This year, we spent our family vacation visiting the fjords of Norway! It was amazing, although I have to say that I totally underestimated the distances when planning our itinerary. Norway is such a big country! I'm afraid I "over"-planned our trip a bit and we ended up spending too much time in the car, road-tripping from one lovely little town to the next. I regret that we didn't spend more time in one place at one of the fjords, just relaxing and having time to hang out, explore the area, hike and/or do other activities. But, instead, we saw miles and miles of Norway's countryside, which is - truth be told - absolutely magnificent. I mean, it was overwhelmingly beautiful. Words and photos can't possibly do it justice. You just have to see it. And we were almost alone!!! I often said to Marcus, "I bet Europeans don't realize how crazy beautiful this country is!" I mean, it's in their backyard! Yet, it is not flooded with tourists like many other places on this planet! I was so blown away, I absolutely want to go back (but I say that of every place we've been to, so I hope I will lead a long life, haha!). We lucked out with the weather, except on one day, when we drove down Trollstigen, supposedly one of the most scenic mountain roads in the world, when it was pouring rain and we didn't see anything of that glorious mountain pass in the fog! All in all, we really enjoyed Norway - I even think it beats New Zealand in terms of impressive landscape - and would definitely recommend this as a holiday destination! Here's an overview of our 10-day itinerary (10 days is too short!):
- Monday, June 24: Evening flight from Los Angeles to Bergen via Copenhagen ✈️ with Norwegian Air 🇳🇴.
- Tuesday, June 25: Layover Copenhagen and arrival in Bergen at night.
- DAY 1 - Wednesday, June 26: Explore Bergen, its old wharf (Bryggen) and famous fish market (Fisketorget) 🐟. Taking the Fløibanen Funicular to Fløyen 🚃. Visit composer Edvard Grieg's villa.
- DAY 2 - Thursday, June 27: Drive to Gudvangen 🚙. Taking the scenic Flåmsbana railway from Flåm to Myrdal and back 🚞.
- DAY 3 - Friday, June 28: Scandinavian Skies Seaplane Sightseeing Tour over the Sognefjord 🛩. Taking the ferry 🚢 from Gudvangen to Kaupanger sailing through the narrow, majestic Nærøyfjord, the picturesque Aurlandsfjord and the long Sognefjord. Visit Kaupanger Stave Church ⛪.
- DAY 4 - Saturday, June 29: Drive to Valldalen with stops in Fjærland and Stryn.
- DAY 5 - Sunday, June 30: Visit Jordbærstova 🍓. RIB Boat Fjord Safari on the Geirangerfjord 🚤 and experiencing its amazing waterfalls 💖.
- DAY 6 - Monday, July 1: Drive to Ålesund via Trollstigen Mountain Pass (Route 63) and Åndalsnes ☂.
- DAY 7 - Tuesday, July 2: Explore Ålesund. Flight to Bergen with Widerøe Airlines.
- DAY 8 - Wednesday, July 3: See more of Bergen. Taking the Bergen Railway 🚆to Oslo, Norway's capital.
- DAY 9 - Thursday, July 4: Visit Oslo - National Theatre, Royal Palace, Gustav Vigeland Sculpure Park 🌳.
- DAY 10 - Friday, July 5: Flight Oslo - Munich with Lufthansa ✈️.
- Saturday, July 5 to Friday, July 19: spending 2 weeks in Germany, Austria, Belgium and France!
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| Selfie on our Sognefjord ferry cruise. |
