Location: Rural Northwestern Virginia - IAD Home Airport
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Posts: 85
Norway Vacation in March 2009 Itin Ideas and Comments
My wife and I celebrate our 20th anniversary next year, and want to visit Norway. Here is our ideas, and we're wondering if anyone can help us refine them.
A little bit of background on us:
* We have been to Vienna and London together
* I have traveled extensively, including dozens of trips to Sweden, 2 to Malaysia, and once each to India and China
* We love architecture, particularly churches
* We like the outdoors, but are not in the greatest shape, as we are a little older. Mid 40's
* My wife gets car sick on very twisty roads, if we drive a long distance on them, while I love them
IAD to OSL and Return:
Via, in this order of preference:
* LHR – fly from IAD in the early morning, arriving LHR around 1900/2000. Fly to OSL next morning, around 1200. Cost will drive final decision.
* MUC – any flights
* FRA – any flights
* AMS – any flights
* LHR – any other flights
Carriers/Things To Avoid:
* We prefer Star Alliance, LH, then UA, then SK, but cost will drive final decision
* No single aisle planes (757) for TATL segment
Return flights, anything, but would prefer getting back to IAD no later than 2000 (8pm) if possible, but cost will drive decision.
Would prefer a changeable ticket at a minimum, and would prefer cancelable, but cost drives this. Would prefer a booking class that received 100% miles credited towards Frequent Flyer program. We are in just about all of them.
Itinerary:
We want to avoid driving LONG distances if possible. We prefer taxis over subways. For longer rides, trains are OK, but we want to avoid dragging luggage a long way.
Lillehammer:
* Drive or train? Cost, versus scenery decision?
* Hotel – Radisson? Or?
* 4 days, 3 nights?
* Tobogganing, Dog Sledding, Luge/Bobsledding, Cross Country Skiing, Romantic Horse Drawn Sled Ride? Renewing our wedding vows in the Hunderfossen Winter Park Ice Cathedral?
* Any stave churches in the area? Other nice, unique architecture?
Romsdal Alps:
* Drive or train? Cost, versus scenery decision? Probably prefer train as the roads look VERY twisty, turny!
* We would like to stay one night in Andalsnes. Hotel??
* More stave churches or other buildings? Other sights than nature you recommend?
* If the roads from Andalsnes to Alesund are less twisty, we would drive from here.
Alesund:
* If not driving from Andalsnes, we would rent a car while here.
* Stay at Radisson or Scandic? Your recommendation?
* 3 days, 2 nights
* We want to get a feel for the coastal cities in Norway, and do some exploring. Any ideas would be welcome. We want to see the city from eye level, and from above in the hills.
* A boat trip (< 3 hours) would be nice if they are running.
* Anything involving the fjords?
Return from Alesund via Oslo to IAD
Maybe stay 2 nights in Oslo? Optional depending on costs.
My wife and I celebrate our 20th anniversary next year, and want to visit Norway. Here is our ideas, and we're wondering if anyone can help us refine them...
Wow – well, in no particular order:
U.S. to Oslo: The easiest and most economical way to get to Oslo [other than using all points/miles] is to get to LHR or CDG as cheaply as possible and then take one of the many daily inexpensive SK flights into OSL: If you are using all points/miles and are leaving from IAD then it should be a simple matter to take UA IAD-LHR [switching to SK at LHR] OSL on a single, through ITN.
Transportation in Norway: Taxis and rental cars in Norway are extremely expensive. The national rail system [NSB] is very good, has an extensive route system, at least south of Trondheim, and is relatively inexpensive. You do have to take the time to do a little planning though because my experience was that transfer times are often quite brief and they run absolutely on time, you run onto the wrong platform and you are waiting an hour for the next train.
Personally I prefer a rental car. Yes they are very expensive and gas prices are even worse but the freedom to go anywhere, anytime was to me worth it, particularly for visiting hard-to-get-to places between Bergen and Trondheim; Fjaerland, Geiranger, Alesund, Kristiansund, Lillehammer, and Hamar. In Oslo and Bergen I just parked the car and we walked every where.
Alesund: I have not stayed at the Radisson/SAS but I have been in the lobby and the rooms – well, a - room. I would have to say that in my limited experience I prefer the Scandic. I liked the location better,the room décor better, the restaurant was pretty good, the staff friendly and attentive and because it is a Scandic FREE IINTERNET! I also paid a little extra for a water view room and it was well worth it IMHO.
The city itself is divided into two basic areas [as far as I could tell], the new part just off the highway, complete with fast food joints, IKEAs, German car dealerships, and American-like suburban housing and the old part which sits on an isthmus and a couple of adjacent islands. The city center – the best part – is compact and easily walkable. The best views [day and night] are from atop the Fjellstua [fell-shtu-a]. You can hike through the woods to the top from the city center but it’s a pretty good hike – or you can drive.
There are several different boat tours of the harbor and surrounding area and the new aquarium is pretty interesting too.
As for returning to Oslo from Alesund, SK has several daily flights to OSL. Afternoon and late evening flights are dirt cheap [$50/person +/-] Morning and evening flights are usually much more expensive because of business travel.
