My husband and I plan to spend 11 days in Norway next May. We are trying to develop an itinerary for southern Norway beginning in Oslo and ending in Bergen. We are not big hikers but do enjoy short easy hikes. We are particularly looking for places that are not overrun with cruise ships, but beautiful scenery. We will have a car. Any advice is greatly appreciated
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1517 posts
Look at some of the "Norway in a Nutshell" sites online. You may find it easier to go by rail or boat to some parts of Norway. Friends of mine sailed on one of the "Postal" boats that make several stops in the Fjords. They then rented a car to look up a "Family" farm. They thought they were near where it was and decided to ask a resident where it might be. They knocked on a door of a charming farmhouse and explained who they were and what they were looking for. The Lady of the house said "Come in Cousin!" They had a long talk and shared notebooks and photos of common ancestors. "We wondered what happen to the rest of you!" The last time they had heard from each other was WWII. My folks were from Lillehammer; you can drive there. Read about Peer Gynt and the Hall of the Mountain King on Wikipedia. One of the Lakes in that area freezes hard enough in the winter to drive on. It was used as an Airplane Landing Field in WWII. Bon Voyage!
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you for your information. It is very helpful. I love your story.
Posted by
Northern Minnesota
773 posts
That is a great story, Kathleen!
We rented a car for 15 days last September but did a round-trip from Oslo.
Here are some of my favorite stops:
Geiranger - there were cruise ships, but we stayed in a cabin with a kitchen at Hole Hytteutleige high above the busy downtown area.
Hustadvika Guesthouse at Farstad - a quiet location close to the Atlantic Road which we took and stopped at walked at all the islands.
Alesund - we stayed at the Scandic Parken downtown (had paid parking) close to the steps up Aksla.
Aurland - I loved the cabin (with kitchen) at the edge of the water at Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri.
Jorpeland - We stayed here for 3 nights in an apartment at the marina. Every night we walked over the bridge to Jørpelandsholmen. We took the bus into Stavanger.
All of these locations had great views (Farstad, Aurland, and Geiranger had amazing views).
Posted by
Berlin
2994 posts
Did you check costs for one-way car rentals already? Just want to get sure before possibly getting more into detail.
When in next May?
If still open I recommend to be in Bergen from May 16-18 to participate in their Norwegian Constitution Day celebrations which last the whole day. Maybe start with that and travel from there to Oslo.
Too early in May can end up in some closed passes.
Generally have a look at official scenic routes of Norway.