When the weather heats up, I head north. The further north, the better, and here’s why: I love the natural beauty, the quiet, the light, the Nordic landscape, and, of course, the cold, which is why the last few years have taken me to Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Most recently, I visited Norway, above the Arctic Circle. It isn’t just the cooler weather that I’m chasing. It is nature tourism at its best–the chance to get close to polar wildlife, plunge into an icy fjord, relax in a wood-fired sauna along the edge of the Arctic Ocean, enjoy an outdoor fire beneath the aurora, practice yoga in the treetops in the early morning light. There’s a profound sense of peace and wellbeing in the vast solitude.
“In Norway, there is a deep connection between wellness and nature,” says Torunn Tronsvang, founder of Up Norway, a curator of bespoke wellness journeys. “There’s an appreciation for seasonal changes and a deep-felt connection to the land,” she continues. “The exposure to weather of all kinds, magical natural light, and breathtaking landscapes make us both grateful and easily adaptable.” Norway is a land of unparalleled beauty and tranquility, well beyond its stunning fjords and dramatic coastline.
Beyond that, it’s something more ethereal. More than time or place, folklore or mythology, there’s a mystique to the North. There aren’t many places where you can channel your inner Scandinavian explorer. An avid reader of Arctic explorer novels—we all have our secrets, mine is The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven—I had long dreamt of seeing Svalbard, the world’s northernmost inhabited settlement, on the island of Spitsbergen. Svalbard is home to the densest concentration of polar bears in the world, which is something not everyone would find irresistible. But I do.
I wanted to be guided by a native Norwegian who would craft an immersive experience, tailored to my unique quirks, with a full-lean into wellness. With Up Norway, not only will you have a native Norwegian crafting your itinerary, but you’ll gain unique, exclusive access to spots that may not otherwise be easy to access—a fine dining restaurant above the Arctic Circle that is impossible to get into, off-the grid experiences that would be challenging to book on your own.
Highlights might include a wellness excursion to Finnskogtoppen, a serene health and wellness retreat tucked into the Forest of the Finns, with spa treatments, delicious healthy dining, and guided outdoor excursions. Or a visit to the brand-new Forest Finn Museum in Svullrya, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and heritage of the Forest Finns, a minority group that settled in Norway from Finland in the 17th century, before it opened to the public. A stay at Pan, elevated treetop cabins with panoramic views. Canoeing in Finnskogen, a dense forest and lake region. Savoring a traditional wilderness dinner in Svalbard, with reindeer bidos, campfire coffee, a roaring fireplace, and delicious drinks that would have kept Willem Barentz, Svalbard’s founder, warm and cozy back in 1596.
For those who wish to venture further into the wilderness, Isfjord Radio, an old Russian radio station established in 1933, is at the tip of Cape Linné, surrounded by tundra, open sea, and big sky. It may be the most remote and unusual hotel in the world, where chefs create delicious dining experiences inspired by the Arctic. A sauna, perched on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, is delightfully warming, and a dip into the chill waters provides the ultimate hot-cold plunge experience.
“Wellness is a core tenet of Up Norway’s philosophy,” says Tronsvang. “Norway’s environment is inherently conducive to wellness: clean air, low light pollution due to the fact that people and communities are spread all over the vast country, expansive wilderness, and a cultural embrace of stillness and solitude. But what truly sets it apart is how Up Norway curates these natural assets into perspective-shifting travel experiences that inspire positive change.”
Tronsvang returned to Norway to launch her company after roles at luxury hospitality brands around the globe, including Aman in Bhutan, Jumeirah in Dubai, and Anantara in Thailand and the Maldives. “I returned home and saw an opportunity to facilitate a different experience of the country, not just as a streamlined travel experience through dramatic landscapes, but where travelers were invited to a version of Norway based on their unique interests and preferences, to a destination where culture and nature intersect in meaningful ways,” she says. “I then set out to create a company designed to fulfill travelers’ interest in authentic experiences, closer to the heart in terms of authenticity, sustainability, and connection. The goal was always to do so while creating better practices in ecotourism and responsible social impact.”
What many wellness travelers seek these days is something akin to the Norwegian concept of “kos” of “koselig,” a Norwegian version of “hygge” for the Swedes. According to Tronsvang, “kos” carries the same feeling of coziness and wellbeing. It is a state of mind, a feeling of peace and happiness, of being wholly grateful and appreciative for the simple joys of life.
“This philosophy is woven throughout Up Norway’s itineraries,” she says. “Rather than packing our journeys with endless sightseeing, we prioritize depth over distance, creating opportunities for travelers to linger longer in destinations, connect with local hosts, savor seasonal Nordic gastronomy, and spend meaningful time in Norway’s extraordinary landscapes. Each experience is designed for travelers to embrace this uniquely Norwegian feeling, experiencing the comfort, awe, and contentment that is the heart of Kos during every destination, activity, or meal we curate.”
I can’t wait to go back.
