One Day in Trondheim Norway

Trondheim was my 4th stop in Norway, I was there for a day.

Founded in 997 CE as a trading post, Trondheim has evolved into Norway's 3rd most populous city. With a rich history and many historical sites to explore, Trondheim, Norway is a great place to add to your travel Itinerary.

I took a city tour of Trondheim, below are Things to do in Trondheim Norway

1. Sverresli Viewpoint

View of Trondheim, from Sverresli Viewpoint, a panoramic viewpoint. 

2. Kristiansten fortress

Kristiansten fortress is a popular tourist attractions. There are cannons lined along the fortress Wall, to defend the city from attacks in the late 1600's.

3. Niadros Cathedral

Niadros Cathedral, a Gothic church constructed in 1070, one needs to buy a entrance ticket at the tourist souvenir shop, there are free and paid tours inside the Church. It was very busy with tourist when I visited.

From the Cathedral, I had a few hours to explorer the city by foot checking out the colorful houses by the waterfront. Trondheim has several museums, due to lack of time was unable to visit

4. Main Square

Statue of Olav Tryggvason who was the founder of Trondheim, at the main square. The square was my last stop, from there I walked towards the train station and onwards to the harbor to my waiting ship.

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Things to do in Alesund Norway

Photo taken from the Fjellstua viewpoint

Alesund, Norway is a picturesque coastal town and was the third stop on my Norway cruise, after a good breakfast I headed to take a paid tour and my bus was waiting at the harbor. There is an Airport in town and a train station 100 KM away.  
 

Things to do in Alesund Norway

Fjellstua viewpoint - The above Photo is taken from Mount Aksla, a hill top overlooking the town. One can hike to the top or in my case take a bus to take top, the hike involves taking steep stairs to the top. There are crowds most of the day, Alesund and Fjellstua is a Popular tourist spot. I waited 15 minutes at the hilltop to take photos and shoot a small video.

The views are stunning, I was there in the morning, though evening and night photography from the hilltop would be amazing. 

Sunnmore Museum 

Located just outside Alesund, this open-air museum offers a glimpse into Norwegian rural life from centuries past. Outdoor museum of historical houses in the region. The tour guide was explaining the history about the houses and I took off on own to film the area as there were two bus full of tourists.

There is also a indoor Viking era boat museum in the same complex

If you're visiting in the winter months, Alesund is a good location for potentially seeing the Northern Lights. Check the local forecast for aurora activity and head to a dark spot outside the town if conditions are favorable.

There is lot to do in Alesund, from hikes to exploring Norwegian fjords and mountains. Take a boat tour to explore the nearby fjords. You can visit Geirangerfjord, Hjorundfjord, or the UNESCO-listed Næroyfjord. These excursions offer breathtaking natural scenery. Since I was there only for a day, besides the above a drive through the city and walking the streets took up most of the day. 

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Oslo Norway Travels

Oslo Norway

Friendly Bartender at the Ferry to Oslo.

Oslo is an expensive City, budget and plan accordingly.

Took the over night Ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo. My room was on the 6th floor. The room was comfortable and had a Shower. Most people taking the ferry are an older crowd, though on the weekends there is a younger crowd as per the bartender I met.

Being of Indian origin, I was the only person stopped for questioning by the immigration officials in Oslo, after much harassment they let me go as my tour bus was waiting. 

Things to do and see in Oslo Norway

The ferry had a travel section and it made it easy to book a day tour of the city, which included 3 museums and the ski jump Holmenkollen. The tourist bus was waiting at the Ferry terminal in Oslo.


Pictures taken from the Ferry, it was a cold October Morning. Windy, though the Sea in October was calm, and I had a great night sleep.





Below is the picture of the Norway Parliament I took while on the Bus.




Below - Vigeland Sculpture Park, popular tourist attraction The park was a must see.




The Holmenkollen Ski Jump and the Gift Shop Outside the Ski Jump, the second picture is of a Troll; Trolls are mythical creatures.



The Viking Ship Museum

The Vikings did NOT have helmets with horns. There was not a single helmet with horns ever found.