Costal Cities: Check the Internet for prices and schedules for the Costal Steamer tours and packages. This is probably the best and easiest way to see several costal cities in a short period of time.
That’s about all I have time for now, have to run, hope it is helpful.
__________________ "I love Americans, but in France the government fears the people, in the U.S. the people fear the government." Anonymous
Location: Rural Northwestern Virginia - IAD Home Airport
Programs: Lufthansa, AsiaMiles
Posts: 85
Thanks for the quick reply!
What do you think about the itin itself? Should we do a couple of days in Oslo proper at the end? Are the churches as nice as they look on the web? Other architecture we should see?
You sound pretty well travelled in Norway, and appreciate your feedback.
A little comment: All hotel chains in Norway (Radisson SAS, Rica, Scandic, Choice) offer free high speed internet. Both the Scandic and the Radisson SAS in Ålesund are located right on the harbor. I prefer the Radisson SAS because of their super breakfast included in the price. If you get a seaview room at the Radisson SAS, the rooms are a lot bigger than the street view rooms. The hotel is only 5 years old.
Also, you are probably aware that the Radisson SAS hotels are not like the Radissons in the US. They are high class hotels, much better standard.
And like anrkitec says, rental cars are expensive, but there are much lower prices on weekends and in the summer. You might be looking at around 70-100USD a day, but hopefully the dollar will get back to normal before you plan to visit Norway
Your itinerary will fit a train schedule perfectly. Take the train from OSL airport to Lillehammer, then to Åndalsnes. Rent a car from there and drop it at Ålesund airport and fly back to Oslo
Recommended hotels: Radisson SAS Lillehammer hotel is great. Grand Hotel Åndalsnes is also good http://www.grandhotel.no/
Location: Rural Northwestern Virginia - IAD Home Airport
Programs: Lufthansa, AsiaMiles
Posts: 85
Thanks Tommy! Did you happen to take any pics of the Radisson? Also, did you go into, or have you stayed in the Scandic?
Reason I ask, is I have stayed in both while in Sweden, and in general, I fell the Scandic is more "Scandinavian" while the Rad is more "modern" and "businesslike/serious". Both are very nice, but I just fell the Scandic is warmer.
I would like my wife (having never been to Scandinavia) to get a really good feel for the area. The Scandic, with all the warm woods, colors, etc, really makes me feel like I am "there". anrkitec said something similar about preferring the decor.
Either way, I will book a seaview room. That sounds wonderful. Also, all the Scandics I have stayed at included breakfast, which in Sweden, was awesome! Fresh meats, cheeses, breads, etc. I'm sure it's that way in Norway as well?
I will start looking at the train schedules. Your idea of trains to Andalsnes and then car to and in Alesund, sounds good.
Any more ideas on sightseeing? Links, etc?
Like I said in the beginning, we have plenty of time, so I am gathering info, researching everything I can get my hands on, and starting an itin folder on my computer. I am a bit of a geek this way. I had maps, and phone numbers, and all sorts of stuff for our trip to London. I showed it to a few co-workers and they were pretty amazed at my geekiness!
As architecture buffs you'll find Oslo worth a couple of days, IMHO. The first thing you'll notice coming into town is the new opera house by Sno/hetta, nestled into the fjord beyond the train station. The Radhuset (town hall, completed in 1950 and site of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies), is fascinating in its Art Deco-eclecticism (brush up on your Edda myths to appreciate the bas reliefs in the courtyard). Tourist magnet Aker Brygge, the harbor-front mall opposite the old castle Akhershus, is like a Rouse Corporation project on steroids (and has a very good if pricey seafood restaurant, Lofoten). A trip [ed.: this is not a major day trip, only a 20-minute bus ride, but there's a lot to see] to the Bygdoy peninsula will take the better part of a day but is worth it to see the Folkmuseum, with its rural buildings from all over the country, including an 800-year-old stave church from Gol. While you're in the neighborhood there's also the Kon Tiki, Viking, and Fram museums.
BTW, with reference to your age, you'll feel like youngsters if you go xc skiing--you're likely to see many white-haired couples whizzing past you on the trails. Not sure about ski conditions in March around Lillehammer. In Telemark where I ski that would be a little late in the season, but conditions do vary from year to year.
You don't want to go to Roros?
Last edited by Fornebufox; May 2, 08 at 9:41 am..
Reason: clarification
Location: Rural Northwestern Virginia - IAD Home Airport
Programs: Lufthansa, AsiaMiles
Posts: 85
Wow, Thanks for the tips Fornebufox!! That's awesome info.
Also, thanks for the hint about the XC skiing!
As to Roros, it looks VERY nice, but I have to limit the trip somehow, and we really want to do a few days in Alesund. I work with a guy from Alesund, and he has given us a lot of good info too, so I want to be able to go back to work, and talk abuot his home town.
Looks like a couple of days in Oslo are now definite!
I am away on business at the moment (in DC, actually!) so I don't have the time to write as detailed as I should.
