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Bergen – A Beautiful Farewell to the North

August 7, 2025

We reached our final stop: Bergen. Getting there was already a highlight in itself: we took the Bergen Railway from Oslo, one of the most scenic train rides in Europe. For seven hours, we watched the Norwegian landscape shift from wide valleys to lakes, waterfalls, and tiny wooden houses in the middle of nowhere. It was the perfect way to transition into the last chapter of our journey.

 

Once in Bergen, the weather wasn’t really on our side, but that didn’t stop us from discovering the city. We joined a guided tour, explored charming narrow streets and colorful wooden houses, and got a feel for Bergen’s unique atmosphere.

 

 

One of our favorite experiences was a 5-hour hike from Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen. It was long and challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Along the way, we passed quiet mountain lakes and even crossed paths with sheep wandering freely through the landscape.

 

 

On our last day, the rain pushed us indoors. So we headed to a local swimming hall and sauna. And despite the grey skies, we couldn’t resist jumping into the fjord one last time. Cold, yes – but totally worth it.

Now we’re heading home, with full backpacks and even fuller hearts.
A huge thank you to the OWHC and the Young Travelling Scholarship for making this journey possible. We’re incredibly grateful for the experiences we’ve had and for being able to share them along the way.

 

Oslo – Rain, Fjords and a Lot of Cozy Moments

August 3, 2025

Oslo welcomed us with grey skies and plenty of rain – but that didn’t stop us from exploring. One of our highlights was the Deichman Library near the Opera House: an architectural gem and the perfect spot to dry off, read, relax, and enjoy the city from above.

 

 

We hopped on one of the local ferries, which are part of Oslo’s public transport system, and took a scenic ride out to one of the nearby islands. The harbor views, even in the mist, were worth it. On another day, we went for a hike just outside the city, enjoying nature, peace and fresh air – no rain this time!

 

 

After our time in Oslo, we boarded the train to Bergen, which truly lived up to the hype. With breathtaking mountain views, waterfalls, and wide valleys, it was one of the most beautiful train rides we’ve ever taken.

 

Absolutely Charmed by Copenhagen

July 31, 2025

 

We didn’t expect to fall this hard for a city. But then again, Copenhagen does make it easy.

With sunshine on our shoulders and no real plan beyond “let’s walk until it feels right,” we wandered through cobbled streets, leafy courtyards, and colorful canals. The city welcomed us with that effortless mix of old and new, grand palaces and cozy cafés, historic libraries and modern bikes zipping past.

 

 

A local guide took us on a walking tour, sharing the kind of stories that don’t show up in guidebooks, which you only hear when someone truly loves where they live. The next day, we ended up on the funniest canal tour imaginable, steered by another Copenhagen local who cracked jokes, gave us insider tips, and even let us see the city from the best seat in town (the canals).

One of our favorite encounters happened in a small coffee shop. In the middle of a chat with the barista about what it’s like to live in and experience Copenhagen’s history as a local, we asked the barista if he had any recommendations. He casually listed a few and then returned five minutes later with a full city map where he’d circled all his favourite spots. We were genuinely moved by that moment of unexpected kindness.

 

 

Our time in Copenhagen left us with a sense of quiet appreciation — for the layered history of the city, for the people who shape it day by day, and for the small, unexpected moments that made us feel welcome. We left with full notebooks, a folded city map, and the sense that this is a place we’d like to return to.

 

Brick Facades and Big Impressions – A Short Stop in Hamburg

July 28, 2025

 

After our exhilarating visits to Stralsund and Wismar,  Hamburg was our next stop on the route north.

With only two days to explore, we focused on the essentials. We wandered through the Speicherstadt, Hamburg’s iconic warehouse district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its red-brick architecture, bridges, and narrow canals contrasted the quieter heritage towns we’d just left behind.

We also visited the Elbphilharmonie’s viewing platform, where the city stretches out between cranes and copper rooftops. The view gave us a different perspective – one of Hamburg as a living port city, always moving, always changing.

