Best Time To Visit: May to September offer good cruising conditions, with the best weather in June-August. The Northern Lights are best seen in winter.

Key Cruising Areas: The fjords and west coast of Norway are memorable areas to sail, with many anchorages and quiet bays to stop in. For a longer sail, the archipelago of Svalbard is an interesting stop.

Don’t Miss: The fjords in Norway are world-famous, and the most stunning of all is Geirangerfjord. Sheer cliffs blanketed in dark green pines rise dramatically from deep blue water, topped with snow and glaciers feeding wild waterfalls that carve through the forests. If that’s not enough, sail around to neighboring Hjorundfjord for more spectacular views.

Best Spots for Wining and Dining: Europe’s fastest-growing capital, Oslo, is exploding with excellent eateries and lively bars. Of the three ‘Michelin-starred restaurants in Oslo, the exclusive Maaemo is a culinary experience not to be missed. Chef Esben Holmboe Bang will take you on a journey through the seasons of Norway with his incredible set menu.

Best Local Dish: Norwegian food has resisted the influences of fast food chains and remains traditional, with fish being a mainstay of the cuisine. For excellent seafood cooked with time-honored techniques, book a table at the 150-year-old Engebret Café, a cosy but elegant restaurant with a good wine list.

Local Culture: Stavanger has an amazing selection of unique museums. You may be surprised by how interesting the Norwegian Petroleum Museum is, providing an insight into the industry that Norway was built on. The oldest church in Norway is also in Stavanger, an incredible cathedral that must be seen.

Best Beach: While Norway doesn’t conjure up images of warm sandy beaches, there are some spectacular spots. Ramberg beach is one of the most beautiful, with white sand along the edge of the village, and ice-blue waters that stretch out to meet snow-capped mountains shrouded in mist. An incredible sight in the midnight sun of summer.

IYC recommends: Sail to Stavanger and spend 24 hours soaking up the atmosphere in Norway’s “Oil City”. Norwegians are serious about their coffee, so start the day at Steam Kaffehuset where the specialty is cold brew. Spend some time wandering around the beautifully preserved wooden buildings of the old center, then head out to Hafrsfjord to see the famous Swords in the Rock monument. Cast into stone overlooking a stunning bay, the monument is hauntingly beautiful. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a trip out to Pulpit Rock. Sitting on the edge of Lysefjord, the 604-meter sheer cliff carved by ice is a humbling reminder of nature’s power.