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12 Great Bergen Tours & Day Trips Not to Miss

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Growing up by the Aurlandsfjord meant that Bergen was the closest city to visit for shopping, travelling (it has the nearest international airport) and for just getting a taste of that city life. In addition to this, I have now lived here for several years, and feel like I know my way around the many great ways you can explore it – such as the Bergen tours I am going to introduce you to in this post.

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and has loads of visitors each year. With good reason . They come to see the famous Bryggen , hike one of the mountains in the area, or use the city as their gateway to the fjords. In my opinion, Bergen is the best city to fly into for anyone visiting Norway . This is especially considering all the great Bergen tours there are to choose from!

If you, like many visitors, only have a day or two in Bergen, I recommend that you book a tour of the city before your visit. When it comes to Bergen sightseeing, it can be a little challenging to figure out where to start and what to see, especially if you are short on time.

Luckily, there are several tours in Bergen worth considering (whether you want to explore the city by foot, bus or even Segway!), and there are plenty of great fjord trips from Bergen as well. The latter is ideal if you only have a few short days in Norway, and want to experience both the city and the fjords!

Heading to the fjords? Read my post on how to get from Bergen to Flåm !

Since I get quite a few emails and questions from people who want to make the most of their Bergen sightseeing (due to a lack of time), I thought I would round up some of the best Bergen tours in this post! I’ll include tours in Bergen, as well as boat tours and fjord trips from Bergen. You’ll be surprised with how easily you can explore Norway and the famous fjords when you have your base in this city!

When you arrive at the airport in Bergen , here’s exactly how to get to the city centre!

Quick Bergen Travel Guide

Where to stay : Hotel Norge is a centrally located, higher-end hotel that is perfect for any traveler – and my favorite (their scrambled eggs at breakfast are the best in Norway). If you are looking for something in the historic city center, Clarion Havnekontoret is just a stone’s throw from the UNESCO-listed Bryggen. For something more budget-friendly, CityBox and Moxy are great alternatives!

Where to eat : I have so many favourite restaurants in Bergen, and have covered them all in this guide . Don’t miss Bryggeloftet (traditional, Norwegian), Poca Madre (Mexican), Boccone (Italian) and JAJA (International Street Food).

Top activities and tours in Bergen :

• Mostraumen Fjord Cruise from Bergen (check out the best fjord cruises from Bergen in this guide )
• Seeing the UNESCO listed Bryggen (on your own or on a walking tour )
• Viking ship fjord cruise
• Hiking or taking the funicular up Mount Fløyen
• Going on a day trip to Flåm and the Nærøyfjord

Packing for Bergen : My golden rule when packing and dressing for any destination in Norway is layers. Layers, layers, layers – and Bergen is no different. Additionally, Bergen can be quite a rainy city, so a waterproof jacket such as this one is ideal. Good shoes for walking around the city is a must too (the city is very walkable).

Getting to Bergen : I have covered how to get from the airport to the city center in detail here .

Getting Around : Skyss is the official public transportation system in Bergen. Download the app Skyss Billett (ticket) to have tickets on your phone.

The 12 best Bergen Tours and Day Trips

The list below are all tours I have either tried, or had recommended from people who have tried them. They are all operated by different companies (or private persons), and are all unique on their own.

If you want to know what to do in Bergen before going on a tour, here’s my travel guide to the city !

So, I hope this list is helpful when you choose which Bergen tour to join, as there will be something for everyone here! Whether you prefer going with a private guide on one of the fjord trips from Bergen, or want to have a fun Bergen sightseeing trip with a local, you’ll find the perfect tour on this list!

Side note : I have numbered this list of Bergen tours, but they are all in random order. As mentioned, each tour will be perfect for someone, so it is not for me to say which is better for you and your family.

Before you go: Consider the Bergen card

If you are visiting Bergen for more than a day, the Bergen card is a must for your trip. Most importantly, it gets you free transportation on the buses and Light Rail (ByBanen) in the city, which is absolute gold. Of course, it also gets you free entrance and discounts to loads of museums and attractions around the city, such as the Bergen Aquarium, Fløibanen ( where you’ll see the view from the picture below ) and Håkon’s Hall (the fortress main building).

My top tip before your arrival : the Bergen Light Rail ‘ByBanen’ goes all the way to Bergen Airport, and is a convenient way to get from the airport to the city centre. It is super affordable, as it only costs 41 kroner. HOWEVER, if you have booked your Bergen Card in advance, it’s free ! So make sure to get the Bergen card before you arrive in Bergen, so you can start using it right away.

#1 Classic 24-hour Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour

Can’t go wrong with one of these, right? I know you may find it a little basic, but to be honest: I love these! Whenever I have less than 3 days in a city, I’ll spend the first morning on one of these Hop-on-hop-off buses, just to get a lay of the land and an idea of the city. During the trip I will take note of which places and sights I want to see more of. Then, for the rest of the 24-hour period, I’ll use the bus as my transportation in order to travel to those places! I genuinely think it’s a great way to get an idea of a place.

#2 Guided Segway tour

This is such a great way to see the city! Out of all the Bergen sightseeing tours, this one might just be the most fun. Segways are those vehicles you’ll see people stand on, holding on to for dear life while racing through the city with their guide. At first they can be challenging to drive, but luckily there are not many hills in Bergen (my first Segway experience included hills, and it was terrifying). You simply control them by leaning back or forward as you go, and the Segway (seemingly) magically understands your intent.

If you want your Bergen trip to have a bit of action built into it, I recommend going on a Segway tour. Side note : this is one of the bestsellers on the list, so I do recommend booking early. Another side note : keep reading if you want to make it even more special!

#3 Guided Segway tour BY NIGHT

I dare say this tour is quite similar to the Bergen segway tour I have just listed, but at the same time it’s completely different. If you feel like riding a Segway isn’t challenge enough, try doing it at night time!

To be fair, it doesn’t really get all that dark in Norway in the summer, but getting a dusky view of the city is still quite unique. And I bet this is a tour not everyone can say that they have been on. I recommend this if you have a day in Bergen, and spend most of it exploring on your own. Then, in the evening, you can join this tour and get some extra information of all the sights.

#4 Self-guided audio tour of Bergen

Feeling a little independent? Then a self-guided audio tour is the way to go. I absolutely love this tour, and if I had to pick a favourite, this would be it . Please note that you will NOT have a guide on this tour, and it is completely self-paced (which is why I love it).

In short, you will receive an English MP3 download when you “book” this tour, and then you can start your self-guided tour whenever you feel like it. I believe it is absolutely genius, and I wish more cities had this option. Again, there is no guide and no meeting point, so you need to be independent enough to handle that (though I’m sure you are). I couldn’t recommend this enough, and it’s super affordable as well (less than $20 at the time of writing)!

I love this tour so much, because it really lets you deep dive into Bergen’s fascinating history , and how it went from a medieval trading town a thousand years ago, to the largest wooden city in Europe during the Hanseatic days of the 1800s, to the modern (small) city it is today.

#5 Private walking tour (with a local)

These kinds of tours are always fun, and I love seeing a city from a local’s perspective. I haven’t gone on this one myself (as I live in the city and consider myself a local), but have heard great reviews and experiences from my Airbnb guests who have done it. What is so great about this tour is that it is completely customizable, and can be adapted to your needs and interests. Want the best coffee in the city? Want to know how to find the Aquarium? Just want the history of Bryggen and the fish market? Regardless, your private local guide can help you!

#6 A Bergen Food and Culture tour

This is a popular tour for visitors to Bergen, and is often likely to sell out. Going on a walking tour is a classic way to get to know a city, and but adding a food aspect to it makes it 10 times better (in my opinion). There are so many great restaurants in Bergen , but this tour will take you to a few of the highlights.

During this 3-hour walking tour of Bergen you will not only see the main sites of the city, but you will also get to sample traditional Norwegian dishes along the way. Of course, a visit to the Fish Market is included in this tour, but also great guides with truly unique storytelling abilities (and I should know, as I am an Adventure Guide for Disney myself.

