Hi I am looking for some suggestions for a vacation we are planning in July. We have 10 days and plan to spend most of that time in Norway. I am wondering if we should also spend a few days in Copenhagen or spend all 10 days in Norway. I will be traveling with 11 and 9 year old children. Also, any ideas on how we can spend the time in Norway would be very much appreciated. To give you an idea of what we like to do/places we enjoy, we have been going to Switzerland the last 3 summers (Murren, Wengen, Zermatt) and enjoying hiking and the beautiful views. Thank you for your help!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Well, Copenhagen is a city, so if you're looking for "hiking and beautiful views" like in alpine Switzerland, you'll be disappointed. But it's a larger and more dynamic city than Oslo, so if you are looking for a city experience, you may want to include it. I'd start by looking at Rick's videos on Copenhagen and Norway (available on YouTube and Hulu). Obviously, some will feel drawn to one or the other, so you need to see what calls to you. Don't forget the time and money it will take to get from Copenhagen to Norway. Next, get Rick Steves Scandinavia. He has lots of information about both places, and you can start with his suggestions, then modify depending on your interests. Don't miss Bergen - I enjoyed it more than Olso. For logistical reasons, you'll probably want to fly into Copenhagen (or Oslo) and out of Bergen. Then, travel roughly in a line. Rick's book has all the details about logistics of connecting the scenic places.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
In Norway, I've only visited Oslo, Trondheim and it's rural environs, but here's a few ideas for the kids in Oslo. They may appreciate being let loose in Frogner Park for a few hours. If the weather is warm enough, bring bathing suits for the public pool. The kids may enjoy the Norse Folk Museum, particularly if they like animals. The nearby Viking Ship Museum will likely bore them to tears if you spend longer than 10 minutes there.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
31 posts
I was in Norway and Denmark last June/July with my kids ages 10 and 12. If you'd like to contact me privately I can give you lots of info and links about our child-friendly adventures. Happy Planning!