Laila: Yeah. The high Jotunheim plateau feels like the top of the world. The distance from seabed to mountaintop around here is as much as 9,000 feet nearly two vertical miles. The adjacent tower dates back to the same period. Terms of Service | Privacy, Steep, Deep Western Norway: From Peaks to Port. Hkon's Hall was originally built as a banqueting hall in the 13th century. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines. The end of the Viking age, with its pagan Norse gods, is marked by the coming of Christianity to Norway in the 12th century. The surrounding countryside is decorated with medieval stave churches, fishing boats, cascading waterfalls, dramatic glaciers, and brightly painted shiplap villages. Like the Egyptians, the Vikings believed in a life after death. Until next timekeep on travelin'. This title will be released on July 7, 2020. Guide: Welcome to the Hkon's Hall, which is today one of the more important secular buildings we actually have here in Norway from the Middle Ages. German merchants basically ran Bergen's trade for 400 years. And Grieg's music captures that rich and poignant mix of nature and culture that's so uniquely Norwegian. The church is about a 30-minute drive east of Lrdal, on the road to Oslo. The main square, originally created as a fire break in this fire-plagued city, is lined by big department stores. This humble but magical cluster of four centuries-old farms is now a ghost village. Severnty-five years ago, this glacier filled most of this valley. So if all you want is the best of Norway, this compact Snapshot guide delivers everything you'll need to know for about half the price and half the bulk. Post questions and answers about travel in Norway. For most of its past, Norway was extremely humble. In its fine old dining room, the Kviknes offers a classic Norwegian smrgsbord. Since the 1300s, this was its old German trading center called Bryggen, or the wharf." (Rick Steves) by Rick Steves | Jul 7, 2020. Bryggen's wooden core is made of long rows of planky warehouses leaning haphazardly across narrow alleys. The court granted her a divorce on March 5, 2010. Pre-order Price Guarantee. Hi, I'm Rick Steves back with more of the Best of Europe. Start a New Topic. Laila: Yes and Eilert he lived here till 1980. Adventurous travelers can lash on crampons and follow a park ranger on a trek over the ice and snow. With Rick Steves, Andreas Clemens, Georg Reichlmayr, Holger Zimmer. This viewpoint makes sure car hikers get out and appreciate the view. A former inn and coach station, it's been in the family since 1690. Rick Steves, America's leading authority on European travel, returns to transport viewers to the continent's bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque countryside. The country's famously steep mountains and deep fjords were shaped by the glaciers that covered most of the Continent 10,000 years ago. His books and media deal with travel mainly in Europe and are directed at a North American audience. They needed each other, and Bergen is where they met. Dinner, served in this genteel elegance, caps a beautiful day. We're starting with scallops from just off shore. Scenes glide by like a movie. Post questions and answers about travel in Norway. Passengers savor every scenic moment. Post questions and answers about travel in Sweden. Some remote farms are connected to the outside world only by ferry. In this rugged corner of Europe, the challenges presented by nature have met the tough and creative spirit of the Norwegian people. Rick Steves' Europe is an American travel documentary television series created and hosted by Rick Steves.In each episode, he travels to the continent of Europe, documenting his experiences along the way.. Man: Long way down. Rick: And you're doing exactly that. Rick Steves Norway Paul Diaz; 4 videos; 12,622 views; Last updated on Dec 17, 2015; Play all Share. These ferries, while popular with tourists, are the lifeline of many fjordside communities. The elegant Old World public spaces in the old section make you want to just sit there and sip tea all afternoon. While breathtaking scenery is everywhere you look, the history is harder to see. In the 1500s, Bergen was essentially a Germanic community of 2,000 workaholic merchants surrounded and supported by 5,000 Norwegians. The result: a fascinating land well worth visiting. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines. Situated just one sheltering island from the open sea, it's long provided ships a safe port of call. Norwegian fishermen knew how to catch cod and Germanic traders knew how to sell it. It was all about the fish. Participants wear full-body weather suits, furry hats, and spacey goggles. The menu is modern Norwegian. Remarkable carvings survive evoking the pagan roots of these early Norwegian Christians. 