Hi - I just found the website www.viamichelin.com which answers my questions regarding the distances and times. Many thanks for taking the time to read my post.

On the trip south on Hurtigruten you only have a short amount of time in Trondheim. There is just enough time to do the bus trip which includes a visit to Nidarosdom, and even then it can be a bit tight to get back in time.

Bodo is probably the most boring town to visit. There really is very little there. The cathedral is good, if you like modern - it was built in 1956, and is made of concrete. I found it quite attractive in a very minimalist way. Otherwise the town has little to offer unless you want to visit the aeronautical museum, home of U2s.

Hope this helps you make up your mind.

An alternative idea might be to take the Hurtigruten north, from Bergen, so you see Geiranger too, and get off at the Lofotens, rent a car there and drive back to Trondheim. Or get off at Trondheim rent your car there and carry on as above.

Hetismij2,

Many thanks for your response - greatly appreciate all the advice I can get. I've read several of the trip reports and that has also helped to give me a better understanding of things.

Lofoten and Vesterålen deserves more than one day, and you should use more than the short amount scheduled in Trondheim

rjsol, thank you for responding. We have in fact changed our itinerary and now plan to fly into to Bodo, go across to Moskenes by ferry, rent a car and stay in Svolvaer for about three nights before boarding the Hurtigruten in Svolvaer. We plan to take day trips from Svolvaer or maybe find another location for one of the three nights. Unfortunately Trondheim will get short changed but unfortunately not all is doable ...as much as I'd like to.