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active 8 hours ago

Linda Veråsdal

I live part time in Norway and Gambia, and in-between I travel. The passion for exploring new places at the same time as doing it in a good and honest way, led me to the role I have to day. Providing custom-made extraordinary travel experiences, while using tourism as a tool for development.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in travels to Norway and various places in the country. The experiences varies from outdoor adventures to more culture-based activities. Norway has a wide range of different activities you can do, and many small hidden gems and hamlets you can visit. Tailor-made off beaten travels and travel as a local. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have always been curious about people and places, which led me to the realization that my life would consist of traveling... in one form or another! Early in life I traveled mostly in Norway and worked various places from south to the North-cape, east to west and in between! From there onwards, I started to travel abroad.

Combined with my interest of social welfare, using tourism as a tool for development has been my call. This slowly led into establishing Ethical Travel Portal."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"There are many... Most of them connect the sense of a place and the wish of time standing still to be able to absorb the experience. Add-on experiences that is difficult to plan for! It can be through exploring Norway, my own country, or as in my latest travel to Romania.

We stayed at a traditional house when the neighbor asked us over to see his vegetable garden. I have never seen so many different types of tomatoes! In less than ten minutes, he filled his basket and invited us in for a drink. Chopped the veggies and served it with ovens baked bread and home made juice! This happened at the same time as he was telling his interesting story. He then excused himself as he drove off to pick up his wife and daughter, leaving us in the kitchen enjoying the food! That is digging deep into the local culture.

Another experience happened recently in The Gambia, during a trip where we were looking for cotton farmers. When we finally found the village, we had been traveling to the opposite side of the country, far in and far East. There, the most pristine village popped up from nowhere. Very local and traditional, no electricity or running water, but so beautiful and the sense of a community feeling with great hospitality."

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Recent trip reviews for Linda

We had an amazing 12 day trip in southern Nor...
Norway | Sep 13 - Sep 24, 2024

Karen
Karen W.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2024
We had an amazing 12 day trip in southern Norway, planned by Linda. She arranged all hotels, walking tours, a kayak outing, and transfers and excursions on trains and boats. Accommodations were clean and comfortable. Tour guides in Oslo and Bergen were excellent. Highlights were the Flåm rail ride and fjord cruises, although we enjoyed much of the rest of the countryside too.
Also, museum visits in Oslo and Alesund were informative and enjoyable as well.
Linda was very helpful and available...
Read more

We had an amazing 12 day trip in southern Norway, planned by Linda. She arranged all hotels, walking tours, a kayak outing, and transfers and excursions on trains and boats. Accommodations were clean and comfortable. Tour guides in Oslo and Bergen were excellent. Highlights were the Flåm rail ride and fjord cruises, although we enjoyed much of the rest of the countryside too.
Also, museum visits in Oslo and Alesund were informative and enjoyable as well.
Linda was very helpful and available as was her colleague, Tom. We had a couple of hiccups which were quickly remedied. All in all, a great experience that we highly recommend.

Hotel Review
Hotel Brosundet
Ålesund

Wonderful hotel with delicious breakfast buffet. Great location and restaurant for dinner. Really loved the vibe of this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Sep 30, 2024

Hi Karen and Chris, thank you so much for your feedback. I am happy to read you had an amazing trip and you had an enjoyable experience. It was a pleasure to work with you, and plan the trip! Hope to see you back another time! All the best, Linda

What an awesome trip! I have always planned t...
Norway | Aug 18 - Aug 27, 2024

Bobbie
Bobbie L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 03, 2024
What an awesome trip! I have always planned trips on my own but wanted to personalize this trip for my granddaughters. Linda was nothing short of amazing and helped me to find the perfect tours that met my goal as well as pleasing the adults. When I had ideas, Linda would explore options, would explain why/why not it might be feasible, and/or would come up with additional suggestions. Every single day was a win when it came to experiences. John and Steig, our city tour guides, catered to our... Read more

