I'm planning my second trip to Norway and I'd like to visit the following areas:
Oslo
Valdres (Etnedal) <-- Closest big city might be Lillehammer which is to the east maybe 2-hour drive away
Urnes
Balestrand
Alesund
Trondheim
Lofoten Islands and/or Senja Islands
I've visited many of the sites suggested in the past by Rick Steves (except for Balestrand). I am open to mode of transportation but would like to keep expenses within reason (knowing Norway can be expensive depending upon how one travels). The hardest part for me is how to work in visiting the "Valders" area. My family is from the area, and I really would like to visit it up close.
Any ideas or suggestions?
My one thought was perhaps Fly into Oslo. Take a train north to Lillehammer, then rent a car and drive to Valdres. Sight see Valdres (1-2 days) and then return car back to Lillehammer. Take train north again, but up to Trondheim. Sight see Trondheim. Then fly to Bodo. Rent a car in Bodo and drive to Lofoten region. Spend perhaps 4+ days in Lofoten. I'm a kayaker...so I'd love to spend some quality time up in that region. Return car back to Bodo. Then take Hurtigruten from Bodo to Floro? Rent a car in Floro and drive to Urnes and Balestrand. Return car in Floro and hop back on Hurtigruten to Bergen. Take train back to Oslo for flight home.
I know it's a lot...but I'm trying to fit a schedule in that fits in all of these spots. I'm curious if there perhaps are better/easier ways to work in some of those areas.