Low cost Norway

The trip was organized entirely by using the Internet and material sent by the Norwegian Tourism.
Our point was the period (the last three weeks of August), everything else was to be organized ...
www.ryanair.com - buying flights Bergamo-Oslo Sandefjord A / R (€ 94 including taxes € 14 + insurance)
www.wideroe.no - buying flights Sandefjord and Bergen-Trondheim-Bodo (€ 60 and € 72 including taxes)
www.norwegian.no - buying flights Bergen-Trondheim and Bodo-Oslo Gardermoen (€ 50 and € 46 including taxes)
www.europcar.it - car hire in Bergen-Bodo and 4 days-11 days, price very cheap prepaid web
Chosen our travel partners, we have thrown the organization on a daily basis by sending e-mail and little by little the answers have arrived.
Meanwhile we have read so many travel diaries trying to build on the recommendations and errors committed by others, there was still off the high cost of living, until you try it in person, you are not convincing.
Absolutely, for a travel budget content, not to choose trips organized by tour operators or tour by boat postal "Hurtigruten", are well made but cost a lot. Speaking with other Italian tourists we understand that driving a car and seek economic arrangements, in which perhaps can also cook, is the best solution.
But prices on the internet or on site, do not change, the maximum contracted something at the end of the season.
As for food and drink is good to shop in supermarkets, they are everywhere. One evening we even went to the restaurant to eat whale meat, but it should not be the rule.
The petrol is cheap as in Italy, rental car and not the diesel consumption and eye to look for cheaper gas.
Finally, the "dear" ... ferries were a major expenditure is somewhat 'unexpected. We must admit that are convenient, fast and well-organized, essential, but very expensive. Every now and then there is a tunnel to be paid ...
To join in some cities there is to pay a toll. The car parks are all paid. At the entrance of each village showing the automatic speed control. We caught a fine of Tromso for 700nok a no parking that we had information, including the increase only after few months and we are able to pay due.
Here are the story of our journey from day to day.
For more information write to the addresses elena.diliddo @ libero.it lucavib@libero.it and we will be happy to respond.

 

Kinsarvik – Trondheim (250km + Kinsarvik-Kvanndal 127nok)

Alarm clock at 6 am to catch the 6:35 ferry from Kinsarvik a Kvanndal, we are the first. Starts to rain and there's only fjord on the fog: we hope that the day is changing. That sleep and cold!
We follow the road 7 along the Hardangerfjord to Bergen. Without going into the city we head towards the road 555 (towards Sotra) that runs and connects a series of islands about 60 km. To see the map it seems to us an interesting route and they did.
In heaven there is still some cloud, a little at a time is now beginning. At the end of the day will be very nice, apart from morning rain. We can even see the sun with Bergen.
At 13 we list the car around all'Europcar Bergen and with our suitcases we return to the center. Immediately inform us at the tourist office if they service luggage: costa 20nok a piece and we agree. After considerably lightened complete our tour in Bergen: remake tour in Bryggen, but with all the shops open, come back to the fish market where we buy two sandwiches with smoked salmon raw really fabulous. What's more we can see the cathedral and make a turn, with more calm in the center.
Tonight we have the plane to Bergen-Trondheim 21:20 and well in advance that we take the Flybussen airport (70nok each). During the flight, from above the clouds, we have the sun at about 22. And more ... A light Trondheim ago and welcomes us freddino un po 'di pioggia. Take Flybussen that usually leads us to the hotel. We booked for two nights all'Elgeseter Hotel 650nok the price of the one we are very tired and we fell asleep immediately.

Italy - Bergen

We start from Bergamo and come to Oslo-Sandefjord where we have a flight to Bergen after just two hours.
We arrive in Bergen to 16.30: the clouds are there, the fresh air as well, but strangely it does not rain.
The shuttle bus (€ 24 in Flybussen two) will download in the market place the fish in front of the office of tourism.
Wishing to deposit their bags at the hotel we head towards the "Skandia Sommerpensjonat, really close to the port. It is a nice, simple but very comfortable, we have known on the internet. The price for a double room is 600nok, excluding breakfast. Let us return to the baggage information to change the first Euro in NOK (Norwegian krone).
I am now 18, but we still see some bench with fresh fish exposed. We get curious, tasted whale meat and buy a small sandwich with smoked salmon for 20nok.
We soon realized that the main tourist attractions are all within the area surrounding the port: the Fish Market, Bryggen, the cathedral ... After taking some photographs, we start walking around in the district Bryggen, stop here and there in small shops or stores curious. Entering you find a lot of pedestrian streets and wooden houses strictly host stores of various kinds. Returned to the port we learn that tonight, right here in Bergen, Anastacia sings. A lot of people are in fact moving towards a park and call information.
20 to go back to the hotel for a little warm '. Is not cold outside, but there is the fear of air and a cold peck. In turn we meet people in shirt or gloves, scarf and jacket. This is a little 'confused us, we can not understand whether it is really cold in August or it gets worse. The thermometer marks 11 ° C.
Now we rest a while 'and eat something, maybe later we still do a lap. There is no more the midnight sun, but the days are long.
This first day of the trip was "long": h5 alarm, travel to Bergamo to Oslo-Sandefjord, Wideroe flight to Bergen, so many words and so many steps ... to 21.30 fatigue begins to be felt. Luke appears to be already asleep, we assess whether to quit or even an hour putting in the bed.
24 hours ... we left to make a turn at night. The temperature is pretty much the same this afternoon. We decided to follow the music, we arrived in the park where Anastacia has begun to sing. It was beautiful even if we saw from a distance and only on a screen, it's still enough to hear "I'm outta love" and his other great successes.
Returned to the hotel ask the guy at the reception the forecast for tomorrow: cloudy-variable. We are happy for the day and has not rained. Now close your eyes, good night ...

