessly took care of switching our train tickets before we even knew there was an issue.

Next we drove The Geiranger-Trollstigen Scenic Route to Valldal, where we stayed in the most beautiful chalet at Juvet. We enjoyed the quiet scenery but balanced it with a canyoning adventure. Don’t miss the cinnamon rolls at the cafe at the waterfall across the street!

We continued along the Scenic Route Geiranger-Trollstigen towards the town of Geiranger. Once there we caught the ferry through the Geiranger Fjord. The drive and the ferry allowed us to see a wide range of Norwegian landscapes. On the way to our next stop, we went horseback riding on Norwegian Fjord horses, one of the oldest horse breeds in the world.

Our last stop was the fishing village of Kalvag, where Torunn’s team arranged for a typical Norwegian shrimp dinner to be in our apartment at the Knutholmen Hotel for our late arrival. We went out on a fishing boat with a local fisherman, eating our catch for lunch on an island that is no longer inhabited (unless you count sheep!). We also tried the (very hot) sauna on the pier, interspersed with (very cold) dips in the water, and went on a scenic hike.

We truly enjoyed the beautiful landscapes, unique lodging and warm, welcoming people. Our itinerary was well-designed; Torunn and her team made sure we had a smooth trip that encompassed all of our requests covering every detail, including reservations at fantastic restaurants in Oslo. We hope to return to Norway to explore the parts we didn’t get to on this trip!!

A small group of longtime friends planned an Arctic Expedition trip close to 2 years ago. As we approached the time of the trip it turned out that we had more time and could spend a week in Norway. We considered planning this extra time ourselves and actually renting a car and driving from Bergen to Oslo. When that plan was discarded we looked for help in putting together a cross-country travel plan. Family members who had lived in Norway for a long time offered some suggestions to get us started. It wasn’t until we hooked up with Torunn that the plan took shape. The only requests we made in the beginning was to do “Norway in a Nutshell” from Oslo to Bergen. Two of our group of 6 were continuing on another cruise up the western coast of Norway starting in Bergen, so we already knew that Norway in a Nutshell was the only way for our friends to see more of the interior of Norway. Norway in a Nutshell was delightful. It was easy to move from one form of transportation to the next — 3 trains, a ferry, and a bus — and 12 hours later we were in Bergen.

Torunn’s office made arrangements for porter service to pick up our luggage in Oslo and deliver to the hotel we had booked Bergen — THAT was a fantastic idea. We had an app that laid out the whole trip — from June 30th – July 5th. The app contained the schedules, descriptions of what we would see, all tickets, contact information for Torunn’s team in case we needed to contact them, and contact names for outings and activities pre-booked for us. Everything about this trip was easy. We were comfortable, we were confident, and we were ready to continue our trip.

We spent a few days in Bergen sightseeing, eating and got ready to leave again. The ferry dock was around the corner from our hotel, which was very convenient. It was close to 4 very scenic hours from Bergen to Balustrade. Upon disembarking from the ferry we were met by our booked driver, who took our luggage for us as we walked the short distance to the historic Kviknes Hotel. Family owned since 1752, it is charming with beautiful views of Sognefjord, and an extensive collection of artwork and antiques. Our time there included a private cider tasting and lunch before Gunnar brought the car around and we headed to Fjærland to via Gaularfjellet — the Norwegian Scenic Route. This route was established in the 1930’s as a transportation route over the the mountains. Now it is a scenic alternative to the main roads. Stunning waterfalls, wild rapids, peaks and valleys.

We arrived at Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel in the late afternoon — another charming historic property from the 1930’s. This is where Sognefjord meets the Jostedalsbreen Glacier. The hotel is small, 15 rooms, committed to sustainability, supporting local farmers to supply the restaurant, with amazing views of the fjords. The hotel manager enjoys conversing with guests, telling the history of the hotel, and information about the local community. Dinner was included with our stay and it was delicious. The next day we were booked for a guided hike to Besshovden, where we would have a picnic lunch and view of Fjærlandsfjorden. The morning was pouring rain and we decided to pass on the hike. Instead we walked to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. The hotel manager had talked about the museum during pre-dinner drinks the night before — how it started, why it was established, what it means to the community. It was a fascinating experience, then we walked back to Fjærland for lunch. Later we were booked for a session in a floating sauna down the street from the hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow views of mountains, the lake, and glaciers (and a take-your-breath-away cold plunge into the lake).

