Denmark & Norway - seeking "must see" suggestions
 

First time to this part of Europe. Would like suggestion on most beautiful and interesting things to see and do. Will have rental car and 2 weeks.

I've been to Norway twice and have been to the cities of Oslo, Stavanger, Egersund, and Bergen. My one big recommendation is to get to Bergen. It is one of the most charming and dramatic towns I have ever visited anywhere in Europe. On the water with sharply ascending mountains in the background (be sure to take the funicular to the top of them), it combines physical beauty with Nordic charm. It is also an excellent launching ground for visiting the fjords. There is a tour called "Norway in a Nutshell" which is a one-day venture out of Bergen (and perhaps elsewhere) that takes you on a train, a boat (through some fjords), a bus (along a harrowing road up a mountain), and back on a train to return to Bergen. It is a must.

Hi! <BR>What a nice idea to visit both Denmark and Norway. I live in Denmark, and maybe I can help you with places to visit. Depending on your interests. <BR>Copenhagen is a nice city. Not too big! <BR>There you just have to visit Nyhavn - a tiny old habour, still used - and now also restaurants/cafés are situated here. Feel fri to e-mail me, if you have any questions. Have a nice trip! <BR>

Malene's response is typical of the friendly, helpful, and informative attitude you will find everywhere in Denmark. Be sure to include a visit to Fredricksborg Castle, built by Christian V, a contemporary of England's Henry VIII, and possibly the finest Renaissance castle in Europe. The newly redone gardens are stunning. Egeskov Castle is a tiny jewel-box of a place. Roskilde Cathedral is Denmark's Westminster Abbey, containing the tombs of many of Denmark's kings. A remarkable Viking museum in Roskilde should not be missed. In Oslo, be sure to visit the Viking Ship Museum, the outdoor museum and its collection of old buildings from all over Norway (sort of like Henry Ford's Greenfield Village) and the marvelous collection of statues in Oslo's Frogner Park. The Museum of the Resistance is a feature of Oslo's waterfront, along with dozens of fine ships including the tall ships. But by all odds, the crown jewel is Bergen and its vicinity. A great city for walking. Be sure to take the cable way up to the top of the mountain overlooking Bergen and its fjordland. The rail journey between Oslo and Bergen is a treat -- great vistas, snow in August, and so relaxing. I doubt that you will have time, but the coastal voyage between Bergen and the North Cape and on to Kirkenes, is just fantastic. One more point: take along plenty of dollars because things there are not cheap by U.S. standards.

We had a lovely time in Norway. We spent an afternoon and night in Oslo. The next morning we taxied to the train station and boarded a train for the mountains. Our tour (unguided) was called "Taste of Balastrand" and we took a four hour train up into the mountains (snow, ice), got off and boarded a small train that took us down into the fjord at Flam, then a few hours later onto a boat that cruised us through the fjords to a town called Balastrand. Got off the boat and spent the night at the Kvickne Hotel. Absolutely lovely, breathtaking scenery. The boat came back next morning and picked us up at 8 a.m. to go to Bergen for a night. Excellent choice. It is very high on my list to go back again to experience the midnight sun.

Agree with everything above about Bergen and Fjiords. In addition to above, when in Denmark a visit to Odense, and Hans Christian anderson's house and museum is quite charming. More entertainment can be found at Tivoli Gardens, including marching bands, the symphony and the casino. fireworks at night while dining outdoors in the gardens are a great way to end the day. Don't foget Legoland, see the original before it opens near San Diego later this year.