mr_go

Hi folks. Ms_go, allie_go and I are just starting to think about next year's trip. Right now, Scandanavia seems to be the front-runner (with emphasis on Norway). We've never been, and it just looks beautiful.

The Question:
If you had 2 weeks to spend in that part of the world, what destinations would you recommend most, and how would you apportion your time there?

Broad strokes only at this point, please. We're just building a rough outline. Any recommended online resources (besides this one of course) would also be appreciated.

A little background, in case you don't know us...we're a couple of 40-somethings with our well-traveled 13-year-old daughter. We are typical 3-star travelers, and more into scenic splendor, local culture and charming towns and villages than excitement, nightlife, etc. (for more info on us, see our web site: onelittleworld.com).

Thanks in advance!

Neopolitan

Back a few weeks we spent six weeks traveling Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. But I must say our favorite parts were doing a few days of the Hurtigruten mail boat from Kirkenes, Norway to Bodo; driving a few days in the fjords north and east of Bergen, and the coastal area between Trondheim and Bergen. Sorry to say, Norway far overshadowed the other three countries for us. I could easily do three weeks doing what I just mentioned along with a few days in Oslo and its environs.

Neopolitan

Duh, I meant "back a few years ago" -- not weeks.

mr_go

Thanks for the feedback, Patrick. Anybody else?

gard

Hi

I guess the keywords would be Oslo, western fjord and Norway in a nutshell In oslo you can check out museums, the beautiful Vigeland park (see http://gardkarlsen.com/oslo_vigeland_park.htm etc). I live in Stavanger in south west Norway and here you can see places like Kjerag ( http://gardkarlsen.com/kjerag.htm ) and Preikestolen ( http://gardkarlsen.com/preikestolen.htm ). If you come here try to come while we have some sort of festival...there is a beach volleyball tournament and food festival. If you go further north you can see places like Geiranger...you can also see a bit of Norway if you take a trip on the Norwegian coastal liner ( http://www.hurtigruten.no/no/default.aspx )

Nice homepage you have by the way

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

kaski4

Been to Norway and Sweden.Norway, loved Bergen and definately do Norway in a Nutshell. Did Sweden last fall, we are very experienced travellers and thought Stockholm was one our best trips ever.

nealio

If I can pggiy back here_
My wife and I have a b trip to olso and trondheim in late august this year. Any thoughts on must do/see? We have added a few extra days & are thinking of kayaking fjords in Alesund? But nothing is set yet and time is short.
Thanks for any suggestions! We a couple of 50 yr olds that love to travel and experience new cultures etc. We ussually prefer to be inside the bars of the zoo, if you get my meaning. (i.e. not always your typical tourist experiences).

Barbara_in_CT

When planning, I always check out where different tours go.

http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours07/...rl/code/SCA07/

http://tauck.com/tours/europe-tours/scandinavia-travel

and don't forget to check out Trafalgar, Globus, Grand Circle and anything else you can think of.

I particularly enjoyed Copenhagen, the island of Aero in Denmark, Stockholm - especially the islands, Helsinki, quite different from other Scandinavian cities, and Bergen. The train ride from Oslo to Bergen including NOrway in a Nutshell is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the world and you won't get an argument from me. The Hurtigruten is supposed to be one of the most beautiful cruises. I'll let you know next year because that's what I'm planning on for 2007.

Once you have enough recommendations, check out guidebooks from your local library. You especially want input from your daughter.

padams421

In June we spent 2.5 weeks in Denmark, Sweden and Norway- 2 40 somethings parents and their well traveled 8 and 10 year old sons. We had a wonderful trip. We stayed in Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Stockholm and Gothenburg. I wish we had more time to spend in Bergen and the eastern side of Norway. I also wish we had had another week so that I could have included Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

mr_go

Thanks to you all...I truly appreciate the valuable input. You're why I love this forum so much!

That said, it looks like our latest thinking is shifting toward Australia. Yes, I know...bit of a difference there.

Nealio, I leave the thread to you.

Thanks again, everyone!

peggionthego

We spent 2+ weeks in Denmark, Norway and Sweden Summer 2004 w/ a 12 year old daughter and 14 year old son. Recommend Fredericksborg Castle outside Copenhagen. Also, Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo to Bergen. And we took a local bus from Bergen to Alesund. Alesund is GORGEOUS and I can promise there were no other Americans on that bus. We loved it. Flew back to Oslo cheaply via local airline. Also enjoyed Stockholm, especially the Vasa Ship Museum. Scandinavia is wonderful.

nhulberg

I am quite biased, having been to Norway many times. For the first-time visitor to Scandinavia, one might think the three countries are similar. Not so. The highest point in Denmark is only 600 meters. You mentioned that you are "more into scenic splendor"; for natural beauty, the west coast of Norway is awesome.

As mentioned elsewhere on this forum, the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour is great. If you more time, a trip like hurtigrute should be nice (though it translates to "quick route" I have never felt I had the time for the trip).

On the other hand, Stockholm and Copenhagen are/were much richer cities in centuries gone by, and have architecture that is far superior to, for example, Oslo.

Take the road up to Stalheim Hotel (see other posts on this forum). You won't forget it. Buy some shrimp and eat them on the warf in Bergen.


In conclusion: the west coast of Norway.

rjsol

Nealio:
For Trondheim check this page http://www.trondheim.no/content.ap?thisId=1116490756 If you fancy hiking look up http://www.turistforeningen.no/english/ Nutshell tours is just that. Hurtigruten between Trondheim and Ålesund/Bergen? http://www.hurtigruten.no/en/default.aspx

davidx

With so many replies before I found it, I'm surprised I'm left with anything to suggest. However, some places I regard as magic haven't been mentioned and most magical of all are the Lofoten Islands off Bodø on Norway's west coast.

Next, Uppsala makes a great day trip from Stockholm and while you are in Stockholm, be sure to include the Vasa Museum and the City Hall.

Next a place of great peace, delightful rather than magnificent, Mariehamn in the Åland Islands. You can get free inter-island ferries and Kokar is a particularly wonderful place to stay between Sweden and Finland.