Bergen has been given the title of 'gateway to the fjords'. Its surrounding mountains are not as high as those in the Alps but they still provide a dramatic backdrop to the port and its surrounding small coastal villages.

I choose the word coastal on purpose because although you are some miles away from the vast open space of the North Sea, the fjords around Bergen are filled with salt water. They are deep sunken valleys that were carved out of solid rock by the glaciers of the last ice age. When the ice melted sea levels rose and filled these scares on the landscape.

Most visitors on coach trips or organised cruises tour groups pay to go on the 'Norway in a nutshell' trip. It is a round trip that starts from the tourist office. It takes travelers through some of the most beautiful scenery in Norway. You experience three different forms of transport. Train, boat and coach. You take the Bergen to Oslo Railway line train high up into the highlands but get off to catch a second train.

This one travels on the Flaam railway line that goes through deep tunnels, along the side of large mountains and past beautiful waterfalls. At the bottom of the fjord valley you ascend the gang plank onto a boat which navigates its way through the majestic high sided fjords.

You are in danger of getting neck ache from looking upwards all the time. The Panorama changes all the time. You pass small wooden farm houses dotted along the valley. You see sheep, cows and goats grazing on the grass land. It is an idyllic country scene. Look carefully on the shore line because you may be lucky and spot a basking seal. Sometimes huge sea eagles fly alongside the boats.

The ship pulls in at Gudvangen where you get on a waiting mountine bus for the final leg of your journey. This time you are taken up the thirteen steep hairpin bends of Stalheimskleivane. There are some spectacular views down the old glacial valley. You pass waterfalls. Stops are made on route so you can take photographs. At Voss you get on a train back to Bergen. The trip is expensive but worth while.

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