Kon-Tiki Museum

The Kon-Tiki expedition was sailing in raft across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to the Polynesian islands, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl led the expedition.

Below Ra II built by Aymara Indians from Bolivia, they were worshipers of the Sun God.



If you have Netflix, Kon Tiki Film is worth watching


Info on the rafts can be found on this site
http://www.kon-tiki.no/Expeditions/




Fram Polar Ship Museum

Below - Ship at the Fram Museum - Fram was the first Ice breaker in the world. More info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fram




Below Nobel Peace Center Oslo



Below is the Fort that you'll see as you enter Oslo if you take the Ferry. The Swedes in older days attacked Norway many times, they were no good neighbors as per my tour guide. Relation between the 2 country are great now, a lot of Swedes work in Norway due to great economy and good jobs.

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Things to do in Olden Norway

A Day in Olden Norway

Olden is a village in Norway and my second stop on the Noway Iceland Cruise, Located at the northern end of the Oldedalen valley, on the southern edge of the Nordfjorden and its proximity to the Briksdal glacier.

Olden is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. Olden is located between steep mountains, blue glaciers, and waterfalls,  As I left the Cruise Terminal to go see the Town there was a Red Color sightseeing bus to glacier viewpoint, bought a ticket and got on the bus, used a credit card as I did not have any Norwegian Currency. credit cards are accepted in most places in Norway.

Things to do in Olden Norway

Glacier Sightseeing tour - Glacier Sightseeing tour started from the cruise terminal towards glacier viewpoint. The tour goes along the beautiful Olden Lake surrounded by tall mountains, and waterfalls.

Lake Olden

The sightseeing bus went through old houses and farms, also there was a commentary about American philanthropic William H Singer who loved Olden, lived there and built a hospital.

Near the Cruise Port there is a small market, the bus stopped there and I got off the bus to do some souvenir shopping. From there I walked to the ship and had a nice lunch.

Mt. Hoven - Breathtaking Views

From Red sightseeing bus to the blue bus, the cost for the blue bus was $85 USD which included ticket to Loen Skylift, the skylift takes you straight up to to Mt. Hoven.

Loen Skylift is one of the steepest aerial tramway in the world.

Mt. Hoven, a 1011 meter mountain, it offers a spectacular view of the fjords. Mt. Hoven is a starting point for several hiking trails, one has to be in good shape to do the hike which I am not, so did not attempt to do the hikes, Instead did Photography and spent time admiring the view from a restaurant terrace which is on Mt. Hoven.

FAQ in Leon Skylift check out their website at https://www.loenskylift.com/

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Things to do in Bergen Norway

It was a cold foggy day in Bergen, I made the best use of it. I had taken a cruise ship from Iceland to Norway and Bergen was the first stop. Surrounded by mountains and fjords,  Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway after Oslo. As my cruise ships sails towards Bergen, one can see the beautiful green mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord also known as the King of fjords.

After a great breakfast, I took a tour bus from the harbor to the city, Most of my day in Bergen was spent walking,  Below are the things to do in Bergen Norway.

1. Mount Floyen

Took the funicular to get to the top of the hillside, it was a foggy day in July, still it is a must do/see when in Bergen. The hikes around are also beautiful, with tree houses and Goats. There is also a gift shop and restaurant at the top of the hill. The views are spectacular, giving you a complete bird's eye view of the town. 

Above Picture taken from Mount Floyen in Bergen

The goats are friendly and one can pet them.

2. Fish Market Bergen

The fish and seafood market is in red tents near the harbor, there is fresh fish and most sellers will prepare it for you.

3. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

Historic Bryggen; with different colors of Hanseatic houses built in the 14th to 16th centuries. These places were used for trading and stocking purposes. It is a stretch of colorful buildings which over the centuries were destroyed by fires and rebuilt. These days its been turned into retail business with souvenir shops, clothing stores ect. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

4. Walking the streets of Bergen

Bergen is a tourist town, tourism and fishing being the 2 main industries. The tour guide took us through the streets and explained the history, religion drinks and food, though in my opinion the real beauty of Bergen is in the surrounding mountains and Fjords.

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