Day Trip: Oslo to Lillehammer
Ahh, day trips. A time to recharge and discover a town’s cultural allure, heritage and quaint quirks. In the May issue of Viking, we took readers on quick day getaways from Oslo and Bergen...
Norwegian-Sami Music Group on the Rise
In the International Year of Indigenous Languages, Sami-influenced music group KEiiNO has been selected to represent Norway at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest this month. The group, consisting of Sami songwriter and rapper Fred Buljo and Norwegian singers Alexandra Rotan and Tom Hugo...
Prison Prizes Respect
Halden Fengsel, Norway’s second-largest prison, is a facility that emphasizes respect and focuses on the rehabilitation of its inmates. The prison opened in 2010 and although considered a high-security prison, it has no conventional security devices.
Summer Travel Notes
If your travels take you to Norway this summer, be ready to experience all the drama and beauty the country has to offer: Intricacies of a vast coastline. Mesmerizing waterfalls. Diverse species of native birds. Hiking trails. Glorious beaches.
Make that Surplus Tax Refund Work for You
Sure, treat yourself to a new pair of shoes or see that award-winning film before the month is out. Then, jump in and consider the best way to use your tax refund. Here are some ideas. 1. Pay off debt - Don't let those credit cards get the best of you...
Timeless Ideas Guide Norway’s Foreign Policy
Every May, Norwegians all over the world celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day. Signed 205 years ago, Norway’s is the second-oldest written constitution in the world that is still in use. The oldest, which in many ways served as a model for Norway’s founding fathers, is the American Constitution.
Admired Leader
Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, has championed many facets since her 2013 election, from sustainability to global solutions, all while leading the “land of the midnight sun.” Not only that, but as mentioned in the May issue of Viking...
The Anniversaries of a Lifetime
This year marks a very special year for the beloved churches of Årdal, Norway. It’s not only the 100th anniversary of the “new” church in Årdal, but also the incredible and historical 400th anniversary of the old church.
Norway’s Wacky Winter Sport
From Sobetsu, Japan to Vardø, Norway, people around the world take part in the latest—and arguably strangest—winter sport dubbed Yukigassen.
A Mysterious Fortress on the Oslo Fjord
A woman named Mantelgeisten appears out of the darkness in a long robe. Prison chains rattle. Screams of horror and torture linger from the dungeons. Known to be the most haunted castle in Norway, Akershus Fortress attracts more than three million visitors every year...
If You Turned 70 during 2018, You Should Read This
Happy belated birthday, and congratulations on now needing to understand required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your annuities! Annuities are a great way to supplement your social security or pension plans. Not only do they accumulate cash tax-deferred, but they also offer you guaranteed payments for life. When the markets are volatile, it is nice to know that your annuity is protecting your principle. There has been an increased awareness [...]
Norway in International Politics
Over the past couple of years, I’ve published a blog on various topics pertaining to international diplomacy, first on HuffingtonPost.com and then on WashingtonDiplomat.com. While I enjoyed the opportunity to get my thoughts out there, I was never sure I was reaching quite the right audience.
Out of this World: Solobservatoriet
Imagine wandering into a glowing planetary system nestled deep within a forest. No, your eyes are not tricking you. Celebrated architecture and design firm Snøhetta is designing a new planetarium and visitor center for Norway’s largest astronomical facility.
Star Chef
In the March issue of Viking magazine, we catch up with Scandinavian celebrity chef Tina Nordström. From her cookbooks, television shows, kitchen items and wine, there are few areas of the food industry she has left untouched.
Discover Your Family Roots through DNA Testing
With today’s advances in DNA testing and the resulting ability to make connections with previously unknown relatives, it’s easy to see why more and more people are opting to test their DNA to get detailed results. Recently, three women connected through DNA testing and met up at a Sons of Norway lodge in Story City, IA. The women had learned about their ancestors’ immigration to the United States from [...]