#7 A guided walk with a witch

This is probably the most unique tour on this list, and I am here for it. This is a self-guided fictional tour of Bergen, perfect for those who want to explore the alternative side of the city.

Basically, this is similar to the self-guided audio tour above, as you will use your phone to listen to the stories and tales told about the city, and you can follow your own pace.

Your guide is the real historic character Anne Pedersdotter, who was the widow of a priest and one of the most famous women in Norway to have been convicted of witchcraft. She was burned at the stake in 1574.

On this tour, you can walk in her foot steps and learn about the city in a fun (and interesting) way!

#8 Guided hike to three of the seven Bergen city mountains

If you are a hiker looking for a serious workout, look no further than this three-summit tour of Bergen’s mountains. During this trip you will hike three of the mountains surrounding the Bergen city center, usually starting with Mount Fløyen.

If you are a hiker and want to do some of these on your own, I recommend starting with my guide to hiking Mount Ulriken (including video).

Fjord trips from Bergen (day trips)

Are you ready to leave the city? There are actually several tours from Bergen that will allow you to see the fjords, and a lot of travellers choose these options to easily explore the fjords. If you prefer planning and going about it on your own, I recommend checking out my Norway itineraries .

Whether you follow an itinerary or book one of the tours from Bergen listed below, trust me when I say that the fjords will take your breath away! Bergen truly is the perfect base for anyone wanting to see the beauty of the Norwegian fjords.

Read next: The best fjord cruises from Bergen .

#9 A Private Trip to the Hardangerfjord

Slightly on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. This is a full day tour from Bergen, and takes around 10 hours. You’ll have an English guide with you, and it is possible to be picked up (and dropped off) at your accommodation. This makes it a super convenient trip for anyone short on time, and want to make sure they see one of Norway’s beautiful fjords. The Hardangerfjord is picture perfect, and actually the backdrop of one of Norway’s most famous paintings; Brudeferd i Hardanger .

On this tour you will not only get to marvel in the beauty of the landscape, but also cross the impressive Hardanger Bridge, and see Vøringfossen (Norway’s biggest waterfall). Please be advised that some entrance fees are not included in the tour price, such as the entrance to Hardangervidda Nature Center.

#10 A private tour to Flåm (and the Sognefjord)

Home sweet home! This tour takes you to the area where I grew up, and I love hearing people tell me how beautiful it is there (as if I can take credit). This tour takes you to the heart of the fjords (in my opinion), and is also a full day trip. The journey from Bergen to Flåm is about 3 hours, so you won’t be surprised when I say that this tour takes approximately 11 hours.

What I love about this tour is that the Flåm Railway is included in it, so you’ll not only get to see the fjords in a day, but also travel on one of the world’s most spectacular train rides! So if you have only a few days in Bergen, and you’re not quite ready to follow my itinerary and book your trip on your own, this is the tour for you.

#11 Bergen day trip to Folgefonna glacier (including blue ice hike)

Going blue ice hiking is becoming more and more popular amongst visitors to Norway, and if you are one of the people who want to try it this day tour out of Bergen is for you. This is a full day trip, starting and ending in Bergen, taking you to the Hardangerfjord region and the Folgefonna glacier.

During this day you will spend time hiking across the beautiful blue ice of the glacier, with an experienced team of blue ice hike guides. The time spend on the ice is between 3-4 hours, and the trip is tailored to each group.

#12 Bergen Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen

Bergen is a bit of a drive from the UNESCO Listed fjords of Norway and the destinations surrounding them (such as Flåm and Aurland , where I grew up). However, there are fjord cruises leaving right from the center of Bergen, allowing you to go into some of the smaller fjords a little closer to the city.

Mostraumen is one of these, and this narrow fjord passage will give you a true taste of what the west-Norwegian fjords look like, without getting too far out of the city. This is the perfect tour for those who don’t have the time to visit the Nærøyfjord or Geirangerfjord.

Want more Bergen tours? Check them all out below!

I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, and that you have been able to figure out which of these great Bergen tours you should join during your trip to Norway. Joining a sightseeing tour is a great way to explore a city, and especially when you are short on time. I find that many travellers to Norway only have a day or two to spend in Bergen before heading to the fjords ( or up North ), so I always recommend some of these tours. Do let me know in the comments which one caught your eye!

