I'm a bit late out of the gate planning my trip to Norway (vacation approved on short notice). I could use some help filling in the details of my itinerary.<BR><BR>I fly into Oslo on June 24 (arriving before noon). So the trip will start with 2-3 days (2 nights?) in Oslo:<BR>June 24 Oslo (1/2 day)<BR>June 25 Oslo<BR>June 26 Oslo (1/2 day) + transport to next stop<BR>27 ??<BR>28 ??<BR>29 ??<BR>30 ?? + transport to Bergen ,Bergen<BR>July 1?? Bergen<BR>July 2 ?? Bergen<BR>July 3 Netherlands - July 6 when I fly home from Amsterdam. (Just to see some relatives, not a sight seeing trip - 4th time to Amsterdam.)<BR><BR>Specific questions:<BR>1. Is there a ferry from Bergen to the Netherlands? I haven't been able to find one. So far I've checked the ferry services by doing on-line searches.<BR>2. I'd like to see some of the coast/fjords and head north. Are there specific towns or sights that you'd recommend?<BR>3. Hotel recommendations (budget) would be appreciated!<BR>4. Would you recommend more or less time in Oslo? <BR><BR>Thanks for help, suggestions, recommendations, opinions, links, and guidance.<BR><BR>Anneke

<BR>A#1. You can ferry from Bergen to Newcastle on Fjord Line (tel +47 55 323 770) and then Newcastle to IJmuiden/A'dam on DFDS Seaways (tel +45 33 156341 or +31 255 534 546). Phone numbers are from Thomas Cook. Maybe these lines have URLs? <BR>A#2. If you have time, Trondheim is a fun town. It would be quicker to take the train from Oslo.<BR>A#3. For budget hotels try Lonely Planet's Europe on a Shoestring.<BR>A#4. Oslo's ship museums are a day worth, plus whatever else you have in mind.<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/norway.htm

John - Thanks for the quick response. I'll check into the ferry route. Sounds like it might be faster to fly. I've ordered the Lonely Planet guide - for some reason the local Borders is totally cleaned out of Europe travel books. (I guess it is that time of year).<BR><BR>Thank you again for your help.

We have planned a similar trip in July. As the previous poster stated, Trondheim is a great town, and at the time you are going, you'll get as close to the midnight sun as you can get, unless going all the way to the arctic circle. You might consider taking the coastal ship from Trondheim to Bergen. I heard it's lovely. At that time of year, the students at the university in Trondheim should be gone, and you should be able to get cheap digs in their dorms.

I have spent a lot of time in Norway as my parents live there, and though I've never been to Trondheim myself yet, I've heard it's a great place to visit. The easiest way to get from Norway to mainland Europe by ferry is to go from Oslo to Copenhagen and take a train to the Netherlands from there. Though it's quite a long trip, if time is an issue you'd be better off flying.<BR>In my opinion, you can't spend too much time in Oslo. I've stayed for a month at a time and haven't tired of all the things to see. I truly think it's one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you for the feedback - I did iron out the details of my itinerary. From Oslo onto Trondheim by night train, 2 days stop, then through 'troll's pass' to Geirangerfjord - later a bus to Bergen. I found that it is cheaper to fly from Bergen to AMS (and faster) than to take the train or any combination of ferries.<BR><BR>Now - only a little more than 2 weeks until my trip. YAY!