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Lofoten Islands?

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Hi,

We are traveling to Norway for my sister's 60th birthday. Our Norwegian friend suggested the Lofoten Islands. Here's what he said:

Given the time you have I would suggest flying into Oslo and spend 2-3 days there, then fly to Bodo with Norwegian (www.norwegian.com), rent a car, and take a ferry (http://www.torghatten-nord.no/english/default.aspx) from Bodo to Moskenes in Lofoten (http://lofoten.info/en). I have never (sadly) been to Lofoten but it is supposed to be absolutely spectacular, perhaps even more so than the fjords, and I would allocate perhaps 4 days there. Regarding hotels what is quite popular is to stay in so-called “Rorbuer” which are essentially small cabins right by the sea. Regarding activities there is everything from hiking to canoeing to whale safari.
 
Then going back you have a choice. You can either take the ferry back to Bodo or drive to Andenes (the center for whale watching safaris) on the northern tip of Lofoten and take a plane to Bodo (http://www.wideroe.no/en).

This sounds so exciting that we want to go. Do others have experience visiting the Lofoten Islands?

Also, my sister found this article ( http://flmag.com/good-life/land-your-land )which really makes us want to go, but our time is short - 14 to 15 days to do all of Norway.

Thanks for your advice!
daisy

Posted by
4 posts

I haven't been to Lofoten Islands but am planning a trip for June with my family to include that area. It seems lovely. I'm anxious to see if anyone responds to your inquiry. My own research confirms the travel logistics your friend suggested, with a gateway to the area being Boda. When are you going?

Posted by
4 posts

daisy-

We have been to the Lofoten Islands twice. The scenery is gorgeous and there is lots to do. You might consider taking the Hurtigruten boat from Bodo to Svolvaer and renting a car in Svolvaer. It might be cheaper, I'm not sure. That said, the southern part of the Lofotens, where Moskenes is, is really nice and there are many places to see between Moskenes and Svolvaer. With a car you can go South from Moskenes to the end of the road in Å and see the tørrfisk museum. Only in Norway. North of Moskenes there is an interesting Viking museum, several quaint towns, many with rorbuer to stay in along the way. We liked Stamsund, Ballstad, and Kabelvag, and there is an interesting fish store right on the highway at Sakrisoy, where we stayed in a rorbu. Rorbuer are quite fun. Be sure to do that instead of finding a hotel. Consider a boat trip to Trollfjord, a very narrow, small fjord just north of Svolvaer. It is quite a spectacular place, especially if you happen to be there when the Hurtigruten boat enters. We went there on a guided Kayak trip. Fun! There are also lots of places to hike if that is of interest. What else are you planning to do in Norway?

Dale

Posted by
6 posts

Lofoten is a wonderful place. Svolvær is a nice town. Yes you could take a boat (fast or Hurtigruten) or plane to Svolvær. The Viking museum at Borg is the best in Norway. Their is a great hotel right on the water in town and another looking over the harbor and walkable to everything. Nice restaurant just over the bridge. Rent a car, and go to Å, Henningsvær, Borg. Find a boat to Trollfjorden as noted above. If you like bike riding there is a rental in town. Nice outdoor cafe and an ice bar. Whale watch and fishing boats are available too! Spent a week there two summer ago, during my 5 weeks in Norway. Could have used more time. Look into glass blowing and metalwork artists as well. Cod is the fish of the area.

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