3 weeks in Norway and Sweden. Comments, advice please!
Sep 10th, 2016, 05:39 PM
#41
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I have to say that when I looked at the menus at various restaurants in Norway the cost of wine with dinner, either a bottle or glass, seemed on par with what I'd spend here in Philadelphia. Same with cocktails.
Typically the restaurants here triple the price that it would cost in the state government run Wine and Spirits State Store. So prices are high here too when eating out and I've gotten used to it. It's actually created a huge group of restaurants that are byob.
Typically the restaurants here triple the price that it would cost in the state government run Wine and Spirits State Store. So prices are high here too when eating out and I've gotten used to it. It's actually created a huge group of restaurants that are byob.
Sep 10th, 2016, 05:43 PM
#42
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menachem, your trip sounds like it was so much fun!
I plan on taking an all day sailboat cruise around the Stockholm archipelago.
One reason for the stop at Gothenburg is to take the train down the western coat of Sweden from Oslo. We love train trips and I think this one is supposed to be very scenic.
I plan on taking an all day sailboat cruise around the Stockholm archipelago.
One reason for the stop at Gothenburg is to take the train down the western coat of Sweden from Oslo. We love train trips and I think this one is supposed to be very scenic.
Sep 11th, 2016, 04:13 PM
#44
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We're traveling by train from Oslo to Gothenburg and then on a different train to Stockholm. The trip from Oslo to Gothenburg is the one I understand to be scenic. The one from Gothenburg to Stockholm is mainly just fast.
Sep 16th, 2016, 02:54 PM
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Since last year, Hurtigruten is giving priorities to "full trips" (ie Bergen to Kirkenes or Bergen to Bergen) for voyages in high season (June to August mostly). This is probably why you are finding many ships indicated as "full" when you are trying to book a "port to port" from Bergen to Svolvaer. These short trips are just not available to book yet. In 2016, they got released early in the year (January or February). So you may want to wait a little to book. The price you are quoting seem rather high (although Hurtigruten is not cheap).
I agree with the advice that you don't need to book the meals. The cabin comes with a plentiful breakfast, and you can buy food in the cafeteria for much cheaper than in the main restaurant (although of course it is more basic food). Or you can buy some meals only (lunch and not dinner for instance).
I agree with the advice that you don't need to book the meals. The cabin comes with a plentiful breakfast, and you can buy food in the cafeteria for much cheaper than in the main restaurant (although of course it is more basic food). Or you can buy some meals only (lunch and not dinner for instance).
Sep 17th, 2016, 06:10 PM
#49
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@Sarnia, I didn't have trouble booking individual stretches through hurtigruten.no. And the ones I quoted are available for next year too. Remember, for Norwegians, Hurtigruten is not a cruiseship, but a coastal, port to port, overnight ferry.
Sep 18th, 2016, 12:36 AM
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@menachem : if you look on hurtigruten.no and try to book Bergen-Svolvaer for next July, you have only 3 dates available (none at all in August). If you try to book Bergen-Kirkenes at the same period, all dates have availability. I've just tried this.
I am very aware of what Hurtigruten is, having traveled with then several times over the last 10 years, but obviously recently I feel that the tourists have priorities over the local populations (and I don't like it at all).
The problem I mention is apparently true from mid-June to mid-September, so indeed as you say if OP travels up to June 15th then he should be OK to book now, if he wants to travel later than that more dates should become available for a port-to-port journey at the beginning of 2017.
I am very aware of what Hurtigruten is, having traveled with then several times over the last 10 years, but obviously recently I feel that the tourists have priorities over the local populations (and I don't like it at all).
The problem I mention is apparently true from mid-June to mid-September, so indeed as you say if OP travels up to June 15th then he should be OK to book now, if he wants to travel later than that more dates should become available for a port-to-port journey at the beginning of 2017.
Sep 18th, 2016, 01:12 AM
#51
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Fabulous time of year to go, spring is here in full, Scandinavia at its most beautiful.
