Plans for osd trip

[AutoMonkey]

We've finalized our plans for visiting Göteborg and environs in mid-March, so I thought I'd share them with the board. Any feedback would be appreciated - whether it's "Don't miss the xxx" or "You're going to do what? Are you crazy?" http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

We'll be in Sweden for a total of 4 nights. We arrive in Göteborg mid-afternoon (it's a LONG flight from the left coast) and will probably spend the rest of the day in a comatose state (maybe taking in some of the city if consciousness allows http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif. Next day, we'll pick up the car: I don't know quite how long this will take, but I'm expecting most or all of the morning, particularly if we take a tour of the factory. Then, we're heading up the coast as far as Tanumshede, where we spend our first night. I expect we'll stop off at a few places along the way, though I'm not expecting much to be open. Next day, we head inland and end up at Lidköping, near Lake Vänern. We'll spend the day in and around the area, then next day head back to Göteborg, hopefully along the route that parallels the Göta river. That brings us to one final night in Göteborg, before returning the car to the FDC and heading to the airport on our final day.

We're hoping that this will give us enough time to get to know our new wheels, but will also enable us to get a flavor of this part of Sweden. Each day will involve only ~ 150km of driving, so we won't be just sitting on the highway for hours. Of course, if driving is just too much fun then we can always find some more roads... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Any thoughts/comments? Anyone else care to share their travel plans?

AutoMonkey

[kersti]

We plan to arrive in Goteborg about 10AM on Mar 14, go straight to delivery center to pick up car and take factory tour. Spend night at the Radisson and leave in morning for Oslo, spend two nights in Oslo ( 1 day to explore). Leave Oslo and drive to Flaam and take the train to Myrdal and back (2hrs). Then proceed the same day all the way to Bergen for two nights(1 day to explore). Then back from Bergen to Drammen for one night and then on to Stockholm for two nights (1 day to explore), visit relatives near Stockholm one day and then back to Goteborg for one night, drop off and flight back to Calif on Mar 24. I think we will be covering at about 2K miles. Hopefully the weather is clear, we will be spending a lot of time driving and enjoying the beauty of Norway and Sweden.

[AutoMonkey]

That's quite an adventure, Kersti! Do you have any insight from your relatives in Stockholm as to what sort of road conditions to expect as you head up the West coast? I expect the highways to be clear, but wondered whether or not some of the minor roads would be accessible.

[barrysharp]

Well -- I want to find that road the XC70 travels in the TV Ad that shows the man sleeping and the women driving and having to slow down a little to let the herd of Mooses (or whatever they were) cross in front of them. The weather looked cold but the road seemed -- well reasonably OK to drive on http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

Seriously though, my trip will be close to what kersti has described except I have no relatives I know of in Sweden http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif  Mind you, being borne in UK and knowing the England was ravaged many times by Nordic folks I assume there are some Nordic genes in my body http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I'll post back later with more details.

[kersti]

The Norwegian Tourist Bureau suggested E16 one way and R7 the other to go between Oslo and Bergen. This is the only mountainous part of the trip where many of the smaller roads may be closed. Goteborg to Oslo and across central Sweden should be no problem especially for the XC. Mr Westlake might like to comment on this though.

Kersti

[barrysharp]

Kersti:

Is that E16 Oslo->Begen and R7 Begen->Oslo ? This will be my route a week or so after you so I'm curious.  Thanks.

[kersti]

Yep, that is my plan!

Kersti

[Mr_Westlake]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Norwegian Tourist Bureau suggested E16 one way and R7 the other to go between Oslo and Bergen. This is the only mountainous part of the trip where many of the smaller roads may be closed. Goteborg to Oslo and across central Sweden should be no problem especially for the XC. Mr Westlake might like to comment on this though.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

You’re right I think you have everything under control now, there should be no problems, but you never know fore sure about the weather. But be aware of the shifting road conditions some roads will be dry and clean and some quite icy. And another thing watch out for are animals along the road especially the moose, you don’t want to hit one of those. &nbsp;Well AutoMonkey, Barry, Kersti and others what can I say more then drive safe and take it cool and nothing will happen, Enjoy. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This is the only mountainous part of the trip where many of the smaller roads may be closed.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Here is a couple of links that shows which kind of roads you will miss out of, because they are closed during the winter. &nbsp;These picture are taken from a different area then where your travel take place but the roads are similar.

http://home.swipnet.se/torda/Index/Geirangerfjorden.JPG

http://w1.485.telia.com/~u48505915/PICTUR15.jpg

[barrysharp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Here is a couple of links that shows which kind of roads you will miss out of, because they are closed during the winter. These picture are taken from a different area then where your travel take place but the roads are similar.

http://home.swipnet.se/torda/Index/Geirangerfjorden.JPG

http://w1.485.telia.com/~u48505915/PICTUR15.jpg [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Mr_Westlake: thanks for those pics - didn&#39;t relise at first that the second pic ref was rotated and I got quite giddy with excitement http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif They are greate pics and maybe I&#39;ll have to extend our stay some.

Just out of curiousity -- what facilities does FDC provide (or maybe I have to provide) for car breakdowns when out on those glorious looking roads? I can&#39;t see a cell phone working too well in those hilly/mountainous areas&#33;

Mr_Westlake: when does &#39;winter&#39; officially end in Sweden (and Norway)?

[Mr_Westlake]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just out of curiousity -- what facilities does FDC provide (or maybe I have to provide) for car breakdowns when out on those glorious looking roads? I can&#39;t see a cell phone working too well in those hilly/mountainous areas&#33;[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Norway have cars “falken” patrolling those roads quite often so with a bit of luck they can help you if your phone can’t.

http://www.cellular-news.com/coverage/norway.shtml (Here is a cell phone coverage map of Norway, click on the red text under the map “Telenor - GSM” to show the coverage)


</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Mr_Westlake: when does &#39;winter&#39; officially end in Sweden (and Norway)?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
We have a clear definition of spring in Sweden that’s when the average temperature are increasing and during a day (24 hour) are above 0 C and up to 10 C after that it counts as summer. (This is maybe a more metrological answer)

So in the area where you will be travelling the winter ends sometime of 15 mars-31mars with an exception for the higher areas of Norway, where the winter will end sometime late April. But if you go further north you have to wait until 5 may – 15 may (Sweden and Norway) for springtime to come.

[rkestner]

automonkey,

we had hoped to get to tanumshede but just didn&#39;t make it. &nbsp;when you get back, could you post something about your experience there? &nbsp;we were going to rent a bungalow at the camping place there in order to meet folks and make some new friends.

breakdowns and problems: &nbsp;we were told that we were covered by the volvo on call, roadside assistance program, etc. with arrangements/agreements with the national auto clubs of many european nations. &nbsp;i took my AAA card and checked with the local office who printed up reciprocal european clubs contact numbers, emergency numbers, etc. &nbsp;of course, we never had to use any of this, the car was outstanding&#33;

hope this is helpful.

[AutoMonkey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">we had hoped to get to tanumshede but just didn&#39;t make it. when you get back, could you post something about your experience there?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

I promise a full trip report - plus up to 8 rolls-worth of photos &#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/happy.gif

AutoMonkey

[kersti]

I was not familiar with Tanumshede so checked the internet. It is known for its Bronze Age rock carvings, am I right? It is on the way to Oslo so thanks to you guys we will stop and visit Tanumshede.

Kersti

[AutoMonkey]

Hi Kersti,

You might also want to look into some of the other towns on the coast north of Gothenberg: for example, here are some pictures of Fjällbacka in winter... (http://www.fjallbacka.com/bildarkivet/nya/vinter/vinter.htm)

Looks pretty&#33; though I don&#39;t know how much snow will be on the ground when we&#39;re there. I believe Purush mentioned that there was lots of snow in Gothenburg in his recent trip report...

AutoMonkey

[Low Tide]

Also should mention the island of Hono. &nbsp;Its very well known among the outdoors circuit for its rock formations, tide movement and bouldering opportunities for those interested in easy climbing.

[rkestner]

gothenborg&#33; &nbsp;one of the biggest regrets we had was not spending more time in this wonderful city&#33; &nbsp;like most of you, we focused on the fdc and picking up/dropping off the car. &nbsp;our last couple of days we were kinda pooped out from almost 5 weeks in europe, so we just camped out in the radisson (damn the expense, full relaxing ahead&#33http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif. &nbsp;it is a great town and we had an outstanding experience just going to the movies, (saw &#39;minority report&#39;, and the swedish movie crowd errupted into laughter during the scene when the nurse and doctor are speaking swedish ) playing video games with the local teenaged computer nerds/hackers at the cyber cafe, visiting auto parts stores, etc.

each of us is different though, and going to the zoo to see the moose may not be YOUR cup of tea.

anyway, the dockhouse folks, i think, told me that road with the reindeer in the commercial and the modern architecture home is way, way north.

hope this is helpful to all