Hello, all you seasoned travellers!
I am headed to Iceland and Norway shortly - 7 nights in Reykjavik and 3 nights in Oslo - and I would appreciate any tips you all might have. In particular, I am considering taking the train to Bergen upon arriving in Oslo and perhaps spending the first night there. I've heard wonderful things about Bergen, and even recall reading that Oslo - Bergen is one of the most stunning train trips one could ever take! But, since I'll only be in Norway for 3 nights, would you recommend sticking to Oslo and exploring Bergen another time?
Please, any help would be much appreciated! Thanks for reading. Elle
WANTED: Tips for Iceland/Norway Trip!
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I'm sorry that I can't help with Norway, but here's a bit on Iceland to get you started: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=1278237
(this doesn't come up with a regular search, so that's why I've included it for you...)
Sounds terrific: I wish I were going!
Bergen is nice, no doubt. I've made the traintrip several times and must say I don't find it all that stunning... But then again I might be "blind" being a Norwegian myself. I would stick to Oslo and save Bergen (in combination with other parts a bit further north) for later.
What are you're interests, what do you like to do?
Is there any reason that you chose 7 nights in Reykjavik and only 3 on Oslo? That is a sort of mis-weighted schedule in my opinion. Reykjavik has some awesome stuff (do not miss the Blue Lagoon) but I spent 4 days there and even taking it easy saw all i wanted to see and then some. I was in Norway a little over a month, though, and could have stayed on forever.
Bergen is quite a ways from Oslo. The train takes either 8 or 12 hours (I don't remember) and it is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. So, it is recommended that you take a day train, thus arriving in Bergen at night (which, if you are there in the summer, will still be pretty light). Then you spend that night and the next day, the possibly take the night train back because you will be on your last day and headed to the airport. And you will have missed Oslo completely.
I would either go 5 and 5 or switch the schedule completely and do 7 in Norway and 3 in Reykjavik.
If this is already set, you will be really rushed to get to Bergen (unless you fly), so I would hold it for later and do Oslo, perhapd going South to the water.
because you have very little time, stick to Oslo.
What kinds of things do you like to do?
In case you're turned off by the "expensiveness" of Oslo - the National Gallery and the Astrup Fearnley museum are both free. Museum admissions aren't any more or less than in other European capitals either...
Vigelandsparken (a must!) is also free...
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the advice. I am spending more time in Reykjavik because I have a few people there to see, and it's a place I've always wanted to visit...so I have a feeling I'll wish I'd stayed for 2 weeks once it's over.
I chose three nights in Norway on the Take A Break option just to get a taste of things. I'm sure I'll return and spend more time there when I have more time. I can't wait to see how expensive it really is; I haven't ever skimped on a vacation, so we'll see how shocking the prices are on this one (I've spent 3-4 months in Sweden before, which is WORLDS more expensive than Toronto, where I live).