Need help with itinerary for Scandinavia trip
May 9th, 2011, 01:41 PM
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Need help with itinerary for Scandinavia trip
My husband and I are putting together a 2 1/2 - 3 week trip to Scandinavia this summer for mid- to late July, early August. We like hiking, kayaking, cultural activities - i.e. museums and learning about local heritage, music events - opera, jazz, classical, and my own passion is photography (I'm sure there won't be a shortage of photo ops!). We have found that we like to have variety on our trips - i.e. not just hiking, and not just touring museums, and not just staying in big cities. We'd rather spend a few days in one place rather than many quick stops. After reading many travel books and forums, I've put together the following "rough" itinerary.
Day 1 Fly from US to Copenhagen, arriving late afternoon day 2
Afternoon Day 2 - Early morning Day 6 Copenhagen, and surrounding areas
Day 6 Fly from Copenhagen to Oslo arriving 8:30 AM, full day of sightseeing in Oslo
Day 7 Oslo - Flam, via train in the morning, and then on to Luster via ferry and bus - I've currently thought about booking a guided 5 night/ 4 day hiking trip, staying at Nes Gard guest house, with hikes in Jotunheimen and Josteldalsbreen
Days 8 - 11 - hiking in Lusterfjord area using Nes Gard as base
Day 12 - Nes Gard to Stalheim, via ferry from Kaupanger to Gudvangen, stay at Stalheim Hotel
Day 13 - hiking or kayaking around Stalheim/ Gudvangen
Day 14 - Stalheim to Bergen via train
Days 15 - 16 - Bergen
Day 17 - fly from Bergen to Stockholm in the morning, hopefully timing it right to catch the DN Galan Diamond League Track and Field event at the Olympic Stadium in the late afternoon (July 29)
Days 18 - 20 - tour Stockholm and surrounding area
Day 21 - Fly back to US
Of course there are plenty of other areas we would love to see on our first trip to Scandinavia, but we are limited in time (21 days is longer than we anticipated), and we don't want to be jumping around too much from place to place. I would, of course, welcome suggestions on how to improve on the above itinerary. For example, we have cut our time in Oslo so we can have more time in the fjord area. A couple of areas that I would love to add to the trip would be the Geirangerfjord and also the Lofoten Islands. I think the only way to make it to Lofoten would be to cut out Stockholm or Copenhagen, so I would appreciate any thoughts on how YOU would prioritize these areas on places to visit (I realize everyone has different opinions, but understanding what you like about an area will help us determine which is best for us.) I'm sure we will enjoy all of the areas, it is just a question of how to plan the trip in what I would call a "balanced" way - not all big cities, not all hiking, etc., and have variety in scenery as well. One thought would be to take the Hurtigruten from Bergen up to Lofoten (or farther north if recommended), and then fly to Stockholm from where we depart the Hurtigruten. If we did this, we would need to cut our time somewhere else along the way. I am also curious to know if having a car, given the extremely high rental fees, is worth it as opposed to traveling solely via public transportation.
Any suggestions or comments are much appreciated!
Thank you!
Day 1 Fly from US to Copenhagen, arriving late afternoon day 2
Afternoon Day 2 - Early morning Day 6 Copenhagen, and surrounding areas
Day 6 Fly from Copenhagen to Oslo arriving 8:30 AM, full day of sightseeing in Oslo
Day 7 Oslo - Flam, via train in the morning, and then on to Luster via ferry and bus - I've currently thought about booking a guided 5 night/ 4 day hiking trip, staying at Nes Gard guest house, with hikes in Jotunheimen and Josteldalsbreen
Days 8 - 11 - hiking in Lusterfjord area using Nes Gard as base
Day 12 - Nes Gard to Stalheim, via ferry from Kaupanger to Gudvangen, stay at Stalheim Hotel
Day 13 - hiking or kayaking around Stalheim/ Gudvangen
Day 14 - Stalheim to Bergen via train
Days 15 - 16 - Bergen
Day 17 - fly from Bergen to Stockholm in the morning, hopefully timing it right to catch the DN Galan Diamond League Track and Field event at the Olympic Stadium in the late afternoon (July 29)
Days 18 - 20 - tour Stockholm and surrounding area
Day 21 - Fly back to US
Of course there are plenty of other areas we would love to see on our first trip to Scandinavia, but we are limited in time (21 days is longer than we anticipated), and we don't want to be jumping around too much from place to place. I would, of course, welcome suggestions on how to improve on the above itinerary. For example, we have cut our time in Oslo so we can have more time in the fjord area. A couple of areas that I would love to add to the trip would be the Geirangerfjord and also the Lofoten Islands. I think the only way to make it to Lofoten would be to cut out Stockholm or Copenhagen, so I would appreciate any thoughts on how YOU would prioritize these areas on places to visit (I realize everyone has different opinions, but understanding what you like about an area will help us determine which is best for us.) I'm sure we will enjoy all of the areas, it is just a question of how to plan the trip in what I would call a "balanced" way - not all big cities, not all hiking, etc., and have variety in scenery as well. One thought would be to take the Hurtigruten from Bergen up to Lofoten (or farther north if recommended), and then fly to Stockholm from where we depart the Hurtigruten. If we did this, we would need to cut our time somewhere else along the way. I am also curious to know if having a car, given the extremely high rental fees, is worth it as opposed to traveling solely via public transportation.
Any suggestions or comments are much appreciated!
Thank you!
May 9th, 2011, 03:29 PM
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OK, as first responder with my first comment...not enough time in Bergen. You are doing lots of hiking which is fine..and I have no knowledge about that. Second comment, not enough time in Oslo, maybe ditto Stockholm. You do have ample time in Copenhagen and vicinity.
