fjord country

So no one can help on this one?

All I can add from my experience is that Flåm isn't much to look at. It's basically a transport hub for the hoards of tourists that go quickly through doing the "Nutshell" tour. We didn't get to Balestrand on our trip (we spent time in the Geirangerfjord 100 miles to the north instead, which was nicer, in my opinion) But everything I have heard on this board in the past two years regarding Balestrand has been positive.

Mike, Scandanavia is not that heavily traveled compared to other parts of Europe. There was a post about this not too long ago. I spent one night in Balestrand in between time spent in Bergen and Oslo. I thought it was a great place to spend a night. We stayed at the Kvicknes (sp?) Hotel and had a room with a porch overlooking the fjords. It was heaven! I haven't stayed anywhere else on the fjords, so I can't compare Balestrand to other locations. Also, we did not rent a car, so I can't help with the rest of your questions. We loved Norway. I hope you have a great trip!

Hi Mike, I don't think there are many on this board who have driven in fjord country. We spent a week driving a loop there in June, 2005. There aren't a lot of roads, so if you have a map, you should be able to follow our route. Here's the itinerary and comments on the route: Day l, picked up car at Bergen airport, drove to Voss (Fleischer's Hotel) pretty drive, lots of tunnels..........Day 2, drove SE to Vorringfossen, then on down the fjord to Odda, very pretty country, back to Voss.........Day 3, drove to Flam, scenery on the way absolutely spectacular, waterfalls everywhere, took the Flam train RT, then drove to Vik stave church, then took the ferry to Balestrand, overnight Kvikne's Hotel, if you stay there, pay the extra for a balcony room in the old part with a view of Sogne fjord.......Day 4, drove west, HWY 55 to E39, east on 13, back to Kvikne's, scenery was OK, but this was the least interesting drive day........Day 5, Hwy 5 to Hwy 15 to HWY 63, beautiful drive through glaciers, past another fjord, last part was rather "hairy" due to ground fog to Geiranger (Grand Fjord Hotel)........Day 6, no drive day, took the ferry round trip to Valldahl, back to Geiranger........Day 7, took the most direct route back to Bergen, last night at Admiral Clairon Hotel which has some rooms with a view of the Bryggen......Day 8, flew to Cornwall..........One thing that baffled me for a while when planning was the lack of bridges across the fjords---then I realized that their are "bridges" i.e. ferries that criss-cross often twice an hour.

My experience is also limited, but fwiw...From Bergen I took the Hertigruten ship overnight to Alesund, arriving about noon, for a business conference. While there I was taken on a cruise up Geiranger Fjord, one of the most stunningly beautiful places I've seen. This was in June when the snow melt made several spectacular 1000' waterfalls into the fjord. After the conference, I flew to Oslo from Alesund. If the ship schedule works for your dates, you could think of doing it in reverse.

Thanks to all of you for your replies--very helpful. I've done a fair amount of planning on a few euro trips over the last few years and I have to say figuring out the transportation options in fjord country is a bit difficult. Cynthia -the driving info with the road numbers was of particular help because one of the routes I am considering is E55 (Balestand to Solvorn). Any other thoughts are certainly welcome. Mike

Hello Mike C. Two days between Oslo and Bergen ? Do not drive a car. Start in a train from Oslo, do the "Norway in a Nutshell" fjord trip : train from Oslo to Myrdal, electric train downhll to Flam, boat to Aurland, stopping at Aurland for the night. Second day, continue on the boat on the fjords to Gudvangen, and bus uphill to Voss, train to Bergen.

What Ron said!

Thanks for all the replies. I decided to catch the boat to Balestrand -spend one evening and catch the bus to Solvorn the next day. This gives me from about 16:00 to 10:00 the next morning to check out Balestrand. The bus arrives in Solvorn about 12:00. While I was a little reluctant to use the bus system I think I'm going to have to rely on it--not paying $200 to rent a car for day! I got a few quotes for cars but they were all expensive. I know I'm going to wish I had more time in Balestrand and (even more in) Solvorn but you can't see it all! Thanks again, Cheers Mike

Returned yesterday from a trip to Norway. Cannot comment on your driving route. However, if possible, we strongly recommend seeing the Geiranger fjord! Absolutely spectacular. You can take the ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger or reverse which actually gets you into the fjord. Well worth the effort. It was the highlight of our trip.