Bergen: Best Travel Spot for 2016

[TLCOhio]

From the Boston Globe newspaper travel section this weekend, they have this headline: "hot places for travel in 2016" with Bergen, Norway being one of those top areas cited and suggested for doing an upcoming vacation. Agree!!

 

Here are some of their story highlights on Bergen: "It’s an inspiring little city of 265,000 with a historic waterfront, a thriving music scene, and some very innovative cuisine. Reindeer: It’s not just for Santa anymore! But the charm of Bergen is its natural beauty. Steep, lush hills surround the main harbor. A funicular offers spectacular views from above and day tours of the nearby fjords will quickly fill the memory card on your camera. Best time to go: July."

 

Our visit in Bergen having been in July, we agree on that timing being idea as that writer indicatesl. We super loved Bergen from our visit there. Below are some of my notes and pictures on Bergen, plus to provide "evidence" for its charm, beauty and character. More on Norway, including many more pictures, are on my live/blog as connected below.

 

Any others have tips, success stories, etc., to share on Bergen? Post here, including any questions, etc.

 

MY BERGEN NOTES/IDEAS:

As the seat of Norway’s medieval kingdom of Norway for six centuries, Bergen is a former Viking stronghold encircled by deep fjords, towering mountains, and sweeping glaciers. Today's Bergen has much of the medieval flavor remaining around Bergen's harbor. We explored the cobblestone streets, saw its pastel-color wooden houses, bargained in some of the many artisans' workshops and visited the famous and always-entertaining Fish Market. You can watch the locals haggling over today's catch and enjoy a quayside lunch of freshly caught salmon or fish and chips.

 

Rated by Frommers as more scenic than Oslo, Bergen was the base of the medieval Hanseatic merchants. Those historic timbered houses are set around Bryggen or The Wharf, a center for crafts and workshops. Its prime row is mostly reconstructed 14th-century structures, some of which were originally destroyed by fire. Det Hansseatiske Museum depicts commercial life on the wharf in the early 18th century and is highly rates with well-preserved wooden structure. Its art museums are highly-rated with religious icons, local art, etc.

 

In the afternoon, after some of the big crowds had lessened, we took the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of a 1050-foot high peak for scenic views. This cable car has been operating for over 80 years and was refurbished in 2002. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. At the top of the Mount Floyen, there are hiking trails and places for lunch or dinner. The trip takes seven minutes and both cars are on the same cable going up and down. Mariakirken or St. Mary’s Church is the most outstanding Romanesque church in Norway. Bergen is Norway’s largest port and has a population of 252,000. Scenic Bergen completed our voyage with its dramatic backdrop of seven rounded mountains and cobble-stoned streets. It entices you to take memories and photos cherishing the land of the Norsemen. Here is the link to this rail option:

http://www.floibanen.com

 

Their good and helpful Tourism Office can be accessed on the web at: http://www.visitbergen.com/en

 

We docked at the fairly handy Skoltegrunskaien Pier. This put us within about a 10-15 minute walk of the main attractions at the market and warehouse area.

 

Full Boston Globe Travel 2016 Ideas story at:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2015/12/26/hot-spots-where-travel/Yb1TAjlVZ3iq0UgYjAwbfK/story.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 190,989 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

In Bergen, this was our great vista on this sunny day from the top of the Floibanen funicular railway station and its scenic overview.:

 

 

 

Here’s a close look at these historic Bergen Hanseatic merchant warehouse building fronts, people taking pictures, etc. :

 

 

 

Right near the Hanseatic merchant warehouse area is the Bergen Fish Market with lots of options to buy food to eat on site or just watch, enjoying the “show” as people ask questions and buy the various fresh fish items.:

 

 

 

In the Bergen market area, here’s one of the sales tent offerings for local woolen products.

 

 

 

Bergenhus Festning Castle is located in the entrance to Bergen’s harbor and is one of the oldest, best-preserved castles in Norway. Shown is Rosenkrantz Tower, built in the mid 1500’s with dungeons on the ground floor, cannons on the top floor, etc. :

 

 

 

This picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor, plus nearby scenic areas, etc.

 

[Loreto]

Fantastic pictures! We will be in Bergen in May, looking to enjoy the local flavor of the port. You offer great ideas....thanks.