Skibotn – Narvik – Hamaroy (km 550 + Skarberget-Bognes 103nok)

... The cabin where we slept last night was not exactly the maximum as cleaning, but it went well and that the price was free. Pay for accommodation, take the route towards the south and reach Narvik. The town is nothing special, there is an important trading port dominated by the famous railway that transports iron and other products of mining, from neighboring Sweden. We are interested in finding a bank to do, hopefully, the last change. In the central square overlooking the port there is the usual fish market, shops and various chioschetti, it seems that hovers over the city a strange mist, but the weather is cloudy. Probably all the iron that arrives and is processed creating a sort of powder that we assume, is not so good for people who live there. But all that work and money it brings, in fact Narvik gives the impression of being a city rich.
We instead we are becoming increasingly poor, with many km we are always looking for a gas station "economic." If they find a nok 9.90 / l, but also a 12.90 nok / l as the Lofoten. On average, we try to keep us under 11.00 nok / l to the full.
Yesterday, tour-de-force, and again today, tomorrow we cross. Following along the E6 Narvik we turned to the road that leads to Skutvik in order to sleep in comfort zone for tomorrow morning to take the ferry to the Lofoten Islands. We found good accommodation at the Sommersel Feriesenter of Hamaroy in a house very nice and spacious for the price of a 360nok night. We ask if they can do the usual cook two frozen pizzas because there is no oven, and we agree to buy into the Spar on the way to Skutvik.
After we removed the hungry and he thanked the lady in the reception room to return to the program tomorrow. We hope it is worth it to change route and come back two days to Lofoten, we really liked a lot despite the rain and hope for the sun and the day after tomorrow.
This afternoon we had a moment of anger toward the cost of living here in Norway. We thought of spending a little 'less overall, bearing in mind that we have traveled ever low-cost and reservation for hotels / B & B / camping by going directly to the owners and without intermediation of tour operators. Basically the costs that we are making concerning food (supermarket or fast-food), petrol, ferries, accommodation and visits. Is absolutely prohibited any transgression if you want to stay in a budget ... and then nothing souvenirs.
Tonight, we realized that, sleeping in wooden houses in the camps, you can save significantly. In two nights camping, comparing with what we spent in a small inn or B & B, we have already managed to save € 91 in two. Obviously for the next two nights at Lofoten do the same way and so we can pay travel by ferry. Not that we had spent over the previous nights, but probably had only sought accommodation in camps we could afford a meal in a restaurant.
Here's the advice: stay away from chain hotels and hotels of all types, if you travel in summer you can find cheaper accommodations in which you get to cook, low-cost flights, accommodation in camp and drive a rental car is Perhaps a good way to "turn Norway spending little." The problem, in our view, is that here are asking 70-80 €, but also a lot more, and give you a room that, frankly, not true either as space and as cleaning, furniture and services. Value for money is different, here are truly Spartan accommodations (like last night Skibotn) to € 45 or € 80 a room in B & B bruttina (see Nights in Tromso). Do not pretend to sleep just a short drive to the Grand Hotel, but simply rooms really worth the money you are requesting. We had the impression here that you do pay a heavy price, and the fresh air you breath. Having read a lot about Norway before you leave, we were ready at prices more expensive than in Italy, but venendoci in person and making the tourists we have understood the warning of the stories of travel. We wondered: How receive a salary of Norwegian? In the coming days we will investigate.

Bergen – Loen (350km + Ytre Oppedal-Lavik 108nok)

