🚗 From Sogndal to Bergen

I drove from Sogndal to Bergen for a short health trip, staying from Sunday to Tuesday.
I booked a room at Radisson Blu Hotel, located right on the famous Bryggen, very central and just next to the parking garage.

⚠️ One important detail: parking is not included in the price, and parking in Bergen is expensive. The hotel didn't mention this on their website, so be prepared for extra costs if you arrive by car.

🏨 Radisson Blu Hotel – Business & Comfort

Radisson Blu felt like a business hotel, with a modern and professional atmosphere. My room was spacious and clean, with:

• A large bathroom

• Desk (perfect for schoolwork)

• Fridge and wardrobe

• A nice view

The hotel also had a strong eco-friendly profile. For example, they encouraged guests to reuse towels, and in return, a percentage was donated to charity. A small but positive touch.

🍳 Breakfast

Breakfast was excellent, a buffet with a variety of options including eggs and bacon. The staff was attentive, offering coffee and even introducing new items they wanted guests to try. A very nice start to the day.

💪 Gym & Sauna

The hotel also had a small gym and sauna. The gym included:

• Treadmill

• Bike

• Weights

• Rowing machine

It was a bit limited if many guests wanted to use the same equipment, but perfectly fine for a short workout. A water dispenser and plastic cups were available for guests during training.

🏥 Health Appointment at Volvat

The main purpose of the trip was a consultation with a lung specialist at Volvat due to worsening asthma. I received new medication and had blood tests done, with results pending.

🐧 Visit to the Bergen Aquarium

From Bryggen, it was super easy to get to the Bergen Aquarium. I hopped on a small ferry called "Biffen", which took just 10 minutes across the water. From there, it was only a short 2–3 minute walk to the entrance.

Unfortunately, I arrived at the same time as several school classes, so it was a bit crowded. Still, I managed to see everything – including a seal show where trainers demonstrated what the animals had learned. The trainers explained that daily training keeps the seals healthy and mentally stimulated, especially in captivity.

🐠 What I saw at the aquarium

• Seals

• Penguins

• Fish

• Tarantulas

• Crocodiles

• Snakes

The aquarium also had a strong environmental focus. Signs and exhibitions throughout highlighted the dangers of plastic pollution in the ocean and the importance of protecting our planet.

🛍 Shopping & Returning Home

Before heading home, I had time to do a little shopping at the main shopping mall in Bergen. The next day, I packed up, got in the car, and drove back to Sogndal.

✨ Summary

Overall, this was a successful trip to Bergen where I:
✔ Got the medical help I needed
✔ Enjoyed the Bergen Aquarium
✔ Had a great hotel experience with gym and good breakfast
✔ Completed some schoolwork
✔ Did some shopping before heading home

💡 Tips & Tricks for Bergen

• 🚗 Parking: Parking in Bergen is expensive, research cheaper options beforehand.

• 🚢 Aquarium: Take the little "Biffen" ferry from Bryggen, it's a short and fun ride.

• 🐧 Timing: Visit the aquarium outside of school hours to avoid crowds.

• 🏨 Hotels: Radisson Blu is perfect if you want comfort and central location, but there are cheaper alternatives if budget is important.

• 💚 Eco: Many Bergen hotels focus on sustainability, support these initiatives, it makes a difference.