Welcome to Bergen, Norway!
The city is known as 'the heart of the fjords'
and is used by many tourists as a base to explore Norway's natural wonders.
Today, I'm taking you with me on a stunning fjord cruise.
All of this is just unbelievable!
And we'll look at Bergen's most Instagram famous spot,
find out what a fjord is and show you some of the most stunning nature you have ever seen!
And, of course, I can't miss out on the fresh fish.
When you search for images of Bergen, you will discover Bryggen –
a picturesque wharf with colorful wooden buildings.
And historic brick houses with connections to the Hanseatic league,
a powerful trading alliance from the Middle Ages.
The Hanseatic wharf of Bryggen is the city's oldest area. It used to be a key
center for trade between Norway and Europe.
And today, it's a vibrant area full of shops, museums, galleries and restaurants.
How cute are these wooden houses?
I don't know if you can see it, but these houses are so old that they are slanted.
Bryggen is a UNESCO World heritage site and a testament to Norwegian architecture.
The buildings have been remarkably preserved over the centuries,
even having survived several fires thanks to rebuilding efforts and restoration projects.
It's a great place to find some souvenirs.
I am right at Bergen's harbor area,
where various cruise options and departure points make it an accessible way for tourists
to experience Norway's iconic fjords.
I'm meeting with Arild from Guided Fjord Tours who will be joining me.
You know, the Germans had a monopoly here from about 1350 up to the 1700s.
The German Hanseatic merchants are the reason
why Bergen's port became such an important hub for trade and fishing.
Today, it is Norway's second largest Seaport
and one of the most popular cruise destinations in Northern Europe.
There are plenty of offers, including cruises that last several days and cost hundreds of euros.
But I recommend this smaller 4-hour trip to see the Fjords.
It is available year-round for 750 Norwegian crowns,
or about 63 euros per person.
So, could you tell me, what exactly is a fjord anyway?
A fjord is an opening in the bedrock.
It is filled with water and it's been created by ice, sand, boulders, stones,
all types of sediments.
But it differs. The shape like an 'U' is usually created by the heavy ice cap.
About 10 to 12,000 years ago, whole Norway was covered by ice.
And what is it about fjords that make them so spectacular to see?
You feel like you're in a room without a roof.
So you get nature very close to you because you don't have to look at it at a distance.
You can get very close because the sides of the fjords are usually very steep.
It's a bit spectacular, of course.
I'm really looking forward to see what Arild means. But first, I'm warming up in the cockpit
and saying hi to captain Hermann.
So how do you drive this thing? Can you tell me?
It looks pretty complicated.
It's a lot of different systems here.
We use this stick on two different modes, and that's on autopilot. Then I can take the course
I want to when I'm looking here at the map.
I like it, I love it. Look at this! Look at the fjord!
And I like the fog between the mountains.
This catamaran is taking us up the 27-kilometer Osterfjord in the northeast of Bergen,
one of the most popular fjord tours.
The fjord is surrounded by steep mountains, lush greenery and cascading waterfalls.
Here you can really take in the varied landscapes of western Norway's fjords.
This fjord is like a U. You can just imagine the bottom of it.
Breathtaking. But the highlight is still yet to come.
So this part here that we're going through is like the narrowest part of the tour and
it's called the Mostraumen strait.
In a few seconds, we are about to see something really impressive.
The Mostraumen waterfall.
Now we are heading back to Bergen the same way
and can really absorb the majestic surroundings once more.
All of this is just unbelievable.
Stunning.
I love it.
I'm having a great time, but: bring waterproof clothes!
This is one of the wettest regions in Europe.
Really windy and cold and rainy right now,
especially up here on the upper deck.
But the occassional rain also brings us some pretty rainbows
as we head back to Bergen's port.
That was quite the thrill and a fantastic way to experience a Norwegian fjord.
I'm back on solid ground now and I'm feeling really hungry. So I'm going
to go check out the popular fishmarket, or "Fisketorget" in Norwegian. Let's go!
Bergen has a rich maritime history due to its Hanseatic heritage where merchants traded fish.
There's usually the outdoor fish market right around here but it's not the season right now.
Locals recommend the indoor fish market anyway, which is great because I'm a little chilly.
Smells like fish.
Seafood is of course a must in Norway, and there is plenty of it here,
including Norwegian stockfish, dried in a process, that dates back to the Viking Age,
and is the main reason that Bergen became one of the largest centers for trade
in Northern Europe.
And there are some other interesting-looking fish here.
I didn't even know you could eat some of this stuff.
What is that? That looks crazy.
Turns out that's an Anglerfish.
So apparently you can not only buy this fish and take it home,
you can also have it freshly prepared for you when you sit and dine here.
How cool is that?
And that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I don't even need a menu, I already know I want Norwegian salmon.
Norway is one of the top exporters of salmon in the world.
Let's give it a try.
Now that's some good salmon.
I've had a lovely little exploration of Bergen today – from the fjords to the fish.
Do you have any other tips for Norway? Let us know in the comments.
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