Day 4: Trondheim to Bergen via Ship
We had a restful night of sleep and headed up to the restaurant for an early breakfast. The breakfast buffet was included in our fare and had all kinds of options, including allergy-friendly choices.
Everyone on the ship has to check out of their cabins at 10am. We recommend that drop your bags off early and find yourself a chair before all the prime seats are taken. The Explorers Lounge is a good place to find a spot. Much of the lounge was already full when we arrived at 8:30am. Chairs at the window can be hard to come by.
Disembarkation wasn’t until 3. Between books, snacks, and beverages, the day flew by.
The ship sailed past small towns, tiny islands, and occasionally other boats. Every now and then a house or small village would appear, and it was hard to imagine how people lived in such a remote and rugged environment. Hours passed before Bergen finally came into view.
We exited the ship and collected our bags in the terminal. We took a taxi to our hotel, a short distance away. The streets and shops were bustling in Bergen and we couldn’t wait to explore.
Accommodations in Bergen
We dropped our bags at the Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen. It’s a lovely hotel, well-situated for sightseeing. Our room had an unusual angled ceiling and skylight-style windows. As with our other Thon Hotels, breakfast was included with our stay.
Things to do in Bergen
We would have loved to spend more time in Bergen, but managed to make the most of the time we had in the charming city. We arrived on a Wednesday, the last day in July. The city was buzzing with energy and people. There was a lot to do within walking distance of our hotel.
Shopping
We were surrounded by shops. We spent a few hours shopping along the waterfront. You’ll find an assortment of souvenir shops, name brand stores, and uniquely Norwegian offerings, like Dale of Norway, famous for its wool sweaters.
Fish Market
We walked through the historic Bergen fish market, a mainstay here since the 1200s. It was unlike the one we have back home, with items like whale and urchin available for purchase. We stopped at a food truck and had a reindeer sausage.
Bryggen
The tall, wooden houses are the old wharf of Bergen. Bergen is one of the oldest ports cities in North Europe. Over the centuries the houses have burned down, and been rebuilt. There are more than 60 buildings remaining. Today this area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents a fascinating piece of Bergen’s history.
Floibanen
The Floibanen funicular in Bergen is one of Norway’s best-known and most visited attractions. The journey up to Floyen, over a thousand feet above sea level, takes about 5–8 minutes. We headed up just before sunset and were treated to a gorgeous view. We also enjoyed seeing the goats that roam around on the top of the mountain.
Keep Reading: Click on page 5 to take the train back to Oslo with us.
