About Norway

Norway is the westernmost of the three Scandinavian countries, encompassing the island of Jan Mayen and the Svalbard archipelago to the northwest. Best known for its deep and complex network of fjords along the west coast stretching from the North Sea into the Arctic Ocean, Norway is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Mountains plunging into the sea, the midnight sun during summer and the darkness of winter with the northern lights unfolding above you are all just part of the amazing natural attractions. The capital, Oslo is a city of grand museums and art galleries to rival anywhere on the continent. As well as the innovative architecture, you’ll find upmarket restaurants and trendy cafes where you can relax after a long day of exploring Norway’s many landscapes. In Scandinavia, travelling by ferry is a popular mode of transport given the quantity of islands. Norway has a large number of ports on its southern coast, offering numerous routes to both international and domestic destinations.

About Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are a group of 18 small islands situated in the Gulf Stream, north-west of Scotland, about halfway between Norway and Iceland. The land mass equates to just under 500 square miles and the islands have a combined coastline of around 600 miles. The islands are an archipelago and autonomous country with their own governing Parliament, flag, and coat of arms. The population is around 50,000 residents, speaking a national language of Faroese, which is rooted in Old Norse - however, Danish and English are also widely understood within the Faroe Islands. As well as local ferry services, there is a weekly international ferry service linking the Faroe Islands to both Iceland and Denmark. Smyril Line offers year round sailings to the Faroe Islands port of Torshavn with their luxurious ferry - MS Norrøna with services departing from Hirtshals in Denmark and Seydisfjordur in Iceland. There is no functioning railway system on any of the Faroe Islands due to the volcanic landscape causing difficult and rocky terrain. There are, however, local bus services as well as an extensive road system. There is a 370 mile network of road and tunnels throughout the Faroe Islands, including sub-sea tunnels and bridges to connect the islands and allow for travel between them. The public transport system on the Faroe Islands is extensive and privately-run; the different bus routes available ensure that there are routes to almost every settlement of the islands at least once a day. One of the main reasons for such high levels of tourism within the islands is their beautiful natural terrain - formed from layers of volcanic basalt - and the islands' picturesque landscape. Alongside the natural attraction on the Faroe Islands there are also many shopping districts, including one shopping center housing several popular chains. The Islands' also have a wide selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to explore.