Press trip to the Fjords and magic North!

Magic has never been more accessible. With Widerøes direct flights from Dublin to Bergen, you can swap the drab and grey views for an authentic Norwegian nature experience. This autumn, we are inviting Irish media on a press trip to see the best of what Norway has to offer.

Untouched landscapes that look like they’re straight from a Munch painting. Cuisine that's so fresh you can still feel the salty water that it was pulled from. The surreal and beautiful Northern lights (they’re on your bucket list for a reason). Enjoy the landscape and culture of the Fjord Norway region and then travel up north to experience the beauty and thrills of the arctic, from dog sledding to hunting down the famous Northern lights.

Widerøe airline, Fjord Norway and Northern Norway is planning a press trip in the autumn of 2023. Please contact us for more information, and feel free to use this content in any article (See contact information below).

Welcome to Fjord Norway

Autumn in the fjords is a dramatic season. The fjords become rawer and wilder, and the landscape is dominated by a constantly changing mix of light, colour and sound. Autumn is the season for experiences filled with contrasts in Fjord Norway, which you can experience in lots of ways.

Bergen - The heart of the fjords

Bergen, a World Heritage city and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Bergen is located in the heart of the Fjords, and is the very start of your Norwegian adventure. There’s a whole host of attractions to keep you busy, too many for one day. The Hanseatic wharf Bryggen, Bergen Aquarium, the Fløibanen funicular and the Fish Market, are just a few of the activities on offer in this vibrant city. The KODE has one of the largest Edvard Munch collections in the world, as well as an impressive Nikolai Astrup collection.

Local food relies on fresh produce and the freshest of catches and seafood is a delicacy you can enjoy all year round. The weather not only keeps seafood fresher for longer but also makes it tastier, pulling out the higher omega 3 fats. Enjoy the most delicious catches at BARE, the Michelin stared restaurant.

Bergen is known as the heart of the fjords, and lies right between Norways longest fjords, the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord. It makes the city the ideal starting point for fjord experiences - day trips or with overnight stay in the fjord villages. But you can also access other Fjord Norway regions by using one of Widerøes short distance flights.

Haugesund - The homeland of the Viking Kings

You probably already know that Norway and Ireland have a common history. And thinking of Norway, many people think of the vikings. The city of Haugesund, and its surrounding areas is the cradle of the vikings. It is the area where the Vikings used to live and where the Viking Kings had their seat. Widerøe have connecting flights between Bergen and Haugesund, making it easy to explore this rich and unique history. Especially is Avaldsnes on the island of Karmoy worth visiting, as well as the stone cross Krosshaugen just north of Haugesund and the lighthouse of Ryvarden where a museum, cafe and art gallery are located.

Haugesund and Haugalandet is a region full of contrasts, with Åkrafjrod, Langfoss waterfall, coastal culture and the idyllic island communities such as Utsira and Rørvær and small town life are a few of the highlights. Haugesund, which is the regional centre for more than 100.000 people, has everything you need for a blast of urban life; Culture, shopping, restaurants and charming cafés. Festivals and cultural events are organised all year round for people of all ages. The two biggest festivals, Sildajazz jazz festival and the Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund are held every August.

Time to head north

Widerøe also has direct flight connections to Northern Norway, making it easy to combine three of Norways most popular attractions, the fjords, the northern light (in winter) and the midnight sun (during summer). The list of things to do in the north is endless. Fly directly from Bergen to Bodø, the European City of Culture in 2024, with the local airline Widerøe.

Bodø - European city of Culture 2024

Sitting between an archipelago and the open ocean, vibrant and lively Bodø is the heart of the Salten region and Northern Norway’s second biggest city. A glacier, mountains, islands and a strong maelstrom surround it. It’s also located in the northern lights belt just north of the arctic circle. This is the place to walk the streets, have coffee in chic coffee bars, dine in a good restaurant and go shopping. Photographers go out on the breakwater or to the little Nyholm fortress to capture the view of the city with the peaks in the background or climb the hill at Rønvikfjellet to see the city from above. As you explore the city, enjoy the unusual street art. During the day winter light reflects from the sea, and at night the northern lights dance above the waters of Vestfjord. You can witness them in the city or more intimately in the northern wilderness alongside the mighty peaks of Saltfjellet.

However, the northern lights aren’t the only attraction, as Bodø’s selection as European city of culture in 2024 attests. The Stormen concert hall and the new library are the newest cultural landmarks. Whether you want booming acoustics or some peace and tranquillity, believe it or not you can find these two in the same building! Just next door is the Nordland Museum, which is made up of 14 old buildings right next to the fjord.

Despite its northerly position Bodø is not really affected by heavy snowfall, and snow rarely lies in the city streets. So, whilst you won’t need to pack your snow boots, you will need a windproof jacket as Bodø is the first place for an incoming storm from the Gulf stream. If you’re brave enough, you can head to the breakwater to see the incoming storms, but most prefer the higher vantage point and comfort of sitting in a sky bar. When the wind howls down from the inland mountains and nips at your ears, the puddles freeze and the stars glitter, that’s when the northern lights appear!

Saltstraumen, the strongest maelstrom in the world

The Salten-fjord is a huge fjord system, reaching 80 km inland. However, near the mouth there is a passage that is both shallow and narrow. You could compare it with all 90,000 football fans at Wembley Stadium trying to get out through a single door after the match. When the tide comes in, there is simply way too much water pressing its way through the narrows. A fantastic spectacle of whirlpools can be observed from the cliffs on the shore as the water rushes through in 10 to 15 knots. Go there with a fishing rod, take a bus or a RiB tour.

Bodø´s culinary delight

The food scene in Bodø is an eclectic mix of world cuisine and local traditions. At Løvold, sample the meatballs and creamed peas that Bodø locals have been eating for generations. Don’t miss trying Møsbrøm flatbread, the king of flatbreads, which is served almost everywhere or a visit to Restaurant Lyst På,Bodø´s fine wine and food institution. A modern nordic brasserie placed in the heart of the city where honest cooking meets fresh and seasonal Norwegian produce served in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, the menu is laid-back and informal in the daytime or a fine-casual a la carte and tasting menu in the evening.

Join us on a press trip!

From the fjords on the west coast to the Northern lights, this journey will enthral you and with its majestic views and unique experiences: from art, culture, and adventure to delicious seafood pulled from the arctic ocean. The impeccably trained but playful dogs that steer you through the snowscape, the unmatched and dreamlike northern lights. See and do things you’ve only ever read about, and that some people will never be lucky enough to experience.

Fjord Norway, Northern Norway and Widerøe is arranging a press trip for Irish media in the autumn of 2024. Please contact us if you are interested in joining a group press trip, or if you want to create a story for Irish media on your own.

Media contacts for press enquiries:

Kristoffer B. Fürstenberg, PR and Communications Manager in Fjord Norway. kristoffer@fjordnorway.com

Kristin Gaustad, Sales and marketing manager Leisure travel, Widerøe AS. kristin.gaustad@wideroe.no

Rigmor Myhre, Communication Manager B2C Northern Norway Tourist Board. rigmor@nordnorge.com