Cavangal

Need help planning visit to Norway. I am senior, experienced traveler and travel solo.
I considered taking escorted tour which travels from UK airports to Bergen continuing on coach to hotel in Balestrand for 7 nights. I live in US and could travel from Manchester, Gatwick or Bristol.
There are 2 or 3 free days to do sightseeing.
Some of the day tours are included, others optional. Group will travel by boat to Bergen to see city plus stop at harbor. A day tour to see Jostedal Glacier and northern landscapes beyond Fjords. Optional visit to see Glacier and Museum.
Norway in Nutshell, riding Flamsbane line, Mydral to Flam, 20k. descent, 2 hr. cruise thru Aurlands fjord to Gudvangen. Included trip to Sognefjord to Kaupanger.
Hotel is near the Balestrand village.

If its easy to travel in Norway I might be able to see some of the popular scenic areas without having to pay for the tour and save on the supplements for solo traveler and might be able to get flights to Bergen for less. I did see that Norwegian air has non stop flight from Manchester to Bergen and I could book Aer LIngus to Dublin on to Manchester. Is it easy to prebook bus, train land ferry tickets. I would plan making this journey before end of August.

Need some guidance from travelers who know the scenic areas in Norway. If I decide not to book this tour, can one travel easily in Norway by public transportation and ferry? Is Balestrand a convenient base? Any suggestions for other base which will be convenient for taking day trips and hotels. I am experienced hiker and active so try to pack as much as possible into my trips.

Thank you to all for any help with my plan.

dyoll

You also have flights to Oslo - Ryanair from Dublin or London Stanstead, Norwegian from Gatwick, SAS from Manchester or London Heathrow or British Airways. Public transport is good and easy to use. There is a good rail link between Oslo and Bergen. You could do most of the tours you describe by public transport or car hire.
August is high season and you'll need to book hotels in advance.
Have a look at - http://www.visitnorway.no

Marija

A lot of Norway is easy to do on your own. Buses, ferries and trains wait for each other and have convenient schedules. We took the scenic train from Oslo to Bergen. Spent a day in Bergen and then took a bus and ferry to Ulvik on the Hardangerfjord and stayed at the Brakanes hotel. From there we took a bus to Voss and then the train to Myrdal to catch the scenic train to Flam. Don't miss the incredible boat ride on the Naeroyfjord from Flam to Gudvangen. The bus from Gudvangen stops at the Stalheim Hotel where we spent the night. (In early May we were the only guests at the hotel.) from the Stalheim we took a bus to catch the ferry to Balestrand. After a stay in Balestrand at Kviknes we took a fast ferry on the Sognefjord back to Bergen. Lots of places to hike.

Cavangal

Thanks for above responses. I am going to start planning my own tour which might give me better choices. Is it necessary to book all the bus/ferry tickets in advance. Is Norway in the euro zone?

Please tell me best area to stay and if its better to split my time in two places.

Your help is much appreciated.

historytraveler

BTW, Balestrand was my favorite place when I did a quick one week solo tour. I also stayed at Stalheim. Great view but didn't like the hotel. Staff especially in dining were room very nice but the hotel was just weird.

It is not really necessary to book all bus and ferries in advance but you do need to be aware of scheduling.You can get better prices by booking train tickets in advance.

PetrosB3

There are only two fjords in Norway, that are UNESCO heritage sites:
Geirangerfjord & Geirangerfjord.
You should not miss them, I've been there and it was stunning.

And there are also two other natural attractions, that are really unique and worth a visit: Preikestolen & Trolltunga.

Also while in Norway you should definitely visit a Stave Church. There are 28 protected Stave Churches in Norway, but the best preserved is the 800 year old, Borgund Stave Church.

Hope that was helpful.

PetrosB3

*The second UNESCO fjord is Nærøyfjord.

Cavangal

Thanks to all so much help. I will try to reach Norway tourist office in NYC to pick up map and brochures.
I can do it without the tour. Good thing I had not paid deposit and think I will see much more on my own.
I can look at prices at the hotel in Balestrand where the tour stays and might take flight to Oslo, ride train to Bergen to get nice views.
Is late August considered good weather wise before it gets colder. I haven't booked flights yet so have more choices. Kate

Bette

Cavangal,

<<Is Norway in the euro zone?>>

Norway is not on the Euro. Norway's currency is the Norwegian Krone.

Today's rate on XE shows 1 NOK = .116252 USD

historytraveler

Here are a few websites I found helpful when planning my itinerary.

www.fjordnorway.com
www.fjord.no
www.nsb.no

Also www.sognefjord.no
www.nor-way.no. For buses

Cavangal

Thanks for the info. I checked the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand where the tour stays and liked it. They offer half board packages so I would do much better booking everything independently.

Trying to decide best itinerary, (1)arriving Oslo, staying 1 or 2 nights if there is enough to see in Oslo? Then train to Bergen. Is there train to Balestrand from Bergen with regular service? Stay about 5nights in Balestrand hotel to do sightseeing Fjords and N.Nutshell tour. Anyone know how much this tour costs?

OR, arr. Bergen, train to Balestrand and do sightseeing from Bergen?
Not sure if I will return to UK or other city in EU for several days. Depends on flight deals offered. Might like to stop in Paris before heading west.

Need all the help I can get with my planning. Have not been able to find a Norway tourist office in so far. Thanks, Kate

Ozarksbill

As you likely know, the Norway in a Nutshell is a scenic train/boat route Oslo to Bergen, including mountains, fjords, etc. Bergen itself is a favorite city and we did a few side trips but mostly strolling around the harbor, historic buildings, concerts, a launch out into harbor, etc.

Enough to see in Oslo? There's the old castle, national art museum (incl The Scream painting), and certainly the Viking Museum with Kon Tiki and also the Vigeland sculptures. I recall just enjoying a stroll down Karl Johann Gate.

historytraveler

I stayed at the Kviknes and loved it. Had a nice room with view. Balestrand was one was one of my favorite places.

Regarding NiN, I looked at it as an option but decided it was too restrictive for me and ended up booking my own itinerary to suit my needs. It is a good way to see a bit of Norway for those with a very limited amount of time, but much better and fairly easy to do your own thing.

historytraveler

Will also add that while I had heard some unenthusiastic comments regarding Oslo, I really enjoyed my short day and a half there. Both Betgen and Oslo are wonderful cities to explore.

tower

Cavangal: Perhaps these Norway pics will give you a few ideas. Many of the locations you mention can be found on these photo pages.https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...uHk6iIgbSEgAE#
Please Don't shortchange Bergen...lovely, scenic city/

Ozarksbill

Nice picts, tower. As said both Oslo and Bergen are delightful.

Cavangal

Thanks for so many helpful respones. I forgot to ask the easiest way to travel from Bergen to Balestrand if I should arrive into Bergen airport. Heard it takes about 4 hours. I will taking public transportation so if I go directly to Balestrand will it easy to get to the sightseeing places from there.
Feel I will have no problem once I get it all organized. Great hearing from so many members.

Cavangal

Trying to find a map of Norway so emailed Norwegian tourist office. Cannot find listing for one in NY.
Should I consider more than one base, say 4 nights in Balestrand to enjoy fjords and local hiking areas. Please suggest another base for 3 more nights if this is better to let me see more scenic areas. Need to be sure which airport is easiest for reaching Balestrand by public transportation. Since I haven't got a map not sure to arrive Oslo or Bergen.
Looked at hotels again and Radisson Blu highly recommended in case I have a problem getting Kviknes since I will travel in August.

Thanks for any more help out there.

tower

Cavan:

be aware, the only thing free in Norway is the clean crisp air your breathe...so inhale often..and bring money.

Cavangal

I'm satisfied that by traveling independently I will save on total package. I decided not to spend $179 on Norway in Nutshell based on comments about how rushed that tour is, which happens on most day trips with tour. I can take day trips and see as much as possible and have lots of time to inhale the clean air. Will try to prebook my travel ticket and might be able to save on dining by checking out supermarkets and small restaurants away from busy tourist centers.
Hope I get more help sorting out best route to take to Balestrand and other base which won't be too far from airport. Thank you.