In the morning, Gunnar gathered us up and drove us from the fjord to the mountains, to Geilo. Another scenic drive to a mountain resort and checked into Geilo Mountain Lodge.

This property was built in 1917, a private English home in the mountains. The lodge has an interesting history and the current owner and host, Jan, loves to share the story. Another fabulous dinner in a beautiful dining room with authentic English appointments. In the morning we were served a great breakfast, we walked around the area and village before Jan drove us to the train station to go to Oslo Airport. Another scenic train ride — terminated at the airport. We were booked into the Radisson Blu Hotel at the airport, which was so convenient for our morning flights the next day.

The trip that Torunn’s team planned and booked for us exceeded all expectations. More importantly, we never would have found any of those places ourselves. We are experienced travellers and most of the time we plan and book everything on our own. The decision that we made to engage Torunn’s office was so smart. We had one minor glitch — they were easy to get ahold of and they cleared it up immediately!!

Torunn quickly grasped our interests, desires, travel style, and preferences. She promised to connect us to the “real Norway.” This came to mean experiencing the spectacular environment, meeting people of all kinds, and learning about the Norwegian way of life. Our trip accomplished these goals in ways far beyond our expectations.

Norway is profoundly beautiful. The scope and diversity of our itinerary proved valuable. We could not stop taking pictures of the majestic fjords, omnipresent waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, the troll wall, and charming fishing villages. We also enjoyed cruise ports like Bergen, Alesund, and Oslo with their varied attractions and vibrant harbors.

Our interaction with the natural beauty of Norway was enhanced by Torunn’s clever use of variable forms of transportation. Targeted for just the right places, they included ferries, cars/drivers, fjord shuttles, buses, rental cars, and trains. Highlights were time spent on the water in fjords and the breathtaking Rauma train ride along the troll wall toward Dombas.

Weatherwise, we were lucky. No one could believe it but mid-June 2023 was unexpectedly sunny and warm. The hats, gloves, sweaters, jackets, and raingear Torunn had thoughtfully recommended packing remained in our suitcases the whole trip.

The people Torunn arranged for us to meet at various venues are special and memorable. They were warm, welcoming, informative, and above all, interesting. Among them is Sven, the entrepreneurial owner of Knutholmen in Kalvag who works harder to please his clients than anyone we have met. He became an instant friend. Fjord skipper Roy taught us about commercial fishing and graciously shared much of his life story, helping us learn what growing up in remote Norway is all about. Driver Per delighted in taking us to see a replica Viking ship. Dinner with Edith and Jon at their hilltop “summer pasture” cabin near Oye was a memorable experience filled with stories about Jon’s longtime mink business and special Norwegian delicacies to try, topped off with Edith’s handmade chocolates. Fjord skipper Daniel took us to his family guest house at Trandal where we were thrilled by the famous swing and braved deer-burgers and brown cheese ice cream, both delicious. Guide Britt, also an osteopath, was unusually informative and interesting. She took us on a delightful hike, showed us around the Tafjord village where she grew up, described her annual reindeer hunt, and escorted us to a friend’s guest house for a delicious lunch of deer lasagna.

Introductions to persons like these added immeasurable pleasure to our trip. But we also met many wonderful Norwegians while traveling, in shops, and even just seeking directions in the street.

Our hotels were superb and often historical. Without exception, they were situated in gorgeous surroundings and well managed with great service. The room types Torunn chose for us were perfect. Breakfast buffets were exquisite, and our included welcome dinners were delicious. Remarkable hotel staffers came from all over Norway and beyond. Each hotel was unique and memorable but our favorites were Knutholmen in Kalvag, Hotel Union Oye, and the amazing Storfjord Hotel.

The new-to-us comprehensive Trip Planner web app used by Torunn’s office made managing trip logistics remarkably simple. All the details and tickets were in one place. Thanks to Torunn’s colleagues Anja, Karin, and Mari, the chat feature made it easy to get questions answered and quickly resolve several minor hiccups.

As is evident, Torunn did indeed connect us to the “real Norway.” We will long remember this spectacular trip and the special people we met.