This morning wake up at 7, breakfast and then immediately to the office of Europcar Bergen. We booked a car on the internet for 4 days, give us a VW Polo 1.2. Let's go back to the hotel to load baggage and depart.
Today the route planned to take the E39 road from Bergen to Byrkjelo and then get on Loen Nordfjord. The road is not bad, we put in very quiet, small harbors nell'insenatura of the fjord, its wooden houses on the water, grazing cows, sheep or goats in green meadows. Every time we stop for a photo, but what really struck us was a waterfall (Haugeflossen). We have seen from the street and we were approached by car, we even managed to get under the water spray.
Then we resumed E39, ferried to the Sognefjord and Nordfjord we came on. Each curve a different landscape and breathtaking: there is snow on top, with lots of glaciers and the sea below. The most common colors are green and blue in their many shades. The streams that descend from the glaciers appear to be transparent so the water is clean when they arrive in the fjord the blue becomes bright blue and I live in which is reflected the crystalline sky. Along the way we reflect on the fact that there seems to be in the mountains (snow, glaciers, winding roads, pine forests ...) but in reality we are at sea level.
For the night we chose the Loenvatn Feriesenter of Loen: a campsite with cabins that are just the job. The price is 450nok a night for a cottage with one bedroom, bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen, living room with TV and a balcony that overlooks the glacier. Now we are writing and see the snowy mountains, blue lake, which becomes a stream, forests and waterfalls. How to spot anything wrong, we will stay here only for one night. Before dinner we still went to the base of the glacier Jostedal, in the car. To continue you must be accompanied by a guide.
Someone will ask, but do not eat? We say that, trying to stay in budget, buy something that we find in supermarkets along the way, we confirm the high-price, but in some way fill your stomach. One thing that struck us was finding the market strawberries, cherries and raspberries twice as large as those in Italy, the look is really attractive, in the days to try them. Since we have the oven, we decide to buy two frozen pizzas in a supermarket in Stryn. There are cost 40nok the one, not so. Now I'm in the oven, after dinner we will make a comment.
Are 20.30 and there is still the sun, we are in the mountains, but there are still areas illuminated. The day was warm, the morning the thermometer showed 10 ° C, but this afternoon has reached 20 ° C in the sun. The sky was always cloudy with a few harmless white cloud, the sun has warmed up after cold wet of Bergen, the proximity of glaciers and snow made the air always a little 'fresh. Taken with respect to the time we do not complain: no rain in Bergen, and hot sun today. We hope to continue like this. Let's sleep outside and there is still plenty light, it seems impossible. The pizza was not bad to be in Norway had a taste a little 'sweet and a touch of spicy. Evaluate whether to repeat the experience. Let's look the itinerary for tomorrow should be a lighter day.

Loen – Dragsvik (400km + Lote-Anda 69nok + Hella-Dragsvik 63nok)

Just wake up this morning the lake and the glacier Loen above were immersed in the fog. Soon it was time to show us and we started at a time of Nordfjord. We arrived at Nordfjordeid along the road 15, then ferry from Anda to Lote back on the E39. A Skien Sogndal to have deviated, and it was a good idea because we really approached the huge glacier Jostedal. Unico neo was paying well 160nok toll pass in two galleries, but it was worth it. We found just below the glacier and we were able to make nice photos.
From Sogndal we lined up the Sognefjord to Hella where we ferry to Dragsvik. Our hotel is easily reachable from the mooring. We have placed the luggage for a trip up to Vadheim along the Sognefjord occasionally stop for a picture. In particular we have entered in Balestrand "Sognefjord Aquarium" (60nok each): nothing special, but the ticket was for a ride in a rowing boat on the fjord. Luke has offered to row, though to bring in the middle of the fjord, and I gladly accepted.
After a hot shower, we decided to eat a dish with hamburger and mushrooms, salad and chips for the price of 95nok was not bad. The Dragsvik Fjordhotell is really nice, we had a favorable price, 590nok a double room with bath, including breakfast. Our room "fjord view" is really not bad. The temperature rose to 20 ° C in the sun, yet no trace of rain, the better case.
Along the road that runs along the fjord, we saw a lot of plantations of raspberries. Here grow very large and very good, the weather may seem inhospitable to the cold, but it is ideal. We stopped to sample and photograph.
Tomorrow, the journey continues towards Hardangerfiord. We go to sleep, are the 23, there is still light outside.

Dragsvik – Kinsarvik (300km + Dragsvik-vangsnes 93nok + Bruravik-Brimnes 69nok)

To be on the day of Ferragosto, the day begins with a dense nebbione on the Sognefjord. Breakfast at the hotel in a room with a view to the fjord. The first ferry of the day is Dragsvik a Vangsnes turn where the road 13 that leads us to an altitude of 1000m on the fjord. The road is very nice, typical of mountain, the temperature drops to 8 ° C and is very cold. Even find the snow! We literally Climbing with the machine, but it was worth it. When the road began to fall we have moved in the midst of clouds and fog while on the left here is a store "Spekemat" selling fur and antlers of reindeer, in addition there was also a reindeer ready to be photographed by tourists.
Vinje descend down to Voss and then along a beautiful valley with waterfalls, streams, meadows green and black rocks. Voss arrived at a bank trying to change more money. Voss is a beautiful city, there is an old stone church and an excellent view. We were unable to tell whether August is for Norwegians or no festival, shops and banks are still open and we just this.
We continue along our route until Bruravik where we go on another ferry to Brimnes. The guide pointed to a very beautiful area dell'Eidfjord, we are looking for some beautiful waterfall. We climbed again, and come on top of a mountain, near the plateau dell'Harangervidda, where we can photograph a large waterfall. The roar of the water is great, the air that moves even prevents other smaller waterfalls in the stream of falling. Since it started to rain we are approaching Kinsarvik, sull'Hardagerfjord, where we booked for the night. Tonight sleep in a house in Kinsarvik camping, give us a "cabin" with a kitchen, four bedrooms, with bathroom and shower, a 550nok.
Right time to leave your luggage and rest a bit and start in the direction along the Odda Sorfjord. The road is beautiful and scenic it was not for the Nuvoloni that accompany us from Luke this morning ... it was renamed the "path of cherries", in fact, every pitch the locals selling cherries on a banquet and you bring the money in a cassette. We are willing to try: we take one to 35nok ... and tasted really good and are cheaper than in Italy. Everywhere there are trees and plantations of apples and cherries, it seems impossible that fruit is so good at this latitude and climate of the genre. We are in August and now we have not yet seen the sun of which we complain so much in the long days of summer sultry Italian, here is always welcome. The thing that most impressed us was to see that people can safely take the cherries and put the money without any checks that everything is done properly. Here is the greatest trust. Who knows in what would be the money and the fruit? Meanwhile we will enjoy the cherries that we bought.
This evening, finished the mini-tour of the great fjords, we can draw some conclusions:
- Nordfjord Innvikfjord and are very beautiful, green and varied landscape;
- Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord have proved less attractive than expected, given the large area there are many km to go and what can become a little 'boring.
For the record we report the experience of two Italian tourists encountered a Dragsvik: to them really enjoyed the Geirangerfjord, more closely and with breathtaking views.
This evening we dined frugal in our house and we did review the situation regarding the money spent. At the time we go well, but with the prices that we have here is better not Sgarro expenses from gasoline, food and ferries. Later evaluate the situation again, nevertheless we do not want to spoil the trip. We still look to your future and let's nanna.

