norway, sweden & finland for 2weeks, help!

[lea]

hey guys

just wondering if anyone knows of any must see areas in these countries and whether its worth trying to see all three or maybe just a couple?

we are planning on flying into norway in a week or so (north or south, haven't decided) then finishing in southern sweden so we can move down to germany through denmark

just wondering if anyone has any advice. only got two weeks in the scan countries and haven't decided whether to do it all by interail pass or paying as we go, any tips would be greatly appreciated!

thanks xx

[tumblezweedz]

Hmm, can't help much, I've only spent a few days in Scandinavia - a long weekend in Stockholm and an overnight stopover in Copenhagen. Both were definitely worth visits, we really liked Stockholm, and we went in February...not exactly the most favourable time of year! You could take an overnight ferry between Sweden and Finland, which might be the most efficient use of your fairly limited time.

[patchouli Lover]

I know that they have passes on the rail where you can go to all three countries for a decent amount... I also know that individual tickets within Sweden are really cheap.... I don't know much about Nroway or finland but I know some about sweden just from researching it. My Swedish friends definitly say to hit Stockholm and another says Lund is also a great town.... for real cheap you can take a train up the coast starting at stockholm and visit small towns along the way. I've also heard their coasts are great in summer time! .... there is also a ferry that will take you from Sweden to Finland... I can't remember the name but I could try to get the details from a friend who did it... all I remember her saying was that she got smashed on the ferry and had a great time. Hope this helped alot.... sorry it is so vague!

[lea]

thanks for both your advice, did want to stay in stockholm but will make sure we def do now. gonna try and look into rail prices a bit more coz the supplements and slow train business of the interail pass is putting me off a bit, don't really know much bout it but i don't want to be paying out loads extra everytime go on a train, maybe would work out cheaper just paying there and then. will also suggest lund to my friend, cheers!

[DJ_VeeeNoM]

SpyBar Stockholm. I don't know if they already finished the pawnshop over there if they did it must be killer.

[Rozza]

For Norway, i can only really tell you about the south, Bergen is a pretty nice city, easy to navigate, norwegians everywhere - so really nice people, Lots of sports walls, pretty good if you don't mind the daily rain.

But Norway is much better when you leave the cities and go to the country, its exceptionally easy to go off the beaten path in Norway, which is great, the vast majority of the population under 35 speak fluent english, which does make you feel guilty since i know i can't speak any norwegian , but people a generally friendly and understanding. I'm not sure what public transport is like, since the first time i was there we were driving and the second time i was kayaking and walking.

You want to see the fjords, some of there highest mountains in northern europe, and hundred of miles of untouched pine forests? easy, look out you window. You don't have to be a crack Alpinist to see some of the greatest views, for me, in the world. Alot of trails and mountain hikes are easily accessible, to everyone. And if you are a crack alpinist then it goes without saying that you'll find enough mountains to climb.

if you can, take some small bottles of spirit with you, the stuff is a second currency in Norway because of the heavy taxation on things such as alcohol.

I've got more to post, but i have to run so i'll post it later have fun.

[Rincewind's acquaintance]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lea @ Aug 13 2006, 04:08 PM) [snapback]134736[/snapback]</div>

hey guys

just wondering if anyone knows of any must see areas in these countries and whether its worth trying to see all three or maybe just a couple?

we are planning on flying into norway in a week or so (north or south, haven't decided) then finishing in southern sweden so we can move down to germany through denmark

just wondering if anyone has any advice. only got two weeks in the scan countries and haven't decided whether to do it all by interail pass or paying as we go, any tips would be greatly appreciated!

thanks xx
[/b]

What's up with the just-passing-through-Denmark attitude??? (Sorry, being a Dane I have to point out that Norway will be way more expensive than, say..Copenhagen, hehe...) Have a great tip, though!

[xanthuos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patchouli Lover @ Aug 14 2006, 04:28 AM) [snapback]134788[/snapback]</div>

there is also a ferry that will take you from Sweden to Finland... I can't remember the name but I could try to get the details from a friend who did it... all I remember her saying was that she got smashed on the ferry and had a great time. Hope this helped alot.... sorry it is so vague!
[/b]

There are two companies that operate on that route, and it's Silja Line (more expensive but nicer) and Viking Line (less expensive and more "budget")...on both, people party - I've been on Silja but not Viking.

If you want to know anything about Helsinki, let me know. I spent a month there last winter.