2 weeks itinerary for Norway & Sweden

Old May 27th, 2016, 06:27 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2 weeks itinerary for Norway & Sweden

Hello all,

I am planning a 2 week trip to Norway and Stockholm in September.

After researching on all the many stunning options we could go in Norway, I have narrowed it down to Oslo, Tromso, Bergen and exploring the Fjords. I decided to leave Lofoten islands, Trondheim, Alesund and Stavanger for next time.

We are flying into Oslo and leaving Stockholm.

Day 1: Arrive Oslo at 7am, take 10am flight to Tromso, arrive 12noon. Explore Tromso, early rest to recover from jet lag (from 33 hour total travel time from Melbourne)
Day 2: Explore Tromso + Norther Lights tour in evening
Day 3: As above
Day 4: As above
Day 5: As above
Day 6: Take 2pm direct flight to Bergen, arrive 4:30pm. Explore Bergen
Day 7: Full day to explore Bergen
Day 8: Depart Bergen on Fjords cruise (Hardangerfjord or Sognefjord), stay overnight at Balestrand or Solvorn
Day 9: Depart Balestrand/Solvorn for the Norway in Nutshell towards Oslo
Day 10: Full day to explore Oslo
Day 11: Depart Oslo 8:30am flight, arrive Stockholm 9:30am. Explore Stockholm.
Day 12: Full day to explore Stockholm
Day 13: Full day to explore Stockholm
Day 14: Depart Stockholm

Does this itinerary sound intuitive in regards to order of stops? I wasn't sure if we should explore Oslo first for 2 days, then fly to Tromso, spend a few days there, fly to Bergen and then do the Norway in Nutshell backwards to Oslo. I didn't want to do the NiN in 1 day as I felt it might be exhausting and would rather spend a bit more time enjoying the Fjords. What do you think?

A few questions I have:
1) Would you suggest staying at Bergen for 2 nights and do day trips out to Hardangerfjord or Sognefjord, before departing on the Norway in Nutshell, instead of staying 1 night in Bergen and 1 night in Balestrand?

2) What day trips could we do from Bergen or Balestrand?

3) Would you recommend staying overnight in Flam, Balestrand or Solvorn?

4) For the NiN journey, which train journey is the most scenic? Is it the one from Voss to Bergen? The reason for asking is, on Day 9 above, if we left Balestrand for Oslo, we would be skipping the Voss to Bergen train ride completely, and didn't want to miss it if it's the most scenic train ride.

5) I considered the Hurtigruten cruise, but I wanted to save this for our next trip to Norway, to cover off the other attractions in Norway.

6) It's a bit confusing reading all the different day trip possibilities on Fjordtours and Norway in Nutshell websites, which Fjord trips would you most recommend seeing?

7) Are there any parts of the itinerary where I have allocated too much or too little time for?

Would really appreciate feedback. Thanks

By the way, I understand that going to Tromso last means more darkness, but I have checked the sunrise/sunset times and 10 days difference is only about 30 minutes difference, I have contacted the tours and they have said it shouldn't make too much difference. Going to Tromso at the start of our trip (2nd Sep) will be during the new moon, whereas leaving it last it will be close to the full moon, with brighter skies.
TravellingWombat is offline  
Old May 27th, 2016, 07:21 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm not really clear on day 9 - it sounds as though you are intending to do the trip from Balestrand and the Norway in a Nutshell tour and make it back to Oslo all in one day. That will be very rushed.

Btw, to be clear on this, NIN strictly speaking covers a very specific triangular route between Flam and Gudvangen (along the Narrowfjord by boat) then coach from Gudvagen to Voss through the mountains, then train from Voss back to Flam via Myrdal.

I often see people asking about this in the belief that the trip between Bergen or Oslo and the Narrowfjord region constitutes part of NIN and thus they don't need to do 'all' of the triangular route. Whilst no part of this (or any!) trip is compulsary, obviously, it is the main attraction and you should imho allow enough time to do it justice. The onward journey to or from Oslo or Bergen is simply a matter of necessity for many who will have flights or ferries departing from those points. It is not NIN though.

Other than this, it all makes sense and should work.
RM67 is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2016, 10:33 PM
  #3  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't been to Norway yet, but I would suggest that you are shortchanging Stockholm, which I think easily merits 5 full days. But maybe that's intentional? It is, after all, the easiest to reach of your planned destinations, and so the most easily revisited city....
kja is offline  
Old Jun 12th, 2016, 12:08 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You have only one day in Bergen - you need that to see the city - no need for a day trip.
Day 8 if you do the Hardangerfjord trip then you won't end up in Balestrand or Solvorn.
Think I might skip staying overnight in these villages - your focus seems to be cities, so rather stay in Bergen with the benefit of choice of hotels and restaurants. Day 8 do the Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell tour round trip to Bergen (or possibly stop at Voss). Day 9 Norway in a Nutshell to Oslo from Bergen (or Voss - depending where you stop on Day 8). There is nothing much to see between Bergen and Voss - it is certainly not one of the highlights. I wouldn't consider the Sognefjord in a Nutshell- it is a 5 ½ hr express boat travel through the wide Sognefjord. The standard NiN includes the Stalheimskleiva and the narrow UNESCO heritage Nærøyfjord - both of which you will miss with your itinerary as it stands.
If you stop in Voss you will have a bit more time to relax as you'll arrive earlier and leave later. Fleischer's hotel is the place to stay - right next to the station.
Don't underestimate the effects of the jet lag - you'll be feeling that for a week.
dyoll is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Barbara_Mckeon
Europe
9
Sep 26th, 2015 02:02 AM
Salonee
Europe
3
Mar 3rd, 2009 09:05 PM
Nuttela
Europe
4
Mar 27th, 2008 09:09 AM
sbcgmu
Europe
10
Aug 26th, 2005 03:33 AM
rhokanson
Europe
10
Mar 24th, 2005 08:44 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -