Three weeks to do Denmark, Sweden, Norway
Jun 13th, 2006, 03:33 PM
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Three weeks to do Denmark, Sweden, Norway
A group of six of us are planning to "do" Scandanavia (some of it) next June, 2007. We are all over 60 years of age. Should we attempt to drive some, get a time-share for a week or two? The easiest thing to do is take a cruise on the fiords,and/or an all inclusive guided tour. Will we actually see the "real" people? Is that an expensive way to do it? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Four ladies, two men. Quiltlady from WI
Jun 13th, 2006, 04:03 PM
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Hi Quiltlady (love that name)...we did three weeks in those three Scand. gems two years ago..get set for the most scenic sights you've ever seen...even more enchanting than downtown Oshkosh!
My suggestion for the six of you...start out with three-four days in Oslo, a lovely city with many unusual attractions. Then be sure to take the famous NIN (Norway in a Nutshell) to Bergen (with an overnight in Stalheim if you wish)...spend three days in Bergen, a world class city with outstanding surroundings and sights, like Grieg's waterside home.
From Bergen book the coastal steamer (well in advance)from Bergen to Trondheim (two nights).. and spend the day and night in lovely Trondheim and its Ringve Music Museum..outstanding.
Then get on the next steamer through next day (they run daily) and take the optional tour of the Svartisen (Black Ice Glacier), a marvelous trip, and stay on board by picking up the steamer at Bodo...it will beat you to Bodo but it, of course waits for those on the small boat and bus trip to the glacier...now it sails through the amazing Lofoten Islands to Narvik.
Disemebark and take the overnight train from Narvik to Stockholm...about 3 pm)sleeper, fantastic scenery through Northern Sweden...arriving next day mid-morning in Stockholm. Plan on spending three nights here...wonderful city.
Now take the fast bullet train to Copenhagen over the new bridge (5 hours).. four days in charming Copenhagen with some side trips to Fredericksborg Castle and Louisiana Museum, for example.
We did almost this exact itinerary in 2002, but we drove quite a bit as far north as Tromso.
Enjoy....do your research with the Fodor's guide books and off ye go!
Any further questions, please [email protected]
Stu
My suggestion for the six of you...start out with three-four days in Oslo, a lovely city with many unusual attractions. Then be sure to take the famous NIN (Norway in a Nutshell) to Bergen (with an overnight in Stalheim if you wish)...spend three days in Bergen, a world class city with outstanding surroundings and sights, like Grieg's waterside home.
From Bergen book the coastal steamer (well in advance)from Bergen to Trondheim (two nights).. and spend the day and night in lovely Trondheim and its Ringve Music Museum..outstanding.
Then get on the next steamer through next day (they run daily) and take the optional tour of the Svartisen (Black Ice Glacier), a marvelous trip, and stay on board by picking up the steamer at Bodo...it will beat you to Bodo but it, of course waits for those on the small boat and bus trip to the glacier...now it sails through the amazing Lofoten Islands to Narvik.
Disemebark and take the overnight train from Narvik to Stockholm...about 3 pm)sleeper, fantastic scenery through Northern Sweden...arriving next day mid-morning in Stockholm. Plan on spending three nights here...wonderful city.
Now take the fast bullet train to Copenhagen over the new bridge (5 hours).. four days in charming Copenhagen with some side trips to Fredericksborg Castle and Louisiana Museum, for example.
We did almost this exact itinerary in 2002, but we drove quite a bit as far north as Tromso.
Enjoy....do your research with the Fodor's guide books and off ye go!
Any further questions, please [email protected]
Stu
Jun 13th, 2006, 04:19 PM
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Quilt lady...I'm not sure the coastal steamer stops at Narvik, because we got off in Bodo and ferried and drove the Lofotens, and drove on to Narvik. It may, but I'm not sure....if not, I suggest renting a car in Bodo, take the ferry to the Lofotens (Solvaer), drive the spine of the jagged mountains and then ferry to the mainland and drive on to Narvik...leave the car there.(East driving all the way) The drop charges are not that heavy in Norway and it cost us under a $100 to do so.
Stu T.
Stu T.
Jun 13th, 2006, 06:57 PM
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Check in to flying between Stockholm & Copenhagen - I paid $70 for a one way ticket for next month on SAS. Only an hour flight. Better than the bullet train - I've heard the scenery between the two is not that wonderful.
Jun 13th, 2006, 07:43 PM
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Woah Cobbie!!!
Between Stockholm and Copenhagen isn't as spectacular as Norway mountains but certainly that drive between these cities is worth driving.
A lot of the drive is similar to Minnesota scenery-lots of lakes. In fact, if you took the road signs away, you would think you're in Minnesota or possibly Quebec.
You'll miss Sweden if you get onto a flight to Copenhagen.
Blackduff
Between Stockholm and Copenhagen isn't as spectacular as Norway mountains but certainly that drive between these cities is worth driving.
A lot of the drive is similar to Minnesota scenery-lots of lakes. In fact, if you took the road signs away, you would think you're in Minnesota or possibly Quebec.
You'll miss Sweden if you get onto a flight to Copenhagen.
Blackduff
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:18 PM
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Gee, Princess.... I would say that when traveling a very scenic country like Norway, regardless of age, people pretty much like to take in the same kinds of things.(Read my post above...and I'm far over the 60-mark, kid! Senior but still vertical!
