We are going to Norway in July and plan on doing the Norway in a Nutshell tour. We are trying to decide whether we should add one day (from the hectic one day tour) and spend the night in Balestrand, taking the boat from there to Bergen the next day. This would mean missing seeing the Naeroyfjord (sp). Are there any recommendations?
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2065 posts
The Naeroyfjord repeatedly lands in surveys as being among the most impressive fjords in Norway, particularly when seen from water-level
as the cruises in the NIN tour include. So, it would seem you’d be missing out on a major highlight of the NIN tour if you skip the ship. Now, that might be reasonable if you are including other top fjords such as the Geirangerfjord in your itinerary. Otherwise, I would add a day so you can, or make an adjustment in your itinerary to work in the Naeroyfjord.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
The geography is such that it's difficult if not impossible to spend one night in Balestrand and get the most out of the NiN experience. If you skip the Naeroyfjord ferry, that means also skipping the scenic bus ride from Gudvangen to Voss.
There's a reason Rick's guidebook doesn't recommend staying in Balestrand unless you have two nights to spare. It's not something I'd do without specific plans on the north side of the fjord--probably hiking or renting a car for a loop drive of some sort. And I don't know that one night would allow time for that sort of thing; the express boat to Bergen runs only once or twice a day.