Trondheim

Wake up at 9 this morning to recover a little 'tired, very good and plentiful breakfast at the hotel, ask the reception the best route to visit the city and depart. It's cold but no rain.
We walk up to the old bridge over the river NIDELV where you can photograph the neighborhood Brygge (typical wooden houses on stilts). Turning into the cathedral in Gothic style, and we head towards the main square from which the most important roads. Here there are many people, many young people (maybe it's a university town), but less tourists compared to Bergen. We do a tour to the port where we see some vessels, next on the left is the fish market. Here is not made of benches in the square, but it is a real shop, if you wish, even cooking the fish you buy. The hotel have advised us to do the boat trip to the island of Munkholmen to see an old monastery. Costa 50nok there is a boat that leaves every hour from the port of Trondheim. We have given up a little 'to the cold and air, a little' because we do not particularly interested. Yet we walk through the streets of the center from time to time entering into any store, look for warm and a bit.
Let's go back to the hotel for rest and pay for the room, something to eat dinner and start the evening tour. The city is empty, the bars and shops close very early, stay open restaurants, pubs and fast-food. Now we are just writing on a small table of McDonald's, is a good place to eat not so much as to be able to stay a while 'of time sitting in the warm and making use of services. Right now it's raining, I am 21 and obviously there is still so light. The main square is filling youth of all ages ready for the evening. The city at night is very quiet, we believe we can turn in safety. Soon we are moving towards our hotel, the alarm clock tomorrow morning is at 6.30 because we have to take the Flybussen, at 9.35 am we have a flight to Bodo.

Trondheim – Henningsvaer (270km + Skutvik-Svolvaer 300nok)

Alarm Clock 6.30, quick breakfast at the hotel and straight to the airport using the Flybussen that stops right next to us. Starting at 9.35 am, already at the airport we discover that our flight will make two stops, and Mosjean Mo I Rana, before arriving in Bodø. Basically we are losing the morning, three takeoffs and three landings in 2h30 '... at least the price was affordable. Let the Arctic Circle without notice and to arrive around 12:00 Bodo. 13.00 usually take the bus to downtown, plus one to get to the office dell'Europcar. It is a little 'out of town, but it is not difficult to find.
Give us the car, a brand new Honda Accord SW, beautiful and spacious. Start off in the direction Fauske on the road until 80 crossed the famous state-E6 and we head towards the north. Drive for about 3 hours and arrive in Skutvik where we take the ferry to Svolvær. The area is very beautiful, everywhere around us there are woods and green meadows, waterfalls and streams, lakes and fjords. The whole is dominated by snow and glaciers, mountains and the shape the rock is black. There are a couple 'of tunnels and every time you finish a scene you see a new and always different from the previous year. The day was cloudy but the sun occasionally peeping and create plays of light really wonderful. Sometimes the landscape makes us think of the film "The Lord of the Rings," says Luke. Are 19.00 and the ferry, it will take about two hours.
Upon arrival in Svolvær there is heavy rain and the sky is gray. We head immediately Henningsvaer where we booked a room in a factory for processing of fish, in the summer, rent out rooms to tourists fishermen. Here Lofoten is easy to find houses or rooms-rorbu-sohjus for rent, and in summer when there is no fishing season, tourism is the main activity. It continues to rain, but easily find our Sohjus H. Giaever. The room cost us 600nok at night, with bath but without breakfast. The environment is clean and family, we accept the "captain", a very kind man from the sea.
We deliver the keys of the room and go to sleep.

Lofoten islands (km 340)