4.8 out of 5 stars 394. But it's more than how they look. While the basic design reflects the simple technology of the age, more elaborate examples like this one stand as proud testaments to the culture. It all culminates with a rich spread of local cheeses and berries. And today it is by far the largest secular stone building in Norway from the Middle Ages. The approach includes a cruise across the glacial lake. Norway is long and skinny. Composing at the turn of the 20th century, Grieg fused simple Norwegian folk tunes with the flamboyance of Europe's Romantic style. Get inspired with Rick Steves recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Sweden. Guide: For centuries this actually happened to be the tallest building in Bergen. It's burned down and been rebuilt several times, and it's now touristy and full of shops and galleries. The train stops at a misty waterfall. I head for western Norway to experience the best of natural beauty. I don't. The 13th-century Hkon's Hall was part of the royal residence. Exploring the Nile Valley from north to south, we see the highlights of Egypt. Rick Steves' Europe Egypts Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor. Along with those first tourists came artists. Rick Steves' Europe. Amazon.com: norway rick steves. It covers 180 square miles and though shrinking is still mighty. Guests enjoy their coffee in the same rustic elegance that kept those first aristocratic visitors coming back. It's about three miles from Flm (easy for drivers; a decent walk or bike ride otherwise), up a twisty gravel road midway between Flm and Aurland. Three of my grandparents grew up there. Pale locals bolt outside when the sun peeks through in Norway's rainiest city. So he was the last one. This western region is important to the people of Norway. Along with being home of Norway's king, Bergen was a member of the mighty Hanseatic League, and therefore a trading power. Glad to know Norway in a Nutshell is still available. The basic idea is this: Take a train halfway across the mountainous spine of Norway, make your way down to the Sognefjord for a boat cruise, then climb back up out of the fjord and get back on the main train line. Northern Europe's highest mountains are here called Jotunheimen, or Giant's Country. They worked together for freer, safer, and more profitable trade in an age before modern states could provide a reliable environment for business. My Account. Until next time, get some hairspray. This fine harbor has a long history. It's popular with cruise ships, and an essential refuge when heavy winds drive in the boats that serve the North Sea oil rigs. Laila: We try to do it, yes. Rick: So why not one family here and one family there? Post questions and answers about travel in Norway. But if I did, he'd look like the guys in Norway. For locals, this all-you-can-eat extravaganza is traditionally a feast enjoyed on holidays. Ferries are a lifeline of the economy helping both locals go about their lives and visitors efficiently explore these fjords. And the visual highlight of this ride, Nryfjord, is 10 miles long and breathtakingly narrow as little as 800 feet wide. But I find excuses to return to Norway almost annually. Having traveled with me for 12 years, he was shocked: "I didn't know you had a brother!" Why four families together: Paperback $15.29 $ 15. You're now standing up, as you can see, in the main hall, and I think this is also the best location where you're able to appreciate actually how large this building is. Pace yourself with small plates through many courses. Laila: You know, to live in this area it was very hard life. For an exhilarating alternative, sign up for a speedier tour in a small, open Zodiac-type boat. Start a New Topic. Rivers of ice like this carved huge valleys creating the defining feature of Norway's landscape the fjords. But I find excuses to return to Norway almost annually. Along with a scenic boat ride up Nryfjord, a highlight is this little train, which takes travelers from the main line in the mountains steeply down to the fjords. Europe's largest surviving glacier, Jostedal, is still hard at work. This was the chapel. Finally, the train hits the fjord, where passengers catch a ferry for the next leg of Norway in a Nutshell. And Viking raiders terrorized much of Europe for generations. Norway is first and foremost a place of unforgettable natural beauty and Norway's greatest claims to scenic fame are her deep, lush fjords. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines. The house and adjacent museum are full of memories and artifacts, including the composer's Steinway. In 78 it was a steep single lane with 2-way traffic, switchbacks, and a sheer drop. It's a busy working port. And nine generations later, Ole Henrik keeps the tradition alive. Laila Kvellestad works hard to make the story of Otternes a living history. I recently told my TV producer, "Everyone in Norway looks like my brother." And locals come to life when the sun peeks through, here in Norway's rainiest city. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. It's popular with cruise ships and a refuge when heavy winds drive in the boats that serve North Sea oil rigs. This time we're traveling in northern Europe, where the mountains meet the sea it's the best of western Norway. Start a New Topic. Travel with Rick on this video guide to Norway and find out what to do on your next trip. The distance from seabed to mountaintop around here is as much as 9,000 feet nearly two vertical miles. And tunnels this is one of the world's longest for cars, at 15 miles save lots of time. Sweden. From the heart of fjord country, a handy express boat quickly gets travelers to Bergen, the biggest city in the west of Norway. That's why Vikings ventured south, and that's why so many people here chose to leave and settle in America. The top is a popular picnic dinner spot, perfect for enjoying the sunset, as well as the starting point for many peaceful hikes. See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. It pays to check the bigger hotels' websites for special deals. The place still feels eerily lived-in; neatly sorted desks with tidy ledgers seem to be waiting for the next workday to begin. With creaky wooden interiors and maritime hardware, it helps you envision the economy that made Bergen. (Rick Steves) by Rick Steves | Jul 7, 2020. 