The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.
03.04.2024 - 17:07 / forbes.com
Nestled between the peaks of seven mountains and the frigid waters of the North Sea, Bergen is a historic Norwegian city that rightly sits high on the wish list of visitors to Norway.
Its streets are lined with buildings that tell the story of its past, from its role as a Hanseatic League trading center to its development as a hub of the maritime industry.
The city's vibrant urban life is complemented by the stunning natural landscapes that surround it. This easy access to nature and lengthy list of things to do helps to make Bergen one of the best places to visit in Norway.
Choosing the best time to visit Bergen involves striking a balance between crowds and the weather. Summer attracts many visitors to the city and fjords, leading to crowded sites, while visiting off-peak may mean dealing with Bergen's well-known erratic weather.
Whether you're embarking on a road trip or taking a train from Oslo, Bergen serves as a major stop on any Norway travel itinerary.
By road, Bergen is a useful base to explore the fjord region. Sightseeing boat tours are available from the city, while the picturesque town of Eidfjord on the Hardangerfjord is a two-hour drive away.
By train, Bergen is the start or end point for one of the world’s most famous railway trips. The Oslo to Bergen Railway combined with a trip on the stunning Flåm Railway is a journey you won’t soon forget.
For those looking to explore the Norwegian coastline further, the city is the starting point for the iconic Norwegian coastal voyage.
Although the full journey takes 11 nights, it’s well worth staying a night or two in Bergen at the beginning or end of the voyage to immerse yourself in Norwegian culture.
The first issue to address is that Bergen's weather is famously known for its precipitation. The city's rainy weather is a well-known characteristic, with wet conditions possible at any point throughout the year.
For example, although the wettest months on average are October to January, the two wettest months over the last 12 months were September and February.
When planning a visit, it's wise to prepare for rain by packing appropriate clothing, but don't let the weather deter you—the city's beauty shines through regardless of the forecast.
The summer months mark the peak tourist season in Bergen. Longer daylight hours in June and early July extend the possibilities for enjoying nature and the range of outdoor activities in and around Bergen.
The city's attractions become bustling hubs of activity, with a significant increase in day visitors, particularly on cruise ships and arrivals by train.
As one of Norway’s busiest cruise ports, Bergen manages cruise arrivals well, but thousands of extra day visitors still make a difference to the feel of
The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.
If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise.
Bergen is often referred to as “the city between seven mountains” – which encapsulates its blend of culture and nature. Lose yourself in its charming old town, fish markets, galleries and museums, then hike or take a funicular up Mount Fløyen for views and pine forest trekking. Bergen is a great base from which to day trip. Using direct buses/trains, you can go to Gudvangen to kayak across the fjord to your own secluded beach for a picnic lunch, or pop to Voss for its water sports, hiking and farm-to-fork food (Store Ringheim is my top pick).Seb
Seeking an authentic experience in the Norwegian fjords? The Nordfjord region epitomizes the beauty and cultural richness of the Norwegian fjords, offering everything from breathtaking natural landscapes to immersive cultural experiences.
Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation. The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake.
Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record highs this year, but not all itineraries are created equally — especially if you're looking to sail with Disney Cruise Line.
Several hundred years ago, German-speaking traders would arrive in Bergen with boatloads of grain, cloth, and other vital commodities. They would stay for a few days in the wooden warehouses that line the harbor, before stocking their boats with dried fish from Lofoten and heading back to Europe.
Traveling to Europe in the summer months is a rite of passage—steamy nights spent in the south of Spain, snoozy days on the most beautiful Greek islands, breezy afternoons sipping rosé on a terrace in the South of France. But as tourism levels continue to rise after a few quiet years, and peak-season temperatures climb from Italy to Croatia, is the appeal of a big European summer holiday dwindling?
Sleeping on a bed made from ice, surrounded by walls made from ice, within a building made from ice, had been on my bucket list for years. I'm what you might call a snow tourist, a habit that started while I was living in the Middle East, where it never snows — back then, the ski slopes inside shopping malls just didn't cut it.
With additional reporting by Sarah Allard
Our life is ruled by time.
Instead of a four-hour road trip from Koman to Fierzë, relax and enjoy the Albanian fjords via the Drin River. We reversed on to the Berisha ferry, which takes 10 cars, plus foot passengers. Everyone sits on deck, regardless of the weather, to take in the views, which began with an incredibly straight white line high in the rock, showing the water level during the rainy season. The scenery was magnificent with forest-clad hills and high, rocky mountains with various coloured strata. Occasionally, a remote, isolated house could be seen. After two hours, we began spotting small tourist boats and hardy kayakers before arriving at Fierzë.Roy Messenger