Conference turris::scandia

 Tony,
       I envy you, Scandinavia in June is wonderful!

 Opinions and information which may help you have a better visit:

 > Try to arrange more time - ten days is so short!

 > No fault in the order of destinations, it's reasonable.

 > I take it you must spend a week in Denmark ("part business"). (Well,
  Copenhagen probably might be a bit more fun than the other capitals.)
  The main fault of the plan is one that I and so many travelers have
  made also: to spend most of a trip in major cities. In particular, you
  are really short-changing yourself if you limit your visit to Norway
  to just a weekend in Oslo. You should get out into the country wherever
  you go, and especially in Norway, whose scenic beauty is superlative.

 > Of course there is train service between all the capitals. Myself, I
   find long train trips somewhat boring; by contrast, the best dollars
   (krone, whatever) I have spent for transportation has been ferries.
   Get on one that serves a massive smorgasbord (a whole other subject).
   (If you have a rail pass or something, you get a ferry ride in the 
   bargain, there's no train tracks across the Skagerakk or Kattegat!)
 
 > You're lucky you'll be there on the solstice (MidSommer), and Sankt
   Hans Dag. Celebrate the longest day, or its Christianized holiday
   a couple of days after. Go to someplace where "they get into it".
   (Not Oslo.) It's more of a festival up in the mountains, where you
   may see many bonfires, and in many coastal places.

  I'm sure you'll see other helpful replies here.
   Have fun! 

re .1

> > Of course there is train service between all the capitals. Myself, I
>   find long train trips somewhat boring; by contrast, the best dollars
>   (krone, whatever) I have spent for transportation has been ferries.

Is there really train service between Copenhagen and Stockholm/Oslo ?

I thought there was a body of water between Denmark and the (Norway/Sweden)
subcontinent; i.e. the neck between the Atlantic and the Gulf of
Bothnia.  Is the train over a marine bridge or subterranean ?

    Last June my wife and I Honeymooned in Scandinavia, we spent three and
    half weeks there (but still not long enough).  10 days will be way to
    short to see all you want.  For timing this is how we spent our time.
    If you need hotel names send me mail and I will look them up.
    
    We went from Boston to Copenhagan.
    -Copenhagen (2 days)
             North through Helsingor (hamlets castle) over to sweden.
    -Vaxjo (1day) You are now in Crystal Territory.(Orefor, Kosta Boda etc)
    -Kalmar (1day)Neat old castle near water. Oland is pretty countryside.
    -Stockholm (2 days)(wonderful city stayed in the older island without
      all the fancy hotels...much more fun).  Although we never to "tours" we
      did do a boat toar of the city and surrounding communities that was
      very nice.
    -Stockholm cruise to Helsinki finland (2 days)(Lots of fun, good diversity of
      food on board).  Heard the Helsinki Orchestra in main building off
      the center of town.  The acoustics and playing were wonderful.
      Interestin street musians.
    -Karlstad-
    -Oslo (2 days)Although some great sites like Vigland (sp) park this was
      our least favorite city in scandinavia.
    -3 days traveling through back country north to Trondheim.  This started
      my favorite part of the trip the beauty of this area is unmatched!  We
      would just drive into the mountains and find someplace to stay.  It
      would stay light out past 11pm.  Got to try reindeer meat at a local
      Inn that catched the deer fresh off the mountain.  If you love remote
      beauty you must spen time in this area.
    -Trondheim (contains the northern most botanical garden in the world).
     (headed down the coast)
    -Alesund (lovely sea side town,  Art-noveau architecture style due to
      rebuilding by the germans at the turn of the century). Spent 2 days
      here and loved it!
    - Maloy- Sleepy little fishing town, definitely not touristy.  Nothing
      very exciting to see but if you enjoy seeing real Norwigens with no
      tourist it is very pleasant. 
    -Boverdal (stay at a neat, $$$, log cabin Inn right on rte 55)
    - Aurland to Gudvangen ferry gives beautiful views of the Fjords on the
    approach to aurland from laerdal I recommend the remote mountain pass
    rode between the two towns, slightly dangerous at times but beautiful.
    - Bergen (If your choice is between Oslo and Bergen I think the latter
      is a muche better choice.)  
    
    You'll find most everything especially food and drinks very expensive.
    Breakfast is great since most all hotels include a wonderful buffet
    breakfast.  This can often have you last until dinner thereby having
    your budget only need to cover one meal a day.  Loved the fish in
    Norway.  The back country was the best for me words can't describe it!!
    
    Since you are considering the train the train ride from OSLO to BERGEN
    is supposed to be one of the most beautiful.  For me I enjoy getting
    out of the car, hiking and taking pictures at will.
    
    Its tough to summerize the wonderful adventures we had but I look
    forward to returning someday.  If you need details on and one area just
    drop a note and I will try to dig up information.
    

    Re: .2:
    
    >Is the train over a marine bridge or subterranean ?
    
    The train (and track) goes onto a rail ferry. I agree with the author
    of .1 that time spent on the train (but NOT the ferry) is the most
    boring part.  If the author of the base note is going to be in
    Scandinavia such a short time, I suggest he choose no more than TWO of
    the three countries named.  
    
    How about renting a bicycle and getting out into the Danish
    countryside?  How about taking the train to Fredickshavn and crossing
    to Gothenburg and seeing the Swedish west coast.  [Of course, that's
    what _I'd_ do!]
    
