costa777

Hello, I'm visiting Norway from 13 May 2016 to 28 May 2016. Apart from visiting beautiful fjords, I'm looking at exploring the countryside with gentle rolling hills, perhaps with canola fields in bloom by bikes. Where in Norway can I find those places? Thank you.

bilboburgler

This would help

http://www.cyclingnorway.no/en/national-cycle-routes/

https://www.nsb.no/en/

Norway does not allow genetically modified plants and a lot of Rapeseed is genetically altered, you may find it but might find fruits grown more generally

tower

Thanks for your interesting "green" comment Bilbo. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever running into any yellow rapeseed fields in Norway either. I usually like to use them for colorful photo backdrops in other parts of Europe.

But, Costa, here is another type of wild plant we came across in Norway, this one near Tromso in August. Don't know the name. Anyone?

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...33218826942002

Costa, suggest you look into some biking in The Lofotens, one of our favorite parts of magnificent Norway. (Just keep clicking on the left arrow on above pic and you'll be in
the Lofotens.)

stu

hetismij2

stu, I can't see the leaves to be certain but your mystery flower could be rosebay willowherb, which I think is called fireweed in the US.

Costa you will be in Norway for their National Day on May 17th. Try and find somewhere to join in the celebrations.

tower

hetismij2:

"Fireweed", eh. Doesn't sound very attractive. You are looking at the purplish long stemmed flowers?
stu

costa777

Hi tower,

The flowers look gorgeous but I wouldn't be in Norway in August but in May. As for Lofoten, yes, it's my dream place and the major reason I visit Norway next year. To me, Lofoten is far more attractive than Norwegian fjords.

I had a "localsied" cycling trip in Italy countryside in Monferrato and Abruzzo earlier this year. I hope to do the same in Norway next year. I particularly love rolling hills and farmlands. So, where exactly in Norway can I find those places?

By the way, here is my Italy photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/travel...57651471035189

costa777

Hi hestismij2, based on my preliminary itinerary, I will be in Bergen or Stryn on 17 May 2016. Will all shops close on that day? Where can I join the celebrations in Bergen or Stryn? Thank you.

Hi bilboburgler, thank you for the links which are really helpful.

tower

I would guess that the wild flower season will start by May particularly south of the Arctic Circle....say between Bergen and Trondheim.

tower

Costa...handsome photos. We booked one of those fairy houses B and B's in Alberobello a few years ago (for Easter weekend)..BUT, our ferry from Dubrovnik to Bari was cancelled last minute due to extremely heavy seas so we had to fly from Split to Rome, missing Puglia). From your great pics, I can now see what we missed.

I love occasional winter travel and some of our most saisfying trips were in winter....you captured it so well in Umbria. Thank you.

dyoll

Shops will be closed on May 17th. Parades will be in city centre.
Note that in May higher areas will be covered in snow. For example the famous cycle route Rallarveien is not free from snow until late June - even later this year.

nanabee

The national holiday is the 17th of May (their Independence Day Celebration) like dyoll has mentioned. It is a fun and wonderful experience which we were fortunate to participate in this year. Our daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren are living in Bergen for a year. Our grandson's preschool class had a float so we got to march with his class.

I can't tell you how fun it was and if you get a chance to work it into your itinerary you'll probably enjoy it as much as we did. Bergen is Norway's second largest city (around 300,000 +-) and would be a great place to be.

costa777

Hello tower, thank you for liking those photos.

Hello dyoll and nanabee, I will try to be in Bergen on 17 May 2016. Thank you.

costa777

Hello, just back from Norway last month. Had a good time there and was impressed by Norwegians who were very friendly and helpful.

Here is the link to my photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/travel...57669276584625

And videos:

https://youtu.be/GEKlVXRB9S0

https://youtu.be/y4dasH1gPkM