Recent rip to Norway
Norway
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Jul 31 - Aug 6, 2022
Spent 6 days in Norway (August 2022).
Our guide Stig in Oslo was fabulous, and our walking tour through Oslo was exactly what my daughter thought was great. Oslo was easy to traverse, and we both obsessed over the art at the Munch museum (don't miss)
Train ride from Oslo to Myrdal and the Flam Railway were breathtaking. The highlight of the trip was the Fjordsafari out of Flam. Easily the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Wished we could have had more time in Bergen. Morning was rainy when we toured with our guide, but the afternoon was sunny and I wished we could have slept in and had the tour later in the day.
Hotel Reviews
Very small property in a very small town (800 people) The view of the fjord from our room was amazing. Very gracious staff and we ate both nights at the hotel gasthous, which was quite reasonable in price but delicious food and and extensive bar list. Breakfast was included in our rate, and was a buffet typical for Norway. If you like hiking/biking this is the place for you. If not into hiking/biking the town does not have much else to offer.
This recently renovated hotel is exactly what a quiet European hotel should be like. Excellent bar with good bar menu, with food service to 10PM (a rarity in Norway where the kitchens tend to close by 9 with last seating at 8:30). Excellent breakfast buffet (was included with our room). Clean room with juliet balcony with doors that opened, and a fabulous heated floor in the bathroom. Is exactly 1km from the ferry port. We walked with our bags(small carry on & backpack) If you have a larger bag, take a taxi. Is across the street from the train station. So if arriving by train you are right there. Is 1 block the fountain and main museums, is a less than 10 min walk to Bryggen and port area.
Is 1 block from main train station, if you intend to take the train on arrival at the airport or if arriving via train from elsewhere in Norway. Rooms are small, but clean. Breakfast buffet was included in our room rate. Excellent choices with typical Norwegian fare.
Activity Reviews
My daughter loves vintage clothes. Stig took us through the central shopping area where these stores were located so we knew exactly where to go. Took us on the walking path by the river to the Mathallen, and had a great rapport with this guide. Had the best coffee of my life with him at Tim Wendelboe. (If you like coffee, this is a must not miss destination)
This should be 10 stars not 5. Absolute highlight of the entire week.
Taxi driver arrived on time. Drove us to our hotel in Aurland. Please be aware that there is limited taxi service in the area. If staying in Aurland, definitely have Kimkim arrange the taxi transfer in advance.
Landslide closed the road (only 1) between Aurland and Flam. Our driver picked us up and drove on the bike path to get us to our Fjordsafari on time. We were incredibly grateful to not miss our experience
Walked approximately 5 miles on this tour of Bergen. I enjoyed the guide, but my daughter (age 26) was less enamored. If this would have been our first day in Norway I think we would have enjoyed it better, but we had already spent 5 days in Norway and seen typical 19th and early 20th century architecture. The fortress was not open, and the Bryggen was a disappointment with the Hanseatic museum closed for renovations.