Instead of the buffet we Americans associate with the term, the smorgasbord is actually an artful, culinary tradition that the Swedes are very proud of. Traditionally, it is a series of delicacies eaten in a specific order on clean plates. Rooted in hospitality, the concept has its beginnings with the fourteenth century merchant and upper class, who served a variety of hors d’oeuvres to visiting guests, so that they wouldn’t get hungry before dinner.

I wanted to learn more about visiting Norway, so I went directly to the source. According to the folks at Visit Norway, the coolest places to explore are in the northern parts of the country. The Lofoten Islands, an archipelago of seven main islands, top their list of places to visit, touting the area’s quaint villages, excellent fishing, whale watching excursions, and nature activities.

When my boyfriend’s parents mentioned they were targeting Scandinavia for their second European cruise excursion, to say my interest was piqued would be an understatement. While their itinerary is set, I did a little research and spoke with some experts on the subject to determine the most amazing places to visit in that part [...]