Best way to country hop in Scandanavia?
 

We have 16 nights, flying in and out of Copehagen. My thought was 4 nights in Copenhagen, 3 Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, 3 nights in Bergen, then I don't know. Then fly back to Copenhagen. My question is should I take the day train from Copenhagen to Stockholm so I can see that new bridge? How do I get from Stockholm to Oslo? What's missing? H-E-L-P! please. bob

No. Rent a car while in CPH and drive over and back. It's not cheap, but with a car in CPH you could also drive to Helsingor (Kronborg Castle), Hillerod (Frederiksborg Castle), Fredensborg, Roskilde . . .

I would suggest spending just 2 nights in Bergen. Then board the speedboat to Stavanger and spend 2 nights there. Do a short cruise on the Lysefjord. Then from Stavanger to Kristiansand either by express-bus (no reservation needed) or by train. From Kristiansand you could take a ferry to Hirtshals, Denmark (2 and a half hour, four times a day) or to Gothenburg, Sweden (6 and a half hour, only Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday). <BR><BR>Train from Hirtshals (maybe a stop in Aarhus city). <BR>Train or bus from Gothenburg if you must pass the new bridge to Copenhagen. <BR><BR>I drove across the new bridge this summer, and I think it is better to drive than take the train. It is not that special, but there is a bus that goes across. You can visit Malmo, (Sweden’s third largest city) just 1 hour from Copenhagen.<BR>

There is also a Ferry from Fredrikshavn, Denmark to Gothenburg, Sweden (2 hours, 6 times a day)

Bob: At the risk of interfering, I am going to suggest a little different itinery. Three nights in Copenhagen are enough with the third day used for a trip to Roskilde for the cathedral and the Viking Ships (morning) and Frederiksborg for the marvellous castle (afternoon). Both can be done in a single day by car (or train/bus). Then across the bridge on the fourth day to Kalmar where you will see one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. You can stop at one of the glass works along the way (if you are driving) if this interests you. Stay in Kalmar. The next morning , take a ferry (a 45 minute trip up the road from Kalmar) to Gotland Island (hour and a half ferry trip) to the wonderful walled Village of Visby. Two nights here and then a ferry to Stockholm (two and a half hours). Two nights in Stockholm (don't miss the Vasa Museum for a view of the 16th century ship) and then on to Oslo by train (perhaps, take an overnight train). Two nights in Oslo (the Skansen and the viking museum are very worthwhile) and then the Norway in a Nutshell on the next day winding up in Bergen for two nights. After your two nights in Bergen, take the ferry up to Stavenger for the trip Helen suggests, but return to Bergen on the third day for a flight to Copenhagen. You will have used 15 days and would be flying to Copenhagen on the 16th day (assumes the overnight train to Oslo). If you need to be in Copenhagen on the 15th day, spend just one night in Stavenger. This could all be done by train/bus, but there are many stops along the way that are worthwhile, hence the car recommendation. I would try to get rid of the car at the ferry slip above Kalmar (we kept our car throughout our trip as we had more time and made more stops). You won't need the car on the rest of the trip. This is a broad recommendation to cover time requirements. There is much more detail on what to see and do (have you done a search on Scandinavia, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen, etc., on this Board?). It is a busy schedule , but only one &quot;one-night-stand&quot;. You would see a good cross section of Scandinavia and visit some of my favorite places in the World. Have a great trip.

There is really no need to return to Bergen. There are direct flights from Stavanger (SVG) to Copenhagen (CPH) five times a day.<BR><BR>You also have another option if focusing more on Norwegian fjords. Board the Costal ferry (Hurtigruten) in Bergen and head for the Art nouveau town of Aalesund. In Aalesund you rent a car for two days to circle fjord country like Geiranger, Stryn and the Briksdal Glacier in Olden. Return to Aalesund and fly back to Copenhagen. But this may only add to your trouble choosing.<BR>

Joe:<BR>nice schedule for travel!