Want more information before your trip to Norway? Head this way for my extensive Norway travel guide , or this way for my guide to planning a trip to Norway!

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[…] first stop for most visitors on a tour of Bergen is the city’s most famous district: Bryggen. The wharf was originally developed by the […]

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THE 10 BEST Bergen Tours & Excursions

Tours in bergen.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Guided Tour To Nærøyfjorden, Flåm And Stegastein - Viewpoint Cruise

2. Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

3. Guided day tour - Premium Nærøyfjord Cruise and Flåm Railway

4. The Best Fjordcruise: Bergen fjord by Zodiac or Pontoon Boat

5. Walking Tour in Bergen of the Past and Present

6. Food and Culture walk

7. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: Queen of the Fjords - tour from Bergen, 6 hours

8. Bergen: Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

9. Flåm Railway and Ferry Flåm to Bergen with Hotel pickup in Bergen

10. Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

11. Guided Fjord & Glacier Tour - From BERGEN

12. Relaxed day trip to Hardanger Fjord with waffles and coffee incl.

13. Self-guided day tour - Premium Nærøyfjord Cruise & Flåm Railway

14. Guided tour - Bergen Railway, Nærøyfjord Cruise & Flåm Railway

15. Best Views of Bergen - Segway Day Tour

16. Fjord Hiking - Public tour

17. City Walking Tour - Bergen On Foot

18. Private Walking Tour of Bergen

19. On Top of Bergen - Public Tour

20. Private cruise - Fjord and waterfalls cruise to Modal- Mostraumen

21. 3-Hour Private Tour Hiked through the Bergen Mountains

22. Bergen to Sognefjord Private Roudtrip with Cruise and Flasmbana

23. Bergen Guided Tour by Minibus (with Photo stops) & Bryggen Walk

24. Bergen Fjord Experience Aboard Viking-style Ship

25. Self-Guided Full Day Round-trip From Bergen

26. Bergen Day Tour to National Park Folgefonna and Glacier Lake

27. Guided Kayak Tour Bergen

28. Bergen to Flam "The King of Fjords" One-Way or Round-Trip Cruise Ticket

29. Full Day Private Tour to Flam with Pick Up

30. Bergen's Landmarks and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Mostraumen Fjord Cruise
• Guided Tour To Nærøyfjorden, Flåm And Stegastein - Viewpoint Cruise
• Walking Tour in Bergen of the Past and Present
• The Best Fjordcruise: Bergen fjord by Zodiac or Pontoon Boat
• Food and Culture walk
• Norway Mountain Guides
• Jandis Tour Operator
• See the Fjords - Private fjord cruise
• Norway Fjord Travel
• Norway in a nutshell®
• Øvre-Eide Gard - Farm
• Martins Bergen Tours
• Bergen Segway
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• Roedne Fjord Cruise
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Contact us at [email protected] or +47 940 54 465 (it's better to message than to call)

• A Walk Through Bergen Past & Present
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Welcome to Bergen!

see the best of Bergen with our tours

Daily walking & minibus tours of Bergen, available all year round!

Summer Schedule (16 April – 30 September):

10am: Past & Present 11am: Past & Present 11:30am: Nordnes 12:30pm: Minibus Tour 2pm: Past & Present 3pm: Past & Present (1 May – 16 September only) 6pm: Past & Present

Winter Schedule (1 Oct – 15 April):

10am: Past & Present 12:30pm: Bergen by Minibus 2pm: Past & Present

We are the number one walking tour on Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide & AirBNB

“Fantastic tour. Very knowledgeable guide and answered all the questions that were asked. Incredibly patient. Covered areas we wouldn’t have gone to and a great insight into Bergen’s history”

“100% recommend for any tourists visiting Bergen for the first time. Our tour guide was knowledgeable about the past and present. It was great walking around because it gave such an understanding of the towns layout. It was a standout activity for our honeymoon.”

