Road trip up north - exploring Norway with a motorhome

Whoever wants to travel long distances must consciously understand driving as part of the travel experience. Moving on big roads is only advisable if you need to make kilometres in a short time. Otherwise, it is better to opt for narrow back roads and just enjoy the scenery for hours. A good tip for travellers to Norway is the "Nasjonale Turistveger", i.e. the specially marked landscape routes. 

On the wild west coast we marvelled at thousands of small islands and of course the impressive fjord country. The "must visit" places were unbearably crowded, even though we deliberately did not travel during the peak travel season in July and August.

We only rarely faced the almost unbearable tourist crowds: once at Preikestolen and once when visiting the Geirangerfjords. Fortunately, there were plenty of lesser-known - and no less beautiful - places to head for.

The traffic is very relaxed due to the mentality and speed limit. There are usually good parking facilities, even in the cities. The many fjords are crossed quickly and easily by ferry - it is hardly worth driving around them.

Thanks to Norway's "everyman's right", you can stay overnight at almost any nice rest area. Along many roads there are dumping facilities where you can empty your waste water and refill fresh water and drinking water.

So if you don't particularly value sanitary facilities and electricity, you don't need a campsite in Norway. You can save that money and invest it in tolls, petrol, shopping and restaurants: Everything is simply expensive as hell. One of the things we will remember about the city of Bergen is that we ate what was undoubtedly the best, but also the most expensive, plate of shellfish of our lives there.

After we had not moved the heavy part one centimetre despite using all our strength, we were very happy that the first passing car stopped immediately and offered us help. The lady could not tow us with her small car, but her neighbour promptly came by with a tractor.

They all stayed together until we were completely ready to drive again - even though it was Sunday and after 10 o'clock at night. They refused to take any money for their help. They said travelling in their country was expensive enough for us.

By the way, communication was no problem at all. It's really impressive how well all Scandinavians know English. Even the older generation who didn't grow up with the language.

The almost universal payment by credit card is another thing I envy the Norwegians for. Every parking ticket machine takes the credit card and communicates in English as a matter of course.