With the brutal heat waves stagnating on much of Europe during July and August, Scandinavia offers less punishing summer weather. Despite forecasts for incessant rain days before the trip, the weather actually turned out to be quite pleasant. Crossing Norway by boat and train to Oslo was magnificent. Then on to Stockholm and finally to Copenhagen.
Flying into Bergen, Norway was easy and a great place to start this journey. The city is vibrant and modern but has managed to keep its maritime roots and UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen fishing village fully restored and intact.
The Norled Fjordcruise from Bergen to Flåm through the fjords started off with drizzle and low visibility, but about two thirds of the way through the boat ride, the weather improved at the most spectacular part of the journey.
The town of Flåm is located in the most gorgeous valley and is one of the most popular destinations in Norway. Not far from the town is Brekkefossen, a fantastic waterfall with incredible vistas. The views from Flåmsbana on The Flåm Railway to Myrdal are breathtaking. The continuing train to Oslo stops in Finse which is surrounded by glaciers.
Oslo is a small city, but arguably one of the most livable cities in the world. The cultural installations like the Oslo Opera House, Munch Museum, and the Vigelandsparken, as well as the neighborhood of Aker Brygge are cutting edge architecture and superb urban planning.
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series just happened to coincide with this visit. The upper ramps of the Oslo Opera House were extended 30 meters out to the harbor to create the 27 meter diving platform. The competition at this venue was incredibly dramatic and exhilarating.
Stockholm is another beautiful city surrounded by water with beautiful architecture and stunning vistas. The city has a lot to see and because of the islands, the sites are not always easy to get to, but the city has an excellent public transportations system that includes buses, subway trains, and even boats that make sightseeing a breeze.
Copenhagen's fame precedes itself and does not disappoint. The city was gorgeous and well planned decades ago to allow for life without a car. Watch out for the bikes! There are lots of places to sit and enjoy your surroundings. You can easily walk 30k steps despite having great public transportation.
