Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Be blessed by a walrus penis at the
Royal & Ancient Polar Bear Society
in
Hammerfest.
TROMS
Troms, where the Gulf Stream peters out, mitigating the harshness of winter, boasts a
couple of near-superlative places: Tromsø, the only place large enough to merit the name
'city' in northern Norway, and Senja, Norway's second-largest island, a less trodden rival to
the Lofotens for spectacular scenery.
Tromsø
Pop 67,300
Simply put, Tromsø parties. By far the largest town in northern Norway and the adminis-
trative centre of Troms county, it's lively with cultural bashes, buskers, an animated street
scene, a midnight-sun marathon, a respected university, the hallowed Mack Brewery - and
more pubs per capita than any other Norwegian town. Its corona of snow-topped peaks
provides arresting scenery, excellent hiking in summer and great skiing and dog-sledding
in winter.
Although the city lies almost 400km north of the Arctic Circle, its climate is pleasantly
moderated by the Gulf Stream. The long winter darkness is offset by round-the-clock
activity during the perpetually bright days of summer.
The main part of town stretches along the east shore of the island of Tromsøya, linked to
the mainland by a gracefully arched bridge.
