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Tourists in Norway will soon be able to whale watch from land

Nov. 13, 2019
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2 min read
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Tourists in Norway will soon be able to whale watch from land
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Norway should be on every traveler's must-see list: It's a stunning destination with mountains, fjords, contemporary cities and natural phenomena like the midnight sun and northern lights.

And come 2022, there will be yet another reason to plan a trip to this Nordic land. It's called The Whale, and according to Lonely Planet, it will "enable visitors [on the] island of Andøya to see migrating whales up close."

Whale watching is a huge tourist attraction in Norway, and more than 50,000 visitors already flock to Andenes every year, Lonely Planet said, which is where The Whale is being constructed. Windswept Andenes is considered an especially excellent destination for whale watching due to the cold, squid-filled waters that attract sperm whales.

Danish architecture firm Dorte Mandrup won the competition to design The Whale. Børre Berglund, CEO of the project and head of the jury for the competition, called it at once "poetic and low-key" and "exciting and unusual."

The Whale will overlook the island's rocky coast, and offer uninterrupted views of the North Atlantic from the roof. The curved, stone-covered structure will be home to exhibition spaces, a café and a store, and has been created to look like a natural extension of the rugged landscape.

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Image courtesy of Dorte Mandrup

Even though The Whale won't open before 2022, it's not too soon to start planning your trip there. Fortunately, Norway is pretty easy to get to on points and miles, thanks to frequent flights by Star Alliance member Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). You'll want to check out Aeroplan, one of our favorite ways for finding Star Alliance award availability, to get there.

While you can go whale watching from basically any country with a coastline, there are certain places where the chances of sightings are particularly high and the whales come conveniently close to shore. So, if Norway isn't a fit for you, consider one of our other favorite destinations on Earth for whale watching.

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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.