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Norway Itinerary Opinion/Suggestion Please

Message: Am in early planning stages of trip to Norway in June 2003. Planning to fly from Canada to Minneapolis US and then to Oslo with stopover in Amsterdam Preliminary itinerary: 4 days Amsterdam - which side trips recommended? 2 Oslo 1 Norway in Nutshell with stopover (?) 3 Bergen - high speed ferry to Stavenger 1 Stavenger 2 Flekkefjord - or somewhere close in Southern part. 1 Oslo Am interested in the Southern part of Norway near Flekkefjord, Kvinlog as this is the area my ancestors came from. Also interested in traveling via ferry and bus. Any suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Stavenger- around the South of Norway - back up to Oslo. Looks possible via bus but cannot locate a price ? Also rental car - perhaps pick up in Stavanger for a few days and return - or keep car and return in Oslo? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hi connie - you have too much time in the cities, i think - three days each in oslo and bergen when one or two would do. those cities are fine, but the spectacular mountains and fjords are the prime attraction. perhaps you might reduce the time you spend in oslo and bergen and take in more of the countryside - the troll road from andalsnes to geiranger, geirangerfjord, sognefjord, the borgund stave church, jostadalbreen. also, the coastal road around alesund is supposed to be great, though i've never been. rental car seems to me to be the ideal way to see it all. the roads are well maintained and uncrowded - though sometimes narrow and usually just two lanes - and the views tremendous. in fact, norway in a nutshell was something of a letdown at the end of our trip after all we'd seen from the road and ferries. have fun.

A rental is always the best, but definitely not the cheapest. (and everything in Scandanavia is more expensive) Almost always dropping off/picking up in the same city is best so if Connie can afford it then either Stavanger or Kristiansand might be best. To answer one unanswered question - the way from Stavanger to Oslo is probably via train, the route is through Kristiansand. So up through Flam to Geiranger and back around to Bergen and to Stavanger and south to the ancestor towns might be the route. But if this isn't in the budget then the Nutshell program via train and bus is probably fine, and yes, a little more time that might include Geiranger or north of Flam is probably a good idea. (dropping 1 day either from Bergen, or more likely Amsterdam is in order) There the car would be good for the part after Stavanger so you can see the specific areas around your ancestors. For Amsterdam, I would suggest number one day trip be Belgium, either Brugges or Brussels. I don't know that you can realistically do both as a day trip. But even an overnight in one might get you both. Shorter day trips from Amsterdam might be to Delft or the touristy Volendam/Marken.

My e-mail does not want to send you some copies of my notes. If you e-mail me I shalll attach them to reply.

Thanks for your input. Back to the drawing board. I will have to do more research, reference the troll road, geirangefjord, and jostadalbreen, etc. Also any suggestions reference tips for reducing costs. I want to get as many days there as possible (before going broke).

A day-trip from Amsterdam to Belgium, as Geoff suggests, is do-able but NOT enjoyable. There are many things to do in and around Amsterdam to keep you busy for 4 days. Rent a bicycle and tour around in the rural areas close to the city, visit Haarlem, Delft, The Hague (Den Haag), Utrecht or Rotterdam (easy day trips, less than an hour on frequent train), or visit National Park De Hoge Veluwe and the Kroller Muller Museum. (www.kmm.nl)

As your ancestors are from Kvinesdal north of Flekkefjord I would use most of my time in soutern Norway, 2 days In Oslo might be OK, do the Norway in a Nutshell and use 1 full day in Bergen. Take the high speed ferry to Stavanger. In Stavanger make sure to make a sidetrip to Prekestolen it is doable by ferry-bus (I did so) and take a hike to the famous mountain. It does take a few hours walking, but is really rewarding the view is fab. It was a highlight of my trip that year. It is really easy to get in contact with people as they struggle getting there. It is one of Norway’s most popular places but wear trainer and not high heals as some Estonian’s we ran into. From Stavanger I would drive the north sea road - http://www.nordsjovegen.no/ - with wonderful beaches in Jaeren through Jossingfjord and Ana-sira (steep hills) on your way to Flekkefjord. Flekkefjord is a wonderful small town but really not much to do, but the hotel is nice I would stay there for one night. The north sea road also goes to Kvinesdal, Lista and ends in Kristiansand. Return the car in Kristiansand. You could also take the bus with Norway bussexpress . Phone: +47 815 44 444 or e-mail: [email protected] Stavanger – Flekkefjord 190 NOK Flekkefjord – Kristiansand 190 NOK Stavanger –Flekkefjord-Kristiansand 340 NOK and rent a car in either Flekkefjord or Kristiansand. In Kristiansand: If money is an issue stay at the Scandic hotel across from the railway station. It is not the best but I found it the cheapest at my resent stay. It does not have any view to speak of, but it is quiet and on the main shopping street. I really do like Kristiansand and I would rather use some extra days there. Take the bus to Lillesand and take the small local Island boat “M/S Oya” back to Kristiansand or the other way around, if I recall the boat runs from the end of june to the first weekend of August and leave Lillesand at 10 am and the return in Kristiansand at 14 pm. You could go both ways, but it is much better taking the bus to/from, it is not far by road. The boat takes you to some of the nicest areas in the south, and at the same time brings the mail to the Islands (from Lillesand) and you get to see more than the usual city cruises. The coast is full of life and boatlife as it has summerhouses all over but it costs a fortune to bay one of them. You could also go to the Zoo (bus from city-center). http://www.sorlandet.com/nyweb/main.asp For return to Oslo take the morning train and use what little time left before the plane leaves or go straight to the airport. This is my view and I my self have done all of it :o)

Thank you for the very helpful info Helen. Your suggestions seem to fit into my planning perfectly. I am planning early so length of stay is flexible (depending on budget). Would also be interested in hearing more about accommodations and restaurants that you could recommend.

