We stayed in Molde last year when travelling from Alesund to Kristiansund via the Atlantic Road. We spent a night there and two nights in Kristiansund. We were going from Alesund to Trondheim - so reverse your direction.

The trip through the Rauma river (Romsdalen) valley between Andalsnes and Dombas has spectacular scenery. We did it by train, but driving would have been better so we could have stopped to enjoy the sights.

Yes on Alesund, Atlantic Road, Trollstigen! Absolutely spectacular. Using Alesund as our base, we drove and ferried to the others within one day. The 'swoopy' bridge on the Atlantic Road is incredible but short, so we kept turning around and driving over it again, just amazed at its construction. And there where whales in the water nearby. And there is a lovely turnout just north of the bridge where you can park and take a brief hike to admire the waves.

We drove 'up' the Trollstigen. I think I would have been quite frightened driving down it, once I saw where we'd been from the lookout at the top. Amazingly, that same day, there was an athlete training on ski-skates who basically skated the whole thing uphill and overtook us several times because we stopped at viewpoints. My guess is that he's on their Olympic team. There was also a fellow on a penny farthing (high wheel) bike who rode up that steep route. I have no idea how he managed. He does charity rides all over Europe; this was his Norway segment.

Such a wonderful itinerary!