Norway
It all started when…
My friend Kiki and I spontaneously decided to go to Norway and Iceland and we bought tickets two weeks before leaving. I love to do my research and find all the best spots to visit and places to eat before I travel. Rick Steves is my guy! If you have not read any of his travel guide books, then you need to! Not only is he a Pacific Northwest native, he provides all the best recommendations, itineraries, and everything you need to know about Norway. I quickly purchased my Norway book and read up on all the places to visit and planned my itineraries. I also like to bring a copy to read on the plane or during my down time while I travel.
Norway is the most scenic, mountainous and majestic place I’ve ever visited. Words cannot describe how beautiful this country is. Everyone says the best time to visit Norway is in the summer but I feel like winter is underrated and it’s the best time to visit. Not only is it less crowded with tourists, you get to truly experience its natural beauty. Norway in March is like a winter wonderland!
Day 1 - Seattle to Bergen
My advice to you is to pack everything in a backpack, especially if you go from city to city. The best backpacking backpack for travel, is the Osprey pack from REI. Before this trip, I had never gone on a winter excursion, so I knew it would be tough to pack light and stay warm at the same time. Packing cubes and bags are a lifesaver, I can’t say it enough. I basically packed my warmest yoga pants (a pair of insulated fleece line yoga pants, and my warmest lululemons), a few long sleeves, hoodies, warm hiking socks, beanies, scarves and wore my thickest winter jacket on the airplane and train.
From Seattle to Bergen, I booked a flight through Norwegian Airlines. Knowing that this is a budget airline, meaning no meals on the plane, I was prepared to pick up Vietnamese sandwiches before heading to the airport. I met Kiki in the airport at our terminal and of course, she comes walking in wearing the same shoes as me…… that’s how you know we are friends (aka Fjord Friends!). Great friends think alike, we both rocked our brand new Sorel boots ready for this winter extravaganza (probably the best purchase towards snow boots I’ve ever made).
A 9-hour plane ride to London, a quick layover and a short 2-hour plane ride and we finally made it to Bergen! Getting to your destination from the airport is pretty easy. There are many bus options, cabs or ubers. We arrived pretty early to the hotel and took a quick power nap to wake up and explore the city.
Hotel - Zander K Hotel - This super cute and modern hotel is located in the center of Bergen. Zander K is decently priced and conveniently located right across from the train station and airport bus. Our mistake was calling an uber from the airport to take us to the hotel ($70). We later found out the bus ride was only about $15. This is a very minimalist hotel and has all the amenities you would need, also includes complimentary breakfast buffet. The restaurant is a Norwegian dream, with all the fur chair coverings and cute hanging lights. If you know me, you know I love fur, and there is no shortage of fur here. Its used as decor everywhere!
Bryggen - (translates to dock), is one of Bergen’s main attractions. This is a famous wharf with many shops, museums, and pubs surrounding the area. There are tons of passages between the rows of historic houses, and we ventured through them up stairways and down small little alleyways. Worth the time to explore and there’s a lot of history here.
One downside about visiting in the winter is that everything closes early. Unfortunately most dinner places will close before 6!
Day 2- Bergen
Mount Fløyen- take a short 6 minute ride up on the train to Mt. Fløyen, and the view from up here is phenomenal. We hiked a short loopup here and explored the view. Even discovered some mysterious bloody scene on the ground… could’ve been an animal or a murder who knows. My plan was to hike from Mt. Fløyen over to Mt. Urliken but because of the snow, it was unsafe to do in March. I recommend doing this if you’re here in the summer.
Mount Urliken- a quick bus ride away from downtown Bergen. A short ride on the cable car takes you right up to the top, to the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains. I thought Mount Fløyen was gorgeous, but this was on another level. You’re even up higher, knee deep in snow, with gushes of wind chill. The view of the fjords, the sea, islands and mountains is amazing!
It’s no wonder the Norwegians are so good at winter sports! Everywhere you go, you see people carrying their ski’s hopping onto the train or bus: easy access to the mountains! There are also so many spots in Norway where people go base jumping, you’re bound to see someone doing this on a nice day.
Day 3- Norway in a nutshell
The Norway in a nutshell tour takes you on one of the most scenic self-guided tours around the fjords.
Fjord is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley
This tour starts from Bergen and ends in Oslo, but can also be done from Oslo or Voss. I purchased tickets here. There’s also the option to buy all of the train tickets and bus tour yourself, however this is more of a hassle. I looked into this and some of the sites to purchase train tickets or bus fares didn’t accept American credit cards and you have to call them and stay on hold forever. Through the website, all of the tickets are purchased for you and there’s an itinerary planned out for you day.
Our Itinerary:
8:43 - 9:54 Bergen to Voss - The Bergen Railway
10:10 - 11:05 Voss to Gudvangen - Bus
12:00 - 14:00 Gudvangen to Flåm - Fjord cruise - a winter boat
16:50 - 17:40 Flåm to Myrdal - The Flam Railway
17:54 - 22:35 Myrdal to Oslo - The Bergen Railway
