Just a short hint: Norway!

[USnewbie]

Hi there,

I just found that category (and website, actually) and need to give you a hint when you're searching for nice places in good old Europe. I used to travel in Austria, Switzerland and France, but 4 or 5 years ago I made a trip to Norway.

Not a hardcore roadtrip I guess, because we were lazy and used a route from exhaustive information of a travel agency and booked hotel rooms in advance, but driving through southern Norway is really a must-have-done. As there are about 4 (5?) million Norwegians out there and not that many tourists you hardly meet anyone when on the road. I guess that's why most of the roads are one-way only. If you meet somebody coming from the oposite direction, one has to drive backwards to the next passing place. That happenened two or three times in those three weeks, and it's nothing to be worried about.
All roads are in good shape and paved, but beware of driving to fast as there's nothing holding you from falling into the next fjord when climing up the mountains.

Besides the great view from the mountains into the fjords and to the mountain tops, you usually need to take a ferry to cross a fjord or two, which is a great thing in itself. It's really astonishing how the ferries (roughly 20-30 cars on them) navigate through the sharp-edged rock-surrounded fjords and lakes. I wonder how many years of practice the captain has to show before being allowed to drive one of those... That's the perfect time to just sit on deck and suck in the great nature surrounding you!

Sadly, I did not document my trip in writing, and pictures don't tell you that much after years. But one thing I know for sure: Bergen claims to be the rainiest place in Europa and it must be true. At least when we were there-- nothing but rain, and everybody selling those sou'wester hats.
Ok, I don't have any pictures with me that could help me in remembering more details, but I think I made my point. Consider driving through Norway! The sheep and moose are waiting along the roads and if you want to skip some details (or have enough time), you could drive to the very north of Norway close (only?) to the polar circle where the sun never goes down some time of the year.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I guess that's why most of the roads are one-way only. If you meet somebody coming from the oposite direction, one has to drive backwards to the next passing place. That happenened two or three times in those three weeks, and it's nothing to be worried about. All roads are in good shape and paved, but beware of driving to fast as there's nothing holding you from falling into the next fjord when climing up the mountains.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Haven't got to Norway yet, the most exotic place I have done any roadtripping was Burma and northern Thailand. Thanks for the tips and the post. Where are you off to next?

Mark

[USnewbie]

Thanks!

Not sure what your last sentence means, but I'll just answer to what I think it could mean ;-)
Please excuse my lack of vocabulary at this time...

I came over from good ol' Europe for an internship in the Boston area and that internship is coming to an end, so I'm figuring out what to do with the 30 days left. See you in the "Summer roadtrip" thread!

Robert