Locally owned and operated

I Love Bergen is 100% owned and operated out of Bergen, Norway. The owners and guides live in Bergen all year round. We want to ensure you have a true local experience when you come and visit us 🙂

All of our partners are Bergen companies. 

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We love bergen!

hey there, it’s nice to meet you!

I Love Bergen is a group of Bergen enthusiasts ready to show you the city. Bergen is definitely the most beautiful city in Norway, and we are excited to show you the most beautiful parts of the city on our unique walking tours. Our guides are all licenced guides who have lived in Bergen for several years, meaning they are true locals! 

Unlike other tour companies, we don’t give our guides a script. Rather, they get to cater the tour to their own interests. Our guides have creative control over their tours. So, when you walk with one of our guides, you are getting an enthusiastic overview of the city. Our guides always talk about what they are interested in. 

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Tours in Bergen

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and former capital, rich in history and culture. Stroll through the old and picturesque quarter of Bryggen, a UNSESCO World Heritage Site, and you will feel yourself transported back in time. And yet, just a few minutes away you can find the pulsating center of a modern city with its numerous offers; restaurants, art galleries, shopping streets – even penguins in the famous Bergen Aquarium! In the heart of the city you will also find the renowned fish market where you can enjoy all kinds of local culinary delicacies. 

Situated at the shores of the Byfjord and surrounded by seven mountains, two of them easily accessible by cable car, Bergen also offers a spectacular natural scenery. Known as “the Gateway to the Fjords”, the city is an ideal starting point for outdoor activities of all kinds. It is also a perfect starting point for both day trips and longer holidays in Norway.

Bergen is a unique city which offers unforgettable experiences.  Come to Bergen, and you will soon understand why the inhabitants of Bergen proudly say: “I’m not just from Norway – I am from Bergen “.

Bergen the Ultimate Sightseeing Tour

Bus Tour Cruise Terminal (pick-up/drop-off) Our tours tend to sell out Booking process is in EURO

Bergen the 10 day Norwegian Highlights Experience

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Bergen Private from Fjords to Trolls

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Bergen Private the Ultimate Sightseeing Tour

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Visit Norway With Us

At Norway Excursions we have years of experience in the world of tourism, providing excursions and guiding. Our staff, guides and drivers treat all our guests as human individuals, not as numbers, and our aim is to make your holiday in the Norwegian coastal area and its fjords an unforgettable one in the best possible way.

Whether you are traveling to Norway by plane, bus or cruise ship, our excursions are available and accessible for everyone. Our well trained guides have a lot of experience and knowledge about the country, including its culture, nature and (local) history. All of them speak several languages on a very high level. We provide our excursions with first class services to both groups and individuals. Everything can easily be booked online and should you have any questions or special requests, please do not hesitate to contact us by filling out the online request form.

We look very much forward to welcoming you aboard our excursions!

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Pamukkale & Aphrodisias Tour From Kusadasi

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Total Price: $ 169

Explore the ancient city of Aphrodisias named after the goddess Aphrodite and referred to as the ‘City of Love’. Marvel at one of the most important sites of Greek and Roman periods in Turkey. Famous for its craftsmanship and use of quality marble, experience first hand the sculptural superiority of a once bustling metropolis. Finish off the tour with a visit to the white travertines of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

This tour is recommended for those with an interest in art, history and nature.

You will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi in the early morning. We will arrive in Aphrodisias after a 1.5 hour drive. The tour will commence in Aphrodisias before we explore Pamukkale.

• Be amazed by the marble and well preserved Aphrodisias city
• Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, and its many highlights including the largest Necropolis in Anatolia
• Be mesmerized by the petrified waterfalls and snow white cliffs of Pamukkale

At the end of the tour we will drop you off at your hotel in Kusadasi.

• Entrance Fees
• Professional Licensed Tour Guide
• Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off
• All Local Taxes
• Cleaopatra’s Pool
• Personal Expenses
• Food & Drinks

One of Turkey’s most famous sites Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) is a popular attraction on any Turkey Tour. Pamukkale, a UNESCO world heritage site features a unique landscape of white travertines, which hang from the hills as a result of calcium bicarbonate deposits that have petrified and formed for over 400, 000 years. Filled with bright blue water, and considered to have healing powers as a thermal spring, this location has become a unique tourism and wellness destination. Located next to the ancient city of Hierapolis, with well preserved Roman ruins and Cleopatra’s pool this is a wonderful destination to visit.

Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias, named after the goddess Aphrodite and referred to as the city of love is known as the centre of sculpture in the Ancient World. Aphrodisias, a remarkably well-preserved Roman-period city, is famous in antiquity for its sanctuary of Aphrodite and its marble sculptors. Known to tourists and travellers since the 18th century, it has been the subject of exploration since the early 20th century.

We do have special discount for +6 people. Please contact with our travel agent from chat to recieve 15% discount.

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Bergenfield's Howard Fields recounts days with Harry Chapin ahead of BergenPAC show

4-minute read.

BERGENFIELD — Howard Fields, a drummer who played alongside the late musician and philanthropist Harry Chapin for much of his career, will take the stage at Bergen PAC next month with the Harry Chapin Band, as part of the Chapin Family Show.

For Fields, 73, the concert is a welcome reunion with longtime friends and a chance to play close to home. The Bergenfield resident tours with the band — made up largely of old bandmates and members of Chapin’s family — several times a year, playing about a dozen shows.

“Playing on stage with these very good musicians who were also my friends — now I’ve known them for more than half a lifetime — it was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “It’s nice to be doing it on some level again. We don’t play as many shows these days, but it is very reminiscent of what we used to do.”

Growing up in Brooklyn in the 1960s, Fields was inspired by bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Kinks. At 14, he took drum lessons and played in bands at every venue they could, from church dances to block parties.

“It was all I could think about really,” he said. “I used to go to concerts at the Filmore East, sit there and watch these bands and think to myself, I can’t imagine not doing this. I wanted so much to play in theaters in front of people so badly.”

Fields was playing with different bands after graduating from Long Island University with a degree in music when he heard of an opportunity to play with Harry Chapin. By 1975 the folk-rock musician had already recorded four albums, including the hit "Verities and Balderdash," which featured the No. 1 song "Cat's in the Cradle," when he decided to write and perform a Broadway play based on his music.

Story continues below photo gallery.

The play, “The Night That Made America Famous,” needed a drummer, and Fields auditioned and got the job.

“It was quite an experience. I had been to a few Broadway shows in my life and here I was on stage,” he said. “My mom and dad couldn’t have been prouder.”

The show ran for six weeks, and when the run was over, Chapin asked Fields to join the band as drummer, something the group had never had before.

The band played sold out shows across the country and toured in England, Scotland and Ireland about once a year.

“I was doing what I always dreamt of doing — playing in different theaters in different cities,” he said. “It was the greatest thing.”

Everything changed, though, when Chapin died at age 38 in a car crash in 1981. The band was set to play a benefit concert in Chapin’s hometown of Huntington, New York, when Fields and the other band members learned of the fiery crash on the Long Island Expressway.

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They made their way to the concert site, Eisenhower Park, where several hundred people had already gathered near the stage.

“People were already starting to fill in the lawn,” Fields remembered. “The concert promoter made the announcement to the crowd. It was just a dreadful day.”

After the crash, the members of the band all went in different directions. Fields made ends meet by teaching, offering private drum lessons and playing gigs here and there.

Eventually, some of the band members started doing Harry Chapin memorial shows, and in the early 90s, singer-songwriter Steve Chapin, Harry Chapin’s brother, approached Fields and bassist John Wallace about playing shows featuring Harry Chapin’s music and his own.

As time went on, these tribute shows with “The Chapin Family” included the members of Chapin’s band, Clark Wallace, Chapin’s brothers Tom and Steve Chapin, Tom's daughters Abigail and Lily Chapin, and Harry's daughter Jen Chapin, with Stephan Crump and Jamie Fox as the Jen Chapin Trio. The band has recently added a cellist, Arlen Hlusko.

The Chapin Family Show will play at Bergen PAC in Englewood on May 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $29 to $89 and are on sale at bergenpac.org. The band will also perform at the State Theater in New Brunswick on May 16 and at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pennsylvania, on May 17.

