This year we have made our own advent calendar! Join our travel quiz to win travel tips every day.
Every day we ask a new question and reveal a travel tip. The budget was empty at the end of the year, so rather than give away GoPros and flights to Bora Bora we are giving away a free tip about travelling in Norway every day.
We will update this article every day and publish a new video on YouTube.
1 December
Today’s travel question: Which country is the bank note in the video from?
Tip: Norway is known as an expensive country, but thanks to the freedom to roam you can hike and spend the night in a tent for free without any permits.
2 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Zimbabwe. Between 2007 and 2009 the hyperinflation reached its peak and bank notes up to 100 trillion dollars were produced.
Today’s travel question: Which city are you standing in if you see a sign saying “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” in front of you?
Tip: Svalbard is one of the northernmost settlements in the world and if you fly with SAS from anywhere in Norway it is considered a domestic flight. Therefore you can save a lot of money by using frequent flyer miles to buy airplane tickets, which has a fixed price for domestic flights. Even if you don’t have frequent flyer miles, it may be cheaper to buy miles and then spend them on a flight.
3 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Paradise. Most of what people associate with Las Vegas, including the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is located in Paradise, an unincorporated area right outside the city. This is to avoid paying city tax.
Today’s travel question: Where are the bridges on the euro notes from?
Tip: The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) have cabins all over Norway that can be used by anyone and most of them are self-serviced.
4 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: The bridges are made up, but in the Netherlands all 7 bridges were built after the notes were made, although in a smaller scale.
Today’s travel question: Today’s question: How many countries are there between the Republic of France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Tip: Go on a safari in Norway. There is a lot of wildlife to see in Norway, in particular we would recommend seeing musk oxen in Dovre.
5 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: 0. The island of St. Martin in the Caribbean is split in two between France and the Netherlands.
Today’s travel question: Which country has the highest number of crimes per capita?
Tip: Right outside the capital of Norway, Oslo, there is an airplane wreck abandoned in the forest. Check out the details of this here.
6 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: The Vatican City. Due to the high number of tourists a lot of theft occurs. Not necessarily more than other places, but when compared to the low population it becomes the highest number of crimes per capita of any country.
Today’s travel question: Where is the biggest difference in time between two adjacent time zones?
Tip: In the small town of Rjukan there is a sun mirror to reflect light into the town. See more about that here.
7 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Between Kiribati and the USA, due to the International date line. The time difference is 25 hours. But the time zone border is in the middle of the ocean. The biggest change in time zones for land based crossing is between Afghanistan and China, where the difference is 3.5 hours.
Today’s travel question: How many countries are there in between Norway and North Korea?
Tip: The Pulpit Rock is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. To beat the crowds, bring a tent and spend a night up there. Very few people and magnificent views!
8 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: 1. Russia shares a border with Norway in the west of almost 200 km. In the east it shares a border with North Korea of about 17 km.
Today’s travel question: In addition to the Vatican City, which other enclave is located in Italy?
Tip: In Jøssingfjord in Norway you can sleep in a hammock in an old road tunnel.
9 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: San Marino.
Today’s travel question: Where in Northern Africa is there an area that no country want?
Tip: A natural water park is located in Nissedal in Norway, made by giant’s kettles.
10 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Between Egypt and Sudan.
Today’s travel question: Can you drive all the way from Alaska in North America to Chile and Argentina in the South America?
Tip: Near Ringebu in Norway is one of Europe’s most intact airplane wrecks. It’s a great destination for urban explorers and those enjoying a hike.
11 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: No, you can’t drive from North to South America. The Darien Gap in Panama has no roads.
Today’s travel question: Which countries have the same common name where both capitals are located by the same river, overlooking one another?
Tip: Visit the most vulgar tourist attraction in Norway, The Troll Dick Rock. Yes, that’s a thing, read more about it here.
12 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Congo.
Today’s travel question: Where can you walk 150 meters in a straight line and cross 5 international borders?
