Tønsberg is quite a beautiful little town. Historical and considered to be the oldest town in Norway. It became an important trading center and was founded by Vikings in the 9th century. In fact, Tonsberg Old Cemetery contains 22 war graves, of the First World War, 14 of them unidentified by name, but all naval casualties from the Battle of Jutland in 1916. This town is charming with it's cobblestone streets, in particular near their shopping district. I used to live in this town back in 2017, for about half of the year. Visiting the brygge, (pier) was always such a nice and tranquil escape. Their are plenty of restaurants outlined near the brygge. Some of the restaurants were diverse within their culinary range and the food wasn't too bad. I did not have the best culinary experience in Norway, but they did have a decent Indian restaurant by the pier. Local caught seafood was fresh and of good quality. They typically displayed that sort of fare during the farmers market. The pier would be freezing towards the autumn and winter seasons. The townsfolk launch their old historical boats during the holiday season and it is a sight to see. Many of the cafes, coffee shops and restaurants would close by 8-9 pm. Grocery stores and many shoppes were closed on Sundays. As an American, it was a bit of a culture shock. But the major differences I experienced in this town drove me towards introspection and deep growth. The glassy icey water reminded of a mirror upon self reflection. I may have been on the outside looking in, but it was a beautiful ponderous ride. I recommend visiting the pier and just overall experiencing this quiet, elegant town. read more

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