There's more to Norway than Oslo and Bergen (Trondheim)

Member Name: hypno06

Product:	Trondheim
Date:	20/06/09 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to get to, easy to navigate round.

Disadvantages: Not aimed at tourists so if you are looking for excitement, think again!

For the last five years, we have played host family to Norwegian sixth form students who come to the UK for a year to do AS levels, before returning to Norway to finish their education. The area in Norway that they come to us from is the Trondelag region, which covers a large area (much larger than our "counties" and of which Trondheim is the main city.

We have been lucky enough to visit this region to visit the families of those students we have been hosting, and so this review is based on this. We have only stayed with those families, so I cannot comment on the availability, price or standard of hotel accommodation in the area.

Trondheim is on the west coast of Norway, about half way up. If you look at a map of Norway, you will see that it narrows at the half way point - just at the point where it starts to narrow, you will see Trondheim. It is Norway's third largest city.

Flights from the UK to Trondheim are regular, with Norwegian Airlines flying from Stanstead a couple of times a day. Prices are fairly cheap with this airline but like all budget flights, they do vary quite a lot, so book early if you possibly can, and don't expect British Airways standard!

The airport is just to the north of the City, about half an hours drive away. We generally rent a car in advance from one of several car hire agents at the airport (europcar, budget, avis etc) as we like to travel round the area quite a lot, but you can also get a train from the airport into Trondheim itself if you don't want to, or can't, drive.

Trondheim is a city, but a small city - in fact many in the UK would call it a town. However, I live in Norwich, another small city, so am happy with Trondheim, as it is comparable in size and facilities to Norwich. Perhaps this is why it has some sort of "twinning" relationship with us, and why we get these students visiting!

There is a university in Trondheim, so if you are visiting during termtime, you will see a fair few students out and about, as you would with any university town/city. The place is not over-run with visiting students, however as, unlike the UK, many students go to their local university rather than leaving home to study. This means that you don't get masses of student accommodation that can be scruffy, ugly, and uncared for, because many students still live at home.

Shopping is varied, as with most town and city centres, with everything being within easy walking distance. There is a shopping mall, but it is nothing like the scale of many UK shopping centres. It is still very nice to wander round, and is clean and bright. Shops would include shoe shops, clothing shops, chemists - the usual. And of course, there is a MacDonalds as you enter.....some things are the same the world over!

One thing that I did notice, is that many shop signs are in English....."Sale 50% off everything" for example. This is not a tourist resort aiming for the UK vistor market, so I was a little perplexed at why there is so much English signage! Norwegian is not a language most of us are fluent in, but even so, when you are there, you expect to see the local language being used in shop windows!

On the subject of English language - most people in Trondheim can speak English very well. It is very nice if you can learn a few basics of Norwegian, such as thank you "Takk" (pronounced Tok) as this shows that you are appreciative of the place you are visiting, but don't worry if you don't pick up much more Norwegian than this if you are staying in Trondheim, because English is widely spoken. The Norwegians Love "Poirot" and "Heartbeat" and as well as the English they learn in schools, they pick up a lot from the cable channels!

Getting around Trondheim is easy - most things are in walking distance of each other, and buses run regularly and cheaply to the outer areas. We stayed in a residential area on the edge of Trondheim, so buses were ideal for getting into the city centre as we didn't have to find car parks. Buses also go to the swimming pool ("Pirabadet") where we spent several very happy hours with the children. Like many swimming centres, it is quite expensive if you just want to go for an hour or so, but if you spend a while there, and have coffee and lunches too, it works out reasonable value for money, especially on a rainy day!

There are several wonderful parks and open spaces in the vicinity. These are a joy to wander round, and of course they cost nothing. Don't bypass them, walk through them, and take your time. It really is a wonderful way to clear your head.

Trondheim has a few things that should be visited as a tourist - the science museum is small, but very hands on, and the children loved it. Half a day would be adequate here, and I recall it being quite reasonably priced to get in. There is a beautiful cathedral too. No more spectacular than many UK cathedrals or Minsters, but worth a visit, nonetheless. There is also a "bicycle elevator" - apparently the first one in the world. This goes up a steep slope in the city, and saves your legs. You simply pull alongside it, put one foot on the lift, and off you go! It opened in 1993 and has taken about quarter of a million cyclists up the hill since then!

Talking about cycles......90% of the 30,000 students in Trondheim use cycles, and so the cycle network has been heavily invested in over recent years. The UK could learn a lot from this........

The weather in Trondheim is very similar to the UK if you visit in the summer months - it could be cold, it could be wet, it could be hot and sunny. Be prepared for every eventuality, just as you would a holiday at home! In the winter, however, be ready for snow, and lots of it! Our students always laugh at us when we get excited over possible school closures when we have half an inch of snow forecast. They have several feet......from November to May.......!

Food and drink in Trondheim, as with most of Norway, is generally quite expensive. If you want a beer you will have to save up, as it can often be the best part of £10 for a pint! However, fish is plentiful, and many families grow their own vegetables. Not only that, but foraging for mushrooms and fruit is normal, so do as the locals do and go hunting for your food, and eat local produce.....it really does taste fantastic! One of my favourite meals was simply a large pot full of fresh king prawns, cooked simply with garlic and white wine, and served in the centre of the table, with everyone just able to dib in and help themselves, juices running down to your elbows, and chunky bread to mop up the excess.......delicious!

If you are able to drive, then do take the opportunity to travel to the wider area - there are some beautiful ffjords and mountains within an hour or two's drive. Take a ferry to one of the islands off the mainland, go hunting for berries, see Elk and Moose, and keep your eyes open for trolls!

Be aware though, that English speakers are more of a rarity out of the main city, so take your phrase book with you!

All in all, we love Trondheim - the people have always been very friendly towards us. Start a conversation with a local, and they will almost certainly start talking about English Football! But the main thing is that they are very happy to have you there. They are not so happy to greet German visitors - but as Norway was an occupied country during the war, this is easy to understand.....old wounds take a while to heal, and this is very apparent. There are still some time signs of the occupation such as caves used as bunkers, so take notice of these as you are out and about.

Summary: Take your walking shoes and go explore!