So it seems you have mentioned cultural interests but not allowed time for that but you also mention outdoors activities and you will surely enjoy that. As for photography...no doubt you will be awed by the fjords. Good luck.
Bill in Boston
So it seems you have mentioned cultural interests but not allowed time for that but you also mention outdoors activities and you will surely enjoy that. As for photography...no doubt you will be awed by the fjords. Good luck.
Bill in Boston
May 9th, 2011, 04:28 PM
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We just got back from Bergen, the fjords, Oslo and Stockholm and absolutely loved it! Our was a quick trip -- 10 days total and many of the things we wanted to do in the fjords area weren't yet 'going' for the season.
Is Copenhagen or Stockholm an absolute 'must' ? If you cut out either, it would also help with travel times (which chop into a day). We flew directly from the US to Bergen (via Oslo) on day 1, rented a car and worked through the fjords to Oslo and then flew from Oslo to Stockholm.
Honestly, while you aren't spending a ton of time in Oslo, I think that is the right strategy -- I enjoyed Stockholm more than Oslo. However, in Oslo a few 'not to misses' include the Viking Ship museum, Holmenkollen, and Akershus as well as enjoying Aker Brygge if the weather is nice.
I know you aren't looking for MORE to do, but what about Pulpit's Rock in Stavanger ? I was disappointed that we didn't get there (weather and time didn't cooperate) and that is on my 'must-do' list when we go back in 5 years when the kids are older and do hiking and kayaking and an active vacation.
If you have time in Stockholm, I would get out into the archipelago. They are very pretty. We very much enjoyed Stockholm. Also, we had an apartment there and it made the food thing much more affordable, so we felt like we could do those "aha" events/tours since we weren't eating out every meal.
Is Copenhagen or Stockholm an absolute 'must' ? If you cut out either, it would also help with travel times (which chop into a day). We flew directly from the US to Bergen (via Oslo) on day 1, rented a car and worked through the fjords to Oslo and then flew from Oslo to Stockholm.
Honestly, while you aren't spending a ton of time in Oslo, I think that is the right strategy -- I enjoyed Stockholm more than Oslo. However, in Oslo a few 'not to misses' include the Viking Ship museum, Holmenkollen, and Akershus as well as enjoying Aker Brygge if the weather is nice.
I know you aren't looking for MORE to do, but what about Pulpit's Rock in Stavanger ? I was disappointed that we didn't get there (weather and time didn't cooperate) and that is on my 'must-do' list when we go back in 5 years when the kids are older and do hiking and kayaking and an active vacation.
If you have time in Stockholm, I would get out into the archipelago. They are very pretty. We very much enjoyed Stockholm. Also, we had an apartment there and it made the food thing much more affordable, so we felt like we could do those "aha" events/tours since we weren't eating out every meal.
May 10th, 2011, 02:19 PM
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Sounds like a great trip!
I haven't been to many of the places you plan to see, but I have been to Copenhagen and Stockholm. I loved them both, but think you might consider shifting one day from Copenhagen to Stockholm. From Copenhagen, consider a day trip to Roskilde. And as surfmom says, consider taking a ride into Stockholm's archipelago.
Hope that helps!
I haven't been to many of the places you plan to see, but I have been to Copenhagen and Stockholm. I loved them both, but think you might consider shifting one day from Copenhagen to Stockholm. From Copenhagen, consider a day trip to Roskilde. And as surfmom says, consider taking a ride into Stockholm's archipelago.
Hope that helps!
May 11th, 2011, 05:40 AM
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You have a really nice trip planned! 
If you need to decide between adding Geirangerfjord and Lofoten to your itinerary, I think you should chose Lofoten. This as the type of nature you'll experience in Geirangerfjord will have much in common with what you'll see in the Sognefjord area. Lofoten offers a different even more dramatic nature, different local food, smells and weather. In Lofoten you'll be on islands, visiting fishing communities.
Judging from the level of activity you have planned for the Sognefjord area, I think you may find a Hurtigruten cruise from Bergen to Svolvær to be a bit boring.
One way to get a taste of Lofoten would be to fly on Norwegian.com from Bergen to Bodø. Then travel on Hurtigruten from Bodø to Svolvær. Stay over night in Svolvær. Pick up a rental car and spend 2-3 days to get a taste of the area between Svolvær and Å. There are many opportunities for hiking in Lofoten. I expect the tourist information office in Svolvær can provide you with details.
From Svolvær airport you can fly out via Bodø/Tromsø and Oslo.
If you need to decide between adding Geirangerfjord and Lofoten to your itinerary, I think you should chose Lofoten. This as the type of nature you'll experience in Geirangerfjord will have much in common with what you'll see in the Sognefjord area. Lofoten offers a different even more dramatic nature, different local food, smells and weather. In Lofoten you'll be on islands, visiting fishing communities.
Judging from the level of activity you have planned for the Sognefjord area, I think you may find a Hurtigruten cruise from Bergen to Svolvær to be a bit boring.
One way to get a taste of Lofoten would be to fly on Norwegian.com from Bergen to Bodø. Then travel on Hurtigruten from Bodø to Svolvær. Stay over night in Svolvær. Pick up a rental car and spend 2-3 days to get a taste of the area between Svolvær and Å. There are many opportunities for hiking in Lofoten. I expect the tourist information office in Svolvær can provide you with details.
From Svolvær airport you can fly out via Bodø/Tromsø and Oslo.
May 24th, 2011, 09:04 AM
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You might want to read my trip report. Click on my name to find it. We stayed at a B&B which catered to people who wanted to bike ride (free bikes available, I believe) or wanted to go kayaking on the glacial lakes in the mountains. We did none of these things.