Alarm at 8.30am, breakfast at 50m from our Sohjus at Finnholmen Brygge based smoked salmon and each well of god "for 70nok each. And non-stop rain all day, simply vary in intensity: drizzle or downpour, but the result does not change.
From A to Henningsvaer there are about 100km and we all stop in the bays where we want to take some photographs. In particular, on the advice of the "master", we saw Eggum, Unstad, Reine, Hamnoy, Sabrisby, and Kabelvag Svolvær. The Lofoten, honestly, the islands are beautiful but the sky always covered with fog style padana val "with the incessant rain and the wind that takes away become an infinite sadness. We decided to stay a full day and two nights to be able to see well and the rain has ruined the day. Of course no game of light and reflections on the sea, the vivid colors of the cards only a mirage and little desire on our part to get off the car to take photographs.
Despite everything we have complied with the timetable and we are back in the room to dry 19. In the next room to us, we know that cooking whale meat and decide to try it. We prepare a dish with 180h whale grilled, served with a cream cheese and wild berries, a potato in foil, with a very good sauce, and some 'of vegetables. All at 175nok, really exquisite. To take the gluttony dessert: creme caramel pudding with whipped cream and melon, warm crepe with wild raspberries and vanilla ice cream (70nok). Now, after this abbuffata, to which we are no longer used, we really did sleep. Look at the itinerary for tomorrow, which includes the islands Vesteralen and night to Harstad, and reluctantly we see a beautiful sunset. Tonight has stopped raining and the sky is a color never seen before ... that anger for all that rain! The only problem is that the "captain" is not seen from this morning in reception and a ticket that says is out for the weekend. We must still pay for two nights and we want to start early tomorrow ... we'll see what to do.

Henningsvaer – Harstad (km 400 + Fiskebol-Melbu 96nok + Flesnes-Revsnes 87nok)

We start at 8.30am from Henningsvaer towards E10-Fiskebol to take the ferry to Melbu. Arrive directly to Vesteralen, they say to be the "younger sisters" of Lofoten, just less known and tourism.
Well, there your heart cries to leave the Lofoten view the day that seems to envisage discreet. However, the walk up to E10 Sortland where we turn to the direction 82 in Andenes, this is called "the whale route." Our main goal is to go to the top of the island Andoya to do the whale safari. Andenes to arrive at the 13 and we head immediately to impose the red beacon that was once used to spot whales and fish at night. Then seek the office with information attached to the ticket office to book the boat. The surprise is that it is just a game and the next would be for 17, but first had a guided tour including the Polar Museum: All at 750nok each. Price aside these times we were unpacking the time of transfer to Harstad for the evening. There is really very sorry to give up whale safari, but it would be finished around the 22 (who knows that cold in the open sea on the boat ...) and the ferry to Harstad we would expect. A heavy heart and a little 'angry for the inconvenience of moving start times for the fishing villages of Bleiki and Stave. Let's go back on the E10 and turn on the road 83, just a short ferry and about 35 km separated us from our hotel. Here at Rainbow Hotel Harstad to remain for a night at a price of 750nok breakfast, a bell'hotel is directly opposite the port and our rooms are sea-view. We arrive around 19, eat a sandwich in the room and go for a spin. In town there is a lot of people, bars and shops close very early, few tourists and some 'cold. We prefer a cup of hot tea in the bar adjoining the hotel. We take this opportunity, the heat and a small table on which to support us, to plan your day tomorrow looking at the material we have tourism.

Before closing the account of the day we want to tell a strange but pleasant meeting with a baby fox. We were driving towards Harstad when roadside comes out a nice copy of "fox", still remains to concentrate instead of running away and even afraid we will stop. It seems impossible but we were almost half an hour to observe and take photographs, even got to eat our cookies. More afraid that seemed intrigued by us two, had only let more pet! Well, now we go to sleep.

Harstad – Tromso (km 540)

After breakfast we start. We follow the road up to junction 83 with the E6 and we head north, towards Kirkenes. We decided to stop near Bardu to visit the "Polar Zoo" consigliatoci the previous evening. The cost is 150nok to head to see brown bear, lynx, wolf, fox, deer, reindeer, raccoon, goats and poultry. In the absence of other things to visit today we decide to make a turn. It's not bad, the animals have much room to move, you will see little and there is so much variety of species.
We finish our tour to the 13 and take the E6 to Andselv, where we turn to the road for 86 Finnsnes-Senj Island. This island is very nice, we go up to Gryllefjord where the road ends. The landscape is really wonderful, a small town with the harbor framed by mountains to the sea, the colors of sky and sea are very intense and wonderful reflections. This has made us understand that, to see the most beautiful and wild, you need a lot away from the main tourist streets. This obviously involves a loss of time and money on gasoline, but now believe it is worth it.
Return on the E6 towards Tromso. In about two hours we arrived, the state-E8 is very comfortable and it travels well. We booked for two nights at the Hotel l'Ami 650nok price without breakfast. The location is perfect for the landscape and to the center, there is a room on the ground floor with TV and free Internet, there is also a kitchen available to guests. The room is not the greatest, but it went well the price and location. We carry bags in the room and go back to the floor below to download-send e-mail and do a tour on Italian sites to keep in touch with our country. Meanwhile two boys cooked salmon ...
We also inform you to do a whale safari, here boats depart from Tromso, but the cost is very high: 850nok to head for 5-6 hours by boat. We would like very much, but we need to deal with the portfolio that is becoming increasingly empty.
We will see tomorrow what to do. We are tired, we have made so many kilometers and we go to sleep.

