BERGEN

On Norway's west coast, the port city of Bergen is storybook picturesque, surrounded by landscapes of outstanding natural beauty. Back in the Middle Ages, it was a thriving trading centre as a member of the Hanseatic League, a prosperous commercial network of market towns in Northern Europe. It's a history that has been carefully preserved, Bergen's wooden houses painted in different hues and paved streets richly evocative of its fascinating past. The charming harbour district of Bryggen, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, takes visitors on a journey back in time to its medieval days, while the Fish Market – brimming with fresh produce – is a reflection of the coastal city's buoyant economy and culinary scene.

Bergen, Norway's second-biggest city, is more than simply a cultural hub. The place is naturally blessed, too. Ride a modern electric cable funicular or follow one of the pretty trails up Mount Fløyen, any exertion from you amply rewarded by the sublime views of the city and the surrounding fjords spread out below. Plus, you'll get to grasp how accessible Norway's epic countryside is from the city. Right on Bergen's doorstep, Hardangerfjord beckons more actively minded visitors to fill their days with adventure. This fjord, the second longest in Norway extending over 100 miles inland, boasts unfolding landscapes of majestic glaciers, roaring waterfalls and lush greenery of unfathomable beauty. The region has orchards in abundance, too, adding a pleasing bucolic touch that transforms each vista into a living landscape painting. However long you plan to stay in Bergen, the stunning natural environment will always leave you wanting more!