Will be doing Norway in a Nutshell in June, and want to stay overnight at the Stalheim. We are starting in Stockholm and will fly to either Oslo or Bergen to begin the tour. Which direction offers the best scenery? Start in Oslo or start in Bergen?

After the tour, we will fly to Frankfurt to go back to the US.

Thanks.

The inner "circle" of the Nutshell definately should be done counterclockwise, i.e. Myrdal-Flam-Gudvangen-Stalheim-Voss. These legs are what the Nutshell journey is all about, and this direction takes you from higher to lower altitudes, meaning that the sights and scenaries will aqppear tremendously more breathtaking than if you do it the opposite way.
Starting from Oslo vs Bergen is just a question of convenience and your additional holiday agenda. From Bergen the transport time to the mountains (Finse/Myrdal) is far shorter than from Oslo, though.
Stalheim is a very, very clever choice for an overnight stay.
Enjoy Norway!!
Bjorn, Oslo

I'm thinking of doing this trip in Aug, can you tell me who are you going to book the trip with? I've seen it on www.fjordtours.no; I don't know how reliable they are. My tentative itinerary is to stay one night in Oslo, 2 nights in Bergen and 1 night in Oslo, any suggestion is welcome.

As a visitor to Norway I must beg to disagree with Bjorn.

I think the bus ride <u>down</u> from Stalheim to Gudvangen is better than going up, and the trip <u>up</u> to Myrdal on the Fl&aring;m Railway is better than going down.

But whatever we might think as individuals the scenery will be great either way round!

Michael

We are not booking the trip in advance. I am flying with a friend that works for Delta. We will fly standby to either Paris, Frankfurt or Copenhagen, depending on which has open seats. Once we arrive in Europe, we will book a flight to Norway and book the N in a N tour just one day in advance. Hope it will not be a problem in June. Either way, it will be a travel adventure!

I will not start a big argue, Michael. But I beleive we can agree on sitting on the right hand side upwards the Stalheim hair-pins and on the left hand side when going downwards is perfect.

Timing is important. To my opinion the ferry from Flam at 3 that reaches Gudvangen at five in the afternoon also is perfect.

Bjorn, Oslo

Bjorn,

Each time we have done the trip we have managed to get the front (right) seat on the bus from Voss so the view ahead is great. But you do need strong nerves going down, especially watching the door steps nearly brushing the wall.

We have also been going Bergen -&gt; Bergen. Getting the train leaving about 0830 means the return from Myrdal has the comfort of an express. You also get back into Bergen quite early, other options mean a later arrival back in Bergen so most of the evening has gone. Of course I don't know what the timetable is now.

Ha det,

Michael