Here are my small contribution on hotel and restaurants. Some will of course not agree, and there are better hotels and restaurants, but this is my choice based on my average wallet. Kristiansand: I an old friend of mine recommended an absolutely charming independent Hotel Sjoglott. It is probably the smallest, homeliest and most affordable hotel in Kristiansand and is located by the private harbour in a protected/listed area of the city centre. http://www.sjoglott.no/ My pick of restaurants: ‘Amigos’, Good Mexican food and large portions. ‘Phileas Fogg’, International food, very good loaded potato skins and other specialties – something for everyone, one of my favourite. ‘Sjohuset fish restaurant’ by the sea, a bit pricey but I remember doing the lunch menu. Try the Lofoten fish soup; it is very creamy with fish and mussels, and very Norwegian just as my grandmother makes it. I could not move for hours... (The Bergen fish soup was not that good, too many carrots for my taste.) Beware, in the beginning of July there is an annual pop-rock music festival going in Kristiansand and it is not easy getting a hotel room. Flekkefjord: If you have the time, take a trip to the lovely Hidra Island outside Flekkefjord. The small communities are very picturesque and as South Norwegian as it gets. I do remember eating at a small diner not far from the bridge and next to the water. I remember ropes and old books on shelves but not any name, it is not many restaurants to choose from. It is just a matter of what price range you want. Stavanger: We stayed at Skagen Hotel and Guesthouse in downtown and I like small inexpensive and independent hotels, but it is confusing with all hotel passes in summer and I do not know what suits you. The city has many restaurants that it is really not fair to choose, but I remember shearing a great pizza at ‘Dolly Dimples’. Bergen: I have only stayed at Skansen pension and loved it. If you do decide to stay there you have to book early, as it is very popular. http://www.skansen-pensjonat.no/ I dined at restaurant on Bryggen, but for lunch we made our own picnic basket with scrimps from the fish marked and bread from a local bakery and went up to the Fløybanen Funicular gazing at the view. The weather was good that day. The day we left it pored down as it was supposed to. Oslo: I live in Oslo, and there is every kind of restaurants available, Chinese is always a money saver. Restaurants I keep coming back to: Drammensveien 20, Between the National Theatre and The American Embassy: Café Frölich, International – the menu of the day are often very good and affordable Al Chouf, Lebanese – sometimes belly dancing Aker Brygge: Cactus, Mexican restaurant Agra Indian Tandoori & Balti Restaurant, wonderful Big Horn Steak House, Tenderloin – Pomes Noisette – Corn – Bearnaise, Yum… Keysersgate 4, by the governmental buildings, might be difficult to find: Ciao Ciao Ristorante, Italian – you feel at home Dronning Mauds gate 1–3, towards Aker Brygge: Coco Vika, sushi and international

Correction on Drammensveien 20, it is actually just past the US embassy with number 18. Sorry

Lysefjorden is a fjord as good as any Norwegian fjord. You have got the Pulpit Rock and the Kjerag. Kjerag is known for the many deaths made by base jumpers taking too great a risk. When in the area take a hike to the Rock or take a cruise on the Lysefjord, perhaps with a mountain crossing. I stayed at the Prekestolen mountain cabin, not having to rush to the top. I would not go if it were raining heavily, it would become slippery. A private and non-commercial page with info on Lysefjorden and Prekestolen: http://www.subtech.no/RogBase/forsand.htm By boat and bus to the Pulpit rock http://www.rkt.no/preikestolen.pdf (a safe page from the bus company) One could consider renting a small car for the day, it is not economic, but you do not have any time pressure: Ferry Oanes – Lauvvik: 43 NOK ekstra passengers 18 NOK http://www.rogtraf.no/mai2002/oanes-lauv-oanes.gif Ferry Stavanger – Tau: 91 NOK ekstra passengers 30 NOK http://www.rogtraf.no/mai2002/stv-tau-stv.gif I have used much too many links in my messages. It will have to stop, making an excuse to anyone finding it annoying.

Thanks again everyone for your input. Helen, I really appreciate your info. I am sure I will have a few more questions one flights, etc are booked. Could you please help with car rental info. Trying to do a little research on-line but find many of the web sites are in Norwegian only. Looking for price for rental in Stavangar, or Flekkefjord for ? 1-3 days (whatever may be most economical)

I have really no experience renting cars in Norway as I have my own. Car rental is really expensive in Norway. There might be some special summer or weekend offer, but not with free mileage. Some offices are just open business hours and are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Budget or Hertz, have offices in Stavanger. I thought Hertz had an office in Flekkefjord, but it seems it has shut down. Avis has office in both Stavanger and Flekkefjord and there are no extra drop fees between the two offices as they are in the same county, but Avis is the most expensive alternative I think. Many minor car rental agencies have an office in Oslo only. Try to repost under Norway to get answers from someone living in the area. Have to run as I am heading up to the Rondane mountains for a nice outdoor tour with some friends.