Norway for Foodies - A Journey through Rural, Coastal and Urban Trøndelag
Duration
8 days
Season
All year
Best suited for
Foodies
Embark on a week-long road trip in and around Trondheim — the 2022 European City of Gastronomy and host city of Bocuse d’Or 2024 — with good reason. This curated journey invites you to explore the region’s food culture through close encounters with local farmers, foragers, producers, chefs, and passionate hosts.
As you travel through sweeping landscapes, from rural Inderøy to coastal Stokkøya and the historic pilgrimage city of Trondheim, you'll stay in architecturally striking cabins and boutique hotels that harmonise with their surroundings. Along the way, soak up the local culture through thoughtfully curated experiences — from bonfire lunches in the forest to contemporary art at the brand-new PoMo museum.
Impact Statement
With 'Norway for Foodies' we wish to highlight UN's Sustainability Goal 11.4 - 'Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage'. We take you food foraging and teach you about biodynamic farming and sustainable food production through Norwegian food heritage to strengthen our communities and local economy. Our food heritage is a part of our cultural identity and a valuable factor in empowering and enabling participation in Norwegian society.
Your itinerary
Itineraries are designed by our travel curators in collaboration with our partners to give you the most rewarding experience possible.
Please note that itineraries can be tailored to your specific wishes when you make an inquiry.
1/8
Arrive in Trondheim - Norway’s Food Mecca, then Head for the Golden Road
Trondheim is easily accessible with domestic and international flights, a 6 - 7 hour train or car ride from Oslo, or as a stop on a Hurtigruten or Havila coastal cruise along the Western coast. Surrounded by countless small and large-scale food producers, Trondheim is the city in Norway with the strongest focus on local food, the true Home of Nordic Flavours.
We’ll have your rental car ready for you on arrival to head North towards Inderøy and The Golden Road; a detour filled with activities and attractions themed around food, beer and spirits, as well as handicrafts. We will guide you to the best places to visit (and taste!) along the way.
Choose your home for the next two nights; the impressive Øyna Cultural Landscape Hotel or an architect-designed treetop cabin.
At Øyna, Frode and his team have made a living out of showcasing the region's very best local food and beverage producers, and as you will come to experience; created an eco-friendly place where one can live a harmonic rural life. This sanctuary, tucked away in a hillslope, has an excellent restaurant and bar with panoramic views of the idyllic rural countryside and the Trondheimsfjord.
Across the fjord, Elin and her family welcome you to a tranquil retreat set among golden grain fields. Their modern 3-bedroom cabin invites you to slow down — unwind by the fireplace, soak in the sunken tub, or nestle into the iconic round window with sweeping views of the fjord. Farm-style meals are prepared either indoors or over the fire, by a private chef or delivered sous vide — ready for you to enjoy in the comfort of complete privacy.
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The Toscana of Trøndelag and Detour to Great Experiences
Rural Exploration on and Around The Golden Road
Today, you may simply choose to embrace the art of doing nothing — from the comfort of your hammock. Or, if you're feeling curious, rent an e-bike and explore the scenic Golden Road at your own pace; we recommend a stop at Gangstad Gårdsysteri for a cheese tasting, featuring their award-winning Nidelven Blue. You might also enjoy a peaceful forest walk with a chef-prepared lunch over an open fire, or try your hand at fishing with a local guide.
In the evening, we’ll ensure you’re booked for one of the area’s outstanding dining experiences — whether it’s a multi-course meal at Øyna, a gastronomic tasting menu at the nearby Experience Farm Restaurant, or an intimate Diner’s Table with your hosts in the historic Stabbur storehouse.
3-4/8
Inderøy - Stokkøya
Design & Architecture by the Sea
A three hour drive towards the Trøndelag coast will lead you to Stokkøya island, a destination where local entrepreneurship thrives and keeps the local community alive. Check in at Stokkøya Beach Hotel – a true pearl of the coast, and with a personal touch created by co-founders Torild and Roar. The philosophy of this place is to combine the elements of nature, architecture, food and activity. Here you will again encounter the concept of ‘matauk’: foraging produce from the sea.
If you're a family, a group of friends, or simply prefer a private retreat, Naustet — a beautifully restored boathouse set right on the shoreline — is the perfect place. With an open-plan kitchen and living area, large windows framing the sea, and minimalist Nordic design, the space blends rustic charm with modern comfort. Here, scallops are just a dive away from your terrace.
Spend your days and evenings at leisure; walk or cycle to admire the urban architecture and coastal landscape, kayak along the sandy beach, try the hot tub, and simply laze by the sea. We’ll ensure you are introduced to the signature shellfish lunch in Strandbaren (The Beach Bar) and the beer produced at the local island brewery.
