Life & Style
D E S T I N AT I O N S
A Mild Place in Arctic Harshness Norway’s rugged Lofoten Islands aren’t too cold, aren’t too hot and have a warm, welcoming attitude.
T
he Lofoten Islands – beautiful, untamed and north of the Arctic Circle in the tempestuous waters of the Norwegian Sea – bely their location as grateful beneficiaries of the Gulf Stream. The outcropping off Norway’s northwest coast enjoys mild winter and summer temperatures of 34 degrees and 54 degrees, respectively. While not Tahiti hot, it’s warmer than most places on the globe at that latitude – a warmth reflected by the islanders in the gracious hospitality they extend to visitors. The archipelago’s primary industries are fishing (cod and haddock), along with art and tourism. Cod is king, as evidenced each winter by copious wooden racks on which the fish are allowed to cure naturally in the sun. Cod, by the way, is listed as stockfish on most restaurant menus; it’s the prime ingredient in many outstanding dishes.
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2019
