Bergen

Final stop on the trip was the city of Bergen.

Here Hurtigruten has a terminal rather than just getting on the ship at the quayside, which is what we´ve experienced. Getting a taxi was a bit of a palaver, although the group of Germans who thought that they could get six with luggage into the car we ended up taking were a bit optimistic.

Seemed to be roadworks everywhere, but was amused that our driver understood the word "tosser" that I threw out when we nearly had an accident due to another car being driven on the wrong side of the road when we were leaving the port.

We´d treated ourselves to a posh hotel right next to the UNESCO world heritage listed hanseatic quarter, Bryggen - not cheap, but for a one off suited us. Little disappointed with the breakfast (but then may have been spoilt with comparing it to Lossiranta!)

Finding somewhere to eat took a little while. The places in Bryggen seemed to charge an extra 100kr on the main course just for location. Weren´t sure that we felt that was worth it, but was very pleased to find just round from our hotel a recently opened place called Aroma. Very friendly service and excellent food. We were very happy with the fish stew.

Next day, weather was warm enough that we could enjoy a picnic on the ramparts of Sverresborg as part of a day simply enjoying wandering in the sunshine.

We tend to splash out on our last meal before coming home. Potetkjelleren is one of Bergen´s best gourmet restaurants. Unfortunately, to get into the cellar proper you need to book well in advance and the ground floor room has nowhere near the same atmosphere. I may have been influenced by my knowledge that it was the last night of the holiday and return to reality (and the credit card bill) but one of the reviews of the restaurant (på norsk) says the same. But will agree with both DN and BT that although not cheap you do get what you pay for.

DFDS´ Newcastle<>Bergen service(the last ferry between the UK & Norway) was withdrawn in September 2008 otherwise we´d have considered sailing back to the UK. Instead, at the end of a holiday that had otherwise avoided flying SAS took us back to Gatwick.