 

 

We rounded our time in Hamburg off with a performance of Hercules – a modern musical experience.

Though not a world heritage city, Hamburg impressed us with the vibrant connection of history and modern-day life. We´re excited to next move beyond the German border and continue in Denmark and Norway!

 

Wismar – Where History Meets the Sea

July 27, 2025

Wismar welcomed us with the perfect mix of maritime charm and historic beauty. We climbed the viewing platform of St. George’s Church for a stunning panorama over the red rooftops and the Baltic coastline. Strolling through the old town, we admired the colorful facades, felt the laid-back energy of the city, and enjoyed long conversations by the harbour.

 

 

A visit to the World Heritage House gave us a deeper glimpse into Wismar’s UNESCO story and its rich Hanseatic past. This small city left a big impression on us – full of history, but so alive with warmth.

From here, our journey continues to Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and finally Bergen – discovering more World Heritage gems along the way.

Stralsund – Baltic Breeze & Festival Vibes

July 25, 2025

Stralsund welcomed us with the salty air of the Baltic Sea and a city full of charm. Colorful façades line the streets, each one telling its own story from centuries past. We strolled along the promenade, had warm conversations, and simply soaked in the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

This weekend, the Wallenstein Days brought the city to life even more: good music, lots of laughter, and a joyful crowd celebrating together. We couldn’t resist a sweet crêpe while enjoying the festive vibes. One of our highlights was an exclusive guided tour through the World Heritage Exhibition, where we got a deeper look into Stralsund’s fascinating history as part of the Hanseatic League.

 

 

As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Stralsund perfectly blends maritime heritage with vibrant community life. It’s a place where history doesn’t just sit in museums – it lives on in the streets, festivals, and the people who call this city home.

 

 

From here, our journey along the World Heritage trail continues further north. Next stops: Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and finally Bergen.

 

From left to right: Sophia, Steffi Behrendt (Head of the Department for Culture, World Heritage, and Media in Stralsund), and Melanie – after an insightful guided tour through Stralsund’s World Heritage exhibition.

From left to right: Sophia, Steffi Behrendt (Head of the Department for Culture, World Heritage, and Media in Stralsund), and Melanie – after an insightful guided tour through Stralsund’s World Heritage exhibition.

First Stop: Berlin 22-24 July 2025

July 25, 2025

 

And we are off. Our very first stop took us straight into the buzzing heart of Germany: Berlin.

We played tourist with zero shame. Alexanderplatz? Check. Fernsehturm? Check. Brandenburger Tor, Nikolaikirche, Museumsinsel and even the Rotes Rathaus? Absolutely. Somewhere between dodging e-scooters and snapping too many photos, we even squeezed in a musical (Cabaret) and a public viewing of the Women’s Euro. Because culture comes in all forms.

 

 

But the real highlight? An invite to the World Heritage Festival at the Hufeisensiedlung, a dreamy, colorful housing estate from the nineteen twenties that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Berlin Modernism Housing Estates. It is not every day you get to experience a brass band, improv music and architectural deep dives all in one evening. We loved every minute!

 

 

 

 

Big thanks to the lovely folks from the OWHC who made it possible. We felt fancy, inspired and just a little bit like VIPs. It was one of those moments that reminded us why we are doing this trip in the first place: to find the soul behind the stones.

Berlin, you were bold, beautiful and full of stories.
Next up: Stralsund. Bring on the Baltic breeze.

 

Kick off: Regensburg

July 25, 2025

 

 

Exams are done, the cafés are full, and the Danube riverbanks are packed with students soaking up their first real breath of freedom.

You can´t help but love this city.  A mix of medieval streets, relaxed energy, and those small everyday moments that make you pause: crossing the old Stone Bridge at sunset, sharing a spritz on the Bismarckplatz steps, or grabbing coffee and cake in quiet Stadtamhof before jumping back into the buzz.

 

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage City, but it does not feel like a museum. It feels lived in, layered with history, but full of life.

And it is here, in our university town, that we are kicking off this journey: heading north through Berlin, Stralsund, Wismar, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, and finally Bergen.