What an awesome trip! I have always planned trips on my own but wanted to personalize this trip for my granddaughters. Linda was nothing short of amazing and helped me to find the perfect tours that met my goal as well as pleasing the adults. When I had ideas, Linda would explore options, would explain why/why not it might be feasible, and/or would come up with additional suggestions. Every single day was a win when it came to experiences. John and Steig, our city tour guides, catered to our 2-62 year old group, Captain Tor was truly incredible and a family favorite. Glacier tours, Viking Village, swimming in fjords, troll forests, driving to mountaintops, Stave churches, Flam Railroad, and so much more! When Kimkim states they are always available, they are. We lost two pieces of baggage and they helped us navigate the airline (on the weekend and off hours.) When I broke my arm, they told me where the clinic was once I got off the ferry. This was critical! Finally, they still offered suggestions while we were on the trip. This wasn't we've got your money and we are done. I will definitely use Kimkim for future travel and highly recommend you give them a try.

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Sep 08, 2024

Hi Bobbie, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! It was such a pleasure working with you and be able to show you parts of our country. I am really glad it all worked out, and that you had a great experience to your expectations! Hope to see you back in Norway one day, or one of the other KimKim destinations! Best wishes to you and your family! -Linda

Linda set up a wonderful trip for my family. ...
Norway | Aug 13 - Aug 17, 2024

L
LeeAnn G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024

Linda set up a wonderful trip for my family. We made changes- sorry- but she rolled with the changes and made it so easy. Thank you. The guides were great, accommodations were wonderful. LeeeAnn

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Aug 24, 2024

Thank you so much for your review! I was really nice to plan the trip for your family with you, LeeAnn! Next time you come as well! :-) Linda

Norway is Beautiful
Norway | Jul 22 - Jul 27, 2024

Craig
Craig B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024
Our local tour guides, Stig(Oslo), Tor(Belestrand) and John (Bergen) were great! They all had wonderful stories to tell and it was obvious they had great love for their cities. Thank you! Read more

Our local tour guides, Stig(Oslo), Tor(Belestrand) and John (Bergen) were great! They all had wonderful stories to tell and it was obvious they had great love for their cities. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Oslo Guldsmeden
Oslo

Very well kept. Great breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Balestrand Hotel
Balestrand

Loved having a balcony that overlooked the Fjord. Sauna and Fjord swim was an experience that we were glad we did.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hanseatic Hotel
Bergen

It was awesome to experience staying in such a well aged hotel that has lots of stories to tell over the decades. Great location to everything!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jul 29, 2024

Hi Craig, thank you so much for your review! I am really happy to read you had a nice time and enjoyed meeting our local guides! The best way to get to know a place, through the people. :-) I hope to see you and your family in Norway another time. Best wishes, Linda

Perfect Trip planned for us!!!
Norway | Jul 19 - Jul 26, 2024

Linda
Linda Z.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024
We loved our trip to Norway and working with Linda who lives in Norway. We usually plan our own trips, but we became unsure of where to go and how to get around. Linda had a plan for us within 24 hours. We loved the fjords, the quaint hotels, our kayaking and mountain bike/hike trips, the beautiful countryside and all the people we met. Linda checked in with us during our trip and was available if we had questions. Read more

We loved our trip to Norway and working with Linda who lives in Norway. We usually plan our own trips, but we became unsure of where to go and how to get around. Linda had a plan for us within 24 hours. We loved the fjords, the quaint hotels, our kayaking and mountain bike/hike trips, the beautiful countryside and all the people we met. Linda checked in with us during our trip and was available if we had questions.

