Bergen is located on the western coast of Norway at 60º 23′ N – the same as the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. The city is centered on the mainland seaside surrounded by mountains, but includes several islands as well. Established before 1070 and was the capital of Norway from the early 1300s, but given over to Oslo a century later. However, it remained the most populated city until the 1830s, when Oslo surpassed. Current population is 278, 121.
Bergen has an oceanic climate with winter temps at 40 (high) and 32 (low) and summer temps 69 (high) and 56 (low). Definitely rainy, averaging 202 days of rain with annual accumulation of 89 inches. Compare annual sunshine hours of Kansas City of 2810 to Bergen’s 1187.
Our first tour was decidedly the highlight. As per our custom, we try to stop in at the info center first where we found out that in a few hours an English speaking tour was to begin at the Info center from where we boarded a motorcoach and traveled to the Edvard Grieg residence and museum. Jessica knew of Edvard Grieg, because one of his pieces (Solveig’s Song) was her recital selection to earn a vocal scholarship to Central Methodist University, but neither of us knew that he was from Bergen or that he and his wife spent the last 22 years of their lives here. Included in the ticket was a 30 minute piano recital – Wow!




