A Journey of Two Countries: From Lebanon to Norway
Every traveler has a wish to travel to all cultures and landscapes in one trip, but what if two totally different countries are to be visited for a once in a lifetime adventure? Figuratively, these two countries are worlds apart, yet they have their similarities in offering different but equally interesting experiences for travelers. One showcases the warm Mediterranean influence and ancient civilizations. The other boasts an icy clear climate, literal fjords, and the spell of the north’s geography. For this article, we will appreciate the two countries in question by looking at their geography, history, modern attractions, and tips on how to travel.
Natural Attractions and Picturesque Views
Lebanon is a
hidden jewel for the Middle East, where its Mediterranean coastline meets the
great heights of mountains. One of the most outstanding primary features of
the country is the (Jeita Grotto), a striking system of caves which extends
over almost nine kilometers. The tour consists of limestone caverns where
beautiful ice-ending colonnades and pillow shaped stalactites are preserved.
This site contains other beautiful cavern formations which took thousands of
years to form. There is also the attractive site of
The Cedars of God which is a World Heritage Site that one should visit.
The Ancient cedar trees, which are more than a millennium old are
representative of Lebanon’s beauty and harmony.
For the people who are not satisfied just sitting in one place and Read More
active outdoor recreations, Chouf Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon invites
you for an exciting hiking tour through untouched evergreen cedar trees,
valleys and rivers that provide with diversity in this lowland country. Be it
the elevated snow-capped summits of Mount Lebanon or crystal clear
still waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the geography of Lebanon is full of
extreme contrasts more so pleasant to the eye.
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By contrast, Norway is revered for its fjords, glaciers and northern tundra. Picture the Geirangerfjord, often touted as the most picturesque fjord in the world where high precipices recede into blue calm seas. Such fjords result from glacial movement and comprise some of the country’s defining features. Sognefjord, the longest and the deepest fjord of Norway, is yet another stunning place that offers a peaceful and quite mystical ambience that lures tourists any time of the year for a delightful experience accompanied by nature.
Another
location in Norway is the Jotunheimen National Park which contains the
highest peaks in the country Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind.
During winter, Norway’s landscape becomes an outdoor playground ideal for the
adventurous for activities such as skiing and snowshoeing, as well as viewing
the elusive Northern Lights, which makes it every adventure’s holiday getaway.
Cultural Heritage and Historical Sites
The culture of Lebanon has a long history of different influences. The Omayyad, Abbasid, Crusaders and Mamluks, including the Romans and Phoenicians, at different periods ruled this small country. The ancient city of Byblos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as one of the oldest inhabited places on earth, stands at the apex of the Lebanese cultural legacy. Visiting Byblos is picturesque. It is a place frozen in history, where one can find the remnants of the Phoenicians, Crusader fortifications, and Roman theaters.
The Baalbek Roman Ruins are another remarkable site, famous for its enormous columns left from the Temple of Bacchus, and Temple of Jupiter propagating the most expansive temple in the Roman empire built there. For the religious seekers, located in Lebanon Harissa is another scenic town that is a holy site for Our Lady of Lebanon.
The land of the Fjords is also a country that has plenty of touch with the Viking sagas and of the medieval period. In fact, tourists visiting Oslo are welcomed to the Viking Ship Museum that contains the best-preserved artifacts of the Viking ship and its elements. This ships which are more than a thousand years old, relate the stories of the sea to the history of the country of Norway and how it was dominantly the center for most if not all of the expeditions made by the Vikings. If you want something more religious, Norway contains two stave churches, Urnes and Borgund, both of which incorporate intricate wooden design and are some of the oldest still extant churches.
Don’t forget to visit Bryggen, wharf which is located in Bergen, is
very famous for its well-maintained colored wooden houses around the harbor.
This site on the other hand, provides an understanding of Norway’s trading
history and how it was part of the Hanseatic League which for many
history lovers is an interesting place.
Cuisines and Food
Culture
Lebanon is a renowned country when it comes to cuisine which is a wonderful fusion of the Mediterranean and middle east regions. For the Lebanese, cuisine is than just food. It is also the custom of sharing small plates of various dishes, which is known as mezze. Among other assorted mezze dishes, there is Tabbouleh, which is bulgur and parsley salad with tomatoes and another dish called fattoush drinks salad with crispy bread. But, in all likelihood, nothing can beat the recognition of hummus whose name is more synonymous to the mixture of pureed chickpeas tahini seasoning and lemon juice that has captured the world’s culinary practices.
