Fellow punks, this is my first time posting a topic. I am few years older than many of you, but I figured I have a few years left before I have to start act like an old fartsy. Since my employer has given me the ok to take this dream trip, I thought I would run it by you first before I make permanent plans.

I am planning a backpacking trip to Scandinavia for about two weeks next August (2007). My plan is to fly into Copenhagen and spend three days there. Then I want to take the rail to Stockholm and spend three days there. Next I want to the rail to Oslo and spend three days there. Finally, I want to rail over to Bergen and spend the remaining time there. To make this easier for you I made the following list:

- Fly from USA to Copenhagen (one day).
- Copenhagen (three days).
- Stockholm (three days).
- Oslo (three days).
- Bergen (three days).
- Fly from Bergen to USA (one day).

Do you think this is a reasonable trip. I have never backpacked around Europe or stayed in Hostels. I really want this to be a real backpacking trip, so I will not use hotels or rent a car. I have been over to Europe a few times, but never with the freedom and adventure of a backpacker.

Any recommendations on airlines, hostels, women, museams, food, money, etc, would be appreciated. :thumbup:

I guess it is all good then. :lookaround:

there are a few tpunkers who have visited Scandinavian countries so be patient and im sure you will get a few contributors (after all your not going to 2007!! - lol)

From what i have heard all of the Scandanavian countries are pretty expensive

Well the trip looks like fun! It's unfortunate that you're leaving out Finland, which is also considered a Scandinavian country :) If there's any way you can insert at least Helsinki into your plans, it might be worth it!

Cheers :cheers:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xanthuos @ Aug 28 2006, 04:41 PM) [snapback]137099[/snapback]</div>I would love to go to Helsinki as well, but I only have two weeks for this trip. :no: There is a large gulf between Helsinki and Stockholm. Another reason is I will be going to two cities in Norway (Oslo & Bergen). It is either Bergen or Helsinki.

I was thinking I could go to Helsinki on a future trip to the Baltic States and St. Petersburg, Russia. Geographically, Helsinki is much closer to the Baltics than it is to Sweden and making Helsinki the begining or end of my Baltic States and St. Petersburg travel may be a safer way to go.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BigE @ Aug 28 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]137147[/snapback]</div>That's true...or, you could spend 2 days versus 3 in Copenhagen, and take an overnight cruise to Helsinki from Stockholm. Then you can at least see the major sites in the city during the day.

I'd stick with your original itinerary, though maybe with the option of staying an extra day here or there, if you dislike or fall in love with a particular city. Three days per stop is a good minimum for getting a feel, and you won't feel like you spent the entire time in transit, which is a plus on a short trip.

The Baltics are fabulous (we lived in Lithuania for two years, I can go on ad naseum about that...but I won't), and it does make more sense to go to Helsinki from Tallinn, rather than Stockholm, travel time wise.

Check SAS for flights, sometimes they have amazing deals - admittedly, usually in the winter, but you never know!

We spent 3 days in Stockholm, and for us, the Stockholm Card worked out well - we intended to visit a lot of museums - ended up getting to 12 - so it paid off with that, and the free city transit was an added bonus. That said, many of the main sights in Stockholm are right in the city centre, which is extremely compact, although being a series of islands you have to do a fair bit of backtracking to get to the bridges. Still, in February, with a stroller and three walking kids, we were still able to get around quickly and easily, so one person on foot will have no problems.

In Stockholm we stayed at the hostel, Af Chapman. The location is fabulous, there's a bus stop about 100 m away (which is handy when you arrive with heavy pack!) and staying in the ship part of the hostel is just extra cool. There were lounges and breakfast in the main building, where reception is, but there was also a common room on the ship, in which, even in February, there were always people hanging out.

Pretty much all Scandinavian hostels are geared for travelers of all ages, and you will likely meet same at any time of year, so there should be no problem finding places to stay (the days of under-26 youth hostels are thankfully all but done in Europe.)

You won't be in the Euro zone, so you'll have to deal with currency conversions, but the best way to handle that is to get cash from ATMs as you go - I'd get enough for each country at once, so you aren't getting hit with transaction fees every day, and you don't end up with lots of excess Swedish Kroner to exchange in Norway. I know there's an ATM in Copenhagen airport, because I used it, but if I recall correctly, you can also use Euro in the airport cafes and whatnot, so if you can get your hands on a few small bills (I don't think they'll take anything more than a 20), you can at least have something remotely useful when you land. It's always great to have some small money in the local currency when you arrive, but if you can't get kroner before you go, it's not a catastrophe - get 100 Euro in small bills and change for emergency use, and hit the ATMs as soon as you arrive.