Possibly the degree of difficulty would be a bit different if one is considering mountain climbing or long trekking...I hope the poster doesn't take your rather naive remark as badly as I do.
Stu T.
Stu T.
Possibly the degree of difficulty would be a bit different if one is considering mountain climbing or long trekking...I hope the poster doesn't take your rather naive remark as badly as I do.
Stu T.
Stu T.
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:31 PM
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I have "done" Sweden and Norway and though driving is wonderful, with 6 you might find it hard to get a car big enough (luggage will be a pain), and when you do, remember that the speeds in Norway are extremely slow and distances are long. I think that in 3 weeks a combo of set, short tours (Norway in a Nutshell and the like) and individual exploration would be just right.
My best advice is to choose the places and things you want to see (Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen, Stockholm, midnight sun, puffins, fjords, etc), and try to design a route based on that. There are tours that will take care of a few of those things at once, and what you can't get with them, get yourself.
My best advice is to choose the places and things you want to see (Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen, Stockholm, midnight sun, puffins, fjords, etc), and try to design a route based on that. There are tours that will take care of a few of those things at once, and what you can't get with them, get yourself.
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:34 PM
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whilst in denmark, i highly recommend travelling up to skagen. we spent some time up there in june a couple years ago and we loved it. it is very relaxing and has a very nice atmosphere on the sea. it is full of the regular people that you wish to see. great place...one of my favourite summer holidays ever.
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:39 PM
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Princess...obviously these are not experienced travelers...and the images that people have before they do much traveling is sometimes warped from reality...but as Fodorites, we must be here to help wherever we can. No need to anlayze their motives. I would imagine that they are "wondering" ever so slightly about your handle.
Stu T.
Stu T.
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:46 PM
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Whatever, Stu.
I find that people of different, and even within the same age groups have very different interests, hence the question. No point in me sending them off to a place they would hate now would it?
I find that people of different, and even within the same age groups have very different interests, hence the question. No point in me sending them off to a place they would hate now would it?
Jul 4th, 2006, 08:54 PM
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You'll notice that I corrected myself in the ensuing post...we got off at Bodo so I didn't know whether it stopped at Narvik at all...Narvik, by the way, is a very clean and inviting town...
Stu T.
Stu T.
Jul 5th, 2006, 06:47 AM
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Having just spent 2.5 weeks in Scandinavia, I think Tower has given you a good starting point in tour planning. You can read about those places and then tweak the schedule according to your interests.
Princess- I think when quiltlady says will they see "real" people, she means that they want to meet Scandinavians, not just other tourists. When I read her post, I thought of those tour buses on which the travelers meet only their bus driver, tour guide and the other people on the bus. They have no interaction with anyone else because everything is taken care of for them. Not saying that the bus driver and tour guide aren't Scandinavian, but if you went to a foreign country and interacted with only 2 "natives", you might feel you had missed something in the experience.
Princess- I think when quiltlady says will they see "real" people, she means that they want to meet Scandinavians, not just other tourists. When I read her post, I thought of those tour buses on which the travelers meet only their bus driver, tour guide and the other people on the bus. They have no interaction with anyone else because everything is taken care of for them. Not saying that the bus driver and tour guide aren't Scandinavian, but if you went to a foreign country and interacted with only 2 "natives", you might feel you had missed something in the experience.
Jul 5th, 2006, 08:08 AM
#18
Off the wall question. Does anybody in your group need a new car?
Volvo offers (most years) 2 free RT tickets to Göteborg when you buy a Volvo using their European Delivery program. The price of the car is significantly cheaper than if bought in the US, shipping home is included once you're done touring, and in general it's a great deal, especially if you're limiting your touring to Scandinavia since you can drop the car without a drop charge (usually ca. $300 - $500 if in some place like Paris or A'dam.)
Not only do you save on the cost of the car (and get I believe a "free" night at a hotel in Göteborg before the delivery) but you also don't have to spend a ton on car rental there (which in Scandinavia is saying something.)
Even if you sell the car when you get home, the total cost - depreciation, taxes etc., when measured against a comparable cost renting - may be close to a wash.
Or if two of your party needed cars, you could caravan in style (one mobile phone in each car for en route communications.) Plenty of room for 3 pax and bags in each car.
http://www.volvocars.us/salesandserv...rseasdelivery/
Volvo offers (most years) 2 free RT tickets to Göteborg when you buy a Volvo using their European Delivery program. The price of the car is significantly cheaper than if bought in the US, shipping home is included once you're done touring, and in general it's a great deal, especially if you're limiting your touring to Scandinavia since you can drop the car without a drop charge (usually ca. $300 - $500 if in some place like Paris or A'dam.)
Not only do you save on the cost of the car (and get I believe a "free" night at a hotel in Göteborg before the delivery) but you also don't have to spend a ton on car rental there (which in Scandinavia is saying something.)
Even if you sell the car when you get home, the total cost - depreciation, taxes etc., when measured against a comparable cost renting - may be close to a wash.
Or if two of your party needed cars, you could caravan in style (one mobile phone in each car for en route communications.) Plenty of room for 3 pax and bags in each car.
http://www.volvocars.us/salesandserv...rseasdelivery/
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