I’m writing this post from the train from Trondheim down to my grandmother’s home in Bø, Telemark. It’s a 12+ hour journey, but one of the prettiest train rides I know. We’ll be going over the mountains soon and I’m going to keep an eye out for reindeer and muskoxen!
I’ll be spending Christmas in Telemark with my grandmother and my aunt’s family, but the thing is, I’m not actually sure when I’ll be returning to Trondheim.
I know, I know, after making such a big deal about finally finding a place to settle down and even signing a lease, I’m up and leaving anyway. So ridiculous! And predictable? In my defense, a job offer sort of fell into my lap and I was really bad at going out and finding a job myself, so I just had to take it.
Okay, not the best defense ever.
No, actually I’m thrilled to now officially share that I will be working in one of the most beautiful places in Norway this winter! Can you guess where? (Hint: I’ve written about it before.) I’ll be there until Easter and have been asked to potentially stay until the summer, so I think I’ll just have to see how it goes.
One of the things I’m most excited about with this relocation is blogging about my new home. I’m not sure anyone has noticed this, but I’ve been a bit wary about blogging about Trondheim because, well, I’m a still on the fence about it as a tourist destination. I think it’s a perfect place to live – and in fact it seems like everyone who visits decides they want to move to Trondheim – but if you’re only going to see one place in Norway, I’m not sure I would make it Trondheim.
After I first posted photos of Trondheim’s pretty wharfs I started getting messages from people saying how they had always wanted to visit Norway, saw my photos, and found a really cheap weekend flight to Trondheim, so what should they see and do when they’re there?
To which I would always awkwardly reply asking if there by any chance were cheap flights to Bergen as well. And then I tried to post fewer and fewer photos of Trondheim in the hopes that those messages would stop (because I’m a baby like that), at least until I got to know the city better and could promote it with a good conscience.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful city with a fascinating history, but it doesn’t have that steal your breath away landscape that should be part of anyone’s first trip to Norway. Then again maybe I just haven’t had the time or means to seek out Trondheim’s hidden gems, so let’s just put a pin in this “should your first trip to Norway be to Trondheim” discussion, shall we?
I had been hoping to spot the Northern Lights once more before leaving for the winter, but the sky continued to hide behind clouds, which normally would have bummed me out, except that those clouds were filled with sparkling snow!
Trondheim, I was so ready to happily leave you behind, but you just had to tug at my heartstrings with a final reminder that you’re not the worst, and in fact you might just be the best. I may even have shed a tear or two as I left.
Though I’m not entirely sure whether that was because I’ll miss you or because I was upset at having to get up before sunrise (so like, 10 am) to lug a duffle bag full of Christmas presents to the train station. Is this what it’s like for Santa? I mean, at least he has the reindeer to keep him company.
Just kidding, I’m trying to sound grumpy to hide the fact that I’m positively bursting with holiday cheer right now and I’m probably annoying everyone around me. Remember the time I made all my friends make paper snowflakes? Yup, I’m that girl in December. Plus, Christmas in Norway is my favorite, and Trondheim + snow + Christmas is my favorite favorite!
And so instead of doing anything about that pile of work in my inbox or you know, packing, I spent all weekend wandering through Trondheim’s Christmas market, indulging in too many hot cocoas and Christmas cookies, and touching every glittery Christmas ornament I saw, just like the child Christmas always turns me into.
Bye bye, Trondheim!
Where will you be spending the holidays this year?
PIN IT!
Ashley says
This looks amazing!
Ashley
http://www.ashleyelizabethbeauty.com
Travelblogger Lisa says
This looks so good 🙂
Lisa – Joy Della Vita Travelblog
Jane M says
I’ve been to lots of places in Norway – Oslo, Bergen, Tromso, Stockmarkness to name a few – but I don’t remember any of them looking as adorable as you photos make Trondheim look. Any chance you’re trying to keep it a secret so the tourist hordes (and travel bloggers) stay away?
Silvia says
Haha that would be pretty sneaky of me! Trondheim does have its adorable spots, I’ll give it that 🙂
Justine says
Haha, this news is kind of hilarious to me because I too am packing up and leaving for an entirely new destination. Shh…don’t tell anyone but I’m leaving Cambodia next month. Our very different expat lives parallel each other once again!
Silvia says
Whaat that really is crazy! Starting to get a bit creepy how often our lives parallel, ha.
Van (@snowintromso) says
When I first visited Norway, I actually went to Trondheim and even though the city is gorgeous, it definitely didn’t blew my mind as Tromso or rather the whole of Northern Norway did! It lacks those huge snow-capped mountains that we have up here! But then again, it’s definitely much more charming than Oslo!! Have a nice trip and a nice Christmas!
Silvia says
Agreed, Trondheim lacks the dramatic landscape! Though I also agree that it’s a whole lot prettier than Oslo, haha.
Amanda says
I admittedly didn’t visit Bergen on my first trip to Norway, but I DID hit up places like Alesund and Geiranger, which I think also give you those quintessential Norway views. And you know what? I would still tell people to visit Trondheim! I really loved the city. And while it’s true that there aren’t a ton of tourist attractions, the vibe there won me over.
