My husband and I and our four-year old daughter have four days and four nights in Norway. We are struggling with what are the priorities to see. Three of those four days we have a car and would like to drive the fjords. Then we have to return to Oslo to fly to Germany. We assume we need one day for Oslo. The question after that is should we do a loop through the fjords for three days and return to Oslo, or should we try to get to Bergen on the third day of car, drop the car there, and night train back to Oslo? WE add a lot of expense if we include Bergen because of buying a train ticket back for the three of us, plus dropping our car off there will add a "drop fee" to our rental car agreement. We are willing to pay those costs if Bergen is a "must see". Any suggestions by anyone? Thank you.

Auto europe have a rental office in Voss - you could take a rountrip from there to Flam and around the fjords. The train is the most economical way for only a couple of people. So you can get there part of the way, then rent for a shorter driving time.

We were in Norway last summer. We saw the fjords, Flam, Voss etc. We did not go to Oslo. I would have to say Bergen was delightful and I am glad to have been there. It was very charming and I will never forget the HUGE fish market. But, it was the only "real" city we saw in Norway, so I have nothing to compare it to.

Diana, if this is your only trip to Norway, then Bergen is definitely worth it and although I can't give you ways to do it,it's also possible. We just returned from a Scandinavian trip and travelled with a tour which always takes more time schlepping everyone on and off the ferrys and buses. We enjoyed Oslo a lot particularly the Vigeland Sculpture Park, and the Viking Museum. There are many other museums to choose from, like the Folk museum, the Kon-tiki, (these involve a short pleasant ferry ride and a walk up a long hill), Edvard Munch, etc. etc. Plan carefully. I'm sure you have run across the Norway in a Nutshell package which can be run several different ways, an excellent experience. Very crowded 2 wks. ago. Don't know if reservations are necessary but would check into it. Judy

Judy: Just curious, did you travel with Grand European Tours? And if so, did you enjoy your trip? Any suggestions before I depart on my tour later next month?

If you like travelling by car you could take this route from Oslo:<BR><BR>1. RV7 to Geilo-Eidfjord then a side trip to Ulvik and on to Voss and Stalheim, stay at Stalheim hotel<BR>http://www.stalheim.com/engelsk/index.htm<BR>(You could take the direct route from Eidford to Bergen if Bergen is a must, maybe a sidetrip to Jondal, but stay the nigt somewhere along the route and drive to Stalheim the following night)<BR><BR>2. From Stalheim drive to Flom and on to Aurland. In Aurland I would not take the 12 mile tunnel to Laerdal, but drive the old narrow route (with a great view) from town centre.<BR>From Laerdal take the ferry on to Sogndal and drive up the Lustrafjord to Boverdalen stay at Roisheim 16-century farm. <BR>http://www.roisheim.no/ -The site is in Norwegian, but look at the pictures..<BR>(If you have used an extra day in the Bergen area you could also take the direct route on from Laerdal up Fillefjell-Fagernes-Oslo. Stalheim-Oslo would take 1 full day)<BR><BR>3. Drive to Lom and on to Oslo. Stop at Lillehammer and walk the main street. <BR><BR>Do check out the site of 'Fjord Norway' <BR>http://www.fjordnorway.com/cgi-bin/fjordnorge/imaker?sub=1<BR><BR>My spelling is not perfect, but I hope you have a nice trip

The full tour of the fjords:<BR><BR>2-4 days. Approx. 1,000 kilometres. 3-4 ferries. Route: Oslo - Lillehammer - Domb&aring;s - &Aring;ndalsnes - Valldal - Geiranger - Stryn (Nordfjord) - Olden -Byrkjelo - Skei - Fj&aelig;rland - Sogndal - Kaupanger - Gudvangen - Bergen. <BR><BR>A classic route through some of the most frequently visited and possibly the most beautiful parts of Fjord Norway. The excursion &Aring;ndalsnes/Valldal/Geiranger will take you through lovely mountainous areas, ending on the &Oslash;rnefjellsvegen road which runs down to Geiranger. <BR>Coming over Strynefjellet, you will descend into Stryn and the lush countryside of J&oslash;lster and Sognefjord.

