Bergen Shore Excursions

[Woobstr112G]

Looking for any referrals for good private shore excursion operators in Bergen. Thanks in advance for any replies....:):):)

 

Bob

[LHT28]

you can DIY most of the sites there

 

HOHO bus is another option

[Alaskanb]

A person on our roll call has set up a walking tour with Sue Lindelid --recommended by Rick Steves.

http://books.google.com/books?id=faeGAAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT990&lpg=RA1-PT990&dq=Sue+Lindelid&source=bl&ots=OhItVqnD-Y&sig=pIErzTohbfoV7xvMjRz1m6Vr3vU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yiS_U-buKYSsyATylYBo&ved=0CEsQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Sue%20Lindelid&f=false

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for the replies. It is very much appreciated.....:):):)

 

Bob

[LondonTowner]

Bergen is extremely easy to get around on your own or take the funicular for good views, weather permitting. An excursion definitely not needed. Do a search and there is lots of info and photos regarding Bergen.

[4774Papa]

I have organized a tour with a private firm that came highly recommended to by by another cc member.

 

BERGEN GUIDE SERVICE - Ingen kjenner Bergen som oss!

 

Holmedalsgården 4, Bryggen, N-5003 Bergen

 

Tel. +47-55301060, fax +47-55301061

 

info@bergenguideservice.no

 

http://www.bergenguideservice.no

[TLCOhio]

Bergen is extremely easy to get around on your own or take the funicular for good views, weather permitting. An excursion definitely not needed. Do a search and there is lots of info and photos regarding Bergen.

 

4774Papa: I have organized a tour with a private firm that came highly recommended to by by another cc member. BERGEN GUIDE SERVICE - Ingen kjenner Bergen som oss! Holmedalsgården 4' date=' Bryggen, N-5003 Bergen Tel. +47-55301060, fax +47-55301061

[email']info@bergenguideservice.no[/email]

http://www.bergenguideservice.no

 

Yes, agree, that so much of super charming Bergen can be done on your own. But, we did a special two-hour private tour for our group of six with Anne Lien, the owner of Bergen Guide Service. As noted by 4774Papa (maybe I was the guilty one who suggested this firm originally), you can reach Anne at http://www.bergenguideservice.no or by e-mail directly at anne@bergenguideservice.no.

Mention that Terry from Ohio said "HI!".

 

Anne was excellent in giving us the details about the unique history of the Hanseatic merchants, how their buildings were built, what’s caused the crooked-look of today and what’s being done to preserve these unique structures.

 

Did we absolutely need a private guide here? No. BUT, it worked very well in getting a good overview, introduction and drive-around for this charming town with so much history and character. I like getting my questions answered, learning more on their economy, history insights, etc. We were very happy with our tour with Anne. Below are a few of my visuals from going different places and directions than just walking around after getting off of the ship. DIY is nice, but using Anne really worked well and added that "extra dimension" that made things more memorable.

 

In the afternoon, after some of the big crowds had lessened, we took the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of a 1050-foot high peak for scenic views. This cable car has been operating for over 80 years and was refurbished in 2002. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. At the top of the Mount Floyen, there are hiking trails and places for lunch or dinner. The trip takes seven minutes and both cars are on the same cable going up and down. Mariakirken or St. Mary’s Church is the most outstanding Romanesque church in Norway. Bergen is Norway’s largest port and has a population of 252,000. Scenic Bergen completed our voyage with its dramatic backdrop of seven rounded mountains and cobble-stoned streets. It entices you to take memories and photos cherishing the land of the Norsemen.

 

My Bergen Summary:

As the seat of Norway’s medieval kingdom of Norway for six centuries, Bergen is a former Viking stronghold encircled by deep fjords, towering mountains, and sweeping glaciers. Today's Bergen has much of the medieval flavor remaining around Bergen's harbor. We explored the cobblestone streets, saw its pastel-color wooden houses, bargained in some of the many artisans' workshops and visited the famous and always-entertaining Fish Market. You can watch the locals haggling over today's catch and enjoy a quayside lunch of freshly caught salmon or fish and chips.

 

Rated by Frommers as more scenic than Oslo, Bergen was the base of the medieval Hanseatic merchants. Those historic timbered houses are set around Bryggen or The Wharf, a center for crafts and workshops. Its prime row is mostly reconstructed 14th-century structures, some of which were originally destroyed by fire. Det Hansseatiske Museum depicts commercial life on the wharf in the early 18th century and is highly rates with well-preserved wooden structure. Its art museums are highly-rated with religious icons, local art, etc.

 

In the afternoon, after some of the big crowds had lessened, we took the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of a 1050-foot high peak for scenic views. This cable car has been operating for over 80 years and was refurbished in 2002. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. At the top of the Mount Floyen, there are hiking trails and places for lunch or dinner. The trip takes seven minutes and both cars are on the same cable going up and down. Mariakirken or St. Mary’s Church is the most outstanding Romanesque church in Norway. Bergen is Norway’s largest port and has a population of 252,000. Scenic Bergen completed our voyage with its dramatic backdrop of seven rounded mountains and cobble-stoned streets. It entices you to take memories and photos cherishing the land of the Norsemen. Here is the link to this rail option:

http://www.floibanen.com

 

Their good and helpful Tourism Office can be accessed on the web at: http://www.visitbergen.com/en

 

We docked at the fairly handy Skoltegrunskaien Pier. This put us within about a 10-15 minute walk of the main attractions at the market and warehouse area.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 148,414 views. Nice to be hitting this high of a level for viewership. Appreciate the interest and follow-up questions/comments!!

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

As we did our tour of the Hanseatic merchants warehouses in Bergen, this is the view with in the background stone building is shown that was used to store records and valuables that would be safer from fire than if held in the wooden buildings.:

 

 

 

With our guide, Anne Lien, in red, the owner of Bergen Guide Service, this shows some of these warehouse buildings. Fish products would be stored until they were ready to ship to other cities in Europe. The space between these various wooden warehouse buildings is very narrow. It is not just the fronts that are 300-years old and historic. These buildings stretch back at some distance with various shops and offices here.:

 

 

 

This picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor, plus nearby scenic areas, etc.

 

 

 

Here’s a close look at these historic Bergen Hanseatic merchant warehouse building fronts, people taking pictures, etc. :

 

 

 

Right near the Hanseatic merchant warehouse area is the Bergen Fish Market with lots of options to buy food to eat on site or just watch, enjoying the “show” as people ask questions and buy the various fresh fish items.:

 

 

 

From the higher hill areas of Bergen that Anne took us, here is the view of the rooftops and other harbor-area places.:

 

[Woobstr112G]

TLCOhio;

 

Thank you for your information on Bergan. Pic's were wonderful as well.....:):):)

 

Bob