I need some advice for a last minute trip to Oslo starting on March 10th. Since it is winter and we only have 4 days should we plan to stay in Oslo or try to rent a car and do some exploring of the country on our own? We are quite adventurous but I worry about the road conditions....if the country is as snowy as I am imagining. I know that daylight hours are limited as well this time of year, but we are still excited to visit and hope to see and experience as much as we can. I have read a few posts and would be interested in trying to incorporate Norway in a Nutshell as it is already planned and would provide us with great scenery but I think we would like more flexibility. Since this trip is so last minute should I worry about hotels being full? I would really appreciate any suggestions on itinerary, places to visit, great restaurants, hotels.... anything and everything to help maximize our time in Norway. Thanks

I would take organized tours from the city center.
Traveled there in August and the roads are very windy and narrow, I couldn't imagine it in the winter months. We took the scenic route and only averaged 35 miles per hour. Also, it is very, very expensive. But, very, very beautiful.

I think we are going to take the Norway in a Nutshell tour, any others we should look at? I read that Norway is very expensive. Could you give me an example? We visited Iceland last year and I was imaging Norway to be similar in cost. Thanks again.

Norway in a nutshell is a great tour! Great for time limitations and you see quite a bit.

In Oslo: Vigelundspark (the sculpture park) is my favorite place in the city. The Munch Museet is also really interesting, but only if you like the artist. I went twice!

The National Museum has a really great permanent collection featuring Scandinavian artists that you won't see outside of that area.

Eat some brunost (brown cheese) for breakfast! It is cheese's answer to chocolate!

I have not been in Norway since 2000, so I don't know prices.

I think that is a very good comparison.
We had a 14" pizza and 4 glasses of coke in a very small bar, in the basement of our small hotel and it was equivalent to 45.00 dollars. This was about 35 kilometers east of Bergen. But, we had a wonderful buffet breakfast, before getting on the ferry, at the Raddison for about 20.00 dollars. We don't drink, but I think someone told me liquor was very expensive.

Thanks for the information. I think we are definately going to do the Norway in a Nutshell route and spend one or two nights along the way. Any suggestion as to where to stay (town/hotel)? We plan to begin and end in Oslo. The sculpture garden looks great, although in March I'm sure it's covered in snow.... With the weather being so cold I know we will be visiting a few museums... thanks for the tips. Can't wait to try brown cheese! Any other comments or tips are greatly appreciated.

Stop for a meal at Peppe's Pizza and you won't be disappointed - one in both Oslo and Bergen (and if you can't get enough, at the airport as well). We did both Norway and Iceland a few years ago and found Iceland to be a *bit* more expensive. If you're looking for an overnite on the 'nutshell' trip, consider the Stalheim hotel-the road up to it is simply breathtaking (lots of hairpin turns), while the views from the hotel even more breathtaking. ENJOY!