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Europe is hot in more ways than one. At least it will be in the summer.
Travelers fly far and wide to iconic cities, incredible beaches and everything in between across Europe.
Now that summer is just around the corner, the crowds will only increase, along with the summer heat.
Not only destinations like Dubai are becoming a sauna, but also Europe.
Many travelers reported that Athens last year was unbearable, reaching the point where the historic Acropolis introduced new regulations to reduce the risk of tourists suffering heat stroke.
The same goes for Paris, Rome and many more popular cities on the continent, where travelers are constantly seeking shade and googling how to ask for water in another language.
However, not all of Europe is hotter than the devil’s armpit.
Scandinavia is a summer kryptonite, with a lesser-known city being one increase in the number of travelers looking for an escape from the sweltering hot weather.
Bergen: Norway’s lesser-known summer destination
Norway slips under the radar compared to Europe’s urban stalwarts, but you rarely hear anything negative from those who have.
Well, apart from the prices. The positive spin would be to say how great Norway is for using your credit card points, and how truly beautiful and safe it is.
The capital Oslo is undoubtedly the most recognizable name. Because Norway is a notch lower than Iceland in terms of pronunciation skills, you are probably not sitting at the dinner table talking about Broennoeysund.
But what you should be talking about is planning a trip to the beautiful city To put away.
Dating back centuries, this vibrant city is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still retains its unique charm and breathtaking natural beauty.
With a cozy, small-town atmosphere nestled among breathtaking mountains, Norway’s second-largest city is the perfect gateway to the country’s famous fjords.
Have your passports ready because summer is one of the best seasons to plan a trip.
Don’t sweat it!
Keep an eye out for the obligatory selfies everyone will be taking this summer at the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and Acropolis and zoom in to see the beads of sweat rolling down tourists’ faces.
Those poor souls don’t have to be you. If you’re not ready for the end of spring, book a trip to Bergen for persistent weather in the mid-60s through August.
Norway is actually one of the easiest European countries to get to from the US, making Bergen easy to get to.
No, unfortunately there are no direct flights to Bergen. That said, as a three-time visitor to Oslo, I can confirm that one of the most underrated adventures in Europe is experiencing Norway by train.
The station at Oslo Gardermoen Airport resembles a modern Hogwarts and the train system is so easy to navigate that you won’t magician to board the train to Bergen.
A way tickets costs about $60 on the low end. Be sure to pick a window seat for some epic photo opportunities along the way.
Fjords are a must, Mexican food is not
Visiting mountains without booking a fjord tour would be like going to Mexico without eating tacos. Speaking of tacos, don’t be a travel rookie like me and eat “Mexican” food in a Scandinavian country.
We will spare you the details here. Just do yourself a favor. To proceed…
The main attraction in this region is the seemingly endless fjords. After all, Bergen is known as ‘the gateway to the fjords’.
If you can squeeze it, reaching the Sognefjord will leave you breathless as this 200-kilometer stretch of scenic fjords and blue water will make you feel like you’re on another planet.
Norway may be pricey, but flights are cheap
When you land in Oslo and realize that Red Bull costs $7 to combat your jet lag, it’s just the beginning, which makes it even more frustrating that I spent too much on crappy Scandinavian tacos, but I digress…
What is cheap are the flights to Norway from several major American cities. Norwegian Air no longer flies to the US, but… Norwegian Atlantic Aviation do.
Travelers can fly non-stop to Oslo from LA, Miami and New York. Also keep an eye out for frequent flight sales.
Although I’m well past my rookie days and realize that Paris isn’t in Norway, I just bought a round-trip flight on Norse from LA to Paris for just $312.
At the time of booking, the same flight to Oslo cost only $40 more.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