Tromso (km 160)

Our program today included a visit to the city of Tromso, but in reality we have just spent the morning. After a quick tour, we went downtown to visit "Polaria", an aquarium with the presentation of a beautiful videos on Svalbard island where they could see all the majesty, the flora and fauna of those lands. There was his desire to go there, but some price checking on the internet have changed his mind. Within the "Polaria" There are six nice seal with the long mustache that every day, when it is time to eat, offer a spettacolino not bad. We were able to enter a "Polar" with 110nok in two, just saying that they students. Their documents do not ask.
After a quick tour around the Cathedral Artica (nothing special), we were at the office to inform us dell'Artic Voyager on whale safari. A boat would be started in the afternoon to 16 from Tromso to go to Sommaroy and then take off in search of whales. We decide to go directly to Sommaroy, even for a trip on the island, and from there take the boat to 17:15 for the price of 1390nok in two (student discount travel and shorter). The boat was quite far off from the coast and we managed to spot some whales. It was very cold and pull a strong wind, also called the North Sea ... return to the coast we have seen, from afar, a group of seals on a rock. The crew then offered a sandwich to your head and tea or coffee to warm up a little '. A Sommaroy we have taken our car and we returned to Tromso to 22 after 55km of the road. A little 'cold and tired we returned to the hotel to make us a hot shower.
Before concluding the day we want to emphasize that the Norwegian people, especially police, both disk and in the application of tax rules ... Yes, we caught a fine for no parking in the parking lot, apparently free, right next to ' hotel. We then discovered that all over the city there are no free parking for the 17, but now we have the 300nok ce pay. At this point we are ready to receive at home in Italy more fines, speed cameras maybe, because if you leave here by the limit of just 5km / h are the beauty of 500nok fine. We hope not to have taken too long.
P.S. We recommend a bakery "Bakeriet" with a great cake in the piazza, where there is the statue of the little girl on roller skates with ice cream.

Tromso – Alta (km 450)

This morning we wanted to make a jump in the bakery yesterday, but opens at 9 and we have many km to go. Tonight we sleep in at the Alta River Camping Alta in a spacious double room with bath and shower, which we booked on the internet to 500nok night. High is our last stop before arriving in Cape North, tomorrow in fact just sleep on Mageroya.
As for the temperature we are amazed at what is "hot" or "not very cold." 18.30 machine marked the 19th and today, with rain, fell to a maximum of 14 °. Frankly we thought we were bad and bring the proper clothing, when the jacket is available only for the whale safari.
Returning to the facts km today, very many, we can not recommend a place where interesting to be able to stop. Our goal was to arrive early to Alta, so we decided to travel. Once you have placed the luggage in our house and have paid, we were at the High Museum (easily findable for many indications, is right by the sea). We say that students and pay 140nok in two, and give us a guide-book in Italian. After a brief stop at the ticket office next to begin the journey that is about 3 km and is feasible in 1h30 ', stopping at each point. It is very beautiful, surrounded by greenery and with views Altafjord; try to join a group of Italians to listen to their guidance, but they are ending the tour. The stone carvings are really many, despite well-preserved in the open air.
After the path the High Museum decide to eat pizza for dinner and since we have an oven, we buy them frozen at the COOP. Meanwhile advantage to make it full of gasoline, the price is lower than in other places (NOK 10.80 per liter).
Before returning to camp for dinner, read our guide just 7km further is a herd of huskey very important in the area. We decide to go and see and, thanks to the kind owners, we manage to enter the yard with the dogs. It is the hour of the race night and dogs are released and prepared from the harness to pull the sleigh. In all there have been 40 dogs, including two cages with puppies more or less large, and they were really beautiful. When the owners went with the pack of dogs at full speed, we were a little 'with the puppies. We waited for the owners to thank them for availability and we arrived in camp. From the window of our house you can see very well, the evening dusk, fishermen in search of salmon, it overlooks the river Altaelva.
The pizzas were good and we did feel closer to Italian cuisine. The people here eat so many sandwiches (hamburgers, hot-dog), sweet and salty snacks, sweets and drinks. Placed in supermarkets is the space devoted to fruits and vegetables. We met two young men of Rimini in the pipeline for North Cape, we are confronted on their adventures in Norway so far. Probably meet them again tomorrow ...

Alta – Nordkapp – Skibotn (km 800)

We finally arrived at Strandbu Camping Skibotn, the day ends at 00.20 after 800km route from Alta to Nordkapp and then descend along the E6 to Skibotn. The stage today was to be High-Nordkapp, visit the cliff of North Head and night at the Hotel Honningsvag Arran. But it is not the way it was ...
We arrived at the "exit" to the North Cape to 14.30, after having crossed the comfortable underwater tunnel connecting the island Norway Mageroya where the North Cape. Around us only fog and a wind that literally led the way, sometimes she would even to rain. The casellante tells us that North Cape is just over 200m, but we believe the word that you see absolutely nothing. More (nasty surprise) tells us that we must pay 380nok car and two persons, about € 45.
We were attacked by a thousand doubts go pay and see the mist, or turn the car and rub the North Cape? We spent almost half an hour to decide, in the end we opted for the second solution by choosing not to give too much importance to the geographical point of the North Cape. Since we arrived there we were, but for the bad time we decided not to take the final step. In the meantime, have reached the goal of two boys Italian area of Turin, arrived there early in the bicycle and, with them, we took two pictures and gossip under the road sign indicating "Nordkapp". We were to start the descent when two Polish boys hitchhiker asked us for a change: we have brought up to Honningsvag and we continued south. We rebuilt the tunnel, the modest figures 186nok a journey, and we are back on the E6. In the meantime we have decided, map in hand, to slightly modify our travel plans of the days that remain. Instead of staying to sleep in places where there is nothing to see or visit, but simply steps along the E6, you chose to return immediately to Alta to assess, in consultation with the Internet (free of charge to tourists), the estimates of time of the next few days and maybe go back to Lofoten.
Said and done: 26 and 27 give good weather tomorrow, but rain would be a day of transfer.
It was 19:45 at High and we left for Skibotn, nearly 300km. We arrived here for 23.30, tired but happy with the ground km. Besides all the evening you can travel at higher speeds than usual, but the Norwegians do and there are fewer cars. Sincerely feared not to find no one to welcome us in the camps, but once again the people of Norway have surprised us. On the door of the reception there was a sheet that indicated the number of free and the house price, below which was written were the keys in the door and you pay later. " Virtually free to choose we direct towards the most economic 350nok and 10 minutes had a bed to sleep. Really incredible how much confidence to have another the Norwegians! Our house still has 5 beds, fridge and electric cooker, provided there is also a kitchen, but we arrived late and we missed dinner. Now we go to sleep, tomorrow will be long again.

