Hello all first trip to Scandinavian areas. Land sept 21 Copenhagen staying til 25th what is best area to stay in to be able to see the mot out of time we have will be me,husband, and son 8yrs old. Then on to Hamburg for 3 nights. (Can skip this go on to Norway just thought since only 3.5 hrs train ride would see what we could. From there to either Bergen/Oslo Norway which would u suggest? For 4 nights again. Then from there to Helsinki or Saint Petersburg 4 nights again then last to Stockholm what area would u choose here as well I can only get this amount of days off I’m a Rn and we r lucky to get this time. Please only positive answers I’m really trying here and I honestly appreciate any help. Want my little bit to have a good experience. We can fly to one spot to other if need be. Thanks so much.
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
You can skip Hamburg.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
Have you checked the weather history for the end of September and October? You can see the weather info on Wikipedia city by city.
We were in the region the first week of September and our tour guide.in St. Petersburg was complimenting us on having such great weather that year. She said It is usually cold and raining hard starting the first of September--miserable. I have noticed most cruise lines go elsewhere after a certain date.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Have you investigated the visa process for St. Petersburg? If not, do this immediately. It's not impossible to get one, and if you start now you have time. But do realize it's not quick or cheap, and you MUST get one before going there. If you don't have a Russian visa, the only way to visit St. Petersburg is via a visa-free cruise on the St. Peter Line. Details here (note that only one of these gives you more than a single night in St. Petersburg): https://stpeterline.com/en/visa-free-st.petersburg-cruise
If you're not able to go to St. Petersburg, that mean more time for other places, so it's not a problem, but do figure this out before anything else.
Do you have Rick's Scandinavia book? He has all kinds of useful information, including money-saving tips for this potentially very expensive region.
Posted by
11570 posts
I would have a hard time deciding between Oslo and Bergen, maybe two days in each. Skip Hamburg and give those days to Bergen and Oslo would be a good idea. In Stockholm we liked the Nyhaven area.
Posted by
Wisconsin
466 posts
I'd skip Hamburg. I've not been to Scandinavia yet but am planning our first trip there, next summer. Unless you've already got a flight into Copenhagen, you could visit the cities you've mentioned in this order: Start in Stockholm, take a round trip overnight ferry to Helsinki (spend a couple days or just see it in a day trip). Back in Stockholm, you can catch a train to Copenhagen (5 hours) and after your time there, take an overnight cruise to Oslo. Then do Norway in a Nutshell to make your way from Oslo to Bergen. Norway in a Nutshell will be a 12 hour day doing a series of train-boat-bus transfers, the highlights being the scenic Flam railway and the cruise through the Naeroyfjord, one of the most beautiful areas of Norwegian fjord country. The overnight ferries have reasonable fares when you consider you're getting lodging for a night, scenic transportation between Scandinavian capitals, and for your 8 year old, the fun of a boat. Overnight "ferry" sounds bare bones but they do appear to be very nice cruise ships. Some people do Norway in a Nutshell round trip. They travel from Oslo to Bergen on the 12 hour NIN route, then take an overnight train back to Oslo. That allows for doing NIN without luggage, but taking your luggage and having some days in Bergen at the end is a better idea, in my opinion.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Oh wow I totally missed the Russian visa thanks so much. So that helps a lot. Now to find fun things for my son he’s 8 and he’s already don’t a YouTube search for the Viking ships and museums lol. And now searching for boroughs to stay in with great places and sites to see for us all. We are 43 and 47. Thanks so much for what we have so far. Keep it coming.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
I’ve already booked my flights. Landing in Copenhagen and out of Stockholm. I forgot to mention that and with the visas I think we will leave off Russia for another trip. And keep. Copenhagen. Hamburg-we all want to see this area. And then fly to Norway then Finland and flying out of Stockholm. Now for picking the boroughs to stay in each area.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
In Stockholm we liked the Nyhaven area
Suki, Did you mean Copenhagen? Nyhavn is the very picturesque waterfront area in Copenhagen.
In Stockholm, just about anywhere in the city is fine. Most tourists go gaga over Gamla Stan (the old town). Norrmalm is central, but also primarily commercial. Östermalm, Södermalm, and Vasastan are all good choices,
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Ok so we decided to skip Helsinki and now it’s all done I regret it some so we have 3 days 2 mights in Oslo and them in Bergen bc it seems
Everything closes or slows way way down in Bergen sept 30 we arrive October 1 leave ocovert 4. And Oslo we are there September 28 to October 1 sk it’s still pretty well hopping. Any suggestions my iten is set now. Bc of time we r doing mostly flights and a fjord crusie in Bergen 3hrs one to sandefjord thanks