Perhaps it’s the fact that Oslo is hosting Eurovision at the end of this month, but cheese is big in Norway right now.

I’m not talking brown, brie or goat’s – although there is plenty of that – but, rather, the musical variety.

Specifically, a bit of Village People as you hare down a fjord at 60knots aboard a RIB-boat.

And let me tell you, the only way to do the magnificent Lysefjord, near Stavanger in south-west Norway, is aboard Atle Gundersen’s swift-moving Fjord Events craft dancing to YMCA!

The tour affords stunning views of the mountains on either side, including Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), although the best way to experience that particular phenomenon is atop it, some 600m above the fjord.

The 3.5km climb takes about two hours – be sure to wear good hiking boots and carry water – but it is undoubtedly worth the effort.

It feels inadequate to label the panoramic vista from the top breath-taking; perhaps awe-inspiring is more accurate but it’s probably best to do it yourself and come up with your own choice of superlative.

Back on the RIB-boat and it’s definitely the way to arrive back in Stavanger town in head-turning style, particularly with Atle’s mix tape of Bryan Adams, Robbie Williams et al blaring away.

But, if you prefer your cheese to be more edible than audible, fear not.

The Stavanger region – the fastest growing in Norway – is attempting to establish itself as a favourite among foodies.

It even has a Gastronomic Institute, which educates people on ways to make the best use of the wonderful natural resources with which the area has been blessed: deep fjords, ideal for raising salmon, halibut and shellfish, fertile tracts of land for agriculture, endless pastures – perfect for lamb and other livestock production – and a climate that is blessed by the Gulf Stream.

This equates to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fine dining, with Charles & De, Tango and the funky Bølgen & Moi (where your dessert may be served on kitchen scales) just a few examples of what’s on offer.

Charles Tjessem, founder of Charles & De, is part of a new, young generation of chefs passionate about putting Stavanger on the culinary map.

He won the 2003 Bocus D’or – a biennial recognition of the world’s best chef – yet shuns the spotlight, once turning down the chance to become Norway’s Gordon Ramsay because TV producers wanted him to be more, well, like Gordon Ramsay.

Then there is Flor & Fjære, a private island restaurant run by Olav and Siri Bryn situated in a stunning garden setting.

The couple have carried on the legacy left by Olav’s father Asmund, who bought four acres on the northern tip of the island Sør-Hidle in the 1960s and began planting a small garden for his wife.

His son and daughter-in-law opened the restaurant in 1995 and welcomed about 600 guests in the first summer. This year, they expect about 30,000 between May and September.

People live well in Stavanger, it seems, with the compact town centre – fanning out below the 885-year-old cathedral – a maze of quaint, cobblestone streets lined with boutique shops and trendy cafes and bars.

Comparatively mild winters (average temperature 2C) and comfortable summers (average 17C) make it a fairly pleasant place to visit all year round.

There’s the limitless beautiful scenery you would expect from a mountainous nation but, perhaps more surprisingly, just 15km south of the town lie sandy beaches that are packed with families in summer and, on windier days, offer perfect conditions for riding waves and kite-surfing.

With the average beer setting you back the equivalent of about £8, Stavanger isn’t the cheapest place for a quick getaway, but – given the scenery, climate, eateries and range of activities on offer – it may be one of the most satisfying.

Jo Rooney was a guest of Visit Norway, Scandinavian Airlines and the Radisson Blue Royal Hotel, Stavanger