Norway

Norway

CAPITOL CITY

Oslo

DATE

August 2024

CURRENCY

Norwegian krone

FLIGHT DURATION

+/- 1.5 hours

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing…

Since early 2023, I’ve been meditating twice a day for 20 minutes. Meditation helps me stay focused; I see it as personal maintenance.

When I wanted to deepen my personal growth, I began searching for a retreat. But when I Googled “retreat,” I quickly felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. So, I decided to narrow it down: I wanted something in nature and abroad. That’s how I came into contact with Lars from Norwayretraite.com. It started with a short introductory call, and not long after, I had booked a return flight to Oslo for the following week.

What drew me to the retreat program was the combination of hiking, yoga, meditation, sauna, and healthy food! All the things that truly bring me joy. I had also decided to turn off my phone for 8 days. That decision alone felt like a challenge. On the first day, I felt euphoric and empowered, convinced that I could do it. But the next day, doubts crept in. I started having irrational thoughts like: What if something happens back home? What if I miss something important? But by day three, those thoughts had disappeared, and I found myself in a deep state of calm. It’s just 8 days, after all…

The expected outcome of this trip was high, and it absolutely delivered.

I think that, alongside my trip to Nepal, the journey to Norway has been one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had so far.

Practical tips

  • Book your train tickets in advance through the Entur app to ensure you have a seat. Note: There are two travel providers.
  • The weather in Norway can be very changeable, so make sure you pack accordingly.
  • Don’t forget to bring: merino wool clothing, hiking shoes, sunscreen, and rain gear.
  • You can safely drink the tap water and water from the mountains.
All photos

I flew into Oslo Gardermoen Airport and had already booked my train tickets in advance. When I arrived at the airport, I still had two hours to spare. That gave me enough time to hop on a train to downtown Oslo — and it turned out to be totally worth it! What a lovely and spotless city. Even just the train station itself is worth a visit. However, be sure to bring enough Norwegian kroner, as it’s pretty expensive. For just a coffee and a chia pudding, I paid €15.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the station was the sun and the fresh air. I changed into my shorts and set off. I soon ended up at a lively square full of benches, and it was buzzing with people. There was also a fruit market, and a bit further on, I found myself in a big and pricey shopping street. One thing that stood out was the abundance of sheepskins for sale and the numerous outdoor gear stores. I wandered through the city, snapped a few nice photos, and grabbed something to eat and drink. It was just a sneak preview of Oslo, but I’ll definitely be back for a longer stay!

My food experience

From Oslo Airport, I took the train to Vinstra Station. When I first heard the name “Vinstra,” I thought, wow, that sounds like a lively city! But it turned out to be a small village with a remote train station and just a handful of residents. From Vinstra, I caught a bus to Skåbu, where Lars picked me up by car. The journey itself, both by the train and bus, was stunning. The train had large windows, giving me a panoramic view of the Norwegian landscape. The bus then climbed steeply up into the mountains.

Once Lars picked me up, we headed to the retreat location, where a delicious meal was already waiting for me. It was such a warm welcome. I met the rest of the group, chose my room for the week, and after dinner, we began with meditation and yin yoga. And the most important part: I turned off my phone for the next seven days! I spent the entire week outdoors, eating healthy Ayurvedic food and going on breathtaking hikes. I came back feeling completely renewed.

My food experiences 

  • Oatmeal porridge, wonderfully spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, raisins and cumin
  • Rice pudding
  • Sweet potato lentil curry with Ayurvedic rice
  • Chocolate cake with red berries and chocolate
  • Lefse (a traditional Norwegian wrap, often served at breakfast or lunch)
  • Brunost (Norwegian goat cheese with a caramel-like taste and color)
  • Potatoes, mung bean burger, chutney and roasted cauliflower
  • Norwegian cod roe, perfectly paired with a boiled egg
  • Norwegian fish cakes with potatoes, fruit jam and caraway-spiced sauerkraut
  • Norwegian waffles with sour cream and fruit jam

My stay:

  • The Norway Retreat was held at this house and property — a fantastic place consisting of a large house with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a spacious dining room, big living room, kitchen, and a cozy lounge. There was even a sauna. The house was a bit creaky and rustic, but that added to the whole experience perfectly.

Waht I saw and did

  • Hiking to Sikkilsdalshø:
    This was the most challenging — and most beautiful — hike of the week. We started through the forest and marshland, then climbed into the mountains, eventually reaching 1170 meters above sea level. It was utterly silent… we didn’t see a single other person. We had lunch together at the summit, and while some returned, I continued with a few others. Along the way we passed a babbling stream where we could refill our camel bags — nothing purer than mountain water! The weather was ideal: sunny, light breeze, perfect temperature. The descent was steep and reminded me of the Himalayas.
  • Yoga: Every morning at 7:30, we started the day with yoga outdoors — with a view of the mountains. Absolutely breathtaking.
  • Meditation: After yoga, we meditated for 30 minutes before heading to breakfast.
  • Sauna: At the end of each day, the Finnish sauna was waiting for me. Pure bliss.

And just like that, the final day had arrived — time to make my way back home slowly. My flight wasn’t until 5:00 p.m. from Oslo, so I still had a few hours to enjoy a nice lunch somewhere along the way. I asked Lars for a recommendation, and he suggested Lillehammer. “A charming little town,” he said. “Perfect for a stroll and a bite to eat.”

After packing my things and saying goodbye to everyone, Lars drove me to the bus stop. From there, I was supposed to take a bus and train combo to Gardermoen Airport. I had already bought my train ticket online, but when I arrived at the station, I found out no trains were running. That was disappointing — my lunch window was quickly shrinking. Thankfully, after an hour, a replacement bus showed up, packed to the brim with Norwegian school kids. Still, it got me safely to Lillehammer.

Despite the rain and slightly obscured views, I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of the town. I still had some Norwegian krona left, which I happily spent on a few final souvenirs — a lovely way to end my trip in style.

Mijn eetervaringen

  • Lillhammer Bakeri: I had a decent sandwich with cheese and a coffee here for €18. The bakery has a charming little restaurant in the back where you can sit down to enjoy your meal. Only downside? The acoustics weren’t great, so it got quite noisy. But still, a pleasant stop for a quick bite before heading to the airport.