Hotel Reviews
Storfjord Hotel
SKODJE

Luxury hotel that over looks the fjord and mountains in the distance.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sagafjord Hotel
Sæbø

Most beautiful views of fjord and mountains! Comfortable hotel that could use some updating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hustadvika Havhotell
Fraena

Comfortable lodging on the sea in a remote area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Brosundet
Ålesund

Larger upscale hotel that seems like it was the nicest in Alesund.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hjørundfjord Exploration: Kayak Tour
Hjørundfjord Exploration: Kayak Tour
Hjørundfjord

Most beautiful place to kayak!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
E-Bike and Hike with a Guide
Skodje

Fun morning mountain biking and hiking.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jul 29, 2024

Thank you so much for your review, Linda. It was such a nice pleasure to work with you and plan the trip together. I really love to see your photos, so nice memories. Hope to see you back in Norway another time! Best wishes, Linda

Amazing active vacation to Norway
Norway | Jun 2 - Jun 11, 2024

Rebecca
Rebecca S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2024
We just returned from an amazing vacation to Norway planned by Linda. She incorporated all of my requests -to be away from crowds, on the water, and to be active both hiking and on the water. We travelled to Bergen, Fjaerland, Vaerlandet, and Lofoten and each offered stunning views and landscapes. The accommodations were perfect as well - quaint and personal. I would not have been able to organize such a trip myself or find such gems to stay. LInda was such a pleasure to work with. She... Read more

We just returned from an amazing vacation to Norway planned by Linda. She incorporated all of my requests -to be away from crowds, on the water, and to be active both hiking and on the water. We travelled to Bergen, Fjaerland, Vaerlandet, and Lofoten and each offered stunning views and landscapes. The accommodations were perfect as well - quaint and personal. I would not have been able to organize such a trip myself or find such gems to stay. LInda was such a pleasure to work with. She was responsive both before and during the vacation to questions and requests. It was comforting to have that local person in country when we had a question. Again - fabulous trip. I would use KimKim again in the future!

Hotel Reviews
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel
Fjærland

Quaint beautiful hotel on more secluded fjord - perfect setting. The staff was friendly and helpful. The breakfast and dinner were wonderful as well. It is a quiet place to be to just relax and get away. Hiking, kayaking, and sauna right nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Værlandet Havhotell
Hamna

Ideal setting right on the water overlooking the landscape - quaint and secluded. The room was modern and clean with fresh decoration. We loved sitting on the porch over the water listening to the wildlife. We had fun biking and hiking on the island right from the hotel. We shopped at the local Joker to make dinner in the room and enjoyed the Joker fish soup! The owner, Elin was so kind and helpful as well - giving us a map of the area and pointing out places to see. Her brother worked at the Joker and also friendly - delivering a yummy breakfast in the morning and pizza one night. Elin and her brother also went out of their way to find a smaller bike for my daughter to ride while we were there. Elin also helped wash clothes in their washer/dryer - so kind.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jun 15, 2024

Thank you so much for your review, Rebecca. I am glad to read the trip plan suited you and your family and we managed to put together a beautiful route. It was a pleasure working with you, and hope to see you back in Norway another time!

Linda was incredible. 10/10!
Norway | Dec 29 - Jan 6, 2024

Allie
Allie V.
Denmark | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2024

Linda was incredible. Helpful, kind, patient and very responsive. I loved working with her. She gave great recommendations and was there every step of the way. 10/10!

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jan 08, 2024

Hi Allie, thank you so much for your review! It was a pleasure working with you, and am glad you enjoyed the itinerary. Looking forward to see you one day during the summer to explore the fjords! :-)
- Linds

Trip to Norway
Norway | Jun 30 - Jul 10, 2023

T
Thiery C.
Lorton, VA | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2023
Linda did a great job planning our trip. She was always very responsive and was able to address all issues. If we do this again, we will certainly ask for her. Read more

Linda did a great job planning our trip. She was always very responsive and was able to address all issues. If we do this again, we will certainly ask for her.

Activity Review
Fjordcruise on Nærøyfjord Gudvangen | Bus and Train to Bergen
Fjordcruise on Nærøyfjord Gudvangen | Bus and Train to Bergen
Norway

Were able to show the grandchildren the beauty of Norway.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jul 18, 2023

Hi Thiery, thank you for your feedback! I hope to see you back in Norway one day. Best, Linda

Our local specialist, Linda, did an amazing job
Norway | Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2023

Debi
Debi G.
Cameron Park, CA | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2023
Our local specialist, Linda, did an amazing job with our constant changes. She stayed positive and made sure we had the correct bookings on correct dates for each traveler. Read more

Our local specialist, Linda, did an amazing job with our constant changes. She stayed positive and made sure we had the correct bookings on correct dates for each traveler.

