Hi all, my wife and I might be traveling to Norway in early July. We will be splitting our time between Holland and Norway for 13 days. Any thoughts on how many days would be good for Norway. Here are some of my thoughts: - We are most interested in hanging out in Fjordland, Begen area. Oslo would be fine for a night, probably before or after our flight to/from Holland. - The days are super long, so we figured each day is more like 2 days, so maybe that helps determine how long we stay.
- We don't just want to see the sights and be on our way, we want to absorb a lot of the towns and culture. Also, it is easy to get around once in the Fjord areas? Pubic transport. We don't want to rent a car. So if you have any thoughts/suggestions I am open to anything. I am just trying to get the planning down, so I can book stuff. Off the top of my head I was thinking 5-6 full days. Thanks a bunch!
Posted by
England
375 posts
Have you looked into Norway in a Nutshell? This might be of interest to you. http://www.norwaynutshell.com/en/explore-the-fjords/norway-in-a-nutshell/
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
I would spend 8-9 days in Norway. And with that much time, I would choose this more interesting route instead of the touristy Nutshell to get more exposure to the best of Norway. 2 full days in Oslo to see the great museums and Froggner park. Train or bus toward Åndalsnes and take the Trollsteigen road to Geiranger and cruise the fjord (better than the nutshell cruise) to Hellesylt (sp?) where you catch the bus for Ålesund. Spend at least one night in that lovely coastal city and work your way south toward Bergen either by bus (slow and scenic) or by a short flight on SAS for about $100. You can see pretty much all there is to see in Bergen in two days. Even one full day is doable. This will give you much more exposure to fjords than zipping through on the nutshell with the added bonus of seeing stuff most others don't.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
258 posts
I had a total of 6 days in Norway-did it as a side trip from Sweden-and felt it was enough to do the highlights. It depends on how long your entire trip is. Oslo is a great city. I spent 2 nights and thought it was enough to see the "must" sites, although I loved the city and easily could have spent more time. To maximize your time, I strongly suggest the "Norway in a Nutshel" trip, that Rick describes in detail in his Sacndinavia guidebook (which I strongly suggest you get; as he does w/ all of his excellet guides, he details how you should spend your time, based on # of days you have), and which, it seems, EVERYONE who goes to Norway does. It's a highly-organized, efficient day trip that leaves Oslo early AM, and involves train, boat and bus. The train portion is spectacular (rises and lowers significantly and goes past gorgeous waterfalls; it stops at some for picture-taking). The highlight is a boat trip through the Sonajafjord; sp!, which was breath-taking. At the end of the trip, you can go to Bergen, which is what I did (the trip is set up, so that you are close to Bergen at the end) OR, return back to Oslo. I was glad I stayed over in Bergen. Not big, but VERY pretty, especially near the water-front. There's a funicular that takes you high above the city, and up-top there are amazing views of the entire city, and also many hiking options. I then returned back to Oslo, by train, the next night. In Oslo itself, don't miss the Munch Museum, the park w/ the many nude body statues, the Viking museum, the museum w/ the Ra, Kon Tiki and Thor Hyerdel exhibits and the Norwegian Resistance Museum (very moving-the Norwegians were strongly anti-facist and this museum tells their story beautifully). Another highlight in Oslo is taking the tram outside of the city to the Olympic ski jump (afford amazing views) and the Ski Museum, which is attached.
Posted by
Wadebridge
37 posts
One factor is cost. I did a three night trip to Norway. One night in Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, one night in Bergen, sleeper train to Oslo, bags in left luggage at the bus station and a last day in Oslo. It was a great trip but I actually felt hungry because I couldn't afford/ wasn't prepared to pay the prices they charge for food. You could stop off at places along the Norway in a Nutshell route for a night or longer.
Posted by
Wadebridge
37 posts
One factor is cost. I did a three night trip to Norway. One night in Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, one night in Bergen, sleeper train to Oslo, bags in left luggage at the bus station and a last day in Oslo. It was a great trip but I actually felt hungry because I couldn't afford/ wasn't prepared to pay the prices they charge for food. You could stop off at places along the Norway in a Nutshell route for a night or longer.
Posted by
Wadebridge
37 posts
One factor is cost. I did a three night trip to Norway. One night in Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, one night in Bergen, sleeper train to Oslo, bags in left luggage at the bus station and a last day in Oslo. It was a great trip but I actually felt hungry because I couldn't afford/ wasn't prepared to pay the prices they charge for food. You could stop off at places along the Norway in a Nutshell route for a night or longer.