Norway
Marken Gjestehus is an award winning hostel in the heart of Bergen (only 250 meters from the train and bus station). I have stayed there twice myself, and can definitely recommend this place. I stayed in the dorms, but they also have private rooms. In dorms you also get a locker with a key, so you can safely store luggage. Everything is very clean and nice. Great kitchen, fully equipped with everything you need. The staff are very helpful and nice. I will definitely stay here again next time I go to Bergen.
www.marken-gjestehus.com
Kong Oscars Gate 45, 5017 Bergen
+47 55 31 44 04
Google map: bit.ly/xBUdjW
Normally, the thought of a seven-hour train journey would be enough to make me pop a sleeping pill, but the spectacular Oslo to Bergen railway had me glued to the window, camera in hand. Bridging the gap between two of Norway’s must-see cities, this unique train journey climbs an astonishing 1222m above sea level, taking in picturesque pine forests, plunging waterfalls, narrow gorges and small villages dotted with gingerbread-style houses. The most stunning stretch comes over the Hardangervidda, Europe's highest mountainous plateau and national park. Jaws dropped as the train rolled through beautiful, barren snowscapes, resembling what you may only expect to see on another planet (I later found out it was used to film parts of Star Wars). It is not surprising that it is recognised by many as the most exciting and beautiful train ride in the world.
www.nsb.no
Departs from Oslo S railway station
A 14 hour round trip from Oslo to Bergen, taking in all Norway has to offer. During the initial five hour train journey from Oslo to Myrdal the scene from the window gets whiter and whiter as the journey takes you high through the Langfjellene and Hardangervidda mountains. By the time you reach Myrdal station, it’s so snowy icicles have formed the length of the ticket offices. The Flam railway then descends down the Norwegian landscape, stopping briefly by the (often frozen) Kjosfossen waterfall allowing passengers to get out and take photographs. From Flam you take a boat through the breathtaking Aurlandsfjord before a bus takes you the final length of your journey from Gudvangen to Bergen, just in time for dinner. Bergen has one of the world’s most famous fish markets, so trying the local produce is highly recommended. If you still haven’t quite got enough of a snowy mountain fix, Bergen’s funicular railway takes you to the top of Mount Floyan for some outstanding views and vast walking opportunities. Completing the round trip is a direct train journey from Bergen back to Oslo, including a stop at Finse with an altitude of 1,222 meters, it’s the highest station on the journey.
www.norwaynutshell.com/en/explore-the-fjords/norway-in-a-nutshell/
The “Norway in a Nutshell Tour” takes you through the most beautiful scenery in Fjord Norway. Scale the mountains by rail, the fjords by boat, and take in the incredible view on the bus journey up the steepest road in Northern Europe, the Stalheimskleiva! You can experience the scenic Bergen Railway, the breath-taking Flam Railway, the Aurlandsfjord, the narrow Naeroyfjord (now included on UNESCOs World Heritage List) and the steep Stalheimskleiva.
For more information visit ACP Rail International for rail pass information: booking.acprail.com/index.action?urlType=Norway_in_a_Nutshell_Tour&info=true
A cosy small guesthouse in the city centre of Bergen, near a small park. They offer nice rooms equipped with coffee and tea making facilities with shared bathroom/toilet for a reasonable price. I can recommend this guesthouse for a weekend break in Bergen.
Klosterhaugen 15, 5005 Bergen
+47-98659765
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjjkzug
If you are able to travel to see the Northern Lights at short notice, you have a much better chance of seeing a dramatic display when the sun is active.
The current and predicted activity of the Sun can be found at spaceweather.com A two day prediction of auroral activity is given at the bottom left of the home page.
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