March 24, 2005
Norway travel plans
The official Norway tourism site has some good information on Norway travel plans. Unlike most official sites, this one takes on advertisers so there are links to commercail tour companies that are not exactly unbiased. Anyway it's a good place to read about travel plans in Norway. One of them was (some names may no display correctly depending on the fonts in your computer):
Top of the FjordsPosted by James Trotta at March 24, 2005 12:29 AMAlmost a week is required because here are sights galore! Historic Bergen. Narrow and winding roads to the Sognefjord, yet full of vistas. The old stone bridge north of Vadheim. Lake Jølster - try the local road south of the lake via the painter Astrup's home and make a detour to Fjærland. Våtedal framed by mountains.
Across the mountains to Nordfjord - remarkable views on both sides to Olden where the excursion to the Briksdalbreen glaciers, a branch of the Jostedalsbreen icefield, is a must. Past Europe's deepest lake, Hornindalsvatn, to Hellesylt with its magnificent waterfall and on the Geirangerfjord to Geiranger. Serpentine roads take you to the top of 1500 m high Mount Dalsnibba before you continue along the turbulent Otta river to Lom with its stave church and mountain museum.The Sognefjell Road through Jotunheimen climbing to 1440 m.a.s.l. Majestic Sognefjord and the Vikafjell Road to Voss with medieval church and ancient Mølstertun farmyard. Finally through the Bergsdalen Valley on a narrow, winding scenic road, followed by a motorway along the Sørfjorden to Bergen.
On this tour, you travel through two national parks: Jostedalsbreen and Jotunheimen.
Being a native Norwegian transplanted to the USA, I can only sing the praises of the Fatherland :) It is a truly beautiful country with incredible nature and sights to see. The West Coast is spectacular, but usually overrun by tourists fighting to see the fjords. Head north in the summer to see the midnight sun (although it never gets dark until nearly midnight ANYWHERE in Norway), or south for idyllic and pitcuresque coast villages with fishing boats and fresh shrimp everywhere.
Posted by: Tamsin Robøle at March 25, 2005 10:32 AM