As the title says, we just got back from in Norway where we spent 12 days.

Here's what we did - 3 nights in oslo, Norway in a nutshell, 2 nights in Bergen, and then the Hurtigruten cruise to Kirkenes.

We had pretty good weather and had a very interesting time. The full story will be on my web page in 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Thanks to all those who helped in the planning.

Please post another message here with your webpage when it's ready for viewing. Would love to read it.

Our trip probably overlapped a bit with yours. I look forward to reading your trip report.

Here's the URL of my web page:

http://www.travel.stv77.com/

MS - we were there between 7/23 and 8/3.

Interesting. We also arrived in Oslo on the 23rd, but we only had six days in Norway (short trip).

sssteve. Looked on your webpage for a writeup about your Paris to Normandy trip as that is one my daughter and I are taking in Oct. Could not find the writeup. Where would I read it?

It's right there. The top box on the left. It's also got a big revolving arrow pointing to it as it's our last trip.

Here's the direct link below, but please check again because there's no way that it's not there. It shows the picture of the ship and it's called "A cruise from paris to normandy".

http://www.travel.stv77.com/seine/cruise2.htm

Welcome back, SSSSSTEVE!!

I look forward to reading the report once it is ready. I have taken careful notes from your Puglia blog and plan to refer to them next month when I am in the region!

Thanks for the link to your blog.YOu've posted lots of interesting info for future trips. We did the same Norwegian itinerary last year as you and look forward to your report.

Crunchy:

What are your plans for Puglia?

I am going on the same trip next month. I know Norway is expensive but would like to know how you saved money on lunches and dinner in Bergen. What was the weather like in Kirkenes? I will be looking for your full story.

Stole food from the hotel...

Seriously,. it's possible to eat lunch cheaply in the Bergen fish market (if you like smoked fish, and seafood), but we didn't scrimp on dinner and spent a wad of money on a wonderful dinner at one of the best restaurants in Bergen.

Spent only 2 hours in Kirkenes. it was chilly and rainy!

SSSTEVE: We have one week in Puglia, next month. Fly into and out of Brindisi, with overnights near Otranto (2 nights), Lecce (1-2 nights--I will top my thread about this), perhaps one night near Martina Franco if we spend only the one night in Lecce, and 3 nights in an upscale masseria near Fasano.

We decided to leave Trani and the Gargano for the next trip, as I did not want to attempt to cover too much ground and rush around.

Please put your stamp on the Lecce thread, if you have time..

For one week, that's about what you can do. You could try to visit Trani, but Gargano is definitely out. It's a long drive...

...and I'll go check the Lecce thread.

Hi Sssteve,

I am planning on doing the Norway in a nutshell tour with my wife and then 15 month old child in July next year. I am concerned however what it would be like changing trains, ferries etc with a young child plus all our baggage. Did you notice many people with young families doing this kind of tour? In your opinion is it do-able or should we wait a couple of years for when the kids are bigger?

Thanks in advance!

Mopsy:

Many people drag their luggage around with them on the trip. It is possible, but in my opinion, very inconvenient. This is even more significant if you are with a small child.

You have 2 options: The first, as you said, is to put the trip off for a while.
The second is to use a porter service which takes your bags from your hotel (Oslo?) in the morning and delivers them to your hotel at the other end (Bergen?). The service is incredible and cost about $40 per bag. Compared to the cost of the NIN trip, I think it's a bargain. I can post the link if you want. (I don't have it where I am at the moment.)

Thanks sssteve, appreciate the info. A link would be fantastic! I would love to make this work if possible, but if not another destination will be decided upon.

"Stole food from the hotel"

That made me laugh. There are only two countries where we have contemplated doing this. Norway due to the food costs and Eygpt due to the terrible hygiene standards of restaurants outside the hotel.

Interesting approach in each country. The hotel in Tromso actively encouraged people to nick the buffet breakfast on the basis of : better that than throw it away. The Winter Palace in Luxor used to check your bags on leaving the buffet breakfast.

As for Norway, I have to say that I didn't see many people leave the breakfast room without a roll, a sandwich or a piece of fruit (or 3).

Mopsy: http://www.porterservice.no/index.html