serenity7

Hi,
My friend and myself are planning a 12 day trip to Europe this August.

We are planning 5 days in London and for the balance time are undecided whether to go to Scotland (Edinburgh) or Norway (Olso and Bergen).

Both of us like natural beauty - have heard that the highlands of Scotland are very spectacular and the fjords of Norwary are also not to miss. Would appreciate advice from Fodorites.

Thanks in advance..
NM

wasleys

NM,

Mid and late August is Edinburgh Festival time so the place will be packed. That may make you wish to re-consider it as a destination.

Both Norway and Scotland are splendid. In August both will be busy - and rainy. Norway has much 'bigger' scenery so has more raw splendour. For my money the best scenery is in the north rather than around Oslo/Bergen.

If you do go to Norway and stop in Oslo and Bergen consider travelling by rail between the two using the 'Norway in a Nutshell' option, which is a first rate trip. I prefer Bergen (which is a marvellous city) to Oslo.

How will you be travelling around? If using public transport I suspect Norway might be easier than the Scottish Highlands, but it depends where you go.

Michael

janisj

Edinburgh is not in/near the highlands. It is a city - amazing, but a city none the less. If you want the Highlands then Edinburgh is not your base. And as wasleys mentions Edinburgh is a "special case" in August. If you are just now starting to plan it is likely too late to find accomodations.

So Norway may be your best choice (and this is coming from someone for whom Scotland is the favorite place on earth)

serenity7

Hi Michael and Janisj

Thanks for ur advice. Looks like Norway. We will be taking public transport [ive driven in the US but never in europe] as as this time we are 2 women, not sure if its a good idea.

Any other suggestions on "not to miss" in Oslo / Bergen and on budget accommodation in the 2 cities?

Thanks ...NM

P_M

serenity, I'm a little confused by this sentence:

We will be taking public transport [ive driven in the US but never in europe] as as this time we are 2 women, not sure if its a good idea.

What's not a good idea for 2 women--driving or public transport? In either case, if safety is a concern, then not to worry. Norway is a very safe place to be. Just use the same common sense you use at home and you'll be fine.

I've never done the Norway in a Nutshell tour, but I keep hearing great things about it. I thought Oslo was an OK city, but Bergen was many times better.

I wish I could help you with budget accomodations, but I found Norway to be a very, VERY expensive place to visit. I hope someone else can help.

Have a great trip.

WillTravel

Re budget accommodation in Oslo, we stayed at the Anker Hostel. But it wasn't really a hostel, but a university residence. Our room was more like a very plain studio flat, with a stove, fridge, private bathroom (and the shower had good water pressure), and twin beds. A laundry is conveniently available on the premises. There are some communal dorm rooms, but you can book what you want. The location is very central. I don't think it's considered the absolute best location in Oslo, because there are some low-lifes who hang around not too far away, but that's true in other areas too. In the area of south of the train station, my son saw a heroin addict, presumably, with a needle in his mouth running along with a bike. So, I didn't think the Anker Hostel area was worse than any other necessarily. Note that it is also in the same complex as the Best Western Anker hotel. I sort of wished we had booked there, because for a little more money, you get a phone in your room and a more hotel-like experience (but then no kitchen facilities either).
www.ankerhostel.no

serenity7

Hi P M - I meant that im not sure if its a good idea for 2 women driving alone...thanks for the response on Norway being safe.

WillTravel - thanks for the link for Anker Hostel - maybe I will search for the Best Western as u indicated in ur post.

On a search for Bed and Breakfasts in Norwary - the price varies between 150 to 700 NOK. Are B&B a good option as against hotels... any advice is appreciated..

thanks in advance .. NM

WillTravel

150 NOK per person sounds like an amazing price and certainly cheaper than what I paid. Is this for an urban B&B? I don't have any experience with B&Bs, but I read of several that sounded very good.

walkinaround

it's not so clear what the OP is looking for. i would not rule out scotland based on the information given. it's not clear if the focus is on cities - edinburgh, oslo and bergen are mentioned but are they just as bases or as an arrival point? as mentioned, edinburgh is not a base for the highlands and most people do not spend 12 days in edinburgh.

august is the high season for the highlands and for the norwegian cities mentioned. i do agree about edinburgh in august but again, i'm not sure if this is meant to be a focus of the trip.

if the main point is to see natural beauty than i think you are handicapped without a car in either place (more so in scotland, i think). do you just want to look at the natural beauty or are you walkers (or partake in other pursuits like kayak, etc)?