[TLCOhio]

Fantastic pictures! We will be in Bergen in May, looking to enjoy the local flavor of the port. You offer great ideas....thanks.

 

Appreciate your nice and kind comments. Hope things work well during your May visit to historic and charming Bergen. Be prepared for colder and/or more challenging weather there. We were lucky in mid July to have perfect, sunny weather. Consider some inside options to be prepared in case and if your weather conditions are not ideal.

 

Below are a few more "eye candy" visuals to spark your excitement about your Bergen visit.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 130,068 views for this posting.

 

 

The tourism office is located in an historic bank building that faces a key shopping square near the Fish Market. This building faces a Holbrook statute in the square and has interesting architectural details. This picture shows the higher part of this building that faces the harbor. You can tickets here for the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway and save time needed to wait in line.:

 

 

 

From the higher hill areas of Bergen, here is the view of the rooftops and other harbor area places.:

 

 

 

Where do you shop in Norway? Here is an example in Bergen in looking for woolen items in the charming area right near the Fish Market. As you can tell by the friendly smile, our friend, Sharon, was enjoying herself. :

 

 

 

From the Bergen harbor, this is the view of the station, dining place, etc., for the Floibanen funicular railway at the top of its 1050-foot high peak.:

 

 

 

This view from the Bergen hilltop shows the central downtown shopping area (Torgalmenningen, the major square) and many various building rooftops. The red brick church at the top is Johanneskirken (St. John's church), built of red brick in a neo-gothic style in 1894. The church tower at the left is Korskirken, dating back to the latter half of the 12th century and whose name means “True Cross”. Lots of interesting and historic architecture in Bergen.:

 

 

 

From our ship as the sun is getting ready to set on July 14, here is the view of the Bergen harbor on our sail away at 11 pm.:

 

[gaelsail]

The tourism office is located in an historic bank building

The tourist office (Visit Bergen), is upstairs (with a lift) in a purpose built building on the corner of the harbour. It has been here for some time.

near the Fish Market.

The fish market is on the lower floor of the same building as the tourist office. As you can see from this photo, taken outside the fish market, it is on the opposite side of the street from the 'old bank'.

 

[linderbelle]

TLC did you go on a tour in Bergen or off on your own?

 

Linda

[jenf22]

Love the pictures. It's was cold and rainy when we were there so we missed the funicular. We did see the stave church and that was pretty neat. Would love to go back!

[TLCOhio]

TLC did you go on a tour in Bergen or off on your own? Linda

 

jenf22: Love the pictures. It's was cold and rainy when we were there so we missed the funicular. We did see the stave church and that was pretty neat. Would love to go back!

 

Appreciate these follow-up and kind comments on my pictures. The credit goes to Bergen and Norway for their amazing beauty and character. On the question of DIY versus a tour' date=' we had planned for doing "things" on our own. We were with two other couples. BUT, in getting there and starting to walk around, the question came up about how best to see more in this amazing town, learn more, etc. We called and were able to work out a brief tour and drive around. As detailed on my live/blog, it worked out super well for us our needs.

 

This tour and guide [b']solved some logistical challenges[/b]. We got to see much, much more of the town than if we had only "walked around". Having a smart, knowing guide meant that we learned so much more about Bergen and Norway. PLUS, getting a bunch of questions answered by a curious mind like mine. Personal choice!! You do not need to do a guide/tour here, but, it worked super well for us and our needs/interests. It cost a little more, but we were very pleased with the "value added" by taking this step by the six of us.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 208,091 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[ajmom]

Hi Terry, we would very much appreciate the details on who you used for your private guide. Thank you in advance.

[TLCOhio]

Hi Terry, we would very much appreciate the details on who you used for your private guide. Thank you in advance.

 

Yes, here goes. Anne Lien, who was then the owner of Bergen Guide Service, was our local expert and she did super well. This firm can be reached at http://www.bergenguideservice.no

 

BUT, however, she has "shifted gears" in the past year or so and is not operating this firm herself. You could contact them, ask good questions, see what they offer, suggest, etc. As is true with ship and/or private tours, not all guides are created equally. BUT, when you are checking in advance, you can usually get a good idea of their responsiveness, interest, professionalism, etc. Good luck!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 192,397 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923