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In photos: norway’s incredible ‘viking church’ at borgund.

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On rare occasions, the northern lights can be visible over Borgund Stave Church in Norway.

Amidst verdant green valleys and rugged mountains lies a remarkable piece of cultural heritage at the heart of Norway. Dating back to the late 12th century, Borgund Stave Church is an architectural masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

Constructed entirely from wood, the church is a monument to the exceptional creativity of medieval Norse craftsmen.

The iconic Borgund Stave Church in Lerdal Municipality in Vestland. Nrorway.

Although no longer used as an active place of worship following the construction of a modern replacement in 1868, the stave church offers visitors a rare detailed glimpse into the past. It provides a snapshot of a time when Old Norse beliefs still lingered in a Scandinavia that was undergoing rapid Christianization.

Stave Architecture

Borgund is a fantastic example of stave church architecture , a style unique to Northern Europe, characterized by its use of vertical wooden staves to support the structure.

Borgund Stave Church is one of the best preserved of Norway's remaining stave churches, and as such ... [+] is a wonderful example of the stave architectural style.

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What sets Borgund apart is its remarkable state of preservation and the intricate detail of its design.

The exterior, adorned with elaborate carvings depicting dragon heads and Christian symbolism, reflects a fusion of pagan Norse and medieval Christian influences. Locals weren't quite ready to give up on the old ways.

Carved details on Borgund Stave Church show the Old Norse influence.

The interior, dimly lit by natural light filtering through small windows, contains original wooden pews and an altar that has witnessed centuries of worship.

Construction techniques are easier to understand from inside the church.

It’s well worth paying the entrance fee to enter the church, for its inside that you can truly appreciate the architectural style and the work that went into its construction.

A Rare Example

At the height of the Middle Ages, there were over a thousand stave churches in Norway. Today, fewer than 30 remain, with Borgund among the most visited. It’s not just the church itself that survived. Norway's sole surviving stave-built bell tower stands nearby.

The 12th-century church is surrounded by typical Norwegian fjord oountry landscape.

The survival of these churches is a remarkable feat, considering the vulnerability of their wooden structures to the elements and the ravages of time.

Meticulous maintenance and the dedication of generations who recognized its historical and cultural value were key in the church’s survival.

Exterior details on Borgund Stave Church.

An important moment in the church’s history took place in 1877, when it was purchased by Fortidsminneforeningen (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments) in order to save it from demolition.

The ‘Modern’ Replacement

Next to the historic stave church, its 19th-century replacement serves the current religious needs of the community.

The new Borgund Church (left) was built in the 19th-century in order to preserve the historic stave ... [+] church (right).

The ‘new’ Borgund Church is an attraction in itself, thanks to its dragestil design and red color, providing a striking contrast to the older church and the green surroundings.

A Hiking Paradise

Those surroundings are a popular hiking destination among locals and tourists alike. The church is a feature on the historic 68-mile-long trail known as Kongevegen , or The King’s Road .

Vindhellavegen is a historic winding road across a mountain pass, part of The King’s Road near ... [+] Borgund Stave Church.

Once the most popular route to travel between the east and west of Norway, the King’s Road is today one of Europe's most beautiful cultural heritage routes.

How To Visit Borgund Stave Church

Open daily between mid-April and mid-October, the church is easily accessible to visitors planning a road trip between Oslo and Bergen. Located in Lærdal municipality, Borgund is located just a few minutes off the main E16 highway.

It’s also less than a one-hour drive from Flåm, so visitors can pair a visit to the church with a ride on the Flåm Railway and an overnight stay in one of Norway’s most picturesque fjord villages.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the adjacent visitor center. It offers exhibitions on the history of Borgund and other stave churches in Norway, a cafe, and a souvenir shop.

Tickets ($12) to visit the church must be purchased at the visitor center. Numbers permitted to enter the church are limited, so you may have to wait a while at busy times. In high season, guided tours delve into its history, architecture, and the broader context of stave churches in medieval Norse society.

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