i think you should sit down and think about a vision for this trip...are you in cities, walking in the countryside, taking day tours from a city base, driving around through the countryside, taking a cruise along the coast, etc?

it would be a shame to rule out a trip to the scottish highlands (if that is your focus) just because edinburgh (hours away) is busy with tourists.

carylspall

Your money will go a lot farther in Scotland.

gard

Hi

From Scotland you can also get to Stavanger on the south west coast of Norway. If you like hiking you can go to beautiful places like Kjerag (http://gardkarlsen.com/kjerag.htm) and the Pulpit rock (http://gardkarlsen.com/preikestolen.htm). And if you want to move on to Bergen it is a 4 hour boat ride...or a 20 minute flight.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

sheila

I would agree with walkinaround. If what you are looking for is natural beauty and the Highlands, give Edinburgh a by.

Take an Easyjet flight from London Luton to Inverness, hire a car and expose yourselves to the wilderness of Scotland's stunning mountains.

(so which smart ass was out at 5.30am this morning walking the Insch Marshes bird reserve on Upper Speyside amongst hordes of snipe, redshank, curlew, lapwings, dunlin, wigeon etc etc etc; in that pale luminescent light you only get on certain perfect Scottish days?)

serenity7

Hi

WillTravel- the 150 NOK is for Skui - does not sound like its in Oslo.

walkinaround - i get your point about Highlands vs. Edinburgh - I though -obviously wrongly that we could base out of Edinburgh and take daytrips to the Highlands area [janisj also pointed it out in the earlier post]

With aroud 7 days in hand - which would be a better place to base ourselves in? (Inverness or Fort William) What would be the major attractions and hiking trails?

Also, any advice on the public transportation system in the highlands is much appreciated..

gard - thanks for the links...

Thanks for all ur help...NM

Pumbavu

I've recently done both Norway and Scotland (Mull) Of the two I prefered Scotland. Expense is one issue... Norway is so expensive! But scenery on and around Mull is wonderful. And only a couple of hours from Edinburgh to Oban.

sheila

I wouldn't base in either Inverness or Fort William. Are you restricted to public transport?

If so, you might want to consider staing in Kyle of Lochalsh. It's on the mainland opposite Skye and has good(ish) bus and train links to lots of places. What sort of hiking do you like to do?

wasleys

NM,

Re your question about Bergen - this may be of interest: http://homepage.mac.com/wasleys/norw.../04bergen.html

serenity7

Hi,

Wasleys - thanks for the link - i had seen it earlier when i was searching the other norway forum links... its very helpful.

Sheila - thanks for ur suggestion..and yes we would like to use public transport [this trip we are 2 of us with
one one of us having a licence]

Reg. ur suggestion of staying in Kyle of Lochalsh - is it a good location to do day trips (to Ben Nevis / Loch Ness?) We like to do 3-4 hours hikes (easy to moderate levels) - Im researching on
web for potential scenic walks... let me know if you have any suggestions...

Pumbavu - Let me read up on Mull a bit. On the map - do u take a ferry across Oban? and is it accessable by public transport??

Thanks so much for ur replies....NM

janisj

OK - if it is hiking you really want then Kyle is a perfect location for you. Or possibly even on the Isle of Skye itself.

Bag the concept of Loch Ness (or even Ben Nevis) for gorgeous hikes. Loch Ness is the "famous" loch but it is not by a very loooooong shot the prettiest, best for hiking, or uncrowded. It is just the one most Americans have heard of.

For some of the most amazing hiking anywhere on Earth you cannot top Skye. If you can get in to Edinburgh for a couple of days, great (most places are already booked). Then over to the west coast and especially Skye and you will have a dream trip.

I love Mull - but for dramatic scenery and walking, Skye's your place (at least for 4 or 5 days)

serenity7

Hi Janisj

Im trying to figure out towns on the island of Syke- seems to be divided into Broadford, Dunvegan and Protree. Which area (and town) would u recommend?

Any tips on transportation?

Thanks a lot...NM

Mimar

You can get to the Isle of Skye by taking the train from Glasgow to Mallaig and then a ferry across to Armadale. The train trip along the West Highland line is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in Europe.

The train goes through Fort William, so you could stop off there a day or two and maybe climb Ben Nevis!

On Skye use buses to get around. Sorry I don't know the best base, maybe Portree because it's the biggest town and central?

The train trip from Inverness along Loch Ness is supposed to be very scenic also.