Scandinavian countries first time
 

Need help for itineray in scandinavian countries between August 13 and 23 . What to visit? What cities?lakes? Beautiful sceneries. What not not to miss?.

That's a big question. You want an itinerary planned to include the highlights of Scandinavia plus Finland for a 10 day stay this month?

Yes, i may not include finland. As you said just the highlights, and yes it's for this month. I know I' m late and your help is very much appreciated. I heard stockholm is a must see, the fjords and bergen in Norway.
I have no idea where to go first and how "to move" not to waste time.

Thanks a lot

Why did you choose Scandinavia? Have you read anything about it? you must have some idea surely of what you want to see in these countries?
Get online and do some searching, decide what you would like to see then maybe come back for more help. We can't tell you what you should see since we don't know what appeals to you.

By leaving it so late you will have missed out on cheap train fares, and cheap airfares, making what are already an expensive group of countries even more so. Hotels/hostels could also be tricky.
How big, or small is your budget?

Stockholm is a must see IMO as is a boat trip around the archipelago, you can also do a ferry trip Stockholm to Helsinki, either way it is a highlight.
Copenhagen is also a must see, 2-3 nights is all you need. I have never been to Norway but friends have just come back from a cruise around the fjords Flåm/Bergen and the photos are stunning, I would say that is a must see too.
Good news is the summer holidays are almost over for Scandinavians with many going back to work early August. I'm also not a big planner and leave things to the last minute but that might mean you might not get bargain air or train fares, hotels should be OK.

Doesn't help that holidays are over for Scandinavians, you won't meet them in the spots where foreign tourists head, they'll be full of Germans, French, Asians, Americans etc. who have their main holidays in August. In August tourists will be competing with Scandinavian business travellers for accommodation in cities. Better get you plans and accommodation sorted out.
Perhaps if you look at a map you'll get the general idea of where cities are and what is the most logical order of vsiting without backtracking. Get an open jaw ticket so that you don't have to return to your start point.
4 countries in 9 days (ignoring arrival and departure days) is pushing it. That's just a couple of days in each capital.

<<you won't meet them in the spots where foreign tourists head>> Of course you will. You don't think Danes go to Sweden or Swedes to Denmark on vacation?

You have only 9 days on the round - and IMHO not really time to see everything - you are going to have to be very selective:

In My trips I found Finland to be kinds of boring - very pretty and clean but not so much to do

Stockholm has by far the most to see and do so I think you need at least 4.5 days there and in the archipelago (5 nights) and I would spend the rest of the time in Copenhagen, which also has a ton to see/do as well and several great day trips.

I would leave Norway (which you really need to see Oslo as well as some time in the fjords and hopefully Bergen) and Finland for another trip.

If you try to squash everything into so few days you will spend a very high percentge of your time in transit rather than seein/doing thing.

Thank you all for your replies

Odin, /hetismij2, dyoll, mytraveler

I do not knw much of the scandinavian countries and this is one of the reasons I' d want to explore this part of Europe.

Here is the itinerary and please correct:

August 13: arrival at copenhagen early in the morning
August 13 & 14: copenhagen tour main sights
August 15: leaving morning to Norway
August 15, 16, 17 & 18 : Norway (I may exclude oslo)
I need your advise on where to stay as a base to tour the fjords and to visit bergen. What else to see??
August 19, 20, 21, 22: Stockholm and archipelago
August 23: departure from Copenhagen.

Please advise on hotels 4****

Look at Scandic Hotel chain for 4* accomodations.

Why are you flying into and out of the same city? Backtracking is a waste of time and probably money.

<I>Please advise on hotels 4****</i>

You are better off stating your budget as some 3 star as the same price as 4 star and vv

Copenhagen 4 star
The Admiral
The Phoenix
The Square
Axel Guldsmeden

Hotel Skt Petri which is 5 star but similar price to 4 star
Marriott

3 star which are also good
Copenhagen Strand

Stockholm 4 star - prices for 4 star vary greatly so a budget would be better
Radisson Blu Waterfront
Mornington Hotel
Marriott Courtyard

Take a look at booking.com as there is alot available.

Have you checked into flying home from Stockholm since that looks like your last city?

I came from US, west coast, flight to Heathrow, to Copenhagen, and last city was Stockholm so flight from Stockholm to Heathrow, to home.

Unless you are saving a fair amount of money, JMHO, flying home from Stockholm would be much easier.

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions. I may change the ticket but it all depends on the airfare.

I still need to figure out what to do in Norway and where to stay in the fjords.

I just love this site with such great fodorites!!!

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I may also need your help again during my stay!!!!

Look at the Norway in a Nutshell route, and stay in Bergen. Plenty of good hotels in Bergen.

You will be taking several trains - excellent trains up here - for lots of good info on them check www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets that are available for early bookers on some lines; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Bergen is a great base for the Norway in a Nutshell extravganza- which can easily be done in a day from Bergen and Bergen or from Bergen to Oslo - a self-directed tour- details:

https://www.norwaynutshell.com/

Take the overnight ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo. Scenic sailing up Oslo fjord, saves a hotel night and a day wasted at airports. When comparing costs with flying don't forget to include airport transfers and the extra hotel night.
Norway in a Nutshell route to Bergen, then fly to Stockholm.

And those ferries have lots of amenities on board - great suggestion from dyoll, as usual.

hetismij2, PalenQ, dyoll
Thank you for informing me about the Nutshell route, the trains, the overnight ferry from copenhagen to oslo!!!
I will definitely follow your advice.

Palenq: i take the opportunity to thank you for planning my swiss trip. We had a wonderful trip!!

thanks, dani!