Tommy's itinerary is the one I would go for. There are hourly trains from Oslo to Lillehammer; all trains stop at the airport. No hassle at all. I haven't stayed at the Radisson at Lillehammer since 1979 (! It was called Lillehammer Turisthotell then), but as has been mentioned already: Radisson SAS hotels in Scandinavia are of a high class. It is a long walk from the train station though, but taxis should be no problems to find, and they are relatively speaking "cheap for Norway".
The train to Åndalsnes is beautiful. There actually is one direct train mid-morning; the other connections need a change at Dombås (no stair climbing necessary). The direct train utilizes a local train set; reasonably comfortable. The service necessating a change usually means taking a Trondheim-bound express train for the first couple of hours, somewhat more comfortable with cheap upgrades to a business-class type carriage available if booked in advance. I would go for the direct train if the timings are suitable, though.
The Grand Hotel Bellevue at Åndalsnes is a short uphill walk from the train station. It's OK for one night, but it certainly isn't one of the best hotels in Norway.
As the only way to get from Åndalsnes til Ålesund is by car or bus, I certainly would recommend you to rent a car (if your wife is prone to carsickness on windy road, she's probably even more prone to bussickness!). The road is of a reasonably good standard; some short windy stretches, but not too bad. The traffic, especially trucks, can be large.
As for Ålesund, it is a good choice! Setting is nice, architecture is stunning (Jugendstil=Art Noveau). I go there quite often on business, living in Kristiansund, two towns further north. (Three hours drive; makes a nice day out from Ålesund; can drive on different routes out and back, including one of the more spectacular newer roads in Norway: Atlanterhavsveien: think Overseas Highway to Key West in a sub-Arctic (well, nearly! clime). Kristiansund also has one of the most spectacular modern churches in Norway.
As for Scandic vs Radisson in Ålesund: both are good and have a great breakfast. Pace Tommy; but Dagens Næringsliv actually named the Scandic as having the best breakfast buffet in Norway! The Radisson is newer and have the better rooms. Scandic has some rooms with a very small window. Definitely go for a room with a view at both! The Scandic is in a nicer area. I would go for the one with the cheapest superior room!
Location: Rural Northwestern Virginia - IAD Home Airport
Programs: Lufthansa, AsiaMiles
Posts: 85
Thanks KSU! Funny you are in my neck of the woods!
I think we all agree Tommy's itin is very good.
I have heard that the train ride is awesome, so thanks for confirming it! The direct sounds better, schedule wise and hauling luggage, but the other sounds nicer, comfort wise. Decisions, decisions......
I think I have decided, based on the info you and others have provided, that the car from Andalsnes is a must. We will want to get out and about once in Alesund, and it seems a shame not to drive SOME of the way.
I will look into Kristiansund, but, like Roros, I may have to do it next time (hopefully!) as we may not have enough time.
Thanks also for the hotel comparisons. It's good that it appears we have 2 excellent choices, so we really can't go wrong!
Thanks to all who have replied, or will eventually.
This has been the nicest exchange of info I have had on this site. Some of the other posts and replies I have made/received, have been a bit less friendly in tone.
A little comment: All hotel chains in Norway (Radisson SAS, Rica, Scandic, Choice) offer free high speed internet.
Hmm...
I seem to recall that neither the Best Westerns [Hamar, Oslo] nor the Comfort Inns [Bergen, Trondhiem] we stayed in had free Internet. Nor did the Grande in Oslo but of course one wouldn't expect them to. The Scandics however did.
__________________ "I love Americans, but in France the government fears the people, in the U.S. the people fear the government." Anonymous
Just as a little note: There are a few very nice Scandic hotels (including the one in Aalesund), but most Scandic's in Scandinavia are Best Western type hotels. Many used to be Esso Motor Hotels..
Just as a little note: There are a few very nice Scandic hotels (including the one in Aalesund), but most Scandic's in Scandinavia are Best Western type hotels. Many used to be Esso Motor Hotels..
Scandic's flagship is the Scandic Trondheim.
Well again, I can only speak to my own experiences and you may be right, the Grand may very well have had free Internet. Perhaps it was on the itemized bill but without charge thus I misremember it as being a charge.
The Best Western West Hotel [the Grand was full on arrival, had to spend one night there] in Oslo didn't have free Internet. I remember thinking the Internet access was almost as much as the room [mediocre hotel at best but clean and in a great neighborhood].
Neither the Best Western in Bergen nor the Comfort Inn in Bergen and Trondheim had free Internet either.
Yes, the Scandic in Alesund was very nice but so was the Scandic Edderkoppen. In fact the Edderkoppen was much nicer - almost boutique quality. The Justers restaurant was fantastic and the rooms were near luxurious.
__________________ "I love Americans, but in France the government fears the people, in the U.S. the people fear the government." Anonymous
At the Choice hotels in Norway (Comfort, Clarion, Quality) there is free internet, but one has to get a scratch card with access code valid for 24 h at the reception.
At the Choice hotels in Norway (Comfort, Clarion, Quality) there is free internet, but one has to get a scratch card with access code valid for 24 h at the reception.
Thanks!
If on a multi-day stay, do they give longer cards, multiple cards at once, or do you go back to the desk each day for a new card?
Mid 40's
