Fjords - day cruise from Oslo or other tours
 

We will be in Oslo in mid-April. I haven't booked hotel yet [I am thinking about the Park Inn as it seems to be a nice hotel and is the least expensive option I can find].

We are driving up from Gothenburg, Sweden on Monday and will drive back on Friday -- ewe need to be in Gothenburg by mid afternoon.

We would like to spend time exploring Oslo, but really want to be able to see western fjords and doing it via water seems like the best way to do it.

I have done some looking online, but haven't really found a "day" cruise. We would be willing to drive somewhere and stay overnight or 2 to do this, I will just book hotel in Oslo in 2 segments if needed.

An suggestions on what not to miss in Oslo? History, museums, nature, culture are all things we like but can do without shopping. {I know this is the dreaded question, I always dislike it when I answer similar posts about what not to miss in the southwest where we live}

Can anyone point us in the right direction? Thanks~

Most of the fjord cruises, short and long, appear to leave from Bergen. Is it possible you could base there instead of Oslo?

You could do the Norway in a Nutshell trip as a round trip starting in Oslo and returning that evening--I believe that it is an available option. Once you get back on the main RR line, the ride to Bergen is not that interesting anyway.

What to do in Oslo. Besides the obvious (open air museum, Viking museum, etc.), I recommend the Decorative Arts museum, if only for this single tapestry fragment:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623070576316/

And City Hall, making sure you also do the walk in the upstairs rooms.

Drive to Voss, start Nutshell there, stay overnight Bergen, train to Voss and drive to Oslo.

The train ride from Oslo to Voss is beautiful. Don't drive!

Deb,
This website lists the most common fjord trips:
www.norwaynutshell.com/en/explore-the-fjords/
Most of us have done some variation of the "classic" Norway in a Nutshell that includes one the Flam railway and 2-hr boat on Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord because it is so easy and well timed from Oslo train/boat/ferry. With a car, you have more options to drive to a base town and take a ferry from there. I can't recommend others because I have not done them and some are not available until May.

We enjoyed Oslo city hall and the Viking museum most. Park below the palace good for people watching if the weather is nice. The art museum was OK for Munch Scream. The sculpture park we thought was just interesting, but others love--nice tram ride to get there. Outdoor museum was OK, but not as good as Stockholm's. Fort and resistance museum OK.

Thanks for all the good suggestions. We really want to drive, as we are picking up our brand new Volvo from the factory and want to drive it some before it gets shipped to US. We will have winter tires on car and we are used to both driving in snow and mountain roads.

Given the time constraints, I think driving to Voss and taking the Nutshell tour in and out of Voss makes the most sense. We are looking at driving from Oslo to Voss on Tuesday; taking the Nutshell on Wednesday and staying a second night in Voss and then heading back to Oslo on Thursday.

The Fleischer Hotel in Voss has a decent rate using Fjord Pass that Nutshell sells. Any input on that or The Park Inn in Oslo?

Thans again.

Park Inn is in a great location, close to "everything". Havent't stayed there as I live in Oslo, but it also gets very good guest reviews: http://www.booking.com/hotel/no/park-inn-oslo.en.html

You should take a look at our new Opera house, people tend to gather on the roof on sunny days. It won the culture award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona in October 2008 and the 2009 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. Ten minutes walk from your hotel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fu...a_by_night.jpg

I also recommend to see the Vigeland park (Frognerparken). Extremely popular with both tourists and locals alike:
http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/vigeland-park

Thank you SO much, kimhe. I have booked the Park Inn and we are looking forward to our stay. Any other suggestions for Oslo is welcomed.

Do you think our car drive from Oslo to Voss should be snow-free?

Thanks!

The drive to Voss can be more or less snow-free, but you shouldn't count on it. Full spring blossom here in Oslo normally last week of April/first week of May.

If you specify what your interests are, what kind of restaurants etc you are looking for, I can give you some more tips.

But for a starter, these two would be true Oslo dining experiences. Have a classical open sandwich (smørbrød) at legendary Theatercaféen (5-10 mins walking from your hotel): http://www.hotelcontinental.no/Theat...en.aspx?ID=236

Or a traditional meal with fabulous views of the city up at Frognerseteren. Close to Holmenkollen ski jump. Underground/tram to Frognerseteren from the parliament 2 mins away from your hotel. http://www.frognerseteren.no/comweb.asp?segment=1&ID=25

Those restaurants look wonderful! I see that they take reservations - is that a must or can we just go without them?

Which restaurant at frognerseteren do you recommend? Café Seterstua or Restaurant Finstua?

Should we drive to frognerseteren or take the underground?

Very convenient to take the tram/underground up to Frognerseteren from Stortinget (the parliament) two mins from your hotel. If you take the car, there are normally no problem with parking.

The Café is quite casual with open sandwiches, several other affordable cold and hot dishes as well as pastries. Ideal for lunch, but you can also have dinner here.

Finstua is more of fine and elaborate restaurant. This is for the big night out, although it's also open for lunch.

No need to make reservations at Café Seterstua, but a good idea to book ahead at both Finstua and Theatercaféen.

You'll live very close to Christiania torg, a nice small plaza with two atmospheric cafés/restaurants (Celsius/Skansen), two excellent traditional restaurants (Gamle Raadhus (the old town hall, it actually was, from 1641) and Brasserie Hansken) and an italian wine bar/restaurant (Proseccheria).

Gamle Raadhus: http://www.gamleraadhus.no/d4WBnwdnIWC.75.idium
Brasserie Hansken: http://www.brasseriehansken.no/

You are also quite close to Aker Brygge and Lofoten fiskerestaurant, one of the finest fish and seafood restaurants in town: http://no.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant...rant-Oslo.html

We are staying at Comfort Xpress
Møllergata 26
0179 Oslo

Will we still be close to the above restaurants? Thanks~

Comfort Express is centrally located, 5 mins walk to the main street Karl Johans Gate and 10 mins to the Christiania Torg. You are almost next door to excellent, very popular and great value Arakataka. http://www.arakataka.no/

I can also highly reccomend Fyret at Basarhallene on Youngstorget, 2 mins away from your hotel. A truly hidden gem, great food and atmosphere. Especially known for its burgers, Skipperburger (one of the best in town) and Lofotenburger (fish), and typical Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches). And the greatest selection of Aquavit in the country!
http://www.fyretmatogdrikke.no/body.html

Also in Møllergata you find typical, traditional and popular Norwegian restaurants such as Justisen and Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri.
http://www.stortorvets-gjestgiveri.n...&niva1=Engelsk
http://www.vg.no/mat-og-drikke/resta...uiden/?rid=650

DebitNM,

You are also close to the gentrified, popular and atmospheric Grünerløkka district on the other side of the city river Akerselva. Some of the most popular restaurants and bars in Oslo are found here. Great city parks, shopping etc. Cofee houses on almost every corner. Several great tapas restaurants, a fabulous italian pizzeria, an american diner, a newly opened and critically acclaimed french bistro, the best steakhouse (Trancher), you name it...

The Night Hawk Diner: http://www.nighthawkdiner.com/
The best pizza at Villa Paradiso: http://www.villaparadiso.no/
Delicious tapas at Delicatessen. The daily specials can be sensational: http://www.delicatessen.no/
Newly opened Benjamin bistro is next door to Delicatessen, in Søndre gate 6.

Grünerløkka until the 1970's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1DhaFILl5k

Thank you SO much for all of your wonderful suggestions! We are getting excited, we leave in less than 3 weeks. :)