We have used miles to cover our way to Scandinavia! Here’s a little taste from a previous trip I did in 2010 with my wife. We were lucky enough to have friends in Norway’s Oslo. Our friends insisted that Bergen was more of a traveler’s experience than their nation’s capital and after just one rainy night in Oslo we were whisked away to see it. Norwegians are a patriotic and proud bunch, and it was easy to see why as we passed through fjords, pine forests, and wonderful scenery in general.
Bergen’s inhabitants are a lively bunch, which we found out on our first Friday night when the whole town was seemingly, well, out on the town! It was fun to people-watch and there was no shortage of enthusiasm for alcohol. Everyone seemed happy that summer night. But I was warned that it wouldn’t last for much longer. It was July after all, summers don’t last long here. So it was wonderful to see people making the most of it.
Bergen is small and it won’t take long to do the city center and its environs. The fish market is a must-do: the sell smoked whale meat. No, I didn’t have the stomach to try it, and yes, shame on me for being a lame traveler.
Though less adventurous for a gourmand, I recommend Potetkjelleren. Set in a Medieval basement, it has amazing Norwegian food. Go for the fish of course. Being underground seems somewhat natural in Bergen, as Potetkjelleren isn’t the only worthwhile underground establishment – there’s also Borskjelleren Bar, one of the coolest bars, situated in the stock exchange cellar.
My favorite activity was taking the funicular, a kind of train on rails that steeply climbs the mountain. It gave breath-taking views of the city, its surrounding hills and islands. There’s a restaurant at the top (pretty average food) where locals and tourists alike hang out, enjoying the view and the brisk atmosphere.
We were lucky enough to be invited to dinner at my friend’s brother’s house just outside of Bergen, perched on a hill above a beautiful fjord. I definitely recommend renting a car to drive around and discover the city’s surrounding areas. Sometimes it’s good to head off with some local directions and then get lost in a foreign city. You got here, now let adventure carry you on.