Moving beyond the Lebanese classics, rest assured that the harissa, lamb and hot spiced meat hand pie, and kibbeh, rich dumpling made of bulgur wheat, meat and spices, are worth sampling street food Lebanon is one bursting with tasty treats in the shape of ready-wrapped shawarmas and on the go falafels.
When more recently in Norway, in addition to Hovedstad Pannemed Mandager – Effekttersspill for restituje, Citronenskirpiss also developed consumables taking into account the climatic characteristics and advanced fishing. Accordingly, fish, which is an integral part of many national dishes, salmon, trout and cod, plays the leading role here. In America, it is very difficult to find someone who does know what lox is when asking them about a particular type of salmon. When it comes to cooking lox, however, the process is derived in all its true sense in Norway. Summit visitors should not forget to consider and even try the abominable dish called rakfisk. Just because it looks funny has no bearing on whether or not it can be delicious. Lastly, expect to have krumkake, a sugar-loaded rolled up pastry with the insides made creamy and loaded with sugar.
Apart from ethnic food – which families can nevertheless be observed preparing for commercial purposes – Norway has been contemporary in the reception of new kitchens two-fold rain in the good light if eat at restaurant even. Such cities give you the inspiration of all cuisine's history as well as modern day, partaking in Michelin star earned restaurants composed in the very same cities of Oslo and Bergen.
The Seasons and Their Festivals
Lebanon is a land of festive rejoicing; in every festival, lies a long history of custom and liberty. The Byblos International Festival welcomes many of the world's best musicians to perform against the scenic backdrop of a historic ancient city. On the other hand, the Beirut Art Fair has turned into an iconic event dedicated to contemporary Middle Eastern arts.
Festivals like Eid, Easter and Saint Maroun’s Day also occasioned much fanfare with tourists getting the chance to see the cultural practices of the region.
Norway is no exception when it comes to celebrating cultural events. Northern Lights Festival in Tromsø, transforms music into an experience over the breathtaking Aurora Borealis. The biggest event in Norway is the Bergen International Festival and it comprises of music, theatre and dance. There is also the more traditional Midsummer’s Eve or Sankthansaften which involves bonfires, feasting and celebrating the longest day of the year.
Activities and Outdoor Sports
In the case of adventure travelers, Lebanon has much more than a few indoor sections. Winters sports such as skiing at the Faraya Mzaar resort entail high-tempo winter action, but again it is the sports played within the country in all seasons that will make one’s visit outstanding. These include hiking in the Qadisha Valley, paragliding above the Mediterranean Sea, scuba diving in search of underwater ruins, and many other exciting things.
Norway in contrast is every explorer’s dream. The warm months are ideal for climbing known surfaces like the Preikestolen cliff and Trolltunga with breathtaking sights of the fjords of Norway. In the season of Winter, Norway becomes a pure white paradise offering skiing, snowboarding, and racing with dogs over endless frozen regions among others. For the lovers of fauna, the activity of watching whales in the fjords or spotting puffins on the shores is of high demand and very rewarding.
Modern Attractions and Urban Life
Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is a city that is modern, and older all at the same time. It is crowded with many people starting from the fashionable cafes and shops in mar mikhael and to the luxurious store in Beirut Souk. Beirut also has an active Gemmayzeh nightlife that is characterized by many clubs and bars and other cultural activities.
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Practical Travel Tips and Advice
Best Time to Visit: For Lebanon, the ideal times to visit are during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), considering pleasant weather and less population. For Norway, summer (June-August) for the fjords and winter (December-February) for the northern lights and snow activities is recommended.
Language: The main spoken language in Lebanon is Arabic, but more than 80% can converse in French and English. The main languages are Norwegian, but most Norwegians can speak English fluently.
Currency: The local currency of Lebanon is the Lebanese pound (LBP), while the currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone (NOK).
Visas: Get more information about the visa requirements for people from
your country. In most cases, Lebanon will require a visa, while for Norway,
most of the countries are allowed without a visa because Norway is in the
Schengen zone.
Lebanon and Norway, despite their cultural and
geographic disparities, are both memorable destinations as far as traveling is
concerned. Whether it’s the Lebanese love for ancient traditions,
Mediterranean hospitality and cuisine as well as the outdoor adventures in
Norway’s stunning fjords and the Viking culture among many other things that
excite you, these two places will always fascinate you. The only confusion is:
at which destination will your odyssey kick off?
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