geoseward

Never have been to Norway but have ancestors who left this beautiful country years ago. I want to take a vacation next year in the spring and would want some input regarding sites to see with Bergen as a base. Understanding that Norway lodging is expensive would Air B&B an option? I would like to cruise some of the fjords therefore would there be any local companies or particular locations that one might suggest for this purpose.. Generally, is there such a thing as best month or months to see Norway? Looking forward to input....

Michael

Fly into Oslo and take the Norway in a Nutshell package to Bergen. It is simply a compendium of the various tickets (train, ferry,bus) that will give you a taste of the fjord area. Or you can buy the tickets individually if you decide to stay in a location that is not on the circuit itself (perhaps staying in Balestrand)and requires a routing that is different from the NIN itinerary.

Michael

You might want to take a look at my trip report on Norway. I found a relatively inexpensive room in Bergen.

RM67

I like Airbnb a lot and it can help keep the cost of travel down, but I would just caution that I noticed quite a high percentage of the Scandinavian listings were for a room only, not the whole house or apartment.

We stayed at the Skahjem cabins in Aurland in fjord region - basic, but clean and relatively affordeable. (Not airbnb - they have their own website and are on booking.com too I think). The fjords are plied by lots of working vessels and the Norway In a Nutshell 'tour' makes use of these - you don't have to go with a formal cruise line as such.

I would say May, June or July.

nytraveler

I would only do May to Sept unless you want winter/very chilly weather. Be aware that everything is very expensive (including food, drink and cruises/sights as well as lodging). If you go I would not miss Oslo which has the Royal Palace and several great museums - including Viking bloat Museum, WWII Resistance Museum and the unique Vigeland Sculpture Park.

isabel

Here's my trip report. I spent 4 days based in Bergen. Found a great B&B, reasonably priced (for Norway). Details about it are in the trip report. I did one day for the Norway in a Nutshell Tour, the rest of the time I stayed in Bergen.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-four-day.cfm

Here's the photos - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/norway

geoseward

Thanks a lot for all of your input....

Gerry12

Hey!

I would suggest going to Lofoten islands and hiking. You can definitely catch the fjords. If you are looking for local companies I would suggest http://www.exploranor.com/. They have many tours that are planned, you could do either guided or self-guided tours. Trekking in Lofoten was a great experience for me do check out the website, may get tips for the trip!

tower

Geoseward:
I second Gerry's comment on the Lofotens..but the 7 days would be far too tight for you to include. Stretch it to 10-12 would be better.
After you see The Lofoten pics, maybe you'll consider a few extra days. Well worth it IMO! NYTraveler is spot on about the weather..we found that even August is sweater/jacket time.

However, I do not do trip reports. Instead I offer you my scanned pictorial look at Norway from Oslo to Tromso. This will show you the Norway in a Nutshell trip, Oslo, Bergen, Alesund, Trondheim, The Black Ice Glacier, Bodo, Narvik, Tromso....and The Lofotens. But we had close to a month to do this mostly by car (from Bodo northward)...and just three days on the Hurtigruten. (also check out the hotels....Gabelshus in Oslo, Park Pension in Bergen, Radisson in Trondheim, Bodo and Tromso. We also did the overnight train from Narvik to Stockholm.
Enjoy Norway.

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...uHk6iIgbSEgAE#