Norway

We will return to Norway. Our 4 days here gave us just a glimpse of all that there is to see. With charming towns, beautiful fjords, and every possible hiking experience you'd want, this is our kind of place. We used Bergen as our hub and took day trips from there. This country, largely sitting on a huge hunk of rock, is unique in that glaciers have carved out these water ways of steep cliffs and dramatic views at every turn. Bergen famously rains 290+ days per year but we lucked out with mostly non-rainy days during our June trip. If you rent a car, you'll be impressed by Norway's advanced tunnel system. There are even roundabouts inside the mountains!

Things To-Do

Kayaking in Norway's Eid Fjord: Located 2 hours from Bergen, the town of Eidfjord is nestled on the banks of the Eid Fjord, a branch of Hardangerfjorden. We lucked out because we happen to visit on a day when the usual cruise ship had not docked nearby. We recommend checking with fjord tours, the company we used, so you can repeat this good fortune. Our time in this breathtakingly beautiful place was also accompanied by a gorgeous drive through Norway's impressive tunnel system.

City of Bergen: The City of Bergen, Norway, is one of those places that charms you into wanting to return. It has a lovely feel to it even though many tourists stop here on their way to visit Norway's famous fjords. With quant shops, cobblestone streets, great restaurants, and beautiful mountains surrounding this small City, there's a little bit of everything in one place. On our only full day in central Bergen, we took two tours, one walking tour through the City, and one boat tour through the neighboring fjord.

White Water Rafting: Just 60 minutes by train from Bergen is Voss Active, an outdoor adventure company offering rafting on Stranda or Raundal rivers, depending on water levels. Voss Active center has changing rooms, bathrooms, and all the equipment you need for the experience.

Where We Stayed

AirBnB: We rented an apartment near the University and walked distance from downtown. It's hosted by a commercial operator so you won't get all of the personal touches that we've become accustomed to with AirBnB's. However, the location and space itself worked out well for our group of 5.

Where We Ate

The Daily Pot (right photo): We weren't real fans of the food in Norway so our recommendations are not traditional. We enjoyed a local, healthy option called the Daily Pot. Prices were also comparatively modest.

Savanna Restaurant: Bergen has an Eritrean immigrant population so we thought we try a restaurant out with Eritrean roots. This one has mixed reviews related to the service but it was just fine for our visit. The food was reasonably priced and quite good.