Osd in mid march

[Low Tide]

Just curious, I have seen the OSD folks like myself getting quite excited about their FDC play-dates.  Who else is going to be there in March.  Volvo seems to be picking up a bit of OSD deliveries in the early spring.... Diana and Farah are quite busy they say....  Maybe that's why the prices are going up a little, to pay for all our freebies and trips?  

So, when ya going?
Where ya going?
What ya thinking?

Sweden is a bit chilly and gray in march and a WHOLE lot closed.  

[barrysharp]

I've selected my XC70 2003 factory pickup date to be Mar 28th (Friday) and the last date to meet the "pickup by end of March" requirement. It also puts me closer to a warmer clime maybe in Sweden and Norway areas.

My thoughts at this time are to travel from Goteborg->Oslo->Bergen and back, with maybe a side trip over to Stockholm. I'm trying to find out the best possible route between Oslo and Bergen given that there could be waether issues and mountain ranges in between. I'm all for it no matter what but my wife wants some assurances we will not meet with too many difficult driving conditions/situations etc. I'm trying to figure out what info I need to collect to provide her with these assurances. Any help from you folks out there would be appreciated no end.

Also, we have two Fox Terriers and I'm wondering how the Swedes and Norwegians takes to dogs travelling with us and the hotel/hostels views of them being with us. Also, I don't know what the issues with customs are wrt to bring dogs into the countries -- anyone know if this is possible. I know in UK they have some pretty strict rules about bringing pets into the country. It just maybe a bad idea to even contemplate having the dogs with us -- pity as they love to travel with us.

My other thought is to take Ferry from Goteborg to the European mainland and head south to wamer clime -- but as we've never been to Sweden/Norway we really want to see those countries and mix with the people there.

Anyhows -- these are our travel thoughts at this time.

[Low Tide]

We are thinking about a circuit of the So. Sweden with crossings to Copenhagen before returning the car. *Then we are heading south to Nice, across the riviera for some spring wildflowers and into the Veneto to visit friends. *It seems to make a lot more sense to return to Sweden and Norway in the Summer on a second trip. *I am not too concerned with the driving in March/April, as it is thawing- it is not a lot different that it would be driving up into the mountains of the sierra or cascades in winter from my recollections. *Although- the Norway seciton you are discussing is likely to be in good shape at that time of the year. *The jet streams keep the air much warmer west of Oslo I hear. *Its very similar to the winter that we on the northern part of left coast (US) are use to. *Rain, probably- but those are not the wet months either.... *Snow, maybe, but not huge drifts that are impassable.  The roads are built to take it, and the car speaks for itself. *Personally, I would rather be outdoors but  not freeze up in the mountains or in the frozen tundra of the North... that's why we are seriously considering the return trip- and the option of going south after the OSD.   *

[kersti]

I am picking up my car on friday March 14. The norwegian tourist bureau suggested E16 one way and highway 7 the other between Bergen and Oslo to get a variety of scenary. Using the handy travel link. It is 7-8 hours each way. I thought it might be nice as a side trip to take the flambana train from Flam to Myrdal (45min each way). This was the highlight of the Norway in a Nutshell tour that I took 3 years ago. Looking at CNN weather for Bergen, Oslo and Stockholm they seem to be pretty close this time of year, will keep monitoring it into March.

[gribupirkt]

I just ordered my OSD XC70 a few days ago, so I haven't had the discussion about flight dates yet.  However, I'm considering flying out solo on my own dime for the late March pickup, and trying to convince the travel dept. to let me use my flight package (I bought the $295 side trip to Nice) later in the year when the weather is nicer. Are the people who set up the flights flexible?  Or is this just not going to be an option?  Any guesses?

[Low Tide]

Good question. *I recall both reading in the OSD rules and discussing with the Travel people (Diana and Farah) that you must use the travel coupons from Volvo to pick up the car- or you at least must use them in the same timeframe as the current offer requires. *The prsent 2 ticket vouchers expire more or less. Let us know what you find out by grovelling.

Otherwise.... Using free tickets or cheap flights is a great consideration especialy in winter, but remember that late march and april are really nice in the south. *I lived overseas for a couple of years- that time of the year is lovely and cheaper than the summer by a long shot. *Also, there are few tourists and no crowds. *The spring holidays for some students/families make the coast a little lively as well. *Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, Greece are very temperate- high 50's, 60's. *My last trip in 1999 was in March and there were a few days that reached the low 70's in Italy. *So, in my opinion, Nice in early April is VERY nice- the wildflowers are usually out, perfuming the air.  Hiking is supurb in the hills, rain is sparse. *Nice in July on the other hand, would be loud, crowded, and expensive. * *

[purush]

My delivery date is Feb 25th.  I leave Raleigh, sans wife and child, on Feb 21st and return on Feb 26th.  It is the middle of the semester for me, so I can't get away from my teaching duties.  My wife and child are busy too with their activities.  I initially thought I could use the extra ticket later; however, the rules explicitly say that both tickets should be identical travel schedule.

Purush

[MGC]

Add my name to the list.

*We are going to pick the car up in late March. *Our plan so far is to stay around Gothenburg for about 3 days then go to Copenhagen, then further south to the Rhine region of Germany. *Working our way back to Gothenburg to drop off the car.

I live in Seattle so I am expecting the weather to be very similar to what we have that time of year.

We are considering the side trip to London.

MGC

[stevel0923]

FYI, when asked about Frequent Flyer Mileages, only one person qualifies because the second ticket is paid for by a companion coupon.  Thats too bad because that could be a lot of United Airlines mileage for both parties.  Just hope UA stays a float long enough to March.  We're traveling to Paris on 3/14.  Even though we're not picking up our car due to direct delivery, we still want to travel to Europe and visit our friends in Paris.  Planning to rent a car and drive around the beaches of Normandie.

Another concern is whats happening in the Gulf.  Not too sure about traveling abroad if war breaks out. Volvo might have some travel contigency for this....

[Mr_Westlake]

Barry and Kersti: About travelling concerns read my other posts, here and here.

Barry, I think they have pretty strict rules about bringing pets in to Sweden also.

Read more here: Pets

And to You all, welcome to Sweden. *