Now, would I suggest someone visit Trondheim and nowhere else in Norway? Probably not. But I WOULD definitely recommend it as part of a larger Norway itinerary!
Silvia says
I remember reading about your time in Trondheim and thinking that it sounded like a nice place to live, ha. And I agree, it’s a nice addition to any Norway itinerary, but I wouldn’t want someone to only see Trondheim – Norway’s mountains are too spectacular to be missed! Funnily enough, when Dan and I first got to Trondheim he was unimpressed and kept saying that maybe we should move to Alesund instead. I’ve still never been there though!
carrie says
Your pics are beautiful! I’ve just started following your blog, but I already love it and love your travel style! safe travels to you! 🙂
Silvia says
Way to put a huge smile on my face!
Lauren Lalicon says
If you’re trying to convince me that Trondheim is not a vacation destination, you’re not doing a good job! I live on the East Coast of the US and we haven’t had any snow yet 🙁 It looks so much like Christmas in your photos. Congrats on the job! Does that mean you’ll be paying rent for your place in Trondheim while you’re living in another area?
Silvia says
Haha it’s funny because I had planned to write this post about Trondheim not being the best destination, and then it snowed and became absolutely magical. It’s like it knew, haha. And yes, we still have to pay rent while we’re gone, which is a huge pain, BUT we won’t have to pay rent where we’re going (though we’ll have to pay to rent a car), so it shouldn’t totally break the bank at least.
Mirøslav Hristøff says
Ok, I know that it may sound strange to someone but how I miss the snow on Christmass! You are so lucky to have snow there! 🙂
Silvia says
I always miss snow on Christmas when I’m somewhere warmer too! It’s nice to be in Norway now 🙂
Gerald says
I am so glad I follow your blog. The blog is so interesting. Thank you so much, The pictures are the best Thank you
Silvia says
Thanks, Gerald, that makes me so happy to hear, and to keep on blogging!
Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun says
Your photos do make Trondheim look like the most magical place on earth. Having now been to Oslo and Bergen, Trondheim is next on my Norway wish list!
Happy holidays from Riga!
Silvia says
Ooh you’ll have to let me know when you make it to Trondheim! Hopefully not before I make it back there.
Jennifer says
Hehe – I like to say that the only thing consistent in my life is that it’s constantly changing! Sounds like this might be true for you as well. Good luck on your new adventure and have a Happy Christmas 😊 Cheers Jen (PS: love your gorgeous photos – of course!)
Silvia says
Haha exactly! I hope you have a lovely Christmas too 🙂
Andrea says
I must admit I’m tempted to visit Trondheim after seeing your photos!
Silvia says
Trondheim did look particularly magical in the snow – maybe it is worth a visit 🙂
Our Wanders says
Trondheim looks so magical especially when it’s snowing… Your photos really give a taste of the whole thing!
We’ve been to Vienna’s Christmas market like a week ago and loved it soooo much – the only thing missing was the snow. But looks like we won’t have white Christmas here in Budapest this year. Nevertheless we are excited, it’s only a couple of days! 🙂 Happy holidays!
Silvia says
I’ve never been to Vienna’s Christmas market but it sounds amazing! I hope you have a lovely Christmas in Budapest, even if it isn’t snowy!
Kelly says
Trondheim seems like such a perfect and cute Christmas destination! It honestly looks just like a festive little snowglobe. I can’t even imagine being surrounded by all of that snow…I would literally be so giddy!
Silvia says
Haha I was pretty giddy about the snow!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
‘So lovely to see pictures of snow. Finally!
I live in Germany and we have nothing at all! I mean, we had like a day of snowflakes and sleet in November, and now, the temperature is so high, it might as well be Spring.
The way we’re going, it’ll be snowing in May and awfully, that’s happened before!!!
I’ll be spending Christmas in Germany as usual as I love it so and my son is the only child on the German side, so I wouldn’t want to be cruel and take him away lol! Have a great Xmas with you and yours. Very excited to see what 2016 has in store for you. 🙂 🙂
Silvia says
Haha no, you can’t take away the only child! I bet Germany was still magical without the snow. It does seem like so many places had weirdly warm Christmases this year – many places in Norway also had no snow.
David says
Beautiful photos!
I liked Trondheim when I visited in 2014, but I certainly don’t remember it looking that pretty!
It had a nice student feel to it with a few sights worth seeing. Wasn’t my favourite stop in Norway, nor my least favourite. I totally get why you would try and prompt people to go to Bergen instead.
Best of luck in the new town/city.
Silvia says
Thanks, David!
Marianne - Glimt av verden says
These photos are absolutely amazing! I’ve never lived in Trondheim, but I’ve been there several times as it’s where my dad grew up and most of his family still lives there, but I have never seen the city center so stunningly beautiful!
Julia Elizabeth says
This made me so excited for my December trip to Trondheim! I have visited most summers because we have family there, but I have never seen the city in snow. My mom and I are visiting my grandmother in the middle of December and I have asked for one day of wandering around the Christmas markets, to which they agreed 🙂
Muzz says
I love winters. These photos are so out of this world. I’d love to walk aimlessly around those snow covered streets.