Susanne and I visited Norway in late November 2004. Not surprisingly, it was cold and snowy, especially inland, and away from the fjords. But any discomfort was far outweighed by the cozy ambience of our base, Oslo, and by Norway’s friendly people, interesting history, and almost unbelievably beautiful landscape.

Indeed, Norway is one of the most spectacular places a photographer (or anyone else) could ever hope to visit. It’s right up there with Switzerland, Utah, or any other photographic paradise I’ve visited. And we saw only a very small area. Someday, I hope to return for a longer visit.

But be prepared. Norway can be expensive. The devalued dollar and unfavorable exchange rate certainly increased our costs. But the $115 we paid for a basic Tex-Mex dinner is a lot under any circumstances, even if it does include the bonus novelty of eating (not bad!) Mexican food in Scandinavia. In Oslo, CDs cost $25 or more. And tragically, a pint of beer was about $11. On the bright side, we didn’t wake up with any hangovers.

Despite the high prices, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit. By purchasing some meals at the supermarket instead of at a restaurant, even budget-conscious travelers like us can have a wonderful experience in this stunning natural playground. Norway is clean, modern, and safe. It’s also easy to get around, unless you plan to drive in the center of Oslo. (I don’t recommend it.) English is widely spoken, and the locals are educated and laid back.

Plus, aside from the few cities (Oslo, the capital, is the largest, with a population of 508,000), Norway is practically empty. Here, you can explore immense tracts of extreme, uninhabited and breathtaking terrain, and still enjoy a good (if pricey) pint at the end of the day. It’s a special place. We left wanting to see much more. I bet you would, too.