• Many buildings on the Lofoten Islands have grass roofs. The brother of our host, Liv Lydersen, said he was building a home with a grass roof because it offered extra insulation against the winter chill. He said he planned to buy a goat to help trim his rooftop turf.

• The Lofoten Islands are estimated to have some of the oldest rocks on Earth at 3.5 billion years old.

• Outdoor enthusiasts are known to flock to the Lofoten Islands for hiking, bike treks and ocean excursions. During the wintertime, tours are offered to see whales and other sea life.

• The Northern Lights are visible from the Lofoten Islands. Because the islands are above the Arctic Circle, the sun will shine for as long as 24 hours in the summer but then disappear at times for 24 hours during the winter.

• Traveling to the Lofoten Islands requires time and money. The shortest route is flying to one of the three airports on the island chain, but it's the most expensive option. Some people take a boat, while others drive across a new bridge that connects the islands to mainland Norway.

• Only one narrow road, the E-10, runs the entire length of the Lofoten Islands. It's a two-lane highway, barely big enough for large trucks to travel on, and connects small towns with a series of bridges and underground tunnels.

• Lofoten has a relatively moderate temperature because of the nearby Gulf Stream.

• The main tourist Web site for Lofoten is: www.lofoten.info

SOURCE: www.lofoten.info

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com