Hamaroy – Kabelvag (km140 + Skutvik-Svolvaer 301nok)

This morning we decided to take convenience, we are down to 9 and we went to visit the lighthouse Tranoy that, we discovered a little 'late, he even sleep. We do not know the prices, but would be nice as an experience.
We have a ferry to Skutvik at 11.30, we come to board with the usual early hour. We do a tour in the nearby supermarket and a gentleman to us with a bag full of paper cards, just take one to win a cake made in house by the women of the country. Because of space and conservation not partake in the game, but this makes us feel a little 'come home. Already at home ... ... In recent days we have often relied on, a little 'to cooked food and quality, a little' for prices so high here in Norway, but for this cursed rain that we're doing to become moldy. We concluded that two weeks time to visit the fjords and Bergen, the Lofoten, the North and Oslo would have been more than enough. Now we are in, albeit in a wonderful place such as the Lofoten, forced to stay in Norway and to pass the time, returning to a place already seen, by virtue of two low-cost flights booked months ago that is now impossible to move.
Today we arrived in Svolvær at 13:30 or so, we immediately went to the public library to see for free on the internet forecasts for tomorrow and find a place to sleep tonight. Of course it rained and it's raining again now that are 22, then nothing day and breathtaking sunsets that seem thrown away. We managed to find in a cabin at Sandvika Camping here in Kabelvag the price of 400nok with bathroom and kitchen but no shower. With an eye to the portfolio we have always accepted and we went to the COOP to get something for dinner. Meanwhile, continues to flood out in the distance we see the color red-orange sunset, but clouds and fog ruin everything. We would say "red in the evening and hopefully good weather, but with the climate there is no Norwegian proverb that takes. The only certainty is that there is not completely clear days when no rain and that if it starts to rain continued for hours, maybe the whole day. While the tourist Svolvær we have set an hourly ferry Moskenes-Bodo for 28 / 8, two and a machine will cost us 636nok, an exaggeration for three hours of navigation, but for us it is the best solution. At this point we have only the most trouble the Saints of Paradise for a po 'of the sun and enjoy the last day to Lofoten. Also try this solution ...

Kaberlvag – Moskenes (km 200)

This morning we left our house with the white roof sloping only to 10.30, first was cold, raining ec'era wind. We preferred to sleep. The day, from the point of view weather was certainly better than yesterday, today the sun was seen, although occasionally disappeared behind some Nuvolone gray. On the E10 we stopped in villages of fishermen, in particular recommend Vikten and Sund. To take a photograph we had to wait for the comfort of the sun, but we also managed to go walking on the beach of Lofoten and write our names. Our goal today was to get Moskenes to check the schedule of the ferry tomorrow morning to Bodo. The first is for 6 and we will. To sleep, along the road, we found, not far from the mooring, the indication for a rorbu sea. We request information and accompany us to see directly. The house is located in a fraction of Moskenes, is very spacious. There is a large room with two bunk beds, sofa with armchairs, TV and radio, refrigerator, table and chairs, kitchen well equipped with oven, bathroom with shower, bedroom with three beds and a balcony. Honestly for us is very great, in high season the rent to families and weeks, but it seems that tourists are now back home and we will leave a 400nok. We try to ask a discount, but we are not contracted. The accept and pay immediately.
At this point we decide to go to Queen of COOP to buy something for dinner. Is not well supplied, but we adjusted. After dinner we go out about half an hour in search of a sunset to photograph worthy of where we are. We placed in a pit along the E10 and we wait ... The sky was cloudy and even breathtaking sunset shadow. Better go to sleep, tomorrow levataccia.

