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Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Nordic Choice Hotels – a different hotel company
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Classic Norway Hotels – a unique combination of distinctive hotels and authentic fisherman's cabins
Citybox – modern and affordable hotels in a central location
Rauland – Skiing holidays in stunning mountain scenery
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
Campcation – book camping all across Norway with Campcation
Vy – travelling by train has never been easier
SJ NORD – the adventure starts on the train
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – experience amazing scenery by bus
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2021
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
Cabin Campers – your cottage on four wheels
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Fjord Tours – Home of Norway in a nutshell® - Norway’s most popular tour
Authentic Scandinavia – Travel created by locals
Up Norway – Bespoke luxury tailored by insiders
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Booknordics.com – hundreds of activities, tours and day cruises in Norway
Brim Explorer – silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Fjord Travel – let us show you the beauty of Norway!
Go Fjords – tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
Stromma – sightseeing, excursions and experiences with bus, boat and train
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“The classic Norwegian perception of ‘kos’ with a hot fireplace and good food and drink can definitely be related to the long winter”, says Arve Uglum, a celebrated host of one of Norway’s most popular TV-documentaries, about people who live in remote, scenic places.
“That kind of ‘kos’ once meant safety and survival in an existence when our ancestors couldn’t take peace of mind for granted during long, cold and dark winters”, he adds.
“My own perception of ‘kos’ extends in all directions”, he continues. “The nicest thing I can imagine is reading to my youngest daughter before she goes to sleep. Then I know that she is warm, safe, and happy, and so I am. But ‘kos’ for me can also be a poker night with friends, a television series on the couch with my girlfriend, or skiing in the mountains.”
“Kos” is the kind of instant happiness you get when you feel safe, warm, and good together.
“Kos” is a typical Norwegian luxury of simplicity, where small joys make you feel great.
Typical words norwegians combine with the word "kos":
“In the summertime, this ‘kos’ culture is converted into the typical Norwegian bright summer nights with island hopping, friends and cool music, or a trip to the mountains and a cabin with a grassy roof and a grazing goat to trim it. I could go on forever”, Anja laughs.
This even applies to her native ski resort Sogndal Skisenter, “where people are friendly, the slopes are varied and fun, and where you never have to queue”.
Helene also perceives hiking, in both winter and summer, as relaxing “kos”.
“I really think of hiking in the mountains as ‘kos’, but also in the forests around Sogndal where I grew up. It reminds me of my childhood when my family often spent weekends here.”
Some six hours east of Fjord Norway, she finds loads of inner peace, quiet and “kos” whilst strolling down the pedestrian paths along the river Akerselva in the very middle of the capital of Oslo. Her riverside hiking is a relaxed way to move effortlessly between meetings and assignments like hosting shows and galas for Norwegian television.
As a break from snowboarding, she likes to go skating on a lake or in a skating rink. “Skating is definitely ‘kos’, because it’s literally easy-going.”
The importance of “kos” in the Norwegian way of living is elevated to an unseen level with the country’s special fondness for music and food festivals.
“The festivals now work hard to appeal to an environmentally conscious audience. The same festivals also offer good and varied food, often with locally produced ingredients prepared on site. And with culinary experiences under the open sky, it is understandable that many people choose to spend their holiday at such festivals”, Katrine Sviland says.
“Because we Norwegians already flock to the mountains to go hiking or skiing, and each year we set a new record for how many nights we spend in the many self-service cabins of The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT)”, Camilla Bjørn explains. She is editor-in-chief at NRK P3, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation’s youth-oriented radio channel).
“We are increasingly many who look for the simple and scenic. ‘Kos’ is about fellowship, gathering together, and sharing experiences”, she adds.
No surprise, then, that one of Norway’s most popular TV-series is still the one that can be translated into ‘Where no one would believe that someone could live’. All over Norway, the whole year round, from the bigger cities to the inner parts of the fjords and valleys, “kos” remains king.
In Norway, it’s always waffle-time. In fact, we love waffles so much that we even serve them in the shape of a heart. Try it as a sweet treat or a cutting-edge Michelin dish.
“Kos” is the kind of instant happiness you get when you feel safe, warm, and good together.
“Kos” is a typical Norwegian luxury of simplicity, where small joys make you feel great.
Typical words norwegians combine with the word "kos":
There is no need to wait until you’re here to find out what you’d like to do. Filter your search and check out the offers below.
See our selection of companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
There is a reason why the Norwegians are among the happiest people on earth. Learn the noble art of “kos”, taste some weird and wonderful food, and join us during our favourite holidays. And we know you’ll want to get a closer look at those fierce Vikings!
The concept of friluftsliv – or “outdoor life” – is as Norwegian as cross-country skis and woollen sweaters. Learn how it can make you a happier person.
Our answer is yes! And an Australian travel magazine agrees with us. But the swing in the tiny roadless fjord village is not the only Norwegian swing with a view.
Norway is one of the happiest countries in the world. Discover why Norwegians are happy, and find your own happy place!
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