What is the Norway in a Nutshell tour?
 

What exactly is the Norway in a Nutshell tour? I hear it mentioned a lot but haven't actually read any real or detailed descrition of it. I am told it can be done in a single day or a few days? How does it work? Thanks!

Norway in a Nutshell is a tour package that you can purchase from NSB, the Norwegian Rail System, http://www.nsb.no<BR>It comes in different options, and always combines three transport means: Rail, ferry and bus.<BR>The tour(s) are called "nutshell" because they give you the possibility to experience "all" Norway within short time and short distances. Of course that never never can be made come true, but it is, I think, a very very good try.<BR>Anyway, all happens along the Oslo-Bergen rail track, and with a detour from Myrdal station (just west of the highest mountain passage) to Voss (another station further west and reknown as an all year sporrts resort).<BR>The detour consists of: 1) the 1 hour steep Flam rail down to Flam in innermost Sognefjord, 2) a 2-2,5 hour's sailing along the most magnificant fjord branches, surrounded by 900-1200 metre's vertical mountains. Sea will be calm at any time of the year, and most often without any turbulence at all. Like sailing on a mirror.<BR>At Gudvangen in innermost Naroyfjord, a bus will take you to Voss (app 1,5 hours), from where you'll connect to the main train, either to Bergen or to Oslo. During summer and whenever the road conditions allow, the bus will take you up the steep Stalheim curves and also make a stop at the Stalheim hotel for magnificant views.<BR>Got it? <BR>Depending on where you plan to stay and how much time you have, you can plan and build your personalized Nutshell package. SAome make it a roundtrip from Bergen. Others make it a one way Oslo Bergen thing. And some might want to park their car somewhere along the route and make it a very small roundtrip. <BR><BR>I guess this is the best description I can give you right now. Keep posting questions!<BR><BR>Bjorn, Oslo

Bjorn: Thanks for all the great information. It sounds great!<BR>If your trip base was Oslo, and you were going to try and do a Nutshell tour leaving Monday and coming back Tuesday evening, what would YOU suggest? Just taking the train straight to Bergen and back to Oslo? Any particular stop(s) in between?<BR><BR>Also, what are you must-see/to-do's in Oslo? Thanks again!

Bjorn's description is right on. Just to add a few comments of my own:<BR>I believe you can take this one-way in either direction from Bergen or Oslo. I also believe it can be done as a day trip departing and arriving in the same city. I like the one way best.<BR>One suggestion -- you are on and off a wide assortment of trains, buses and boats, and there's some local wandering available in Flam and Voss. If you are doing this one-way, with all your luggage, that will be a big hassle to lug around unless you pack really light. The solution: at the station of departure, check your luggage thru to the end station. Then, travel light and enjoy yourself, and pick it up when you get to the final stop. It's a few dollars per bag, but well worth it.

"Must do" in Oslo: why limit yourself - you can do EVERYTHING twice in a few days.<BR><BR>Short trip to fjords: consider NOT GOING ALL THE WAY TO BERGEN. Stop an hour short at Voss, drop your bags at hotel, and take the nutshell tour of the nearby songnefjord to the north. Now, very importantly, the next day take a tour of beautiful Hardangerfjord to the south before returning to Oslo.<BR><BR>The following map shows Voss closest to the scenic part of the fjords - the fingerlings poking deep into mts:<BR>http://www.visitvoss.no/kart_vestlandet.htm<BR>Look under excursion/daytours (and accomodations) under<BR>http://www.visitvoss.no/setval.dfm?LANGUAGE=GB<BR>I don't know why they de-emphasize Hardangerfjord now; ask at your hotel desk about bus/ferry to Ulvik, Lofthus, etc as in<BR>http://www.hsd.no/hsd/indexEng.nsf/37dfa04f1a905e8bc125686f002dddb9/47c266ed77592099c125697700422986?OpenDocument<BR>F or the more traditional Bergen loops:<BR>http://www.nsb.no/internet/en/travelplanner/products/