Exploring the geographical and cultural wonders of Scandinavia
By Judie Knudtson, First-time traveler, Jacksonville, Florida
I would say I’ve done a considerable amount of traveling in my life. When I was younger, it was a project of my dad’s to visit all of the state capitals, as well as places of interest, like the Grand Canyon. For my 16th birthday, he treated me to a trip visiting New England and Canada, where I sampled my first lobster in Bar Harbor, Maine. When the finger bowl was placed in front of me, I thought it was soup!
Since then, I’ve been to all 50 states, Canada, all of Central America, England and Scotland, Ireland, France, and Holland. But I feel especially drawn to Norway. It may be because Norwegians I’ve known have a sweet innocence about them that sets them apart. To me, the land is beautiful and magical.
One of the many beautiful fjords Judie witnessed during her journey to Scandinavia.
My Norwegian Fjords & Lapland trip was my first Grand Circle vacation—and my first tour ever. My friends who introduced me to Grand Circle convinced me that it was the best way to travel, and especially as a solo traveler. Also, after contacting other travel agencies, I found Grand Circle to be incomparably more user-friendly. If I could only make one adventurous journey in my lifetime, this would be it. I was especially excited because I knew I would become friends with my fellow travelers before I went—as they shared my interests in the fjords, Sami (northern Scandinavian people), and reindeer.
Since I’m hearing-impaired, one might think that has caused some difficulties in my travels, but it’s never impaired my ability to travel. I have yet to meet anyone who was so impatient as to not indulge me when asking them to repeat themselves for me. As long as I am facing someone, I do fine.
During her visit to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society in Hammerfest, Norway, Judie gets cozy with one of the furry creatures on display.
Our Program Director, Johan Pearson, was exceptional and made an already wonderful tour unbelievably perfect. He kept us all on track with punctual timing and proper information, and was an overflowing fountain of knowledge. He was personable and gracious, and I wish he led every tour!
Although Finland was not on my wish list of places to visit, I was overwhelmed with this country. Since I’m Lutheran, I was fascinated with the beautiful Lutheran churches. In Helsinki, the Lutheran Cathedral was reminiscent of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the natural setting of Temppeliaukio Church created acoustics so refined you could hear a pin drop.
In Lapland, the reindeer farm visit and the Siida Museum were fascinating. Spending personal time with the Sami was a definite highlight of the trip. The breathtaking and incomparable beauty of Norway with its magical fjords and folklore, and excellent roads and quaint villages, has stolen my heart.
Judie stands at the entrance of a Sami hut at Lapland’s Siida Museum.
I’m so glad I chose to do the “Old and New Norway” optional tour, with a visit to the beautiful Oygarden. And our included tour, Norway in a Nutshell, had so much adventure packed into a few hours that it’s hard to remember it all—but it included the Flam Railway, a ferry ride for a panoramic cruise on the Sognefjord to Flam, building a snowman at Myrdal, and seeing a fjord frozen over!
Seeing the fjords close up was exciting, and I perceived that the fjords have moods: Sometimes they were cheerful and bright, sometimes somber and quiet, and sometimes angry. It was strange to see a snow-laden mountain beside a mountain with no snow, and it was exciting to view the Norwegian countryside in depth, and not just the tourist attractions.
There was an air of excitement among us at Kirkenes, being so close to the Russian border. And just knowing that we were above the Arctic Circle was exciting. Watching the landscape change as we neared Kirkenes was a beautiful transformation.
Judie and her Sami guide make a couple of new reindeer friends.
Our Hurtigruten cruise was far more than the rudimentary layout that I expected. What a surprise to see the most excellent seafood buffet prepared for us, and all the meals were grand! Charming little villages dotted the landscape as the ship made mail stops along the way, and I imagined what life might be like for these villagers as they went about their daily rituals. Meanwhile, passengers hopped on and off the ship from town to town as if on a bus.
After returning from my trip to Norway, I participated in a genographic study with my DNA and discovered that I actually have Norwegian roots!
I’ve realized that travel broadens the mind and gives the understanding that there are many different cultures and lifestyles from which we can learn about the world we live in, and it gives us a measure in which we can compare ourselves. We learn if we prefer the way we live and eat, or does this different culture invite us to make changes—even ever so small changes, that can only serve to unite our cultures in brotherhood.
Experience the beautiful landscapes—and welcoming Sami—on our Norwegian Fjords & Lapland vacation.