Hi, <BR>My husband and I are visiting sweden in March for two weeks. We're from India where the temperature ranges between 10 degree celsius in winter (one month) to 40 degrees in summer. Would like to visit Norway, Denmark and Finland as well. Could anyone pl.tell us how to go about it? We're budget travellers. Finland first, or Norway? By the way do they drive on the left side of the road or the right in Scandinavia? Am a very good driver, but that's back home in chaotic New Delhi. Will be grateful for a reply.

A warning first: f you are on a budget, be careful with going to Norway. The cheapest Nordic country is Finland, I think. <BR> <BR>A second warning: March is NOT the ideal time of the year to visit the southern part of Scandinavia: It's still cold, wet, winter is on a slow retreat but spring is still far away. I recommend you go to the far North (ie Lapland): they still have beautiful snow there, there is already daylight, and temperatures (which can go down to 50 below in Jan / Feb) are likely to be at more "humane" levels (say, zero to ten below). <BR> <BR>You could try Nordic Skiing at one of the resorts in Finnish Lapland. Drop me an e-mail if you want me to give you further data on that (I have been living in Finland for more than 2 years & love it) <BR> <BR>As to driving, they drive on the right like the rest of continental Europe, Nordics are very civilised drivers but road conditions are quite bad due to ice. In fact, cars are fitted with spike tyres in the winter. <BR> <BR>Tervetuloa / Välkommen / Welcome!

When we went to Scandinavia, here is what we did. We flew from London to Oslo. Spent 4 nights in Oslo. Took the train from Oslo to Stockholm. (We purchased an economical Scanrail pass in the USA before going to Scandinavia.) We stayed 4 nights in Stolckholm. Then took the overnight train from Stockholm to Copenhagen, where we spent 3 nights. Then flew back to London & then home. We wanted to go to Finland, but did not have enough time. (You could also train it from Stockholm to Oslo & then take a ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen, although I think the train might be more economical than a ferry, but not sure on that). When in Sweden, that may be the most convenient place to leave from to go to Finland. There is a ferry that goes from Stockholm to Finland. That probably is less expensive than flying to Finland, but don't know for sure. But with 2 weeks, you should have enough time to take the ferry & do a day/night in Finland. <BR>Also, because of time constraints we didn't get to do much visting outside the cities, but the train rides gave us some looks at the county, & we did get an introduction into each country. Next time we go back, we can do 1 country in more detail. If you are going budget, actually in Scandinavia we found out that the low season is in the summer(we went in June). The higher prices are during the winter time.

Sudha.. <BR> <BR>Have you really thought this through? <BR>Does it have to be March, rather than later in the year? <BR>Scandinavia is a great place to visit, albeit extremely expensive, but although I've never been in March, I suspect that it will be fairly miserable, with most of the usual attractions closed down, and just too cold to enjoy yourselves, especially on a budget. <BR>If you could wait until late May or June you would have a real ball.

Dear Sudha, <BR> <BR>I have one strong suggestion. To transfer from Finland to Sweden or vice-versa with the ferry boat (preferably the red Viking Line), especially since you are on a budget. Price is fair and food/drink is cheap especially the eat-as-much-as-you-can buffet, where you can gorge yourself on caviar and 5-star wine !

Dear Sudha. <BR> <BR>I've been to Scandinavia many times, and lived in Finland for a short time. If you like nature I would recomend Norway, if you are into more history a culture I would recomend Sweden. Finland I would not recomend, espesialy in March. Finland is the cheapest alternitive, but not by far. It's hard to describe but I find the atmosphere in Sweden and espeally in Norway more gentle and relaxing. If you decide for Norway as your starting point I would recomend Oslo as your starting point, I found the Travler service in Oslo most helpfull to guide where you want to go. Stocholm is also a great city to start.

They drive on the right but it is very expensive. We used a scanrail pass this October and found it quite adequate. Take plastic bags and a utility knife(swiss sort) and you can save a lot by picnicing a meal everyday.

How is the weather at the end of April/first of May? We're considering either Norway (Oslo, Bergen and fjords) or Stockholm/Tallin/Helsinki. Any opinions on either of these trips and the weather?