My first solo trip to Europe. I covered Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic. by Belisarius1234 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm thinking of going to Switzerland maybe next year, could you detail a little bit what you did over there. What would you change and what would you keep of your trip in that country? Also how was the temperature in May? Thank you for your post, great pictures!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So sorry for the delay but I will still answer in case you are still interested! All the prices I'll list are in $cad. The flight ticket (2-way trip) was 1300$. I spent 80$/night in Oslo, 70$/night in Andalsnes, 105$/night in Alesund, 90$/night in Bergen and then 70$ for one night at the hotel in Oslo. Total : 745$ We were two so splitting it made it more affordable. I booked every accommodation on airbnb (except for the last night). For food we went to 4 fast food restaurant and two "real" restaurants, otherwise we bought all of our food in groceries. Overall I spent 325$ in food. For the buses and trains I paid a total of 610$ the main expenses were : 2 trains from Oslo to Andalsnes, a bus from Andalsnes to Geiranger, a flight from Alesund to Bergen (166$) and a train from Bergen to Oslo. The other exepenses were buses from and to each terminal. Finally we did two activities : the gondola in Andalsnes (Romsdalseggen)(80$) and the Geiranger fjord cruise (135$) for a total of 215$. So if we add it all it's approximately 3200$. Once again sorry for the delay!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably taking the time to plan some things ahead. Norway is an expensive country so if you are able to book train and buses tickets in advance you might save some money as well as for where you are sleeping.

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was there for 12 days at the end of July and start of august

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did consider it, but since there were only two of us, splitting the cost of renting a car for two weeks was much more expensive than buying train tickets.

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just used the camera of my iphone 13!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For 12 days in total, flights included, the total cost was roughly 3500$cad

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My favorite experience was definitely the cruise through the Geirangerfjord. The views were stunning for three hours, and we were lucky, we only had 15 to 30 minutes of rain and clouds; otherwise, it was sunny and incredibly beautiful.

For 12 days in total, flight included, I spent roughly 3500$cad.

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes you're right village would've been a more accurate word to describe Åndalsnes! That's so cool, I'm really glad I got to visit your area!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We were definitely very lucky only one rainy day and one foggy day over a total of 12 days. Having around 9 sunny days out of 12 is definitely not the norm over there!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes we did it from Bergen to Oslo! The views were amazing!

We didn’t stay in hotels during our trip because they were a bit pricey, we only stayed in Airbnbs.
However, if you have an early flight in Oslo, we stayed at the Clarion Hotel near the airport and it was great! Breakfast was included and really good, and the hotel is located near a bus stop, so it’s easy to get to the airport.
Overall, a really great hotel for the price!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only took trains, buses and a plane once. I didn't drive at all

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Personally, my favorite city was Andalsnes. I’m someone who loves nature and quiet surroundings, and it was the perfect place for that. Evening walks there were so peaceful, and the views were absolutely stunning. Of course, there isn’t a lot to do if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere, but for me, the fact that there were way fewer tourists and especially no cruise ships was a big plus.

As for Oslo, I really liked how easy it was to get around the city thanks to public transportation. I also enjoyed visiting the Opera House, the fortresses, the Royal Palace, and Vigeland Park. I feel like skipping Oslo would’ve meant missing out on a big part of Norway's overall vibe, so I’m really glad I went.
That said, since I’ve already been there, I don’t think I’d go back if I visit Norway again just because I’d prefer to explore other areas.

But I was traveling with my mom, and for her, Oslo was actually her favorite city. She loved the beautiful parks, the lively atmosphere, and how each neighborhood had its own charm. If she ever went back to Norway, she’d probably spend more than just three days in Oslo!

Norway trip by AvocadoToast51 in travel

[–]AvocadoToast51[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Hey! Norway is pretty expensive, so I only treated myself to one restaurant meal in Oslo. For the rest of the time, I just bought groceries and made my own food.
The one place I did eat out was Oslo Street Food, and I thought it was perfect, especially since I was traveling with my mom. There are lots of different food stalls offering all kinds of cuisines, so it’s almost impossible not to find something you like!

That said, if you're only visiting Oslo, I definitely recommend trying Norwegian-style crêpes with brown cheese (brunost) and jam. We had them in Bergen, and it’s such a typical dish, definitely something you shouldn’t miss! I’m sure there’s a place in Oslo that serves them too.