Torunn and her team planned a wonderful 3-week trip to Norway for us that we finished in June. We traveled from Oslo to Nesseby, which is past the Arctic Circle near the Russian border, spending 3 nights each in 7 venues. Torunn tailored the trip to our preferences which lean towards a bit of adventure and agri-tourism, and she provided some memorable experiences. In the north we stayed at a 2-room lodge run by a Sami fisherman and spent a morning crab fishing on his boat and an afternoon on an archaeological walk with his wife. He was an excellent cook and served foods he and his wife had caught, shot, or foraged from the landscape. He served the crab we caught in 3 different preparations, each of which was excellent. The next day we toured the area with a Sami reindeer herder. We also spent time on a small island well out in the Atlantic where we kayaked along the seashore to a lighthouse; foraged in Trondheim with a professional forager picking plants for our lunch; visited a dairy near Oslo producing a unique cheese product and advocating a more humane way to treat dairy cattle; and spent 3 nights at a farm with a gourmet chef specializing in dishes featuring fruit and vegetables from the farm.
We received very personal treatment from the hosts at our smaller venues and each of them indicated how much they valued their relationship with Torunn. There is no way we could have found these experiences on our own. The hotel and apartment selection in Trondeim, Inderoy, and Oslo was nicely curated as well.

Our wedding anniversary occurred during the trip and Torunn arranged a WOW Moment for us that was great fun. We were in Aurland at a farm set in a stunningly beautiful valley with steep mountainsides and many waterfalls. We were serenaded for our anniversary by a musician playing a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, a type of double-strung violin. The venue was a small shelter with a magnificent view, and we toasted ourselves and the trip with homemade pear Kombucha made by the chef. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Norway is a long country; it is farther to Nesseby from Oslo than it is from Oslo to Paris. Because we travelled as far north and to as many places as we did, we had several long travel days, mostly by train or ferry. Both modes of transportation travel through beautiful landscapes.

We recommend both Norway and Torunn’s team.

Truly a trip of a lifetime. My family of 4 (me, my husband and two adult boys) went to Alta in early January, where we went dogsledding, snowmobiling, and saw the northern lights. In Oslo we went on a very interesting architecture tour. The highlight was relaxing in the lodge sauna after a day spent snowmobiling and getting called by the lodge staff to come outside to watch the northern lights! The staff at all of the places Torunn and Mari sent us to were exceptional and would go out of their way to provide assistance. We can’t wait to go back sometime in the summer now and see the same location again.

My daughter and I traveled to the following locations in Norway between Oct 2-11, 2022: Oslo, Fjaerland, Hoyeimsvik, and Skabu. The trip was organized by Torunn Tronsvang, based in Oslo. I would rate every aspect of this trip as a 10 on a 1-10 scale. Torunn’s office was extremely thorough in working to understand what my daughter and I were most interested in seeing and doing during the trip. They arranged personally guided tours ranging from hikes to boat rides. They booked us into exquisite hotels and were also available for questions by text or phone at any point during our travels. In summary, they curated a magnificent trip for us and I would give them my highest recommendation.

Our trip to Norway was incomparable—far better than we could have imagined, and our expectations were high. That’s because we were supposed to make this trip in March 2020, and we postponed at the last minute because of impending COVID shutdowns. Our travel planner, Torunn Tronsvang, worked with us over the past 2.5 years to make sure that the trip could be made safely and easily. We can’t praise her and her team enough!

We’re very glad we traveled now, and so happy to have worked with Torunn.

Torunn and her team put together an itinerary that was full of special places: a luxurious yet rustic-feeling hotel on a fjord outside Ålesund, along with a fjord cruise and visit to a tiny fjord community; a night at an Art Nouveau hotel in Ålesund that was literally on the water; amazing visits to two islands above the Arctic Circle: Lofoten and Senja; a short, very wonderful stay in Oslo. We had amazing dinners, from fish tongues in Senja (they’re delicious!) to sophisticated French cuisine in Oslo to several tasting menu dinners that were each works of art.

When the trip was originally planned, we’d targeted March for the Northern Lights possibilities. But now when we were ready to travel, we didn’t want to postpone any longer and risk yet another outbreak in the fall-winter of this year. Torunn worked with us to shift the trip to September. By doing that, we saw Lofoten and Senja in an amazing array of fall colors. And although no trip planner can guarantee Northern Lights, Torunn helped us scout the best time in the fall (around the autumnal equinox) to improve our chances of seeing the Northern Lights. And we did see them, on two nights in Lofotfen!

We could not be more happy with Torunn. The live itinerary app that she uses was such a great tool! Her office updated it with any necessary changes (a couple meals shifted, for example), and they sometimes communicated airline gate changes to us faster than the airline’s own app. The chat function was super helpful as well.