Good luck with the planning, and keep us updated with your plans.

And welcome to Travelpunk!

:tumbleweed:

Thanks for the info. I found the Stockholm Card website and it looks like a great deal. You can buy it on-line. They also send you a guide book.

This is from their website: The Stockholm Card

Yup, that's the one. We were there in Feb so didn't take advantage of the ferry transit...brrr. We were impressed by almost all of the museums we visited in Stockholm, they were all well done. There's such a range of topics covered, too, definitely something for everyone. We even stopped by a couple just to get out of the cold - the Mint Museum was not on our list, but it was open when everything else was closed, and it was a lot warmer than outside that morning! It was probably the least interesting for us, but if you like that kind of thing, it would probably have been good. The Medieval Museum was well worth the visit. Some of the museums are a bit far flung (Natural History, Maritime and one of the Technical/Science museums), but they tend to be grouped together - Maritime and Technical were within walking distance of one another, and there was another botanical garden or something out by the Natural History, though we didn't get there) so if you invest the time you can get quite a good return.

If you get the card in advance, take a look through the attractions to see what you'd like to do. A little advanced planning can really help you take most advantage of the time you have. Since you've already paid the admission, you can even drop by incidental places that don't appeal that much, just to see what you discover - sometimes these turn out to be hidden gems. As I mentioned, the Mint didn't make a huge impression, but the Medieval, another incidental stop, was a winner.

:tumbleweed:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BigE @ Aug 26 2006, 06:52 PM) [snapback]136820[/snapback]</div>Hey - I live in Copenhagen so any questions you might have, just ask....only have 2 minutes online now but will return with tips and stuff...there's time for some short tips though - Copenhagen can be expensive if you don't research first or get great tips on this here brilliant site :clap: - there are free tourist bikes available for a deposit of 20 Danish Kroner (3 dollars) which you get back when you park the bike again... some cool hostels have appeared I will try and come back to that....(why so few Danes use this site I just don't know - I apologize deeply :lame: ) eeeehm......there are a currency exchange office at the Copenhagen Main Station where I don't think they ask for a conversion fee.... Uhhm....the supermarket Netto is brilliant and quite a few bargains there....Uhm, the women here ( I am one myself) : some are kinda laid-back, and love a sense of humour - some are cold descendants of the vikings hehe - maybe better to ask a Danish bloke about us?....Hang on, no time left - will return with more tips soon and glad you've decided to visit our country by another way than the rich-American-lazy-tourist-on-cruiseliner-Style :blink: COOL! You can always pm me on here too - don't hold back the questions!


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BigE @ Aug 26 2006, 06:52 PM) [snapback]136820[/snapback]</div> Oh and I agree about SAS though they are extremely expensive at times - there is also the company Sterling which I know flies to Sweden and Norway (Stockholm and Oslo) , they often have ridiculously cheap offers - CHECK that out before you book elsewhere, please. If you can book the tickets a couple months ahead of the trip via the website you'll save TONS of money (I got to Berlin for only 200 Danish Kroner = about 30 dollars...) However they don't always show the timetable for their flightoffers too many months in advance so have patience, but keep looking! Here's the site: www.sterling.dk

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rincewind's acquaintance @ Sep 3 2006, 10:59 AM) [snapback]138116[/snapback]</div>Thanks! You gave me a lot of information already. I'm taking notes.I look forward to mre. :clap:

My only suggestion is if you're going to Norway, you've GOT to get out of Oslo. Despite the fact I've never been there myself, everyone I've talked to (our own Rozza would be a good source) say that the mountains and fjords are Norway's true highlights -- not its cities.

Other than that, you seem right on track...I always try to shoot for 3 days per stop. Sweden is a cool city.

Oh, and Rincewind...guess I never knew you were a woman. From what *I've* heard about Danish women... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

worldwidemike

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(worldwidemike @ Sep 4 2006, 06:04 AM) [snapback]138186[/snapback]</div>I bought this map of Scandinavia at Barnes and Nobles on Friday and while looking at it I thought that it would be a nice day train ride between Oslo and Bergen (there doesn't seem to be a speed train between those two cities). That is why I added Bergen to the trip. I want to see what Norway is famous for: the mountains and the fjords. Thanks for pointing out Rozza. Moreover, I'm sure the Danish women will be nice to me. :thumbup:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(worldwidemike @ Sep 4 2006, 12:04 PM) [snapback]138186[/snapback]</div>Sweden is a cool CITY??? The Swedes will be hating you now! :lol1:

And yes, we Danish women are well respected most places..... :blink:

But how were you supposed to know I was a woman, worldwidemike???