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Stokkøya - Trondheim via Svorkmo
A Farm-to-Table Experience en Route to Trondheim
As you start looping back south east towards Trondheim, stop to visit an exemplary farm where two of our favourite farmers, Elin and Carl Erik, will introduce you to their version of the Biggest Little Farm, and inspire you with their biodynamic practices over lunch. The nearby Orkanger area can also boast talented dairy producers and one of Norway’s best salmon rivers.
Surrounded by countless small and large-scale food producers, Trondheim is the city in Norway with the strongest focus on local food, the true Home of Nordic Flavours.
Arriving in Trondheim means stepping into rich modern food culture, and we'll set the urban scene by introducting you to Bjørn. Who is Bjørn, you might wonder? This local entertainer has two great passions in life; food and music. Prepare for a home visit and dining experience you will never forget; in Bjørn's little red house, homemade dishes are served in harmony with local entertainment.
No doubt you’ll sleep well; all the hotel beds in 'Leading Hotels of the World' member Britannia have Hästens luxury mattresses.
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Get your hands on art and history before exploring the urban restaurant scene
Explore Trondheim
For those who want an active start to their morning, hit the Britannia gym or pool, or go kayaking down the Nidelven river with a guide.
For those who prefer a calmer start, head straight to Bakklandet; a stroll through the picturesque old town with its colourful wooden houses, cafes and shops, will make you wonder why Trondheim wasn’t on your bucket list ages ago. For tea lovers, note that Norway’s most experienced tea blender, Hanne C. Heggberget has her little tea shop here.
Trondheim is also home to the largest medieval cathedral in the North, Nidarosdomen, built on top of Viking King’s St. Olav’s grave and therefore a pilgrimage site for nearly 1000 years. Together with a local insider, we invite you for a historical walking tour of the city to gain insight into this intriguing part of our heritage, including a ‘Hidden Rooms’ tour of the cathedral itself.
Insider Tip: Go on a private tour of Trondheim by boat with your very own captain - more authentic than a Venice gondola guaranteed!
We’ll let you in on our favourite lunch spot before sending you off to explore the art scene. K-U-K is an art gallery given to Trondheim by local artist Kjell Erik Killi-Olsen, who wanted to create an arena where young artists can be inspired and thrive. Or discover PoMo – Trondheim’s new museum for modern and contemporary art, housed in the former city post office.
In the evening, we’ll hook you up with dinner reservations at one of Trondheim’s many excellent restaurants from Michelin-starred Speilsalen or Fagn, Reneé Fagerhøi's Bula Neobistro, impressive newcomer Tollbua, or legendary To Rom& Kjøkken - there are so many good options to choose from you might just have to stay longer than just one more night.
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Foraging with a Legend
A Last Day of Foraging & Feasting
The first time we sent our guests foraging with Jim Andre, the feedback we got was ‘Everyone should have a Jim Andre in their lives'. His speciality is finding edible wild herbs, vegetables and mushrooms harvested from land and sea. Today we invite you to join him for a foraging experience followed by an outdoor bite, based on your own harvest.
If there are additional top-rated Trondheim restaurants you'd like to experience before your journey ends, we’ll gladly assist in securing a reservation for your final dinner. Should you prefer to keep things spontaneous, Spontan Vinbar is another local favourite worth considering.
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Takk for skiftet!
As your journey comes to a close, we leave you with the Norwegian expression: Takk for skiftet. It's something locals say not just to express gratitude for the food, but for the meaningful conversations and the time shared around the table. We hope you leave inspired, satisfied, and already dreaming of your next bite of Norway.
Insider Tips: If you are hungry for more, continue to UNESCO heritage town Røros, a short drive or train ride to the East. This charming town was founded in 1644 when copper ore was discovered in the area, and features some of the oldest wooden buildings in Europe. Today, Røros is a living museum, a quality-stamped ‘Sustainable Destination’ and UNESCO heritage site - working systematically to reduce the environmental impact of tourism while preserving the town's history, character and nature. Last but not least, Røros is known as one of Norway’s leading regions for locally produced foods. Local food history will form the centre of the experience, but the atmosphere of this remote old mining town is definitely an addition to savour.
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Personalized itinerary
This journey has been curated to offer a Norway for Foodies experience. It can be booked as proposed or further personalized to you.
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With our flexible terms, we hope to provide you with all the certainty and adaptibility you need when booking your well-deseved escape.
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Torunn Tronsvang
FounderExperience Norway’s Culinary Heritage and Scenic Landscapes
– "Norway’s landscapes are as diverse as its cuisine, offering a perfect blend of nature and food. From majestic fjords to rugged coastlines, every journey is an opportunity to taste the land’s freshest ingredients and experience its breathtaking beauty".
Helene Setsaas
Travel Curator