Tip: Use credit cards in Norway, some places cash is not accepted, but cards are.
13 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Barle Hertog and Barle Nassau in The Netherlands and Belgium
Today’s travel question: Which countries has the most capitals?
Tip: Up in Svalbard there is a hidden gem. Pyramiden is a Soviet ghost town that looks like it was abandoned overnight. Just remember to bring a rifle so you don’t get eaten by polar bears.
14 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: South Africa with the capitals Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
Today’s travel question: Which two countries share the longest border in the world?
Tip: Don’t tip in restaurants, Taxis etc. The price you see is actually the price you pay. The card reader may give you an option to add tips but you don’t need to.
15 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: United States and Canada with their 8900 km long border.
Today’s travel question: What is the Southernmost country in America?
Tip: On the Norwegian National Road 3 north of Oslo there is a giant Chrome Moose. It is the tallest moose statue in the world. It was put there to improve road safety, but most importantly: It is bigger than Canada’s giant moose.
16 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Chile.
Today’s travel question: What is the biggest time difference between the easternmost and westernmost part of any US territory?
Tip: A lot of the roads through the mountain passes in Norway are closed in winter. So keep this in mind when planning a trip to Norway in the colder months. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has a list of the roads that are closed winter here.
17 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: 6 hours between Hawaii and New England if only counting the US states. 21 hours between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands if all US territories are counted.
Today’s travel question: What is the tallest mountain on earth measured from its base?
Tip: Norwegian tap water is not only safe to drink, it tastes delicious as well and is full of minerals. So bring an empty bottle and fill it up.
18 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Almost 2000 meters taller than Mount Everest.
Today’s travel question: Between which two points is the world’s shortest commercial flight?
Tip: The world’s longest road tunnel is the Lærdal Tunnel with its 24.5 kilometers. Inside there are three caves with blue lights where you can stop to have a break from the monotony and claustrophobia.
19 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Loganair’s 90 second flight between the islands Westray and Papa Westray in Scotland.
Today’s travel question: Which countries are landlocked and completely surrounded by only one country?
Tip: Between Kårvåg and Vevang there is a 6.3 km stretch of road called the Atlantic Road. It runs through and between all these tiny beautiful islands and has been named the world’s best road trip. Rumor has it that some scenes of the new James Bond movie will be shot here.
20 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: San Marino and the Vatican inside Italy and Lesotho inside South Africa.
Today’s travel question: Which country is the only African country to have Spanish as an official language?
Tip: The weather in Norway is always changing. So dress in layers rather than having just one big coat on and don’t forget to bring both sunglasses and an umbrella when going out the door.
21 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Equatorial Guinea.
Today’s travel question: Which country borders the most other countries?
Tip: Visit alternatives to Norway’s popular hiking destinations. Instead of Trolltunga, visit Himakånå, and instead of Kjerag, visit Kolbolten.
22 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: China, bordering 14 countries. Russia borders 13 countries, but including Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave, it also borders 14 countries.
Today’s travel question: Which countries in South America do not border Brazil?
Tip: Observe the night sky and northern lights in Norway, many places have very little light pollution.
23 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Ecuador and Chile.
Today’s travel question: Which countries do not have a rectangular flag?
Tip: Do some urban exploration in Norway. There are safe and guided options like the Heavy Water Factory in Rjukan, but you can also explore on your own, like the mines in Spro near Oslo. Remember to be careful and only enter places open to the public.
24 December
Answer to yesterday’s question: Nepal. Their flag can be drawn with a straight edge and compass! The instructions for this is written in the constitution like in an old geometry book. Switzerland and The Vatican also have unusual flags, being square, but squares are subsets of rectangles.
Tips:
- Try out some of Norway’s Christmas food, like pinnekjøtt and lutefisk.
- Visit Santa Claus’ mailbox in Svalbard.
- Visit a little bit of Norway in London. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is a gift from Norway every year.
Merry Christmas 😊
