I'm heading to Tampere for a conference in May 2003, and was hoping to take some time to see this part of the world, having never been there. I'm partial to interesting (larger) cities and the mountains, so I suppose I'd like to see Oslo, Stockholm, and some of the fjord areas. How crazy would it be to buy a 5 or 7 day train pass, and try to see all this starting in Tampere? It seems like there's no easy (or very direct) way to get from Finland to Sweden and Norway.

Any general suggestions as to don't-miss places?

This may not work from Finland, but depending on who you are flying in on, you can purchase passes from SAS that make each segment relatively cheap. I don't think trying to get throughout Scandinavia from Tampere in 5-7 days by train is very doable - unless you just want to see the place from the window. I believe there is ferry service though between Turku and Stockholm. From there, you could use a ScanRail pass.

IMHO, if you're limited on time I'd skip Oslo or only plan to spend a day there. The city is really not very interesting architecturally as it's burned down so many times. If you do head there though, the Viking ship museum is good. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is my favorite place in Oslo. It's great fun.

Stockholm is a beautiful city and there is lots to see and do. Don't miss the Vasa Museum - it's fabulous.

Bergen, Norway is the jumping off spot for seeing the fjords. It's also a fun spot on its own. I'd fly between Stockholm and Bergen though.

[This message has been edited by letiole (edited 04-18-2002).]

I visited Denmark a couple of years ago, but spent only a day in Sweden (rode on the new bridge!). Let me know if you would like information on that region.

You might consider the trip I want to make someday soon: start in Helsinki, and make a loop to Tallin, Estonia, and St. Petersburg, Russia. It looks like the cities are within maybe 200 miles of each other, and are connected by train and ferry. I have friends in Tallin, and it looks like a somewhat undiscovered, beautiful country (used to be part of the USSR). St Petersburg is supposed to be fantastic. I don't know much about Helsinki (yet), but expect it also has some treasures to offer.

JP

[This message has been edited by j379pa (edited 04-18-2002).]

There used to be a ferry between Sweden and Finland that stopped off at some islands in the Gulf of Bothnia.

I don't know if it's still running, though.

I recently did a trip through Scandinavia.
Arrived in Denmark on a ferry from England, and visited Copenhagen, then headed up north to Stockholm. Its about an 7-8 hour drive.

From Stockholm you are best off taking an overnight ferry to Helsinki or Tallinn. These ferries are very comfortable, and are really cruise ships complete with nightclubs, malls, etc....It's about a 15 hour ride to Helsinki from Stockholm.

There is not much to do in Helsinki, but if you are there, its only a 1½ ferry ride to Tallinn, there are many boats during the day, and it costs 46 euros return.

Tallinn is a beautiful city, and the ferry terminal is walking distance to the old part of town, which is just amazing. Its really worth the day trip from Helsinki.
It still has a post-Soviet flavour to it, but its well mixed with the Finnish flavour.
Do not miss out on this city, plan maybe a day trip there.


Just thought I add the link for the ferry company that I sailed on http://www.silja.com/english/

If you do end up taking the ferry, make sure you take advantage of the all you can eat, all you can drink beer and wine buffet, it costs 25 Euro..
Enjoy =)


[This message has been edited by rankourabu (edited 07-01-2002).]

Like always I would like to recommend something else then Oslo, Stockholm or Copenhagen.

Visit www.highcoast.com (http://www.highcoast.com) and you will never forget your visit to Sweden. That region of Sweden is consider as one of the most beautiful.

You can choose to fly to either OER or SDL which are destination served by SAS.

Yes I am from this region and let me know if you choose to visit. Have a nice stay in friendly Scandinavia.

You could take the train from Tampere to Helsinki, which is very nice in summer - it reminds me a bit of San Francisco, very modern and prosperous and clean with a great public transportation system ... June is best because the sun is out 24 hours - also, there's a nude beach/island nearby, if you're into that sort of thing - I have taken the ferry to Tallinn, which was a free Hanseatic city, and is probably one of the most lovely small cities in Eastern Europe. You can go there and back to Helsinki in a day, or go on to St. Petersburg, which I haven't done, but would like to!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anonplz:
I have taken the ferry to Tallinn, which was a free Hanseatic city, and is probably one of the most lovely small cities in Eastern Europe.</font>

Yes it is very lovely there!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif