Norway on your OSD plan?

[XC70Viking]

Hi.

I live close to Lillehammer, Norway and would like to invite all of you planning to pass by here to contact me if you have any questions or just anything that I can help you with.

We (my family) just love to drive, seightseeing and meet new people and we both speak good english.

I wish there was a deal like this for us Europeans in the US too. We would really like to drive coast to coast one day...

See you.

LOOK in post #5 for some useful link's (http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?3945-Norway-on-your-OSD-plan&p=30780#post30780)

[MD-Daddy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (XC70Viking @ Jan. 21 2004,03:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I live close to Lillehammer, Norway and would like to invite all of you planning to pass by here to contact me if you have any questions or just anything that I can help you with.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
How far (in hours) would you guess Lillihammer is from the factory? &nbsp;I have family (distant) up in Melbu that one day I&#39;d like to visit.

[XC70Viking]

Hi.

It will take you close to 4hrs from the norwegian border to Lillehammer. It&#39;s been a really long time since I have been in Gothenburg area, but I gestimate in order 2,5 to 3 hrs drive to the border. These times should be resonable in good conditions. Another 6+ hrs to Melbu (if it is close to Trondheim airport), but a fantastic drive almost any season. Autumn is my favorite season with those red, yellow and purple colours over the mountains.

I would try to avoid the main road some of that drive as it would give you a nicer view and more relaxed driving (some minutes extra, but worth it).

I think Lillehammer have a high population of XC70&#39;s as Taxi drivers are changing their Mercedes to Volvo http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ORGramps]

Thanks for your offer. &nbsp;We are working on our plan for March 12 delivery. &nbsp;It will include driving to Oslo and then leaving the car there for the Norway in a Nutshell trip to Bergen and back. &nbsp;I&#39;m looking at the Norway Train schedules and rates for this trip (not very clear) and also lodging in Bergen. &nbsp;May even venture to Tronheim as I have an old friend there. &nbsp;Should have the flight arrangements firmed in a couple days and then can get serious about lodging and all the other itinerary detail.

See &quot;OSD in 2004&quot;
OSD in 2004 (http://xc70.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=309) for more info on our plans.

[XC70Viking]

Hi OrGramps. (Or anyone else that like to visit Norway)

We (wife and I) have also taken the "Norway in a nutshell" trip and it is a great tour of "Fjords and mountains". We took airplane to Bergen , spent a few days there, boat to Flåm then we changed train in Myrdal for Oslo. This is "the opposite way" of what they are promoting and I don't know if it will work out now (winterschedules etc). At Train Planner (https://www.nsb.no/en/) you can find some info if you havent been here already. If at all possible try travelling at daytime, as the view from the train from Oslo to Bergen can be very nice.

Have you considdered: Drive to Oslo airport, airplane to Bergen (apprx. 120$ for 2 adult if you can get the cheap tickets),Nutshell tour (http://www.norwaynutshell.com/en/explore-the-fjords/) and train back.(train stops at the airport terminal). This can also be done opposite direction I belive. Check out Scandinavian Airlines (http://www.flysas.com/en/us/) for plane tickets/schedules.

Another option is : Drive to Bergen, Nutshell Tour, Take ferry to Trondheim w/car, then drive to Götheborg again. You can read about the ferry here: Hurtigruta ferry(unofficial) (http://www.hurtigruta.info/Index_Eng.html) Hurtigruta official (http://www.hurtigruten.com/us/?country=US)

By the way; There is a law that says you have to have proper tyres in wintertime, but I am using studless tires and I don't think Sweden have any law that you have to have studs. (I'm shure some swedish guy will respond on that)

It all depends on how much time you want to spend in your new car *http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

I would go London, Götheborg, Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Götheborg, but thats only my opinion not knowing any details of what you want to see or have in mind....

Just feel free to contact me anyway if you have questions. I have to much suggestions to put down here.

PS. there is a free service here that will let you plan trips in Norway by road. http://www.visveg.no/norguide/[/url]
I use it alot....

