Norway Adventure
Norway | Jul 9 - Jul 18, 2024

Larry
Larry F.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024

I was introduced to Tom Christer with Ethical Travel in Norway through KimKim. Tom was responsive, knowledgable, willing to express his own opinion when asked, and flexible to our travel requests. Highlights of our stay included Stavanger and climbing Pulpit Rock, Aurland via ferry and rail, Alesand via overnight ferry, and Oslo. Tom arranged local guides for us both for the Pulpit Rock climb and a 3 hour walking city tour of Oslo. Both were excellent.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Brosundet
Ålesund

Best hotel in Alesand. It is just charming and one can easily just hang out in the lobby by the fire or at the spa when not experiencing the town. Rooms are a little small but appointed very nicely. Food is excellent. Overall, it is a first class hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amerikalinjen
Oslo

Loved everything about this hotel. Ideally located, super friendly and helpful staff, fantastic breakfast, comfy bar, and beautiful large rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri
Aurland
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Staff was very nice but did not have as much knowledge of the local attractions that you would normally expect from a larger hotel conciegre.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hurtigruten
Bergen

Older ship. We had an outward facing room, but the window view was fully obstructed by a life boat. Also, our room was very very small. For three people we would have gladly paid for a nicer and larger room if that option had been presented and explained to us. The boat is old, but well maintained and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel No13
Bergen

Super location, very welcoming staff, art deco rooms, quiet. Not a 5-Star hotel, but nice and pleasant for a short stay in Bergen.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Victoria
Stavanger
Authenticity & Character
Charming.
Location
Ideally located close to shops and restaurants.
Staff
Very helpful. They even arranged breakfast bags for us as we had to leave at 5:30 am for an early morning ferry.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Pulpit Rock Classic Summer Hike
Pulpit Rock Classic Summer Hike
Norway

Our guide picked us up and returned us to the hotel as well as accompanied us on the hike. She was wonderful, sticking with the slower hikers and allowing those that wanted to go faster hike at their own pace. We were concerned that the weather would prevent us from making it to the top as it was raining hard and quite windy when we left the parking lot. Fortunately, it calmed down after the first few minutes and even cleared up enough at the top for us to see the fjord. This is a definite bucket list item.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord
Fjordcruise on UNESCO Nærøyfjord
Norway
Quality of Experience
In addition to the phenomenal views, our trip was made even more special as a traveling teenage choir from the United States was on our boat and we stopped in the middle of the trip for them to sign a song. Very cool!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Very nice modern boat with lots of outdoor viewing space.
Transit Between Stavanger and Fjord Line Terminal
Stavanger

Right on time. Clean van and a good driver.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Stegastein Viewpoint
Visit Stegastein Viewpoint
Norway

An amazing view.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Viking Dinner at Ægir BryggeriPub
Viking Dinner at Ægir BryggeriPub
Norway

Even though this experience is commercialized and designed for tourists, we really enjoyed it. The food was excellent and we enjoyed trying all the items on the plank.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from Flåm to Aurland
Transfer from Flåm to Aurland
Norway

Driver ran a few minutes late as he got tied up on another ride, but he was super nice and told us a lot about the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Embark Hurtigruten
Embark Hurtigruten
Norway

An older boat. Our cabin for 3 was extremely small. We had an outside view, but our window looked directly into a life boat. Would have paid for a larger and nicer cabin if given the choice. Food was good but nothing special.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert
Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems with a Local Expert
Oslo

A great introduction to Oslo. We did this on our first afternoon in the City.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Would recommend Stig to anyone. He is local to Oslo and loves the City.
Local specialist: Tom Christer Larsen
Tom Christer
Tom Christer Larsen
Local specialist in Oslo, Norway | Replied on Jul 20, 2024

Hi Larry.

Thanks for your kind words and its very nice to hear you had a great stay when visiting Norway and enjoyed the places and sceneries. Happy to have contributed to making your stay a good one.

All the best.

Best regards,
Tom