And try to be in Norway on May 17th, the National Day. Huge celebrations all around the country. Oslo is spectacular, but every little village would be out on the streets celebrating: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/whats-on/17-may/
http://www.tnp.no/norway/entertainme...nding-may-17th
Would recommend to spend more time in Oslo, a very special cosmopolitan medium sized city by the fjord and surrounded by the hills and the extremely popular Oslomarka/Nordmarka forest: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/articles/nordmarka-forest/
http://theforeigner.no/pages/columns...ntown-capital/
Some typical Oslo restaurants with tons of history in the walls:
Frognerseteren (fabulous views of the city and the fjord from the west): http://www.frognerseteren.no/
Ekebergrestauranten (fabulous views of the city and the fjord from the east): http://www.ekebergrestauranten.com/
Emblematic Theatercaféen by the National Theater: http://www.theatercafeen.no/restaura...tercafeen.aspx
Herregårdskroen in the beautiful Vigeland park: http://www.herregaardskroen.no/
Lorry, an Oslo clasic just behind the Royal Castle: http://lorry.no/
The three best restaurants in town:
Maeemo (Three Michelin stars): https://vimeo.com/27856616
Kontrast: http://www.restaurant-kontrast.no/en/
Statholdergaarden: http://www.statholdergaarden.no/
I recommend the Grünerløkka and Majorstua districts to get a local feel for the city, small shops, cafés, bars, excellent restaurants.
Majorstua: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...s/grunerlokka/
Grünerløkka: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...s/grunerlokka/
Lots of great parks in town, from huge Vigelandsparken to bustling St. Hanshaugen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_a...spaces_in_Oslo
The Vigeland park: http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/vigeland-park
St. Hanshaugen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Hanshaugen_Park
Oslo's new pride, the many times award winning Opera: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=236264
Here are a couple of sites that give you some ideas, but there are lots of other secrets around here;-)
http://www.visitoslo.com/en/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...d-of-town.html
For example, take the 20 mins ferry to Nesodden and have a seaside beer at Signalen Bar as you watch the sun set at abot 10 pm. Stays open long into the night in the week-ends: http://www.signalen-tangenbrygga.no/
<Remember, for Norwegians, Hurtigruten is not a cruiseship, but a coastal, port to port, overnight ferry.>
No, also for Norwegians Hurtigruten is now first and foremost a cruiseship. Most Norwegians go with Hurtigruten as a kind of a once in a lifetime experience.
It was, believe it or not, one of the most popular TV programmes in Norwegian history when NRK Channel 2 followed Hurtigruten every second of the journey from start to finish in June 2011, day and night, we all sat up during nifghttime to see the ferry sailing into new ports in the midnight sun. Here's the world's longest TV programme: http://nrk.no/hurtigruten/index9ed2.html?lang=en
And try to be in Norway on May 17th, the National Day. Huge celebrations all around the country. Oslo is spectacular, but every little village would be out on the streets celebrating: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/whats-on/17-may/
http://www.tnp.no/norway/entertainme...nding-may-17th
Would recommend to spend more time in Oslo, a very special cosmopolitan medium sized city by the fjord and surrounded by the hills and the extremely popular Oslomarka/Nordmarka forest: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/articles/nordmarka-forest/
http://theforeigner.no/pages/columns...ntown-capital/
Some typical Oslo restaurants with tons of history in the walls:
Frognerseteren (fabulous views of the city and the fjord from the west): http://www.frognerseteren.no/
Ekebergrestauranten (fabulous views of the city and the fjord from the east): http://www.ekebergrestauranten.com/
Emblematic Theatercaféen by the National Theater: http://www.theatercafeen.no/restaura...tercafeen.aspx
Herregårdskroen in the beautiful Vigeland park: http://www.herregaardskroen.no/
Lorry, an Oslo clasic just behind the Royal Castle: http://lorry.no/
The three best restaurants in town:
Maeemo (Three Michelin stars): https://vimeo.com/27856616
Kontrast: http://www.restaurant-kontrast.no/en/
Statholdergaarden: http://www.statholdergaarden.no/
I recommend the Grünerløkka and Majorstua districts to get a local feel for the city, small shops, cafés, bars, excellent restaurants.
