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Scandinavian and Baltic countries

Hi
i would like to know your opinions about a trip of 26 days during summer 2020 .

Day 1: Copenhagen
Day 2: Copenhagen
Day 3: Copenhagen

Day 4: Malmo / Gothenburg
Day 5: Gothenburg
Day 6: Vrango Island / Gothenburg

Day 7: Oslo
Day 8: Oslo

Day 9 :Oslo-Myrdal- Flam
Day 10 :Geiranger Fjord

Day 11 :Bergen
Day 12 :Bergen

Day 13: Tallinn
Day 14: Tallinn
Day 15: Tallinn

Day 16: Riga
Day 17: Riga

Day 18: Vilnius
Day 19: Vilnius
Day 20 Vilnius

Day 21 Amsterdam
Day22 Amsterdam
Day 23 Neighbors of Amsterdam
Day 24 Rotterdam
Day 25 lahaye

Day 26 Return to home

Thank you in advance
Riadhou

Posted by
6923 posts

Without knowing anything about your interests, it looks like a decent plan.

A few comments though:

  • Skip Malmö, it is not that interesting. If you want to stop somewhere in Skåne, Lund or Helsingborg are better options IMO.
  • Note that Vrångö is a small island, so there is not a lot to do there apart from enjoying nature.
  • There are no direct flights from Bergen to Tallinn, so it will take at least 5-6 hours city centre to city centre, make sure to make room for that in your schedule.
Posted by
8312 posts

This region is deadly expensive to travel on the ground. We've been to quite a number of the cities you've listed, and I'd prefer not to spend as much time as you have allotted in some. We went around the region by cruise ship, and stayed in Copenhagen before and after the cruise. We wouldn't even think about visiting this region except in the heart of Summer due to climate issues.

Posted by
3325 posts

I'd spend day 4, 5 and 6 in Stockholm, not Malmo area. I'd also drop Amsterdam and spend more time in Sweden and Norway. Amsterdam is easily added to other European trips, but you are not as likely to go to Scandinavia. Spend some time around the northern coast of Sweden.

Posted by
2965 posts

Way too much countries and city hopping. And too much focus on cities for my taste.

Would turn the trip. Fly from CPH to BGO and roll-back by trains from there.

1 day Geirangerfjord is unrealistic in terms of transport.

You did not mention your interests.

Posted by
65 posts

We completed a 15 day trip in Scandinavia a week agp and I have a few thoughts on your itinerary:

-be careful about too much moving around. By my count your itinerary includes at least ten different beds, which is a lot;
-in our experience, the Scandinavian weather was tricky even in the summer. Wear layers as the weather changes quickly;
-Geiranger fjord is an aggressive choice - looks to be far from Flam and Bergen. I recommend using Norway in a Nutshell to see the fjords (https://www.norwaynutshell.com/);
=I would consider Stockholm, which was our favorite city in Scandinavia. It is accessible from Norway, Tallin and Riga. In fact, I would replace Amsterdam with Stockholm;
-Lastly, Amsterdam is great, but it is a gateway city and could easily be part of any future trips to Europe.

Safe travels.

Posted by
2681 posts

I will comment on the Baltic states portion and say your number of days each in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius are just right, though if you could make Riga 3 as well that would be even better. I made a return to Tallinn in late April and loved it just as much as the first time 6 years ago. I took an Ecolines bus to Riga and then on to Vilnius--excellent service, very pleased with all aspects of it from the comfort of the bus to where the stations were located--and at under $20US each trip it was a bargain.

Posted by
1321 posts

I'd skip Malmo / Gothenburg/ Vrango Island but add Stockholm for 2 days (Copenhagen and Oslo are on my favorite places list!)
I thought Tallinn was boring I'd add a day to explore more in Norway
I love Amsterdam but full 2 days is plenty including the "neighborhoods"
Rotterdam is a vibrant place but don't overlook Haarlem, The Hague, etc

I assume you are flying from Bergen to Tallinn

Posted by
45 posts

Hi every body
Thank you all for your advices, suggestions and comments.
I retained from your remarks that I had to skip Amsterdam for this trip and replace it with Stockholm and the north-east of Sweden and to extend my stay in Copenhagen and Riga and limit it in to Tallinn. I also need to review my itinerary in Norway, especially because there is no direct flight from Bergen to Tallinn and because the visit of the Geiranger fjord should take longer.
So I found that it will better to start my trip in Norway by visiting Bergen and finishing in Oslo, where I can find a direct flight to Tallinn.
The only difficulty I found is how to organise the route Bergen-Flam-Geiranger, Myrdal and Oslo, the time and the transport to devote to it .

I hope you can help me to reorganize this important part of the trip, not only for the transportation, but also for the number of days I have to spend on it.
There is also the difficulty how to get to Stockholm from Denmark.
Thank you in advance.
Riadhou

Posted by
5829 posts

The changes that I’d suggest:
1) How are you getting to Geiranger? I am assuming that you will rent a car for the portion between Oslo and Bergen. I’d suggest that you add at least one more day (and perhaps two) in the fjord region. Driving can be slow because the roads are narrow and curvy and you often have to wait for the ferry crossings.

2) Fly from Bergen to Stockholm. Spend a couple days in Stockholm and then take the overnight ferry to Tallinn.

Posted by
45 posts

Is it better Laura to take the train than to drive from Oslo to Myrdal,Flam and to spend the night in Flam ,take the ferry to Geiranger ,Gudvangen ( 2 nights) and the bus to Bergen?

The option suggested by Tom is also doable .
But I don't have any idea about the fjord i can reach from there and how to assume the transport in case i have to go to Flam and return to Bergen?
The train from Bergen to Oslo seems a long journey , unless the option to flight from Bergen to Stockholm if it is not necessary to transit from Oslo?

Posted by
8168 posts

I suggest spending one more day in Copenhagen to do a day trip to visit the Viking Museum and some of the castles outside the city.

Skip Malmo.

You plan for Norway ignores the driving time or rail time to get to Geiranger from Flam. Note, the fjords at Geiranger are best seen on a boat, although Norway Excursions has a great tour that takes you to the mountain above the city. You will need a very full day at Flam if you want to do the Path of the Trolls tour (at must) and then Geiranger.

We did a Russian River Cruise/tour that included six days in the Baltic countries. Loved the people in the Baltic countries. They are so proud of their independence.

Posted by
45 posts

In this case ,what is the least grueling solution to visit Norway and what is the best gateway to the fjords: Bergen, Alesund or Flam?
Is the boat the best way to enjoy the views over the fjords?

Posted by
185 posts

If you do go to Amsterdam, I suggest you consider Haarlem as one of the "neighborhoods" to visit. I greatly prefer it to Amsterdam. If you go take the tour at the Ten Boom Clock shop. For me even more powerful than Anne Frank's House.

And I'm wondering why you did not include Stockholm in your plans. It was a great city with much to do. Norway is great but SO expensive. Denmark is nearly as bad. You will have a great trip.