Another great resource for planning your trip overseas is [URL="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en"]Scenic roundtrips Norway (http://www.visveg.no/) issued by the Norwegian Road department.
Have a look at http://www.visitnorway.com/us/ from nasional tourist board
Imagine driving to Tromsø and seeing The Northern Light (http://www.visittromso.no/en/NorthernLights/). (should be on everyones "Bucket List")

Have fun planning...... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[XC70Viking]

Another link that might come handy

http://www.fjordpass.no/

[mrb]

I did &quot;nutshell trip&quot; from Oslo--was wonderful but I returned the same day by train and still wished I haed gone on to Bergen--you are on the right &quot;track&quot; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[XC70Viking]

Hi Mrb&#33;

Look at this and you will know what you missed http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

http://www.norway.com/bergen/

norway.com is a good source of info also for those planning to go this way......

[ORGramps]

XCViking,

Thanks for all the information. &nbsp;You&#39;ve made it like drinking out of a fire hose&#33;

I&#39;m on a schedule with our trip planning to contact Volvo no later than Friday to get the flight reservations set. &nbsp;Hope I won&#39;t lose our date for delivery because of scheduling flights so late.

Now, with regard to some of your ideas, I like the idea of driving the XC from Oslo to Bergen, but would appreciate some route/weather guidance. &nbsp;In mid-March I assume we will have no more than five hours of daylight. &nbsp;We prefer not to drive at night, especially in an area we are not familar with. &nbsp;I gave been unable to get the routing site to work although I have looked at the mapping capability which is very good. &nbsp;Unfortunately, I don&#39;t have aNorwegian dictionary, and those I have found on-line have too limited of a vocabulary. Would you please be kind enough to suggest one or two possible routes and give me some time estimates? &nbsp;Also what are the roads like at the time of year we will be traveling? &nbsp;We are not opposed to staying over night on the Oslo- Bergen and return route, but would prefer spending those nights in Bergen or Oslo. &nbsp;I&#39;ve noticed on the road map that AAA gave us there are ferries that we might have to use if we go from Oslo on E18, E134, 13, 7 into Bergen. &nbsp;From here I have not been able to find the schedule for ferries, and would not like to arrive at one too late for that run.

That&#39;s enough for tonight. &nbsp;Thanks again for your helpful comments.

Rex

[XC70Viking]

ORGramps,

I hope all that water doesn&#39;t put out the fire http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I missed the english version of the roadplanner guide. There is a tiny british flag on the opening page, thats the link to english (atleast most of it) or use this link: http://www.visveg.no/norguide/

By=city
Flyplass=airport
etc....(you will soon need these words)

I think in mid March you will have atleast 8hrs of daylight (or atleast not dark) We have more than 5 hrs now, and it gets brighter every day. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Driving time to Bergen from Oslo is around 7 to 8 hrs depending on your route, speed, stops etc.

Roadconditions are usually good. There are a few places that weather can hinder you, but road department is monitoring those places and will close the road if necesarry or gather some cars and lead with a snow removing veichle. (this is fun and exiting if you can take the delay). But as I said 99.5% it will be good conditions with snowcovered roads over the moutains and bare roads lowland. With a car like the XC, it will be a piece of cake..

Easterholiday is a big thing in norway. City&#39;s are empty but hotels at skiresorts are jam packed. 2,12 and 13 april are days to look out for. Trafficjams on all major roads.

I will soon get a book (routeplanner) for Norway, so after I get that one I will be able to help you more with details on route selctions. Also it would help to know your interests, like driving, museums, nature, citytouring, history etc. Do you ski? Beginning next week I should have it....

[mrb]

Will definenetly have to return to Norway http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ORGramps]

OK, &nbsp;Here&#39;s the way the schedule is working out. &nbsp;We are not going to drive into Norway far (just to Oslo) if at all because we will be taking the train trip + Norway in a Nutshell trip from there to Bergen. &nbsp;Life is full of compromises&#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

We will be in Sweden and Norway March 11 until March 25. Six days in Sweden with three in Stockholm. We are staying there at the Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden as they have a weekend special (available through Expedia.com) of three nights for the price of two (&#036;138, &#036;138, &#036;0). This is a four star hotel. Thanks to &quot;Kayaking&quot; for that suggestion&#33; &nbsp;It is on Stockholm&#39;s archipelago. &nbsp;They say they are 20 minutes by car from central Stockholm. &nbsp;I understand public transport is good.

We are planning on coming back from there to Goteborg and then driving along the west coast through Tanumshede (staying overnight at Tanums Gestgifveri - a 1600+ vintage Inn) (Thanks to &quot;AutoMonkey&quot; for that suggestion&#33http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif to Oslo where we will stay three nights, then take the &quot;Norway in a Nutshell&quot; trip. This includes a train ride of 15 miles with 2800 foot drop - supposed to be one of the best 15 train rides in the world. This is followed by a two hour boat ride on a Fjord. I expect this will be a bit cold this time of the year, but understand the beauty is extraodinary&#33; We will stay over in Voss at Fleischer&#39;s Hotel (may even get in a morning of XC-skiing) and then take the train to Bergen staying overnight one night at the Strand Hotel. The next day we will train back to Oslo for one overnight. The next day on to Goteborg for one overnight and then on the way home.

We are still debating about whether to turn our car in before going to Oslo as we will need parking for it while we are doing the Nutshell trip and . . . parking is expensive. &nbsp;If we turn it in early, we will take the train from Goteborg to Oslo and back.

The Volvo travel people have helped alot. The comments in this forum have really helped put the &quot;base&quot; in place.

We are getting excited, but have alot to do before we can leave on the 7th of March. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

ORGramps &nbsp; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[ORGramps]

Almost forgot. &nbsp;Thanks XC70Viking for your helpful comments&#33; &nbsp;You got me to look at the alternatives for driving and train in order to maximize our experience in Norway. &nbsp;My wife and I have just decided that the train will probably enable us to enjoy the Nutshell experience more. &nbsp;We are also concerned about the roads if we were to drive the majority of that route. &nbsp;Probably not worth the worry-worry must be of some value though as most of the things we worry about don&#39;t happen&#33;

I expect that after this trip we will want to come back again. &nbsp;I still want to go to Trondheim. &nbsp;Probably best to do the next trip in mid-summer. &nbsp;Although this time I plan on doing some cross-country skiing at Voss&#33;

Rex

[mrb]

your trip sounds great -- YES you do have to make choices and compromises but you can&#39;t do everything---have a marvoulos time---You can drop your car off in Oslo or Stockholm and you are charged the amount to truck it to Goteborg. I dropped it off in Stockholm on my trip and it cost me about &#036;250. Gas is about &#036;65 a tank- http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Parking in Stockhom is no problem--open parking lots along the water and easy walking everywhere. &nbsp;Wow--I&#39;m relliving my trip agian--THANKS--merv

[ORGramps]

Merv,

Thanks for the comments. &nbsp;Yes, I was wondering about parking in Stockholm.

By the way, I notice you have a wooden steering wheel. &nbsp;Any regrets on that decision? &nbsp;That&#39;s the one extra splurge I did. &nbsp;It just looks too nice to pass up&#33; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Rex

[mrb]

LUV my wood steering wheel--my wife laughed at me when I told her I ordered it but when she saw it on our car, she too loved it--not only looks good but feels good. &nbsp;Forgot to mention that I dislike driving in situations or places I&#39;m not familar with but Sweden and Stockholm were wonderfull and extremely easy to drive in. &nbsp;Roads are excellent and drivers are coureteous. &nbsp;Wish I were rich so I could buy a Volvo every year and repeat the experience--but am not so will be very happy to relive it though people like you http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif merv

[XC70Viking]

ORGramps,

When we took the train we upgraded to &quot;first class&quot;. Better space, reclining chairs, free coffe and newspapers(guess you don&#39;t need those since they are norwegian). Don&#39;t know if this service exist anymore, but you can find out on www.nsb.no (they have english pages)

If you drive 30min out of Oslo along the railroad, parking is 30&#036;US a week under roof and &quot;security&quot;. 50yards walk to trainstation. (station name is Asker). You can even park for free outdoor with compliments of railroad company. In Oslo city itself, I would guess parking is about twice this amount.

If I could, I would love to offer you company in my own XC for that drive to Bergen to break it in. You guy&#39;s are missing out on a &quot;mini-adventure&quot; by not using this unik chance to use your new car in its rightful enviroment. Just my very personal opinion http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/music.gif

I wish you a great trip and may the sun shine on you for whole 18 days, so you can bring back plenty good memories and make that trip back someday to visit your friend in Trondheim.

I&#39;m really excited to hear about the Nutshell Tour this time a year, so I hope you can post a travel report later. Also I recon our cars are put together quite close in time, so its nice to hear about what problems you find if any.

Still open for any questions or help with anything small or big.

http://www.fjordinfo.no/sfr/images/mountain-aurland.jpg

This is how the roads could look like.....

[ORGramps]

XC70Viking,

The circumstances are working in your favor for driving to Voss and Bergen&#33;

I&#39;ve checked on rail fares and the tourist agency here can&#39;t get us senior rates. &nbsp;Therefore I think I&#39;ll wait and see what the weather looks like before we decide whether to drive from Oslo or make the &quot;fair weather only&quot; decision. &nbsp;Don&#39;t expect the trains will be that busy in mid-March.

Everything else is working out great. &nbsp;Just waiting for the tickets.

ORGramps

[XC70Viking]

ORGramps,

I checked on those tours and they dont give senior discount&#39;s, so your tourist agency is right about that. Now if you order traintickets on the internett you can get Oslo-Bergen for 150NOK, so for two persons return 600NOK (thats a little under 100&#036; (1us&#036;=6.9NOK)). These tickets are limited and must be booked on the internet.
The traincompany will give 50% discount to couples were one is 67years, thats the senior discount rules. The Nutshelltour from Bergen cost 750NOK pr person. Voss is about 1hr drive from Bergen.

I think it is an excellent idea to drive to Bergen, so I will dive in to my book and see if there is some good advice I can pass along.

I checked Road conditions (http://www.vegvesen.no/trafikk/vegmeldinger/) (only norwegian) and most roads is in good conditions right now, but it is a good idea to check weather first. Weather in Norway (http://met.no/english/index.html) national weather forecast of Norway in english...

And I agree with you that the train will not be to crowded this time a year.

We are getting our car early, so by tomorrow evenening we should have our new ride http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif So who knows, maybe we will take a ride to Bergen also and look for a XC with temporary registration http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif Anyway it would be fun to meet you somewhere http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif Do you have a GSM phone for 900/1800 network? (US is 1900) You can get simcards here for 20&#036; or so. NIce to have if you want to call hotel etc. Some US operators will &quot;give&quot; you a phone to for overseas travel, but probably pricy?

By the way I think it is quite concerning that you got a sunroof you didnt ask for. I hope they don&#39;t do more mistakes like that. Of course its easier to accept addons, than if they for got to install something.

Wish you a nice trip and plenty good memories.

[ORGramps]

XC70Viking,

Great message about your wheels coming early&#33; And, thanks for the extra tips. I am tracking the weather already, but your site is a good addition with more info. Yes, we are bringing a GSM phone - a result of a mission trip to Africa last year.

We will be staying two nights at Fleischer&#39;s Hotel in Voss (March 20 and 21) then will go to Bergen where we will be staying at the Strand. I am hoping to go cross country skiing on the morning of the 22nd before we go to Bergen. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/happy.gif

It would be fun to meet in Voss or Bergen as your schedule will dictate. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

ORGramps

[XC70Viking]

Hi&#33;

Been out drivin for two days http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif &nbsp;, and so far it is just great. Sweet smell of a new car and no probs so far.

Going to Bergen Part 1: &quot;The Safe choice&quot;


Oslo-E18-Sandvika-E16-Voss

This is the main road, not the shortest but the one with best road and less mountainpass. This choice is good almost in any weather. 421km and 7hrs with average of 60km/hr (sorry but I&#39;m in a hurry to go to work, hopefully you can do some conversions at home.)

You will not take a ferry and daylight at mid march is atleast 12hrs. Norways two longest tunnels (11km and 24km(worlds longest car tunnel)) is found on this stretch and points of interest would be view, some gallery&#39;s and museums along this rute. Most attractions are closed in this time a year. Any speciall interest and I&#39;ll try to find out.

Look at this site: www.stavechurch.org
This is a must. Pick atleast one along your choice of way to Voss and visit.

We might go to Drammen 19th march and visit a friend. Then next day we would like to meet up somewhere if it is of any interest. We havent decided yet on how far we want to go. I have to go on a buisness trip now, and when I come back I will describe some more interesting choices of driving to Voss. Better view and more to see, and shorter in distance.

Have you considdered to drop of car in Drammen, train to Oslo airport, then to Copenhagen airport(if that is the one you are going home from) Just a thought http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

Sorry have to go now. You have a nice set of wheels to look forward to http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

(PS If of any interest, there is a english speaking Baptist Church in Sandvika with a very nice american pastor)

[ORGramps]

Hey, sounds like you are having a good time running around in your new XC&#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

Thanks again for the thoughts on routing and things to see. I looked at www.stavechurch.org and find some of that interesting. We&#39;ll be interested to see what church sites are along the way (assuming the roads are ok for driving). I&#39;m using http://mapping.drive-alive.co.uk/road_map_route_planner/map-norway.htm to plan the driving route based on your suggestion. This site recommends going off E16 for about 100+ km on Route 7 enroute to Voss. Although shorter, based on your comments, I suspect it is more mountainous and perhaps not maintained as well. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Meeting you east of OSLO as we head out for Voss on the 20th of March would be good. We probably will stop to see the church in Sandvika especially if we can make contact with the Pastor by telephone before.

Because of the desire to drive while it is light, we probably would leave Oslo early. What do you suggest for a meeting spot? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

ORGramps

[XC70Viking]

Driving Oslo-Voss-Bergen Part 2.

The following will be the shortest route in distance (although there are some choices of different ways to go), but it crosses some mountains areas were weather can be a factor. The XC however will be capable to handle any condition as long as the road-department keep the roads open. They guarantee the conditions to be drivable and keeps a good control of those particular streches of road. If you are in Norway, you call 175 for road information(english service available). From outside Norway, call +47 815 48 991.

So start again in Oslo-E18-Sandvika-E16-Hønefoss-Rv7-Nesbyen-Rv7-Gol. In Gol you have 3 choices.

2a: Gol-7-Short Ferrytrip-7-E16-Bergen. This is considdered &quot;The scenic road choice&quot;.Going to Voss you have to follow 13 after ferry.(Ferry runs approx. every 40min)This is the shortest distance to Bergen, but routing via Voss makes it a little longer.

2b: Gol-52-E16-Voss-E16-Bergen(almost same dist as 2c)

2c: Gol-7-Hol-50-E16-Voss-E16-Bergen (400km to Voss)

So my choice would be 2a, but it depends on what you like to see, and I will try to come back with that in Part 3 later today or tomorrow morning.

Unfortunaly most attractions like museums, gallery&#39;s etc are closed in winter. But skiresort&#39;s are open along the route(plenty of them too http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif ), and view&#39;s are there for free. Medio may including august would be perfect time to go(june-july beeing main season).

Something to look at, Geirangerfjorden. (Webcam so it will be dark during night in Norway)

http://odin.mimer.no/~kamera/kamgeir.jpg

[XC70Viking]

OSD in Norway? Look here http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=34730&postcount=37

[Douwe]

Takk for inbydelsen!

Every year we go north and every year it is like comming home again. I have lived in Norway 1 year and reckon it as being the shortest year in my life.

So I think I will take the invitation and visit you summer 2005!

[XC70Viking]

You are most welcome. We plan to be home all summer. How about a trip to Lofoten?:D