I think I would spend more time in the Eidsfjord/Ulvik area and take the Trolltrain. It could be fun for both you and your daughter. The trolltrain stops running at end of touristseason.<BR><BR>The trolltrain:<BR>http://www.trolltoget.no/engelsk/indexe.htm <BR><BR>Info on Hardanger:<BR>http://www.hardanger-fjord.com/<BR>

Gina, we travelled with Smartours, which we really enjoyed, but I remember in my research how similar they were. If there are any questions I can help you with, I would be happy to. I can't remember how much free time you have with your co. Judy

Judy: Were there any really winding roads or treachorus hilly drives? My travel partner hates such drives, so I just am trying to decide if he'll need lots of ginger capsules to make it through the tour? <BR><BR>Any favorite highlights from your tour? Anything that would fall under a "must see" that you did on your own? Any favorite restaurants along the way? <BR><BR>Thanks for any tips!

Dear Diana,<BR>My wife, son, and I travelled through Norway two summers ago, but spent about 10 days in Norway. We drove everywhere and the biggest surprise was how long it took to get places because of the small, winding roads and the lenght of time it took to go over and down the mountains. I would suggest driving to Bergen and taking one of the great boat tours from Bergen through the fjords. Spend a couple of days in Bergen and then drive back via Flam and spend one night there and take the Flam train to the top of the mountain. It is a great adventure and driving is not bad. Just expect the driving to take MUCH longer than you expect. In Oslo, you must see the Vigland sculpture garden and if you have time take the trolley to the ski lift for a thrilling view of the city.<BR>Dan

Any good, inexpensive restaurants in Oslo? Or the Bergen area?

Thank you all so much for the great information and suggestions! It is very helpful to us with our plans.

Gina, the only roads that bothered me were:1. on the return from an opt. trip to the Jodestal? glacier over an endless # of hairpin curves on the open side of the mountain, never with a railing of course. I just closed my eyes for the worst part. But of course the scenery was spectacular when I opened them! I have a problem with heights. The other place was going up the steepest part of the mountain to Stallheim ? which is part of Norway in a Nutsell(don't miss it!) on a curve when a car wouldn't back up the mountain and our bus couldn't make the curve without having the full width of the narrow road. The BUS STALLED!! Even the guides gasped but of course eventually the bus restarted and proceeded after the car backed up. At the top we saw an SUV pulling a small RV. I can't imagine what they would do if encountering a bus!<BR> Loved the glacier tour and museum! VIgeland sculpture park in Oslo was a definite highlight as was the VASA museum in Stockholm and the Fredicksborg Castle which is really a national museum in Denmark. Just walking around the various centers esp. Bergen was fun (take the funicular by the way). Judy

Realising I havent driven the southern part of the fjords for quite some time I just have to do it in the near future.<BR><BR>In the Lusterfjord one could drive into the Jostedal valley and take a cruise on the lake to the Nigar-glacier.<BR>http://www.lustertourist.com/<BR><BR>Driving advice: It does take longer than you think driving in Norway, and there are many winding roads. However there are often a new road in a tunell and an old road with great view. This goes for Stalheim and the snowroad from Aurland. Do use low gears and do not use the beaks too much driving steep hills. Be on the lookout on narrow roads it is better to stop one time to many. Traffic is generally friendly and it is not as difficult as it sounds.<BR> <BR>Ps. I usually go to the northern part of the fjords on hollidays. Oslo-Sogndal-Jolster-Olden-Stryn-Geiranger-Valldal-Aalesund. I really enjoy the green-grey waters of the Olden valley and the art nouveau city Aalesund.<BR>http://www.alesundinfo.no/en/<BR><BR>I rent small cabins for the night as is usual for the majority of Norwegians. It is perfectly safe, but the beds are not that good and just a few have toilets and showers, you have to book especially or you have to go to a nearby building. It is cheaper however and a part of the charm. Call the tourist office in the area and they will help you.<BR><BR>Doing everything from Bergen to Aalesund might well be overkill. <BR><BR>