I will be visiting Norway for 9 days in August. I will be travelling with a 9 yr old and 11 yr old. We will arrive in Oslo by plane, then I would like to travel by train to a location from which we could visit the fjords and mountains. Would any Norwegians be able to help me? I am considering staying in Voss or Bergen. Would either of these be a good central location, as I don't want to travel around with children? I would like to rent an apartment for one week, or possibly stay in a Youth Hostel. Also I think I will need to stay in Oslo for one night on the way in and the way out, any suggestions regarding access to the airport or railway station?<BR>Any help would be greatly appreciated.<BR>

I am sick of e-mail addresses that do not work - hence I sent a test one and thought yours was OK. It still came back with dire messages about fatal errors!<BR>I am not Norwegian [not really my fault!] but I have written a fair bit about it - some with pictures. I think Fl&aring;m might be a good place to stay - do come again if you want to discuss it.<BR>If you would be interested in receiving some of my notes and seeing some stuff I have done with photos, e-mail me and I will send you the URL. Incidentally I should love to go to Oslo with my grandchildren - I can think of few places they would enjoy more.<BR>---<BR>

Renting a cabin at a campground is often much more fun for kids than a hostel. Much of my holidays as a child was spent in cabins, a couple of days in each while sightseeing the fjords. Most Norwegians do. It is also possible to rent for a week. Having a car is often nice though.<BR>www.camping.no<BR>www.nafcamp.com<BR><B R>Voss has an inland feel to it but are surrounded by fjords. It is a hub for train and busses going on daytrips or going to Bergen if need for a city break. Check out Mjolfjell hostel. There is a train station at Mjolfjell, but it is a bit north of Voss. www.mjolfjell.no<BR><BR>If staying in Bergen, Gronnestolen might be a good location, if not staying in city centre home.c2i.net/no17 or the hostel www.montana.no<BR><BR>Stryn are further north and in the midst of some of the most majestic fords. Glaciers are nearby and you can go to Geiranger, Summerskiing… The town is easily reached by express bus (nordfjordekspressen) from Oslo. www.nsbillag.no<BR><BR>Another option is going for a farm holiday or perhaps visiting Langedrag with horses, goats, wolves and lynx, made known thru a television series. www.numedal.net/ekt-langedrag <BR>I talked to some who have stayed at another mountain farm for a week with her 10 year old daughter. They had a fabulous stay and learned how to milk a goat, make cheese and bake bread the old way. www.ulsaakstolen.com , the site is in Norwegian only but if you want click away and look at the pictures. <BR>

When you narrow down to an area, contact the local tourist office. They will help you find good accommodation, private or otherwise and they have local knowledge. I can help you with mailing addresses if you want. You have to specify having a car or not, wanting a playground nearby? Close to the lake/sea? Where, it depends on what you want to do?

Thank you so much for your help so far. I am looking into the camping cabins.

This site can be of help also. There are often a homepage connected to each. If not probably an E-mail adress. <BR>www.noreg.as/accommodation/<BR>

I have always wanted to go to Norway and Sweden but have been afraid it would be to expensive for a family trip for 5.Is it possible to make this a reasonably priced trip by staying at B&amp;B's and farms? Has anyone done this with a family? Would prefer more time in the bergen, fjord, and mountain area rather than Oslo. Is it possible to find reasonably priced food and drink?

Camping cabins is the cheapest way to go, very safe, and many are of high standard (often depending on it having a bathroom or not). Not all are connected to a camping facility, you can find very quiet places to. In Norway cabins are often rented on a day to day basis and they are everywhere, holiday homes often on a weekly basis. In Sweden cabins are mostly rented on a weekly basis. Campgrounds are often closed in winter due to cold climate. Family hostels are also affordable. Bathrooms in the hall, but you can close the door. Private accommodation is best found thru local tourist offices.<BR>Gas and Car-rental is expensive. Dining out likewise, be prepared to make piqunice baskets and prepare your own food in the cabin. Chain-based grocery shops is your best bet, but more pricey than youre used to. For drinking, tap water is tasteful and cheap. You can add some orange syrup. Milk is also nice. You can forget about drinking beer and wine if wanting to hold costs down. Cabins are very popular with Germans and Swedes bringing the food/beer with them. <BR>

There are some roadside cafes that offer dinner, like www.bytheway.no, not cheap, but less expensive than restaurants. <BR>About cabins/hostels. They have foam mattresses, not spring mattresses. You also have to buy/rent bed linen.<BR>