This charming seaside town had an infectiously laid back feel to it. We wandered through markets and ate ice cream in the sun as we joined the locals lying in the park by the waters edge. While Kristiansands wasn't on our original itinerary, it definitely should be for anyone heading to Norway, particularly in the summer as it's easy to see how you could come for a weeks holiday and end up staying forever.
Next on our journey was the harbor town of Bergen. Our train arrived just as the sun rose which was a perfect time to explore the creaky, narrow passageways between the UNESCO protected wooden houses along the wharf, before the hordes of tourists descended on the town.
The fish markets are an absolute must, full of local and unique produce and the occasional souvenir stand. As the day went on I sampled some surprisingly tasty fresh whale (served mostly raw, tuna sashimi style) and a delicious lunch of calamari and chips.
That afternoon we said goodbye to Bergen and its tiny houses nestled in the surrounding wall of mountains and headed to the country's capital, Oslo. Here we met another group of amazing people and spent time at famed sights like the waterfront Opera House and Nobel Prize Center, but to be honest after the stunning natural beauty of the rest of the country, I was left slightly underwhelmed.
While there's certainly stuff to do in Oslo, compared to other Scandinavian capitals like Copenhagen and Stockholm, it struggles to stand out. History buffs and families with young children will love the city's many extensive and interactive museums and Frogner Park is a lovely way to spend an afternoon if you're into statues and/or nudity, but the CBD feeling of the central city and the strict minimum cut off age of 23 for all bars and clubs meant that our weekend in Oslo fell slightly flat.
I definitely enjoyed Norway and would love to come back one day to explore further, but maybe next time with a larger budget and a different itinerary.
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