Hotel Reviews
Scandic Byporten
Oslo

Adjacent to Train station and walking distance to shopping and the wharf

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel Terminus
Bergen

If you want to be close to transportation options and have a clean room, beautiful historical building that serves an amazing breakfast, this is the place. Rooms are small & basic but clean. The beauty of the hotel, service and convenience of transportation made it ideal

Authenticity & Character
Location
Train & buses across the street
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Still not used to the twin pads on top of queen box springs so common in Europe, but otherwise very comfortable
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri
Aurland

The deck right on the water and view of fjord was amazing

Authenticity & Character
Location
10 min by taxi to Flam, where the cruise ships dock and train is located. Out of tourist area but close to what you need.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jul 02, 2023

Hi Debi and Annie, thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!
I am glad your trip finally happened after two years of waiting! I hope to see you back in Norway another time. Best, Linda

Our Family Adventure to Bergen and the Western Fjords
Norway | May 27 - Jun 6, 2023

Linda
Linda M.
Colorado Springs, CO | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2023
We and our children and grandchildren just returned from a fabulous 11-day trip to Bergen and the Western Fjords. Our travel specialist, Linda Verasdal, did an impeccable job of crafting the perfect itinerary tailored to our interests and needs. What memories we made! We started and ended our trip in Bergen. Must-do’s: Take a walking tour of the harbor area with a local guide to learn about historic Bryggen and tour its colorful, ancient wooden buildings; ride the funicular up Mt. Floyen... Read more

We and our children and grandchildren just returned from a fabulous 11-day trip to Bergen and the Western Fjords. Our travel specialist, Linda Verasdal, did an impeccable job of crafting the perfect itinerary tailored to our interests and needs. What memories we made!

We started and ended our trip in Bergen. Must-do’s: Take a walking tour of the harbor area with a local guide to learn about historic Bryggen and tour its colorful, ancient wooden buildings; ride the funicular up Mt. Floyen for amazing views of the city, harbor, and surrounding mountains; then, hike back down to town. Take the light rail to visit an impressive stave church. Eat dockside at Fish Me or lunch as we did at Egon.

We then traveled into the Hardangerfjord region via private transport, stopping at the Jondal ski resort where we snowshoed up to the glacier! Exhilarating!

As we toured the fjord region, we spent two nights in each of these small villages: Lofhus, Ulvik, and Flam/Aurland. Highlights and faves: taking scenic cruises on the fjords on while counting the numerous waterfalls (!!) and taking in the breathtaking beauty, tasting the local apple cider at farms where the trees were in full bloom, kayaking, hiking, getting our thrill on a wild rib boat safari, and taking walking tours with local guides who told us about the area.

In the tiny town of Gudvangen, we took a private tour of the authentically reproduced Viking village of Njardarheimr where our excellent guide Cory debunked the myths and explained what life was really like in the Viking era. Craftspeople demonstrated traditional trades. Faves: trying archery and axe-throwing, meeting the Chieftain of the village, and being introduced to the ancient chess-like board game Hnefatafl. (No, we can't pronounce it!)

After a relaxing cruise on the beautiful Naeroyfjord to Flam, we feasted on the Viking Plank Dinner of local ingredients and brews at the Aegir Brewpub.

We finished our trip with two wonderful days in modern cabins right on the fjord in tiny Aurland. Lastly, we took the famed Flamsbana railway from the bottom of the Aurlandsfjord to the mountains in Myrdal, stopping midway at the powerful Kjosfossen waterfall.

What an experience!

