BERGEN, NORWAY Located on Norway’s southwestern coast, around 300 miles from Oslo, this Unesco World Heritage City is a popular call for cruise lines such as Hurtigruten. Attractions include exploring the wooden, Hanseatic-
era harbourfront merchant houses at Bryggen and taking Floibanen Funicular up Floyen Mountain, with its epic views and trails. Other draws include performances by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Edvard Grieg House at Troldhaugen. Visitors will find a solid local gastronomic proposition,
with particularly excellent seafood restaurants. Bergen International Festival is among the calendar highlights (May/June). The city also serves as a gateway to nearby fjords such as Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord, the longest and deepest in Norway.
SPLIT, CROATIA Croatia’s well-connected second city serves as a gateway to the Adriatic-lapped Dalmatian coast, a prime tourism region bolstered by islands such as Hvar and Brac, both a short ferry ride away. Framed beyond by the Dinaric Alps, it was the
Roman Emperor Diocletian who transformed Split into the fortified marvel we see today, his legacy living on through the well-preserved Diocletian’s Palace and the summertime Days of Diocletian festival. Other visitor highlights include exploring the medieval
Veli Varoš district, savoring the vibrant cafe culture among the city’s squares and strolling the riva, its elegant waterfront promenade. Prime beach spots include Bacvice, with some of the best views to be had from atop the forested hill of Marjan.