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-   -   One week trip in early May in the fjords region in Norway (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/one-week-trip-in-early-may-in-the-fjords-region-in-norway-1099348/)

Kamal159 Apr 28th, 2016 07:04 AM

One week trip in early May in the fjords region in Norway
 
ello everyone.

I know it's a bit last-minute, but we're considering to visit the Fjords region between the dates May 8-15. Arrival and departure will be from Oslo.

I already asked about the weather conditions and April, and now we moved our plans to early May.

We're looking for a very "quiet" trip, with focus on countryside, fjords, and since it's only a week, to skip Oslo or other cities.

We really like driving around on scenic routes and stay in beautiful landscape, but knowing the distances between cities and sites in Norway in our limited time (one week), I am considering a few options:

1) hire a car in Oslo and begin a road trip to the fjords region around Bergen and back to Oslo

2) travel to Bergen by train, hire a car in Bergen and do a road trip from there, and then back to Oslo by train

3) chose one of the organized tours like "Norway in a Nutshell", although we prefer not to travel in groups.

I would be grateful if you could advise this about this, and what you think would be the best option.

I've been following the weather forecast lately, and I'm also interested in your impressions on the expected weather conditions this year in early May.

Thanks in advance!!

DebitNM Apr 28th, 2016 07:18 AM

Norway in a Nutshell is not an organized tour; it is done basically on your own. There are several suggested routes:
https://www.fjordtours.com/journeys-in-norway/

We drove from Oslo to Voss, did The Flåm Railway, went on boat on Aurlandsfjord.

We were only there 3 nights so we had limited time for activities.
You can make the trips as long or short as you like.

Kamal159 Apr 28th, 2016 08:12 AM

Thank you.
Did you do it by train or by car?
Any other advices ???

DebitNM Apr 28th, 2016 08:21 AM

We drove to Voss. We took the train from Voss to Myrdal and then the Flåm Railway to Aurlands. We then took a bus back to Voss.

We did this route:

https://www.fjordtours.com/journeys-...fjellet-route/

DebitNM Apr 28th, 2016 08:27 AM

Read through some of these:

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...+in+a+nutshell

Kamal159 Apr 28th, 2016 08:28 AM

Thanks, I figured it was that itinerary.

In what time of the year did you go?

DebitNM Apr 28th, 2016 08:45 AM

Late April, 2011. Lots of snow still around but it was an amazing adventure.

Kamal159 Apr 29th, 2016 01:06 AM

Thank you.
I understand Norway in a Nutshell isn't a group tour, basically you get tickets to various sites.

Is this the route you've done?
https://goo.gl/maps/PfZAzP4yDwM2

It looks as an excellent start for our tour. We might arrive at 4:00 PM to Oslo, maybe we can drive until close to Voss and do the Flam Railway in the morning.

Any suggestions for more places to visit in a one week trip??

Thanks

Kamal159 May 2nd, 2016 12:30 PM

Thanks again for all the replies.

after more reviews and more thinking, here's a preliminary itinerary for our road trip. We now plan to take a plane back from Bergen to Oslo to save some time.

DAY 1 - land in OSLO around 17:00, pick up car and drive to Lillehammer for the night

DAY 2&3 - drive and 2 nights stay in Alesund - through E6, E136 , E39. We would love to drive through Trollstigen E63, but I don't think it's open yet. Can we reach at least the viewpoint?
During these days we plan to visit Geirangerfjord

Day 4 - travel south towards Bergen, possible visiting Jostedal glacier, drive through Ornesvingen Stryn, Jolster.
Night stay in a place between Alesund and Bergen - any particular suggestions?

Day 5&6 - drive and 2 nights stay in Bergen. drive through Likholfossen, Laerdal tunnel, Stegastein, and the to Bergen.
Visit Flam during the stay in Bergen.

Day 7 - early flight from Bergen to Oslo and from there back home.

- Do you think this is a good plan? Are we missing something important, or maybe we should skip something in the route?
- What places should we visit in the 2 nights stays in Ausland and Bergen?
- Where should we stay while driving south towards Bergen?

Looking forward to hearing any suggestions and advice!

menachem May 3rd, 2016 10:16 PM

I don't think Trollstigen will be open, even in early May. You may be lucky, but you probably won't be. However, that's easy enough to decide once you're there.

I like Bergen very much. Because of all the oil revenues it's a small, but rich city, with a rich city's culture. Lots to see and do there.

Kamal159 May 4th, 2016 02:36 PM

Thanks.

What about the last 3 days? do you suggest to stay all the time in the Bergen region and travel from there?
One day drive from Alesund to Bergen might be difficult.


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