Norway is a paradise for hikers. The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT, in Norwegian) owns a large number of cottages (both serviced and self-serviced) all over the country, making it possible for hikers to traverse the country on foot. This is the way Norwegians themselves prefer to experience the mountains. For information, call 47-2282-2800.
Shopping
Shop for pewter, porcelain dinnerware, handmade glass, elk- or moose-leather products, textiles, furniture (especially pieces made from pine), ceramics, ski equipment, beautiful hunting knives, wonderful toys, wood carvings and woolens (fabulous sweaters—although the handmade variety are becoming hard to find except in the smallest towns, even the machine-made versions are beautiful). Also, don't forget smoked salmon, which can be packed for traveling.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday 9 am-1 pm. Hours may be longer in large shopping centers and on Thursday night.
Day By Day
Most people stay for only a week, which allows them to take a short cruise and spend a few days in Oslo or Bergen. Ideally, however, you should stay 12 days to two weeks to include the following:
Day 1—Arrive Oslo.
Day 2—Explore Oslo.
Day 3—Take the Bergen Scenic Railway to Voss.
Day 4—Take the Norway in a Nutshell tour, which includes a ferry ride to Flam, then going on by train to Bergen in late afternoon. Overnight in Bergen.
Day 5—Bergen.
Day 6-11—Six-day fjord cruise.
Day 12—Depart Norway.
If time allows for an additional week after the fjord cruise (making a total of approximately three weeks), options expand greatly. Add a day trip to Lillehammer from Oslo. Then, after arriving in Bergen, spend an extra day in the city before flying to Hammerfest (North Cape) for a leisurely journey by coastal steamer back to Bergen. This would be ideal. If even more time is available, disembark from the coastal ferry at various Arctic Circle cities and spend a night in each before reaching North Cape. For island lovers, spend a few days exploring the Lofoten Islands. While reservations are essential for a cabin on the coastal ferry, short day trips from city to city usually require no advance booking.
