Do you know much about Bergen, Norway’s second city? Yeah, I didn’t either…
To be honest, the only reason I put it on my Norwegian itinerary was so I could catch a train from there. The Oslo-Bergen train journey is hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful, so my plan was to:
a) fly to Bergen (only 50 minutes from Oslo and 40ish euros with Norwegian – and wow, you get free in-flight wifi [but very little time to use it!])
b) avoid having to sell one arm to buy decent accommodation for a single night there; and
c) make a quick railway exit the next day.
Because, really, all I could hear about Bergen was that it was cold and rainy. (Okay, and maybe that it was pretty. And that it had a wharf with colourful old houses. And mountains and fjords all around.)
But I don’t know, I wasn’t excited. I guess I was just focusing on the rainy (I mean, it is even nicknamed the ‘City of Rain’!)…
So, I flew to Bergen with a Couchsurfing offer from an Argentinian guy and no sightseeing plans (but guys, I had just spent a weekend living the life in the mountains – I needed to recover!).
Well, here’s the *very unexpected* twist to this story: Bergen was, in fact, LOVELY. Because well, it had colourful old houses. And mountains and fjords all around.
And oh, it didn’t rain. (But then again, that did seem like a one-off, considering how over-eager the locals were to go out and soak up the sun!)
Beyond that, Bergen also has a much more European and ‘old world’ vibe than Oslo, with its German-built Hanseatic merchant area, terraced cafes, and cosy pubs.
And even though I still didn’t do much there, just walking around the picturesque city and coastal path was enough to decide I really, really liked Bergen.
I had a blast with those guys! [/caption]
Have you ever been surprised by a destination you didn’t expect much from? Do you have any great Couchsurfing stories? Let me know in the comments below!
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I have to admit I didn’t know anything about Bergen before reading this post, but now I want to visit!
Kacy recently posted…Traveling Slow in Brazil
I didn’t know much either but it was a pleasant surprise!
Camille recently posted…Bergen, Norway: a Photo-Essay
What a great post. Bergen looks absolutely beautiful – love the colours. Great to hear that your experience was made even better by Couchsurfing… I recommend Couchsurfing to everyone… signing up to that site was one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s like making thousands of friends all over the world at the click of a button :).
Fab post.
Gabby
Gabby @ theglobewanderers.com recently posted…Pinewood Film Studios: Travelling the World in your Lunch Break
Right? I’d used Couchsurfing before but it had been a while… now I’m really into it again!
Camille recently posted…The Serious Business of Norwegian Summer ‘Hyttelivet’ (‘Cottage Living’)
Looks great, Camille! 🙂
Secret Traveller recently posted…Website of the week – The Global Couple
Thanks!
Camille recently posted…Wanderlust Instagrammy Awards: Myanmar in 30 Amazing Pictures
Les maisons colorées au bord de l’eau, c’est bien nordique… Bergen est aussi, je crois, le point de départ (ou d’arrivée) de l’express côtier qui rejoint le nord de la Norvège en 6 jours en longeant les côtes, les fjords et en faisant étape dans les grands ports du pays.
Oui, et c’est interessant car Riga etait aussi une etape sur la route du commerce hanseatique donc il y a un lien et des similarites avec Bergen…
Camille recently posted…Blown Away at Torres del Paine, Chile
Sounds like you were really lucky to have good weather! It looks like a gorgeous little place, but then everything I’ve ever seen about Norway makes me more and more determined to explore it (apart from the whole money thing!). Thank-you for reminding me to make it happen. 🙂
Katie Featherstone recently posted…Architectural details in decay at the Forbidden Purple City, Huế.
I know Katie, the country is worth exploring but money can be a real barrier! This is why I resorted to Couchsurfing in Bergen, and I was lucky I had a friend putting me up in Oslo… But once you have the budget for it, it’s great!
Camille recently posted…The Serious Business of Norwegian Summer ‘Hyttelivet’ (‘Cottage Living’)
Bergen is one of the places that I want to visit during my studies in Sweden. I’ve heard that it’s a beautiful town, but I’m surprised how great it looks in your pictures. I’m used to having all my pictures from Scandinavia naturally grayscaled because of the gloomy weather. You were lucky this time 🙂
Patricia recently posted…How it all started in The Lost World
Haha absolutely, you don’t know how excited my Couchsurfing hosts were about the weather when I was there – it seemed like they hadn’t seen the sun in ages! Bergen truly surprised me for its beautiful setting. Also, Sweden is the only Scandinavian country I’m missing, i hope I make it there soon! 🙂
Camille recently posted…Wanderlust Instagrammy Awards: Malaysia in 20 Amazing Pictures
I am glad Bergen turned out to be such a pleasant surprise for you! 🙂 I studied abroad in Bergen for ten months and absolutely fell in love with the city and the beautiful mountains around it, so I am always super stoked to see people visit and love it! 🙂
Melanie Fontaine recently posted…A Countryside Weekend
I know Melanie, the geographical setting is delightful, and even though I only spent a day there I got a really good vibe from the city! Was the rain really bad while you lived there though?
Camille recently posted…World Thirst: 5 Exotic Teas and Coffees You Should Try
I absolutely loved this little city! I spent five days in Bergen, did most of the touristy stuff, and still was sad to leave! I definitely preferred it to Oslo.
Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun recently posted…10 Highlights of the Louvre
Same Heather: it’s a very cutesy place and it seemed to have a good cafe/bar scene, which is always a + in my books!
Camille recently posted…Wanderlust Instagrammy Awards: Bolivia in 30 Amazing Pictures
Yeppp- love the colored houses! Just read your bio and I have a friend who moved from CT to Thailand to teach and explore- she loves it!
What a great blog, in love with your logo!
Katie @ Katie Wanders
Aww thanks Katie, that means a lot, I was glad to find your blog too. Sadly I’ve left Thailand for now – I’m sure I will be back at some point, but for now I’m on the road again to explore the rest of the world!
Camille recently posted…Tasting the Good Life in Parnu, the Summer Capital of Estonia