live42day

We are planning a trip next Fall, 2015, to the above countries. We are going to return by transatlantic cruise that leaves Barcelona on October 30. We would like to start out traveling mid September, probably with Iceland first and then move on.

Questions: Should we start with Iceland? We plan on spending at least 10 days to two weeks and want to do a self driving tour. I understand some places close down in September so wondering if this would be too late?

After that, going by geography, Norway then Sweden then Denmark? We would spend a week in each at least. Again, anything we should be aware of as far as being too late in the season, or are we okay in these countries? I have done some reading already but still unclear on how late is too late to get around etc and still have small inns and attractions in the outlying areas still open.

Any suggestions from people who have done this in the Fall is most appreciated.

colduphere

Nice picture of Machu Picchu. I can't offer much help as our trip last year was in mid-August. Our guide in Iceland told us the weather remains fairly civil in the fall by Iceland standards. The terrain is so beautiful I would not hesitate to visit on your schedule.

You may want to bring an umbrella for the Norwegian west coast.

live42day

Thank you Cold. Rain here or rain there in the Fall I guess. As long as the roads are okay it won't matter to us too much.

haralddo

Hello, as a Norwegian I could probably give you some ideas about the weather in Scandinavia.

Iceland is not that cold in the winter, but the autumn storms kicks in and can limit your choices. It should be fine in August and first part of September, but you never know about the weather.

Rain doesn't limit you in Norway, but snow does. The tourist season stops in September. Winter season starts in September in far North, but isn't problematic until end of October.

What you would like to see and do in Norway depends on your time schedule. Norway in a week should include Hurtigruten from Tromsø to Bergen (five days), train to Oslo and spend two days there before heading to Sweden then Denmark.

There is a lot of places to visit, depends on your time and budget - if I should decide: Five days in Iceland, one week in Norway, two days in Stockholm, three days in Copenhagen and then head into central Europe.

I'm not the right person to ask when it comes to places to see in Sweden and Denmark, but must see is Stockholm and Copenhagen. Being patriotic I have to say that Norway has a great scenery, as Iceland has.

Hope this helps you plan, please contact me if you need more info, and hope you understand my writing

Harold.

hetismij2

We were in Norway, on another Hurtigruten trip, last year in late September/early October. The first few days, including far into the Arctic region were glorious, but we did have gales, and rain and fog on the return leg the trip.
If you decide to use Hurtigruten, and Bergen isn't on your list of must sees you could get off in Trondheim and get a train to Oslo from there - the last leg of the journey, from Trondheim to Bergen doesn't have many stops, and is not very spectacular scenery wise imho (especially in rain/low cloud/fog!). Of course Bergen is worth visiting, but many things will be be closed already in early October.

live42day

Thank you to both of you. We looked at the schedule of flights and think it makes more sense to fly from London (we are on points with British Airways) to Norway first, Fly to Oslo then from there by land to Bergen and fly to Iceland. A week , maybe a bit more in Iceland, then fly from Iceland to Sweden for a week perhaps and then finally to Copenhagen Denmark.

We will spend some time in the south of France before the cruise, so most likely just be in the North from Mid September to early or mid October.
Harold I understood you fine, thanks so much.

GLad to know it is doable, but may be some concessions to be made. We dont have any major must dos outside of the main cities so will take what we can I guess.

I may have more questions as we get closer. I have to book the tickets one year out so that is why I am planning a year in advance.

live42day

I did not know what a Hurtigruten trip was, just looked it up. Looks great. Thank you again.

mikeyred242

It is good that you are planning your trip to Iceland so far in advance as cars and accommodation are often booked up in advance, even in September/October.

My advice would be to plan exactly where you want to go in Iceland and try and find some accommodation and car hire in these areas ASAP.

Iceland is actually quite big and the roads are not always great so travelling can take longer than you might think - a week in Iceland is not enough to see everything - (but certainly enough to see lots of amazing things).

If I can suggest keeping to the South coast, which is absolutely stunning and will almost certainly be free of snow. Another place to consider driving around is the western peninsula known as Snæfellsness, incredibly beautiful.

Feel free to ask more questions about the Iceland leg of your journey.

live42day

thank you so much. Once I confirm my flight from here I will start working on details. It sounds like this is one place that you don't travel without confirming first so thank you for that heads up. I am just in the early planning stages, choosing the date to leave here is the first step.

I always want to travel as late as possible because I love it in BC in later summer/fall, but also don't want to travel to northern Europe in the snow and cold either so it is a balancing act.

I will definitely be back for more questions mike.