jules2_1

Hi,
I'll be going to Scandinavia in mid May and flying in and out of Oslo. I wanted to get some suggestions on two itineraries.

Itinerary 1
Oslo (3 nights)
Train from Oslo to Bergen vis Norway in a nutshell
Bergen (3 nights)
Fly to Bodo then Ferry to Lofoten Islands
Lofoten Islands (3 nights)
Fly Lofoten to Stockholm
Stockholm (3 nights)
Train to Copenhagen
Copenhagen (3 nights)
Fly or train back to Oslo

Itinerary 2
Oslo (2-3 nights)
Night Ferry to Copenhagen
Copenhagen (3 nights)
Train to Stockholm
Stockholm (3 nights)
Night train to Narvik
Drive to Lofoten Islands
Lofoten (3 nights)
Fly Lofoten to Bergen
Bergen (3 nights)
Day trip Norway in a Nutshell
Fly Bergen to Oslo

Any suggestions on day trips in Copenhagen and Stockholm?

I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Thanks,
Julie

Bamaman

Many take the night cruise/ferry from Stockholm over to Helsinki. They'll stay a day and catch a night cruise/ferry back to Stockholm.

This is a very popular European excursion, and it's relatively inexpensive for such an expensive region to travel in.

Michael

Instead of flying from Bergen to Olso, just do the NIN while going from Bergen to Oslo.

Cranachin

<b>Whatever you do, make sure you are in Norway on May 17!!</b>

That is their national holiday, Constitution Day, and this year is especially significant because it is the Bicentennial.

Every city and town has a colorful children's parade (usually in the morning), with lots of flag waving and children marching with their school classes. There are also marching bands, and often participants wear their national costumes. The russ (students in the last year of secondary school, wearing red or blue coveralls and perhaps making mischief) might be part of the children's parade, or they might have a separate parade later.

There often are parades for workers or for the public at large in the afternoon, and anyone is free to join in the latter.

You'll find lots of picnic food to celebrate with, such as <i>pølser</i> (Norwegian-style hot dogs) and ice cream.

The biggest parades and celebrations are in the large cities, but even the smallest hamlet will have a celebration of some kind. If you are in Oslo, maybe you can join the procession and march by the palace, waving at the Royal Family (who will be waving back).

kja

For a day trip from Copenhagen, consider Roskilde.

For a day trip from Stockholm, consider Uppsala and/or half day cruise through the archipelago.

You may want an extra day in each of those cities if you plan on a day trip from each.

jules2_1

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We are planning on attending Flag Day in Oslo. I was there about 12 years ago and it was a great experience. I'm taking my niece this time who's very excited. Can anyone join in on the procession or do you need to sign up to participate? Do you know where it start?

Cranachin

jules2_1,

Although flags are in abundance, the holiday is not Flag Day. It is Constitution Day (Grunnlovsdagen), or more colloquially simply Syttende Mai (pronounced roughly SOOT-en-uh MY) = "the Seventeenth of May" (much as Americans often call Independence Day simply "the Fourth of July").

Here is the route of the Oslo Children's Parade:

Parade route
The children's parade starts at Festningsplassen and Youngstorget, enters the main street Karl Johans gate at Stortorvet by Oslo Cathedral, passes the Parliament and the Royal Palace and ends up at the City Hall square. Best view: along Karl Johans gate and in front of the Royal Palace. (http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=14791)

The Children's Parade is for schoolchildren. The entire school marches together. I think if you want to join the parade you just tag on to the end of it.

jules2_1

Thanks Cranchin. Do you have any accommodation suggestions in Oslo?

Cranachin

Jules, unfortunately I don't. I have stayed with friends when I visited. Maybe others will have recommendations.

Michael

I mention where I stayed in Oslo in my trip report; click on my name to find it.

DebitNM

We stayed here while in Oslo. Clean, reasonably priced-

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-oslo-norway-NO104

DebitNM

Not a true "day trip" but a lovely way to spend a day in Stockholm is at Djurgården

Guenmai

I'd take a day off of Bergen and put it on Copenhagen and then take a day trip to Helsingør.

Happy Travels!