Joyce

We are taking a cruise on the Coastal Steamer from Kirkenes to Bergen. We will be spending 2 nights in Bergen before taking the train to Oslo. Should we take the "Norway in a Nutshell" (8hours) or just a half day fjord trip and the rest of the time in Bergen? This seems like a no-brainer question but we are all in our 60's plus (there are 4 of us all together) and we don't want to drag ourselves out to the point of exhaustion.

Marija

Norway in a Nutshell is incredible. It's not exhausting since you spend your time sitting on trains, boats and buses. Do it!

Bjorn Alvik

Hey, Joyce. <BR>If I'm right, you'll arrive Bergen at 14:30. That gives you one evening and one full day in Bergen. To my opinion, that full day you should spend exploring Bergen. Go by the fenicular to the mt Floien, stroll the old wooden quarters and the Bryggen area etc. Enjoy the town and relax! <BR>What then with the "Nutshell"? <BR>Easy, make it a part of your Bergen-Oslo journey. Train Bergen-Voss, bus Voss-Stalheim-Gudvangen, ferry Gudvangen-Flam, rail(Flamsbanen) Flam-Myrdal, where you catch the afternoon express train to Oslo. Might be a little late arrival in Oslo, though (around 22:14), but after passing the mountains, sights will not be that stunning anymore, hence you'll have several hours to rest and relax on the train. <BR>Bjorn, Oslo

Brigid

One more vote for Norway in a Nutshell! It really is fantastic. If you do make it part of your trip back to Oslo note that it'll make for a long day (around 12+ hours) but that that last and longest part of this is just sitting on the train (5-6 hours). (You'll also still use a full day for it if you do it as a round-trip.)

Joyce

Thank you for your suggestions. I think a lot will depend on how we feel after we get to Bergen. I do want to spend some time in Bergen. The train ride to Oslo is included in the package we have so we will probably not be able to break it up. I think the best thing to do is just come back another time. We are certainly looking forward to seeing you beautiful country.

Bjorn Alvik

Joyce, don't be too sure on not being able to break up your ticket, or maybe make an arrangement on the spot for a nutshell detour. If your train by example, is the afternoon train from Bergen, you'll have "plenty" of time to take the Voss-Gudvangen-Flam-Myrdal detour. I wouldn't think you'd have to pay extra for the Bergen-Voss train, but you might have to pay for bus, ferry and Flamsbanen. Don't quote me, but let us say a total of some 200-250 NOK per adult. <BR>Regarding what to do in Bergen? Why not start with a stroll through the "central park" ending at the rail station where you get detailed info on alternatives. From there walk back through the old Marken quarters in direction the fenicular station and the Bryggen area. Unless raining, this will be a most beatiful stroll. <BR>Bjorn, Oslo

s.folwer

The waterfront area in Bergen is charming and interesting -- let me also suggest some other sights nearby. First the Munch Museum and second the home of the composer Edvard Grieg. His "composing cottage" is set right on the water if I remember correctly. There is [was?] also the Fantoft stave church -- but am I right in thinking that burned down?

Bjorn Alvik

S.Folwer <BR>You are both right and wrong. <BR>Maybe there is som Munch stuff in Bergen, but the Edvard Munch Museum was built in the sixties and is located in Oslo. <BR>Edvard Grieg's home Troldhaugen (the hill of the trolls) is in Bergen, some kilometers south of city center, near a place called Paradise. Between Paradise and the Fantoft Student village, you'll find the restored Fantoft Stave church. Very small and very pretty. Yes, it burned down once, due to some crazy satanist organization's herostratic work. <BR>Bjorn, Oslo

s.fowler

Thanks for the correction Bjorn! Maybe that's why I didn't get to that museum during my all too quick visit to Bergen

s.fowler

Or rather -- tusen takk!

B

Or maybe you saw some Munchs after all. At the shore of Lille Lungegardsvann (the small lake in the city center), there's a "famous" gallery Rasmus Meyer's Samlinger (The collections of Rasmus Meyer). I would be highly surprised if that gallery did not contain a single Munch, in addition to all the other nice stuff. A must for arts-adicted visitors to Bergen. <BR>Bjorn, born in Bergen, raised in Oslo