Whether or not it is Athens, Paris, or discovering the one welcoming place in Spain these days, Europe is at all times calling our title once we’re able to money in our PTO.
However maintain off on making journey plans for a second! A brand new report claims there is a record-breaking prepare that is undoubtedly Europe’s prime summer time journey.
You could be stunned to find it isn’t France, Greece, Spain, or any of probably the most notable names you’d consider; it is truly a surprising journey via Scandinavia’s beautiful landscapes that noticed a report of passengers left gobsmacked in 2024.
I wasn’t certainly one of them final 12 months, however I’ve skilled it in earlier years, and I can attest: the Oslo-Bergen Railway has caught in my thoughts’s eye as certainly one of my prime journey recollections, and it will likely be for you too.
Simply keep away from burritos in Norway…You will thank me later.
81.9 Million Journeys — However This One Is Norway’s Finest!
Oslo. One in all Europe’s most underrated capitals.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting 3 instances and it has been a blast each time regardless of the bruised checking account afterward.
Whereas I needed to sacrifice $8 Pink Bulls for caffeine headache withdrawals, total, Norway is actually phenomenal from its welcoming locals, charming folklore, Hogwarts-esque prepare stations, and most opulent fjords, one thing so stunning it would not appear doable to be actual; a real “pinch me” second.
Until you are already in Scandinavia, your best entry level shall be Oslo, a metropolis with 3 direct connections from the U.S through highly-respected Scandinavian Airways or low-cost service Norse Atlantic Airways, presumably the largest bag police airline on Earth (you’ll want to pack correctly!).
Having been to Oslo a handful of instances, as a lot as I benefit from the distinctive tradition, vibrant waterfronts, and world-renowned artwork displays, it is best served by a brief keep, which makes a visit throughout Norway’s astounding surroundings and postcard villages much more attractive.
A report 81.9 million rail journeys transpired throughout Norway in 2024, however there is not any doubt the Oslo-Bergen Railway (additionally known as “Bergensbanen” if you wish to strive your hand at Norse) will not be solely the most well-liked, however globally famend as the final word summertime thrill.
There are a complete of 12 stops between Oslo and Bergen, the gateway to Norway’s well-known fjords. Whereas it might be tempting to remain put in your window seat the entire journey, do not sleep on the in-between.
Norway’s Postcard Villages
After departing from Oslo, the primary cease is Drammen, a scenic riverside stopping level earlier than the true journey begins.
The following stretch escapes the town bustle of crowded plazas, line-out-the-door museums, and unending troll statues, traversing village after village for hours earlier than finally ending up in a what seems like a Lord of the Rings movie set.
Among the many many charming stops alongside the way in which, these 3 are significantly notable:
Flå: Dwelling to Bjørneparken (Bear Park), this small village nestled within the inexperienced Hallingdal valley is the final word vacation spot for wildlife lovers who can rise up shut and private with foxes, bears, wolves, moose, and extra!
Finse: Reaching Finse is the top of the journey — actually. Sitting over 4,000 ft excessive, Finse affords a winter wonderland setting within the midst of summer time with snow-capped mountains in an unlimited expanse of uncooked, untouched wilderness.
Voss: Ever paid for overpriced glass bottles of water with “Voss” slapped on the label? Effectively, you’ve got reached its namesake! Voss affords a treasure trove of actions for thrill-seekers, for which you’ll be able to refuel with, you guessed it, Voss water. This tiny village is Norway’s “adrenaline capital” with towering waterfalls, white-water rapids, skydiving, snowboarding, and something that will get your blood pumping.
Bergen: Norway’s Heaven On Earth
There are almost 200 nations on our stunning planet. I’ve solely checked off about 40 up to now, however when folks ask me for recommendation on the place to go in Europe, Bergen is at all times a prime hidden gem I like to recommend, regardless of the season.
After I visited, it was in the course of the throes of winter, and each aforementioned village and past was a Hallmark film with gleaming white snow blankets and winter wonderland magic.
Come summer time, Bergen and the encompassing area tackle a complete new vibe, however much more vivid and luxurious.
In the event you’re not aware of fjords, Merriam-Webster defines them as “a slim inlet of the ocean between cliffs or steep slopes,” which sounds manner much less enthralling than it’s in actual life.
Whereas I am not a non secular man, it is laborious to not query whether or not Bergen’s fjords weren’t meticulously designed. They’re a dwelling masterpiece carved by millennia of ice and water, forming awe-inspiring cliffs, valleys, and pristine waterways.
But it surely’s not simply the fjords exterior of city, the townscape is a captivating vacation spot itself with a picturesque fundamental plaza that places life into perspective how small we’re amongst the staggering peaks.
Ticket costs range everyday. Buy tickets for the roughly 6-hour journey here.
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