Norway

I have always wanted to go to the Scandinavian countries, filled with intrigue about the fjords and wintry landscapes. It was time for another trip and I decided on spending my birthday in Norway, even though there would be no snow to be seen. Approaching Norway by air, I quickly knew I had made the right decision when I saw all the islands and countryside sticking out of the ocean. Starting and ending this journey in Oslo, I tried to get my bearings in the city the first night before heading cross country in the morning. Driving west, out of the city, I was met by rolling farmland that turned into high tundra. Farther west, I saw my first fjord and quickly fell in love with this country.
  I can't tell you how many waterfalls I stopped at during the first few days, but I can say I started limiting my stops to falls that were 500ft or higher. The fjords were endless once you got to the western part of the country, and there is something magical about experiencing where the ocean meets 3000ft+ mountains jutting out of it. I made it to Bergen and spent a night there, checking out the old town and local cultures, before making my way back east to Oslo. All in all it was 8 full days filled with utter amazement of the beauty you can find in this world if you just get out to see and experience it. The people, culture, nature, and art were wonderful.