    By all means, look at replies to Note 2 (.10 particularly) and write to
    the Tourist Board for the latest colorful traveler's handouts,
    especially "This Time Scandinavia", which is loaded with suggestions
    and hints on how to get around.
    
    And bring lots of money, Scandinavia isn't inexpensive any more. Sigh!
    :-(

    Here's a bit of a ramble; mainly subjective opinions.
    
    Cities. Which one you like will depend on what you like to do in a
    city. Your week's stay in Copenhagen should fill your requirements for
    night life, so unless you place gourmet eating, etc., highest on your
    list of priorities, I would seek other experiences during the rest of
    the time.
    
    My own opinions on cities: As a native of Oslo I consider the following
    two to be my favourites in Scandinavia: 1) Stockholm 2) Bergen.
    Stockholm is actually my favourite in Europe. In connection with what I
    said above about what you like doing: If you like walking around
    cities, looking and "getting the feel of them", then Stockholm is much
    to be preferred over Copenhagen (visually more interesting/"Venice of
    the Northe", etc.). To me Copenhagen is very much of "just another
    city"---true, with some of its own character (as all cities), but still
    basically N number of people living on X square kilometers. Stockholm,
    on the other hand, is unique. The number N is roughly the same, but the
    sqare kilometers consists of islands; one of these---in the "center"---
    is the old city ("Gamla Stan) mentioned above---its proper name being
    "The city between the bridges".
    
    Bergen is interesting as much because of its setting as the town itself
    (it is much smaller than Stockholm---about 1/8 in population). Again,
    it's a "walking around in" city, with opportunities of going "above"
    the city via a funicular railway.
    
    Since you are here in the summer, I can only mention what I consider
    the supreme place to be during our Nordic light nights: The Swedish
    West coast (area between Gothenburg and Norwegian border). You can take
    boat trips in this immense archipalego, which is the only way to
    experience it if you don't have your own boat. (Again, back to cities,
    Gothenburg is no great attraction---just another city, but a practical
    jumping off place if you fancy such a boat trip). A place you could go
    to from Gothenburg is Marstrand.
    
    You might also check if there are direct flights from Bergen to New
    York for a way to return (these usually run in the summer as Bergen is
    "the gateway to the fjords"). Then you could play with various
    possibilities of having unbroken air travel, and still get the most out
    of your ten days.
    
    I also agree with the above comments on train rides. There is, however,
    one major exception, to wit, the trip from Oslo to Bergen, which should
    be done during daylight hours. Given your shorter time, I would not
    squeeze in Trondheim in this; the scenery between Oslo & Bergen (and
    around Bergen) is actually more spectacular, especially if you can
    spend an extra day in "fjord country" (which can begin half way to
    Bergen via a side trip down to the Sognefjord---by rail).
    
    That's just my two cents worth.
    
    Mauritz
    

    If you stick to your original plan of Stockholm, Copenhagen and then
    Oslo I would recommend that you take the night ferry from Copenhagen to
    Oslo. It leaves Copenhagen around 5 p.m. and arrives in Oslo around 9
    a.m. the next morning.

    Beside saving the hotel cost for that night the ferry trip is rather
    pleasant. Especially the Oslo fjord is beautifull, but you'll have to
    get up at around 5 a.m. to really enjoy it.
    
    Outlaw

    All the suggestions are very much appreciated.
    
    Is it possible to make advance reservations for the Night Ferry from
    Copenhagen to Oslo? 
    
    Also, I would appreciate Hotel suggestions for Stockholm and Oslo.
    We're open to suggestions. We equally enjoy nice hotels, Inns,
    bed-and-breakfast. 
    
    Regards,
    Tony
     

    re: .7
    
    For Stockholm hotels, see note 326.
    
    For Oslo, I've stayed at the SAS Scandinavia, The Continental, the
    Linne, and the Gabelshus. SAS and Continental are near the National
    Theater, very nice and very, very expensive. The Linne is simple and
    very pleasant, but it is out of the way, several kilometers east of the
    city (but near a "T"[?] stop). The Gabelshus is moderately priced
    (meaning merely expensive), pleasant, and located a half block from the
    tram line, in the embassy district about 1 km west of the National
    Theater. I'd recommend it as the best value I've seen or heard of in
    Oslo.
    
    	Gabelshus Hotell
    	Gabels Gate 16
    	0205 OSLO 2
    	Tel: +47 2 55 22 60
    	FAX: +47 2 44 27 30
    	TLX: 74073 gabel n
    	rate: August 1990, single NKR750 (NKR500 weekends)
    
    -Tom
                                               

    I would appreciate any recommendations for mid-priced hotels, or
    bed-and-breakfasts, in Stockholm.
    
    Plans for my trip to Stockholm-Copenhagen-Oslo are coming along nicely,
    but still have not booked hotels except for Copenhagen (conference
    hotel).
    
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Best regards,
    Tony
    

    re: .9
    
    See note 326 (again).
    
    -Tom

    having trouble booking a hotel in Oslo. Gabelshus and continental were
    both booked solid. Any other suggestions for a moderately priced hotel
    close to the center of the City?
    
    Regards,
    
    Tony
    

    See 466.1. I thought a topic on Oslo hotels might be useful instead of
    being buried in this topic.
    
    [Mr. moderator, you can delete .8 if you like.]
    
    -Tom