2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | We did that tour in 1978 and it was fantastic! My Account. Norway. Rosenkrantz Tower, the keep of a 13th-century castle, has a good history exhibit on its top two floors and a commanding view from its rooftop. On a summer evening the twilight lingers, causing people to do the same. Cruising on a boat across a pristine lake to the glacier, I felt dwarfed by blue cliffs of ancient ice. All the sights were as beautiful as described. Get it as soon as Thu, Dec 3. Sweden Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . It was basically four stout rooms stacked atop each other. Rick: Let's go! While there are more demanding Nigardsbreen routes, I'm joining a family hike just an hour, but offering an unforgettable experience and bringing you face to face with the power and majesty of nature. This was the historic trading center. Rick: Now this looks like he left it yesterday. View the daily YouTube analytics of Rick Steves' Europe and track progress charts, view future predictions, related channels, and track realtime live sub counts. Rick Steves' Europe. Its creaky old rooms offer a time-tunnel experience back to Bryggen's glory days. Guide: So this is what makes this fjords in Norway so special, cause it's steep, steep walls down in the fjord everywhere. All rooms come with balconies. Scandinavia with Rick Steves by Rick Steves Travel Talks. This is the land of Thor and Odin, whose spirits still inhabit the misty peaks. While there were over a thousand such churches in Norway back in the 1300s, today, only a couple dozen survive. 194k Followers, 155 Following, 1,602 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Rick Steves' Europe (@ricksteveseurope) A fun part of travel is to feel a kinship with people from the land of your ancestors. The stunning scenery keeps everyone on deck, cameras clicking. Guides teach a respect for nature and any visit heightens one's awareness of the impact of climate change. With its functional harborfront and inviting marina, it serves as a springboard for local adventures. Because of the ever-present danger of fire, it was generally cold and dark. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines. As the boat rockets across the water, you'll be thankful for the all-weather suit that comes with the ride. For a modern contrast to all this history, head for the urban heart of Bergen which has a thriving personality all its own. Tour Account Travel Forum Home / Travel Forum / Norway; Please sign in to post. Laila: Yeah and this was four farms, four families, who lived here. Rugged is putting it mildly when it comes to 80 percent of Norway. Norwegians are making massive infrastructure investments to link their people and industries. Wood was plentiful and cheap. But Rick, you didnt mention the bus ride up Stalheim Gorge. A charming ambiance pervades the place. That's why when graves are excavated, archeologists find everything from jewelry and weapons to cooking pots and even boats. Of the many tongues of the glacier, this one called Nigardsbreen offers the best visit. Then we delve into the Hanseatic heritage and enjoy the salty hospitality of Norway's historic capital, Bergen. Visiting a glacier is a quintessential Norwegian experience, bringing you face-to-face with the majesty of nature. Bergen has burned down and been rebuilt several times. Explore Norway! Plan your own trip or take one of Rick's value-packed European tours and vacations. Terms of Service | Privacy, Bergenhus Fortress: Hkon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, Balestrand, Norway: Smrgsbord with a View, Sognefjord, Norway: Boating Through the Fjords, Norways West: Fjords, Mountains, and Bergen. Historically, it was a challenge to live here. It rises 1,000 feet above the city to dazzling views that lead all the way to the Atlantic. The hotel has two parts: a new wing, and the historic wooden section, with 25 older, classic rooms, and no elevator. Those glaciers as much as a mile thick spent eons carving up western Norway as they worked their way to the sea. For me, driving in Norway can be treacherous not because of the speed or traffic but because of the sceneryit's simply hard to keep your eyes on the road. Dramatic waterfalls continue to cut into the mountains. In the 16th century, the ruling Danish-Norwegian king enlarged the tower and trained its cannon on the German-merchant district to remind the merchants of the importance of paying their taxes. The Hanseatic Museum stands on the edge of the wharf. In the last century, Bergen was a launching point for countless adventurers headed to the New World. Tour Account Travel Forum Home / Travel Forum / Norway; Please sign in to post. I'm Rick Steves. Skip to main content. Otherwise, however, the various Snapshot guides for Scandinavia are simply excerpted chapters taken directly from the complete Rick Steves Scandinavia guidebook. 2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | And this glacier's a very big glacier. Rick: So there was a man named Eilert? This fountain is dedicated to the beloved violinist Ole Bull.