My family would like to see some of Scandinavia in the summer (2017) for about 1 month; but at least 3 weeks would be in two different home exchange homes (about 10 days each.) Does anyone have any suggestions for cities/villages in any of these countries that might make an interesting base for a 10 day home exchange. I asked about Bergen, Norway, but the one comment I received said that Bergen doesn't have enough to offer for such a long stay. That was my concern as well. But we do want to incorporate home exchanges into the mix. For example, last summer we had a home exchange in Amsterdam for two weeks from which we explored Amsterdam & Holland; followed by an exchange in Brittany, France from which we explored Mont St Michel, St. Malo, Dinan, Cancale, Dinard, Granite Coast, etc..followed by a few days in Paris. Before those exchanges, we layed over for a few days in Iceland. So, we do use hotels here and there, but need at least two extended home exchanges as well. Any suggestions for cities that you think you'd have liked to stay and immerse yourselves in, in Scandinavia, would be appreciated.
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3303 posts
Stockholm would be an obvious choice. However, I loved Umeå in Vasterbotten. And I am crazy to go back there. It has a lot to offer just for living rather than to keep you busy with museums, etc. Although it does have a guitar museum (didn't go) and the outdoor Vasterbotten Museum and others. Everyone bikes. Many old American vehicles on tour on Saturdays. Much musical interest. It has many outdoor activities. You could take some excursions into the wilderness and/or to the Arctic Circle, or go to Lulea or take a quick ferry to Finland, or the archipelago... If you are an amateur photographer...the light is gorgeous. Sigh...
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1878 posts
As the one who advised against 10+ days in Bergen, I will add a vote for Stockholm. I think you could easily spend that much time there. In addition to exploring the city, there are excellent day-trip opportunities.
I think you could also do that much time in Copenhagen. Though it's smaller than Stockholm, so there's not quite as much to keep you engaged in the city, distances are short and public transportation is easy to any number of interesting locations outside the city.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
We spent almost a month on a home exchange in the area of Alesund last summer and didn't run out of things to do! Plenty of hiking, island excursions, boat tours, fjords and amazing mountain passes, interesting towns, gorgeous drives, etc. Such a beautiful area of Norway.
I agree that Bergen would be a difficult area to spend more than a few days in...not a lot to do. We started our trip with 4 days in Oslo, then took the train to Bergen for 3 nights, and then flew to Alesund. It was a great sampling of Norway! Next time we'll venture further north.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
I've only been to Denmark, Norway and Finland, Denmark (Copenhagen) once, Finland twice and Norway five times. Both Finland and Norway are geographically big countries. Trying to experience these counties from fixed bases would be a challenge unless you are just trying to live local experiencing the two cities or villages you are based in.
That leaves Copenhagen and Denmark, a relatively compact city/country with a lot of things to see and do. Suggest you do your home stay in Copenhagen and do some traveling in Norway or another Scandinavian country.
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
We just got from a family vacation that included Copenhagen & Stockholm. I could easily have spent at least a week in each city and not run out of things to do.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
For Copenhagen. I like the area up around Kongens Nytorv/Nyhavn. It's very convenient to the airport by Metro - I'd say 15 minutes (faster than the 20+ minutes to get to city center by train from the airport). The area is at the north end of the pedestrian shopping area. It's nicer/cleaner than the down by city hall and the train station and there are at least a few decent budget hotels in the area. We stayed at Opera and Phoenix but there are others both more and less expensive.