Majorstua: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...s/grunerlokka/
Grünerløkka: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...s/grunerlokka/
Lots of great parks in town, from huge Vigelandsparken to bustling St. Hanshaugen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_a...spaces_in_Oslo
The Vigeland park: http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/vigeland-park
St. Hanshaugen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Hanshaugen_Park
Oslo's new pride, the many times award winning Opera: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=236264
Here are a couple of sites that give you some ideas, but there are lots of other secrets around here;-)
http://www.visitoslo.com/en/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...d-of-town.html
For example, take the 20 mins ferry to Nesodden and have a seaside beer at Signalen Bar as you watch the sun set at abot 10 pm. Stays open long into the night in the week-ends: http://www.signalen-tangenbrygga.no/
<Remember, for Norwegians, Hurtigruten is not a cruiseship, but a coastal, port to port, overnight ferry.>
No, also for Norwegians Hurtigruten is now first and foremost a cruiseship. Most Norwegians go with Hurtigruten as a kind of a once in a lifetime experience.
It was, believe it or not, one of the most popular TV programmes in Norwegian history when NRK Channel 2 followed Hurtigruten every second of the journey from start to finish in June 2011, day and night, we all sat up during nifghttime to see the ferry sailing into new ports in the midnight sun. Here's the world's longest TV programme: http://nrk.no/hurtigruten/index9ed2.html?lang=en
Sep 18th, 2016, 02:11 AM
#52
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<The interior of Norway doesn't have the best reputation for notable landscapes but I haven't had chance to experience this.>
Wow, serious misinformation, especially the Jotunheimen mountains and national park is about as spectacular as it gets: http://jotunheimen.com/
Plenty of great to traditional hotels and restaurants in the midst of the wilderness.
http://jotunheimen.com/page/hotels
http://jotunheimen.com/page/cottages-and-houses
Several gourmet restaurants in Jotunheimen, based on food from the lakes and the mountains: http://jotunheimen.com/page/restaurants
But Telemark is also extraordinary: http://www.visittelemark.com/
Wow, serious misinformation, especially the Jotunheimen mountains and national park is about as spectacular as it gets: http://jotunheimen.com/
Plenty of great to traditional hotels and restaurants in the midst of the wilderness.
http://jotunheimen.com/page/hotels
http://jotunheimen.com/page/cottages-and-houses
Several gourmet restaurants in Jotunheimen, based on food from the lakes and the mountains: http://jotunheimen.com/page/restaurants
But Telemark is also extraordinary: http://www.visittelemark.com/
Sep 18th, 2016, 02:28 AM
#53
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... and here is the correct link to the local atmosphere and upscale Frogner and Majorstua district in Oslo: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...ghs/oslo-west/
The Oslo fjord, plenty of boat rides out to the islands: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...hs/oslo-fjord/
The beautiful Bygdøy peninsula with the famous Viking and Fram museums, the open air Norsk folkemuseum, the trails, the beaches and the cafés: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...roughs/bygdoy/
And the views from Ekebergrestauranten above is about the same that inspired Edvard Munch's "The scream": http://www.edvardmunch.org/the-scream.jsp
You can see the painting in the National museum: http://www.nasjonalmuseet.no/no/beso...onalgalleriet/
And the Munch museum is close to a must when in Oslo: http://munchmuseet.no/en/
The Oslo fjord, plenty of boat rides out to the islands: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...hs/oslo-fjord/
The beautiful Bygdøy peninsula with the famous Viking and Fram museums, the open air Norsk folkemuseum, the trails, the beaches and the cafés: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activiti...roughs/bygdoy/
And the views from Ekebergrestauranten above is about the same that inspired Edvard Munch's "The scream": http://www.edvardmunch.org/the-scream.jsp
You can see the painting in the National museum: http://www.nasjonalmuseet.no/no/beso...onalgalleriet/
And the Munch museum is close to a must when in Oslo: http://munchmuseet.no/en/
Sep 18th, 2016, 06:12 AM
#55
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@menachem
Heavy increase in Norwegians going on Hurtigruten cruises since the 2011 TV programme, half the nation watched. http://e24.no/privat/reise/eventyrli...sjett/23725096
And Hurtigruten is also very popular for the traditional Norwegian Julebord, all the food and drink you can imagine parties in November and December, arranged by every small firm and big enterprise in the country, groups of friends etc. Of course not only on Hurtigruten ;-): https://www.hurtigruten.no/sider/nyh.../#.V96fAYea2M8
Julebord: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julebord
Heavy increase in Norwegians going on Hurtigruten cruises since the 2011 TV programme, half the nation watched. http://e24.no/privat/reise/eventyrli...sjett/23725096
And Hurtigruten is also very popular for the traditional Norwegian Julebord, all the food and drink you can imagine parties in November and December, arranged by every small firm and big enterprise in the country, groups of friends etc. Of course not only on Hurtigruten ;-): https://www.hurtigruten.no/sider/nyh.../#.V96fAYea2M8
Julebord: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julebord
Sep 19th, 2016, 12:37 AM
#58
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Wow, I am just now coming to this discussion. Having been to Norway 14 times, there is a lot of excellent commentary here. I'll try not to repeat, but add a short perspective.