Yeah, I was in the same boat for a long time... (thinking RwA was a dude, not me actually being a woman)

To quote Eurotrip, "You're just a cool guy with really long hair." :lol:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(omisan @ Sep 7 2006, 08:11 PM) [snapback]138759[/snapback]</div>Oh maaaaaaan, I must come across as really masculine..... :doh:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BigE @ Sep 3 2006, 05:28 PM) [snapback]138119[/snapback]</div> No prob - ask away! Here's some more quick tips:

MUSEUMS:
Most are free to enter on , I think, Wednesdays, but check out this link for more info on the free entry days and a selection of the museums available:
http://www.mik.dk/Din_guide/MiK_anbefaler.aspx

One definetely worths seeing while you're here is The National Museum, their website :
http://www.nationalmuseet.dk/sw20374.asp

If you're more into expressionism and experimental art museums as well as a quick trip to the seaside, there's always Louisiana- Museum of Modern Art :
http://www.louisiana.dk/default.asp?conten...ED6D15&zcs=

If you like scientific tests and don't mind a sea of hyper kids/kiddies families around you, there's the Experimentarium, where you can test your brain skills, skip on a floor piano and watch a pig's heart be dissected. Bit expensive entry fee though:
http://www.experimentarium.dk/index_uk.html

TRANSPORT:
You DON'T wanna try your luck and use the trains here without a ticket - you may well be facing a fine of 200 $ if you get caught! Also, in comparison to other countries the trains run quite efficiently, though in periods with quite a few delays. However, here's the topic you can use to break the ice with the Danes - they'll love telling you how much they hate the DSB (train and railway system) for hours :mf_tongue:
Buses run frequently and like I said, there are cheap tourist bikes. Taxis are fairly expensive, starting at about 5 $ when you step into one. But easy to get and not just after your money...they like a chat too.

CONCERTS:
The most popular venue is Vega in the area of Vesterbro (lots of cafees and shops, som etoo trendy IMO), quite a cosy venue. Has bars as well, a bit too hip and overrated but see for yourself ( you might have luck asking Danish women out for a night there :doctor: ?):
http://www.vega.dk/?lang=en
In the small, hippie-like community within Copenhagen, Christiania, there's a great venue, Loppen. Their site is not in english but check it out, loads of great international bands for a reasonable price:
http://www.loppen.dk/

By the way, Christinia runs itself, which means it for years was the place to go buy cannabis, etc. Actually outside on the street, "Pusher Street". It was raided a while back and no such open sale of drugs are allowed longer - it still goes on just not on the surface. Christiania is definetely worth a visit - it's TINY, but has good, cheap eating places, good venues, weird hippie-buildings, a cosy feel to it and it's close to the canals in the inner city. Non-Danes should DEFINITELY go see it, and don't be put off by packs of huge dogs walking loose and their sometimes rather stoned owners, it's a beautiful place :
http://www.christiania.org/main/lan.php?lan=gb

HOSTELS:
this one's extremely central and pretty cheap for dorm rooms but seems you need a YHA card there?:
http://www.danhostel.dk/vandrerhjem.asp?lan=uk&id=144
Here's a very useful site, I linked to the hostel/dorms section but check out the site in general:
http://www.useit.dk/?node=55

that's it for tonight, hope it was useful and will return with more soon :smoke:



Oh damn , no reaction to the "I must seem masculine on here" comment... off to bed to my girlie tears away with my girlie long hair :lol:

Didn't want to jack the thread any more than we already had, Mr. Rincewind's Acquaintaince ;)

Well, R.A., if you were to upload a pic of yourself, instead of the fruit bat, tree monkey or whatever that animal is on your "card," us guys might have been treating you more like a lady... :lol:

Seriously, great info on Denmark! It is still on my list of places I haven't been to, so I WILL be heading that way. So, other than the obvious answer of "cold," what is Copenhagen like in Winter? I work for an airline and can fly free to some cities in Europe (standby, of course). The planes are less full in Winter, so I was thinking that Copenhagen might be a nice little long weekend trip.

worldwidemike

Actually, Mike, during my brief stay in Copenhagen in January, it wasn't so much COLD as WET. Our landlord in Lithuania was a Dane, and all through that first winter, he kept sending me emails saying things like, "-33C in Vilnius? Oh no, no, it's been raining here all week. About +5 degrees." Denmark is in a funky little temperate microclimate and is much milder than the rest of Scandinavia and the Baltic in winter. You'd need a fleece and a waterproof jacket, but it's not so cold.

Have I got that more or less right, RA? I defer to your insider information!

And don't worry about the girly thing - I get "I thought you were a dude" comments all the time, and I'm not shy about posting that I'm the MOTHER of 4 kids! :lol:

:tumbleweed: