The City of Bergen

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Norway in a Nutshell

Explore the fjords: This is the most popular round trip in Norway -- and for good reason. It features some of the most spectacular scenery in Fjord Norway. Highlights include a ride on the famous Flåmsbana railway, a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and narrow Nærøyfjord. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the goats, which graze along the edge of the fjord or of the seals lying on rocks before the boat moors at Gudvangen. You will have a close-up view of the steep mountainsides as your bus makes its breathtaking ascent up the hairpin bends of Stalheimskleivane road (summer only). The next stop is Voss, where you can catch the train back to either Bergen or Oslo.

  • Season: Daily year round
  • Duration: 1 day. Booking and more information at: Fjord Tours . Customer phone: +47 815 68 222
The City of Bergen

Bergen is the gateway to the fjords. Bergen lies on the west coast of Norway and is the country's second largest city with a population of 260 000 inhabitants. Founded by the Viking King Olav Kyrre in 1070 AD, Bergen was the capital of Norway until 1217, when it was transferred to Christiania (today Oslo). In the 13th century, Bergen became one of the Hanseatic League's most important bureau cities, and it maintained a monopoly of trade with Northern Norway, notably the dry fish to continental Europe.

The city fronts on an inlet of the North Sea and is bounded by mountains. Bergen is one of Norway's leading seaports and is an industrial center that produces varied manufactured goods. Fishing, shipbuilding, and ship repairing are also major economic activities. The city is the host of the University of Bergen, the second largest university in Norway with 16,000 students and 3,500 staff. The International Festival, featuring a variety of performing arts, is an annual summer event.

Workshop Social Activities

There are two social activities included in the programme:

  • Ice-breaker, sponsored by the City of Bergen on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 in the historic Håkonshallen, Bergenhus Festning
  • Conference Dinner, sponsored by the Bjerknes Centre on Wednesday, October 27, 2010
For other activities not included in the workshop program please see below

Bergen's Other Attractions

Because of its history, Bergen has a rich architecture dating from the 12th century, such as the medieval Bergen Hanseatic Wharf, a UNESCO World heritage site. See below suggestions of tours downtown and surroundings. To find out more about places and things to do visit Bergen's official tourist website. For information about opening hours, tickets, etc, contact the Tourist information office, Vågsallmenningen 1, Tel: +47 55 55 20 00, Fax: +47 55 55 20 01. Opening hours 2010: Mon-Sat, 9 am-4 pm.

Eating out

In Bergen, from tea rooms to gourmet fish restaurants, you have a wide range of options to eat out. Visit Restaurants in Bergen to choose a place which suits your desire.