Hello,<BR><BR>My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a trip to Scandinavia (August timeframe). We often plan our trips around special loding or dining experiences. <BR>- Can you suggest some special places to stay and rough cost/night in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and/or Finland? (I usually stay in the $125-$225/night range, but am certainly interested in places above or below that range) <BR>- Similarly, could you suggest restaurants that you especially liked or were special because of their uniqueness, ambience or view/location? Both "run of the mill" (maybe $20-$40/person) and "splurge" places are of interest. (While we eat almost anything, suggestions on unique vegetarian, kosher, "local specialty" restaurants are especially welcomed). <BR><BR>Thank you for your help and interest.<BR><BR>Robert<BR>

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One of the highlights of all the years I have travelled including 9 trips to the States,6 to India and about 10 to Scandinavia is the overnight voyage from Stockholm to Turku in Finland.The formal cold buffet on the ship(Silja line on the last occasion)has no equals but it is coupled with sunset over the Stockholm archipelago which you can see out of the restaurant windows.There was a choir travelling last time which burst into song in the restaurant.It had that effect on me too!<BR>We had booked the crossing and berths many months before and even then had not been able to get our first choice of cabin.We had hoped to upgrade on the ship but it was impossible.We were travelling high Summer-end of July.<BR>This is memorable for the food,and location .

If you don't take the cruise mentioned above... find out when the Operkalleran(sp?) in Stockholm offers its smorgasboard. Expensive... but!<BR>If you are in Denmark, get local advice on where to have open face sandwiches for lunch. I'd go back to Denmark just for that!

"Gitte Kik" is t h e place for open sandwiches in Copenhagen<BR>Bjorn

I recently cited www.historichotels.no - - based on experiences from my mother on a trip I helped her plan in 1998 - - and then someone came along and cited http://www.countrysidehotels.se - - which was also one of the fabulous resources we (she) used - - and greatly enjoyed - - in particular #27 on their website - - Hennickehammars Herrg&aring;rd<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

If you go to Bergen (west coast of Norway) the Skansen Hotel is great--it is located just off the town center, has wonderful views, breakfst, and is in an old house nestled among tiny winding streets--very picturesque!

In Stockholm I loved a hotel called Bern or Berns. I believe the Dalai Lama has stayed there.<BR><BR> Do you know the site Luxurylink.com? You might look there for special possibilities. All their trips are super elegant and it's an auction format.

A highlight of our 2001 trip to Scandinavia was Roishem, a 1500s farm with multiple buildins about seven miles west of Lom in Norway. The site is beautiful with many authentic buildings. The rooms are spartin, but appropriately decorated. The big comfortors are welcome at this high alttitude. The main house has many rooms with antiques everywhere. The dinning room is charming. You are assigned a table at your first seating and that remains your table for the duration of your stay. The site is known throughout Scandinavia for its outstanding kitchen; truly remarkable cuisine. You won't find many English speaking guests (at least we didn't) and the English of the owner and staff is halting. When the owner discovered we were Americans, he asked us to translate some menu items from Norwegian to English. He does provide menus in several languages. We loved hiking the area. There are many paths. Horseback riding is available and even a walk along the narrow road (very little traffic) is beautifully scenic and enjoyable. There is a website with pictures, though it is in Norwegian. It does provide phone and fax numbers. Click on each of the headings on the left side of the home page and you will get additional pictures. The address on the site is just Roishem, but a good search engine (google) will find it easily. By the way, Lom is on the way from Oslo/Lillehammer to the fjords which is a fantastic auto trip.

Thank you for all of your suggestions to date. Rex, I have seen the countryside and historichotels brochures and web sites. I will check that one in particular out.<BR><BR>Again, new suggestions are always welcome but I am grateful for those I have received.<BR><BR>Robert

You're welcome.<BR>