Traveling in June is great. We usually go then or in August. The entire country goes on vacation in July, so some venues can get crowded.
-Hurtigrute: you can read diverse opinions here. Taken together, great advice. I have never been on it, since my wife hates the idea of being locked onto any cruise. But, I have also noticed that it is very pricey. I know many people who have travelled on Hurtigrute and praise it. Clearly, it is not a big cruise ship -it's the local mailboat.
-Norway in a Nutshell. Truly excellent. You can also do that by driving your own car. And if you want a fjord tour without the expense and time of Hurtigrute you can catch a ferry trip out of Gudvangen on Nærøyfjord. Really excellent. And, consider driving the winding road up to Stalheim hotel (if you take a bus, I'm pretty sure it also stops there)
-Ceezee, as to the restaurant prices being similar to Philadephia, I don't think you will find that to be the case. Every time I am in Norway I am stunned by the prices. Especially in restaurants. Fortunately, right now the dollar is as higher against the krone than it has been in many years.
-the revisions to your plans are excellent. We were in Lofoten for the first time last year. Wow. Solv
Traveling in June is great. We usually go then or in August. The entire country goes on vacation in July, so some venues can get crowded.
-Hurtigrute: you can read diverse opinions here. Taken together, great advice. I have never been on it, since my wife hates the idea of being locked onto any cruise. But, I have also noticed that it is very pricey. I know many people who have travelled on Hurtigrute and praise it. Clearly, it is not a big cruise ship -it's the local mailboat.
-Norway in a Nutshell. Truly excellent. You can also do that by driving your own car. And if you want a fjord tour without the expense and time of Hurtigrute you can catch a ferry trip out of Gudvangen on Nærøyfjord. Really excellent. And, consider driving the winding road up to Stalheim hotel (if you take a bus, I'm pretty sure it also stops there)
-Ceezee, as to the restaurant prices being similar to Philadephia, I don't think you will find that to be the case. Every time I am in Norway I am stunned by the prices. Especially in restaurants. Fortunately, right now the dollar is as higher against the krone than it has been in many years.
-the revisions to your plans are excellent. We were in Lofoten for the first time last year. Wow. Solv
Sep 19th, 2016, 12:42 AM
#59
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Oops. I guess I hit "post" by accident. Continuing...
Svolvær is the relatively "big" town. We stayed further west, in Reine. You may not have time, but it seemed to me that the scenery just a big (a little as 30 minutes) west of Svolvær was better. If you get all the way to the west, to the town of Å, check out the cod stock fish museum. Being from Minnesota, you may find the origins of lutefisk interesting.
And, Ceezee, do you know how to tell if someone is from Minnesota? Blond hair and...blue ears.
Svolvær is the relatively "big" town. We stayed further west, in Reine. You may not have time, but it seemed to me that the scenery just a big (a little as 30 minutes) west of Svolvær was better. If you get all the way to the west, to the town of Å, check out the cod stock fish museum. Being from Minnesota, you may find the origins of lutefisk interesting.
And, Ceezee, do you know how to tell if someone is from Minnesota? Blond hair and...blue ears.
Sep 19th, 2016, 06:28 AM
#60
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As far as the prices in restaurants all I've done is look at some online menus. Also, the exchange rate is very favorable now and a big help! I hope it holds until June.
Do they tip in restaurants in Norway or Sweden? Here that adds at least 20% to the bill. A $14 cocktail or glass of wine (not uncommon) here becomes $17.
Do they tip in restaurants in Norway or Sweden? Here that adds at least 20% to the bill. A $14 cocktail or glass of wine (not uncommon) here becomes $17.
