4-days incentive itinerary - cultural experiences

To make it easier for you to plan an incentive trip for your company or for customers, we have created an itinerary over 4 days for groups that are primarily interested in cultural experiences.

Activities in the itinerary can of course be changed to better suit what you are looking for.

Day 1: From Grieg to Bryggen

Most people who travel to Bergen do so by plane. Bergen Airport Flesland is certified as "Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA)" at level 2 Reduction, and has an ISO14001 certification as well. From the airport you will be transported by electric bus to Troldhaugen, while the luggage is transported to the hotel. Troldhaugen was built in 1885, and was Edvard Grieg's home for 22 years. Today Troldhaugen is a museum. After a tour of the museum, it's time for lunch. After the meal you will be served the "dessert", an intimate concert in Troldsalen, a chamber music hall with room for 200 listeners, where some of Norway's best musicians play selected works by Edvard Grieg.

 Photo: Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen / Dag Fosse

From Troldhaugen, we continue to Fantoft Stave Church. This famous old stave church was originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1150. Consul Fredrik G. Gade bought the medieval part of the church and moved it in parts to be rebuilt at Fantoft in 1883. The church was completely damaged by fire June 6, 1992, a fire ignited by Varg Vikernes. The church has now been rebuilt as it was before the fire.

Photo: VisitBergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com

Next it is time to check in at the hotel. And what better way to spend the night than in Opus XVI after a visit earlier in the day to Edvard Grieg's home? Opus XVI, an Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel, is a classical modern hotel right in the heart of Bergen, a short distance from the Fish Market and Bryggen. The hotel is run by descendants of Edvard Grieg, who wants to give their guests a unique experience - a classic but modern twist on the hotel experience that gives you an insight into the composer's rich life and experiences.

On day 1 we will have dinner at the traditional restaurant Bryggeloftet & Stuene. The restaurant is located close to the historic Bryggen, and has a history dating back to 1910. Bryggeloftet & Stuene has a rich and varied menu, including fish and game dishes based on traditional Norwegian cuisine. It is also one of the restaurants in Bergen that still serve the traditional Bergen Fish Soup.

Day 2: Exploring Fedje and Balestrand

We start day 2 with a boat ride from Bergen to Fedje - "the village in the ocean". Fedje is a small island municipality on the outermost western coast of Norway. What characterizes Fedje is the open landscape, fresh air, 551 inhabitants, a lighthouse 47 meters above sea level. and a lot of weather! The main destination for our visit to Fedje is Feddie Ocean Distillery, which produces the famous Nine Sisters gin. In the 17th century, the name of the island was Feddie, hence the name of the distillery. At the distillery you will learn about the history and people behind the distillery, you will get a tour of the premises and you will of course get to taste the gin.

 After an exciting visit to Fedje, the boat takes us to Gulating. Gulatinget was the largest “thing” (things were a people's assembly where the people exercised judicial and legislative power) in Norway from approx. the year 900 to 1300. Here, the oldest preserved law in the Nordic countries - the Gulating Act - was drafted. During the visit you get a guided tour about the Viking Age, and a closer look at the English cross that marks the place where the Gulating was first gathered.

Day 2 continues with a fjord excursion. The Finnafjord is the smallest of the side arms of the Sognefjord, and perhaps the most exciting. The fjord pierces through a landscape of mountains that rise sky high above the fjord. 

Afterwards the boat takes us to beautiful and lush Balestrand. Balestrand is located by the Sognefjord and from here three fjord arms extend further inland. This village by the Sognefjord offers distinctive architecture, an intimate atmosphere and long traditions of artist life and visitors from all over the world.

In Balestrand we will spend the night at the historic Kviknes Hotel. The hotel is idyllically located next to the fjord and boasts a history dating back to 1752. The hotel has been run by the Kviknes family since 1877 , and the hotel has retained its Swiss-style character after modernization and expansions. We will be having dinner at the hotel. 

Day 3; Cider, waterfalls and art

Ciderhuset is located just a short walk from the hotel. Ciderhuset is part of the international network Economusée, and in addition to tasting their delicious ciders, we will learn about how they grow their organic fruit. We will also see how they turn fruit and berries into juice, ciders and fruit wine. 

Equipped with a better understanding of the craft behind cider production, we travel back to Bergen by bus. On our way towards Bergen, we stop at Tvinde waterfall, near Voss. The waterfall has a 110 meter drop and a reputation for being a source of youth. We will have lunch (pre-made by Kviknes Hotel) by the waterfall, while the famous Norwegian dance group Frikar entertains with acrobatic folk dance.

Back in Bergen we return to Opus XVI before we end day 3 with a cultural evening at KODE. KODE art museums and composers' homes are a museum of art, crafts, design and music. Located in the city center of Bergen, they have extensive collections of art and design in four buildings. During our tour of KODE we will see masterpieces by Edvard Munch, Nikolai Astrup, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and J. C. Dahl. After the tour we will have dinner in a chambre separee at KODE.

 Photo: KODE Bergen

Day 4: Time at your own leisure 

Depending on what time of day you leave Bergen, day 4 is an excellent opportunity to experience more of Bergen on your own. We recommend you visit Bryggen, one of Norway's most popular attractions, or go on a discovery tour among the wooden houses on Nordnes. Or why not visit one of Bergen's many interesting and exciting museums.

Do you want more information about incentive trips in the Bergen region? Contact one of the local DMCs, and they will assist you  with any further planning.

Check out our other suggestions for 4-day itineraries for incentives trips based on other themes.