All of the experiences, dining, and travel logistics felt COVID appropriate to us. COVID seems to have mostly abated in Norway, so it was not really a major consideration. But we always felt that the properties and people we were dealing with were aware of possible issues and attended to them.

We didn’t encounter any specific challenges or destination-related problems, but during our long planning process, Torunn did make changes from our original itinerary if she thought that she’d found a better accommodation or dining option. For example, our accommodation in Senja, a beautiful lighthouse-inspired tower on the doorstep of a national park, was a switch from the 2020 plan. We are so glad she made the suggestion. Not only was the lighthouse an amazing place to stay, the property’s owner, Hege, CEO of Norwegian Wild, was a warm and wonderful guide for us. She refashioned a planned night of Northern Light chasing when it became clear that the weather wasn’t going to cooperate. Instead, she spent a day with us, driving us to find the best photo spots. She also made two amazing meals during our stay: a salmon stew that she cooked on a wood stove in a fisherman’s hut on the edge of the fjord, and reindeer pizza in the cafe at the Norwegian Wild campground. We would never have met Hege without Torunn.

Without question, Torunn added value to our trip. She listened closely to what we were looking for in our trip and made those things happen. But she also planned for us lodgings, restaurants and experiences we would never have found on our own.

For example: Our host for an afternoon in a fjord village, Eli Anne, grew up there and is part of the community effort to keep the little town alive. She showed us the village school that her mother attended and which is now a little museum—and we met her mother at the lunch Eli Anne made for us at her home! She showed us the area’s steep gorges and described the importance of avalanche control in the area. She knows that from personal experience: Her grandfather and uncle died in a terrible avalanche in 1971—an event that changed how Norway addresses avalanche risks. You can’t possibly get that kind of experience unless the travel planner is very knowledgeable about the region and is attuned to the traveler’s interests.

If a traveler is going to work with Torunn, I would say to take her counsel on locations to visit, things to do and how long to stay in various places. For instance, we had asked about visiting Bergen, and she suggested Ålesund instead. The city center, which is composed of all Art Nouveau buildings, is so beautiful. But she also knew that Ålesund wasn’t worth more than a short stay. It is touristy, because it is a cruise-ship destination. Our hotel was a wonderfully calm place, and the overnight stay gave us a chance to buy some things we needed for the ongoing trip. She also told us about Senja, an island that is less well known to Northern Lights visitors than is Lofoten. It’s much less visited and possibly even more beautiful. We loved our time there and have talked about visiting again! There is nothing in the tour itinerary that I would have avoided!

PANDEMIC TRAVEL  We are glad that we chose to travel in Norway, as there were so few Americans there. Torunn was wonderful to work with. While she initially came back with a plan that was $9000 over our initial budget, she worked with us and respected our desire to stay within our budget. She paid close attention to our wants and needs and arranged a great trip for us. She surprised us by popping in to visit us at a restaurant at dinner our first night in Norway. It was nice to meet her in person. Most impressively, she dealt with our cancelled SAS flight from the fjords to the Arctic. She worked hard to give us a similar experience that we were hoping for in the Arctic (a fishing village) and managed to give us the same experience and booked us new flights on a different airline, all within 24 hours!!!! This experience solidified my appreciation for using a trip planner. Torunn asked us for feedback when we finished the trip in order to plan for future travelers. We gave a detailed and very positive list, with only a few change suggestions. Thank you for leading us to Torunn. I would absolutely recommend her to travelers to Norway.

My husband, 2 older teen agers and I spent 10 days in Norway. Our trip, planned by Torunn, was wonderful and exactly as we had asked. Our favorite part of the trip was meeting local people and having time to hear stories and explore the way people live, including a meal in the summer farmhouse on the mountain high over the fiord, a ramble in the hills of a generations old sheep farm and a fiord cruise captained by a technology professor. We had a mix of active and quieter days and stayed in hotels and guest houses that put us in the middle of beautiful scenery and offered excellent and kind service. We had some dietary restrictions that were carefully attended to in all the delicious meals we ate. I appreciated having access to Torunn throughout our trip via an online app and found her and her staff to be professional, organized and flexible. Torunn listened carefully to what we wanted on our trip, so be sure to let her know how you like to travel and then enjoy meeting people who feel like friends and family.