National Geographic Traveller UK 03.2020

MORE INFO:

Baker Brun. bakerbrun.no

Bare Vestland.

barevestland.no

Bryggen Tracteursted.

http://www.bryggentracteursted.no

Dyvekes. facebook.com/

dyvekesvinkjeller

Kode. kodebergen.no

Kviknes Hotel. kviknes.no

The Cider House.

ciderhuset.no

visitbergen.com

visitnorway.com

HOW TO DO IT

Wizz Air and Norwegian

ly to Bergen from Luton

and Gatwick, respectively.

Double rooms at Radisson

Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen from

996 krone (£113), room only.

wizzair.com norwegian.com

THREE TO VISIT: COMPOSERS’ RESIDENCES

OLE BULL – LYSØEN ISLAND
Bergen-born violinist and
composer Ole Bull travelled the
world performing in the 1800s
but spent summers in his later
years at a villa on this island just
south of Bergen. Explore the villa
with its onion domes and exotic
furnishings on a guided tour.
Aterwards stretch your legs on the
eight miles of pathways that snake
around the island. lysoen.no/en

EDVARD GRIEG – TROLDHAUGEN

The Norwegian composer lived

in this manor house on the

outskirts of the city for 22 years

during his stellar career. It was in

his garden cabin during the late

19th century that he composed

some of his best-known works.

Swing by to explore the house

and gardens or catch a show at

the onsite concert hall.

griegmuseum.no/en

HARALD SÆVERUD – SILJUSTØL

Oten cited as one of the most

notable private homes in Norway,

this mountain farmhouse was a

creative haven for 20th-century

composer Harald Sæverud. Today,

hiking trails, summer concerts

and the museum lure in those

looking to explore this distinctive

home, eight miles south of Bergen

in the borough of Ytrebygda.

siljustolmuseum.no/en

FESTIVAL FEVER

Four of the best

NATTJAZZ

22-30 MAY

The soft sounds of the jazz

festival spill out across

Bergen at the end of

May. Hosted in Verftet,

a converted sardine factory,

the festival offers up big

names but also prides itself

on introducing up-and-

coming artists too.

nattjazz.no

BERGENFEST

10-13 JUNE

Set this year in the historic

Bergenhus Fortress, this

long-standing festival

attracts big names from the

worlds of pop, rock, hip-

hop and electronic music.

bergenfest.no

BEYOND THE GATES

19-22 AUGUST

This year’s performers at the

heavy metal event — held at

the Grieghallen concert hall

— include Mercyful Fate, Idle

Hands and Tribulation.

ticketmaster.no

VIL VIL VEST

24-26 SEPTEMBER

This festival/music industry

conference showcases

international artists and

homegrown talent. Over 90

acts are set to perform this

year. villvillvest.no

FROM TOP: Musicians

playing in Bergen’s old

town; former summer

residence of Norwegian

violinist and composer

Ole Bull on Lysøen Island

SOUNDS OF BERGEN

Norway has a long tradition of music-

making, nowhere more so than Bergen.

It’s home to one of the world’s oldest

orchestras — the Bergen Philharmonic,

in business since 1765. Bergen has also

been a prominent player in the country’s

modern music scene, particularly in the

1990s, when ‘the Bergen Wave’ saw a generation

of musicians from the city dominate the

airwaves. This influence has continued into

the present day, as evidenced by the myriad

music venues across the city that maintain the

movement’s momentum.

IMAGES: GETTY

48 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel

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