Hotel Reviews
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri
Aurland

We stayed in the cabins with decks overlooking the fjord where we soaked in the peace and quiet as we took in the gorgeous views in all directions. We also very much enjoyed dining at the gastropub at this hotel.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Ullensvang
Lofthus Hardanger

We requested rooms facing the fjord and were glad we did. The rooms were spacious and updated. The hotel itself is large and offers many amenities including multiple pools, historic buildings, a dock with seating, a large restaurant, and a bar downstairs for after dinner .

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel Terminus
Bergen

Hotel Terminus is ideally located opposite the train station, making it easy to catch a train to the airport. The hotel is a renovated older building, but could use more refurbishment. The breakfast served at the hotel restaurant is excellent, however, the lack of a consistently open evening restaurant was a minor inconvenience. However, the location is very walkable, being a few blocks from downtown Bergen.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Brakanes Hotel
Ulvik

Brakanes Hotel was a good experience. The location is absolutely stunning, with cabins right on the fjord. Despite undergoing an ownership change, the hotel remains a great place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Blue Glacier Hike in Jondal
Blue Glacier Hike in Jondal
Norway

Great experience with guide Wilde who was very friendly, accommodating, and attentive to each person's needs in our group with a wide age range.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen Walking Tour With a Local Guide
Bergen

Ana gave us a full tour of downtown Bergen and the Bryggen area. She provided extensive information about the history of the area and offered suggestions for restaurants and shopping.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
RIB Fjord Safari
RIB Fjord Safari
Norway

Driver Richard was great! He had a good sense of humor and gave our grandsons a thrilling ride in the speedy rib boat while not overdoing it. Loved it when he spun a yarn about how getting we in a waterfall with give you a longer life and then nudging the boat up to a waterfall at the fjord's edge so our grandsons could catch the spray! Only time will tell on the veracity of his yarn...

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided kayak in Ulvik
Guided kayak in Ulvik
Ulvik

Our guide Christophe was genial and attentive to the widely varying abilities of our group. (Yes, I did bring up the rear!) He took us all across the bay at the end of the fjord where Ulvik is situated and then across the fjord. We stopped on an island where Christophe demonstrated how to start a fire using a rustic flint knife and a steel. Our grandsons were thrilled when he helped each of them to start a fire of birch bark and scraped tinder bits. He then made a fire on a portable grill and brewed us tea and coffee! Great experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord
Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord
Norway

This was a leisurely tour of Naeroyfjord after our tour of Viking Village in Gudvangen and ending in Flam. Beautiful scenery and ore waterfalls!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Experience in Undredal
Private Experience in Undredal
Norway

Louis, our guide, picked us up in a shuttle van and took us around the end of the fjord in Flam to Undredal on the other side. He took us on a walking tour of the tiny town while he explained the history of the area. We then visited the tiny stave church in town, which was an inspiration for the Disney movie Frozen. We admired the ancient painting on the wooden staves and ceiling inside the church and marveled at the two drawings dating from the Viking era, which were carved into small squares on the walls. We lunched on goat at a restaurant fjord-side where we tasted various kinds of goat cheese. The whole valley is famous for its goat herds and the cheesemaking.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Osafjellet and the Tunnel
Visit Osafjellet and the Tunnel
Ulvik

The visit to Osafjellet and the Tunnel was interesting, but the guide spent too long on a PowerPoint presentation at the beginning, which was a bit dry. The tunnels themselves were fascinating, but the uneven, wet footing was a challenge, and the lack of provided lighting made it potentially dangerous. The overall experience was okay, but some aspects could have been better planned

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore a Cider Farm in Hardanger
Explore a Cider Farm in Hardanger
Ulvik

The cider farm tour was a great experience, but there were some issues with communication regarding the amount of walking involved. The tour included a lot of walking, which was a challenge for some members of the group. The cider tasting was done back at the hotel rather than at the farms, which was a bit of a disappointment.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Jun 23, 2023

Hi Linda! Thank you so much for your review! It was really great to read that the trip was up to your expectations and that we did a good job! :-) It was a pleasure to work with you, and to see all the lovely photos here! I can see you had a great time. Finally, after three years in the waiting! I wish you and your family all the best, and hope to see you back in Norway one day!