Please help me choose! Scandinavia trip - May or June 2004?
 

Which two-week period would you choose for a trip to Scandinavia?

1) end of May 2004 - around Memorial Day OR
2) end of June 2004 - around Independence Day

We dont want to come too early in the season when not all of the sights are open. On the other hand, we also don't want to catch the season in full swing (where prices will be higher).

Thanks in advance!

My husband and I spent two weeks in Scandinavia the end of May 2001. We had fantastic weather (only rained one time while we were driving between Copenhagen and the Western Coast of Sweden). The temps were about 65-75 degrees F. No where we went was very crowded and there were no sights that were closed at that time. Several of the countryside inns that we stayed in were downright bargains!! We would absolutely go near the end of May again.

If your trip includes Norway, keep in mind that there are several public holidays in May - Labor Day (May 1),the Constitution Day(May 17) Ascension Day (40 days after Easter) and Whit Monday(8th Monday after Easter). Constitution Day is a big deal - lots of celebrations, most things closed, etc. It would be fun to see. But, whether you want to be there for the holidys, or avoid them - you would want to take holidays into account when planning a trip.

I was in Scandanavia last summer for the last two weeks of June. Even then the weather was mostly in the low 70's some days cooler. Loved those 19 hours of daylight days though. You'd go and go think it was really late and it was only 8:00pm 'cause the sun was still way up in the sky.

From what I read and saw when checking on-line, a lot of the business hotels offer summer discount rates for July & August. I guess it's a slow business time and Scandanavians head south or out into the countryside for their summer school vacation. If you check around July might not be so bad hotel-wise and the weather would probably be warmer.

No matter when you go you should have a great time. I really enjoyed what I was able to see and do.

Thanks for all your replies, dkw, Dlemma and indytravel!

Dlemma, yes we plan to go to Norway too so I appreciate the advice on holidays.

In terms of getting maximum daylight, go for the end of June. But either way will be great.

Hi jmoy,

As a confirmed liberal, I would say the middle of June. :)