My husband has a conference in Stockholm in late September on a Tues, Wed and Thurs, and I am considering joining him. We are thinking of Sunday to Sunday travel as he has work and we have teens who we don't want to leave with a sitter for too long.<BR><BR>I'm just starting to research this trip and am trying to figure out whether there is time to add another destination. My first choice would be Bergen, Norway. Aside from being a beautiful city (from photos and reading), we'd love to see the fjords.<BR><BR>Looking on the internet, it appears all the fjord trips end in late August, early Sept. Is this because of the weather? What is the weather in Bergen in late Sept?<BR><BR>Is there time to include Norway in the trip and is the weather okay there? Should we consider visiting a different city, like Oslo or Copenhagen for a couple of days? Or should we just stay in Sweden with a day trip or two from Stockholm? (We always like seeing the country side as well as cities when we travel.)<BR><BR>Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Lisa-You're in for a wonderful experience if you visit scenic Norway. I might suggest looking into the Norway in a Nutshell tour (includes an incredible trip thru fjord country via trains/boats), which is available year-round. The Flamsbana railway is something to experience. I believe their website is www.flamsbana.com or www.flamsbana.no. Also, you can get ticket information for the trip by looking at www.nsb.no (Norwegian State Railroad website), which is quite detailed. Oslo is a beautiful city-a mix of old and new Europe. Bergen has a whole different feel-the city is literally set into the mountainside, and sprawls to the sea. If you decide to travel to Norway, a fjord trip will be unforgetable. ENJOY !

Lisa, Debbie is right. Norway in a Nutshell would be great, but with just one week (and Stockholm being a very lovely city with much to see) I think it is a bit much. If there is a direct flight Stockholm-Bergen, maybe then. I don´t know about fjord trips ending. Sounds strange, since they do whole one week Hurtigruten cruises even in winter. <BR><BR>Late September the weather is highly unpredictable, but it is so even in July. If the weather is nice, you should take a little cruise in the Archipelago outside Stockholm. Or maybe even a big ferry to &Aring;land islands. The archipelago between Sweden and Finland is beautiful.<BR><BR>Or you could fly for a couple of days to Oslo (or Bergen if there is a flight) or even Copenhagen.

I forgot. Uppsala a little north of Stockholm is an old town, and worth a visit. There is for example an old, impressive cathedral.

Gripsholm Slott is a good day trip from Stockholm. I think there is a boat from the city hall.<BR><BR>Take a ferry to &Aring;land and Finland. The ferries are not expensive, because they earn money from bars, restaurants and duty-free.<BR>www.silja.com (better ships), www.vikingline.se (a little cheaper).<BR><BR>Hurtigruten is running all winter (from Bergen) because it is not only cruise, but local transport for passengers and goods.

It's SCANDINAVIA, please.

Scandinavia...Thanks. Spelling has never been my forte, but I'd better get that one right and fast!<BR><BR>Not yet sure what we will do. I am glad to hear the tours go on through the year. I bet the websites I looked at just had the summer times on them and will be adding more as the year goes on. <BR><BR>I'll do some more research and get back if I have more questions. Any more ideas would be appreciated. Thanks all.

Lisa<BR>Although I agree that Norway is a beautiful place to visit I just don't think you have enough time on either side of the conference arrangements to really be able to appreciate it.<BR>There is so much to see and do in and around Stockholm and Stockholm itself should keep you busy for at least 3 days with it's museums,wonderful old town,castle and cafes and restaurants. In September the weather can often be really good and the summer sun and the warm weather often lasts well into September. Stockholm is surrounded by water and there are thousands of islands in the archipelago and there are plenty of boat trips you can take to explore. At least one boat trip is a must when you visit Stockholm to really appreciate its beauty.There are day trips as well as shorter tours. Many of the islands have restaurants and bars with great seaviews and scenery.<BR><BR>If just staying in Stockholm isn't enough you can easily pick up a car and drive for instance to Uppsala which is an old university town with beautiful buildings and a wonderful cathedral.<BR>I saw someone mentioning Gripsholms Castle in another post and that is also an excellent choice for a daytrip.<BR>A visit to Drottningholm Castle just on the outskirts of Stockholm should not be missed either. This is where the royal family lives these days and it's well worth at least half a day. There are special boat tours that will take you there and back.<BR><BR>

This is my plan for a vacation Itinerary: <BR>Leave for Stockholm on September 27; Arrive in September 28; <BR>Spend 5 nights in Stockholm to get over the jet lag and relax; <BR>Take a train to Oslo early Thursday morning 4.5 hours; <BR>Spend 2 ? 3 days Oslo Spend 2 ? 3 days seeing the Fjords.  Train to copenhagen <BR>Spend 5 days in Copenhagen.<BR>DOES THIS SEEM LIKE to much time in the cities?