Moskenes – Bodo (km 390 + Svolvaer-Skutvik 301nok)

The day started early, can not be said at dawn, because here the sun rises at 4 am, but we have pointed the alarm to 5.15 to take the ferry of the 6th
Here's what should be our program: direct ferry Moskenes-Bodo, release the car to Europcar Bodo, around downtown in the afternoon and night at the airport before flying to Oslo tomorrow morning.
Here's what happened: ferry to 6 non-existent, despite the night before this they had confirmed, in most was Sunday and the first would have been available for 14 with active Bodo to 17:15. Our problem was to be able to return the car within the 13 as per contract. At about 5:45 a guy in Bergen approaches to our car and we announced the change of time, we try together to find the best solution for us. It was waiting for the ferry or the 14 car starting Svolvær, boarding the ferry for us Skutvik and the beauty of some 300km to Bodo. After the initial reaction of anger, we head towards Svolvær and, in about 1h30 'doing 130km all the curves of E10, but believe that we have not met a living soul, if not a particularly Norwegian Morning. Boarding Skutvik to arrive just in time for the ferry of 9, we board the flight and we can finally relax.
For the third time in ten days that we are the sea, but today is particularly agitated. The captain announced: "The weather today is not good, but I will try to do my best ...." We had only been able to get on the ferry, the sea has not bothered us much. Once in Skutvik to 11 the problem was the tank of the car practically empty. We find a Shell petrol station, work only with credit card or cash, after about 30km of curves and anxiety ... you can finally make the full. It was just empty, there have been 600nok!
Also this thing is resolved well, but now we touch so many kilometers of E6 to Bodo. Now do not get some of all'Europcar within the 13 we put the heart at peace, the hope is that, since Sunday and office closed, no one until tomorrow morning will see the keys of the machine stored in the gray box. In fact, we arrive in Bodø at 14.30, a little 'late, but we do not see cameras or other sensors around. Posiamo definitely the keys after checking every part of car: no damage, only some 'mud and lots of rain.
Un po 'to discover that the event on Sunday, the bus not moving in Bodø, and then we walk with our suitcases out of town without fully knowing what to do. The deafening roar of a plane that lands there solves the problem ... We understand that they are very close to the airport, behind us is the track. We inform you in a gym (although it was crowded Sunday) and we understand that is about 2km along the road 80th We are with our trolley for an unusual walk.
At 15:15 we enter the airport and we just leave the next day with the flight to Oslo of 7.05. We decided to do the booking for hotels in Bodo, since we should be at the check-in around 5 levataccia and skipping breakfast included.
Now, after just 5 of the 16 who spend hours at the airport, we are thinking of going to hotel to make us a true sleep, but we are hard. The main reasons are the 630nok that we can save, then, after all, is not a bad airport, small, clean and quite popular in the late evening.
Scoop! Are preparing the red carpet ... We do not make time to inform us that we leave the "arrivals" Princess Mette-Marit wife of Prince Hakon, heir to the throne, and mother of the little-Ingrid Alexandra, the future queen. I watch the Norwegians welcome, is a beautiful woman, young and stylish.
About meetings ... just arrived at 15:15 beaks who sat at the bar table with the family? The type of that morning in Bergen Moskenes warned us of the change in time. We told our ups and we thanked him. The world is small ...
The princess is gone, the bars are doing the cleaning now, and in turn there are few people and the last flight of the evening is at 22. Hopefully bring a little 'and the lights do not send us away, we are so tired that sleep anywhere. All this to save the night in Bodo, we will see tomorrow if it was a good idea ...

Bodo – Oslo (Gardermoen Apt-Sentralstatjon 150nok)

Bodo airport is not bad to sleep one night, not a living soul is seen from midnight to 5, we got the alarm to give us a rinsed and embark luggage at check-in. We felt a little 'as the protagonists of the movie "Terminal" turn to the airport with toothbrush and toothpaste, to charge the battery of your phone and waiting for the bar open for breakfast.
Time to leave for Oslo, there seems true after all those hours spent in passing the time. " Outside is cloudy but no rain, the flight is on time and landed in Oslo-Gardermoen to 8.40. It is really great and modern, is constructed of steel, glass and wood. Retrieved our luggage for us to inform the train into town. The most economical solution takes 25 minutes and costs 150nok in two. With amazement we notice the cleanliness of trains, punctuality and efficiency of the service, the controller asked the ticket at all, and check carefully who rises and who falls. We are close to full as it is all in the corner there is also the collection.
Arriving at the Oslo Central Station (Oslo S station) we head immediately to the information office to find out where you will find our hotel to find out where to take the Ryanair bus tomorrow morning, and what to do in Oslo today. Ryanair is the bus that the hotel is close to the station but wants sfiga today (Monday), the National Gallery is closed and the Munch Museum (for work). Tenevamo there really so much to see these two museums. What anger!
We head towards the hotel with our suitcases. We booked for a night at the Comfort Hotel Borsparken just two blocks from Sentralstation, but in a quiet area, at a price of 700nok breakfast. It is a very nice hotel compared to the standard medium of the usual arrangements, an offer was found on the internet and we felt it was a good price. Deposited his bags, before we are asleep, we decide to make the turn in the center is satisfied to see some picture of Munch in the lobby of the Hotel Continental in its main street. There's several people around, mainly tourists. We stop just to photograph the cathedral, then take the route to the Palace of Parliament and the Royal Palace which dominates the city. It is very beautiful and there is the actual flag raised. Falling back towards the Sentralstation change direction towards the port, now in the distance, we recognize the training ship of the Italian Navy, the fantastic Amerigo Vespucci who had just left for return to Italy. In the port there are several ships of the era, but all over a giant cruise ship. Having photos of ritual, including the City Hall where the Nobel is awarded for Peace, go back to the hotel for an invigorating shower and to recover some 'sleep.
Around 17 we return to the main street, which in the meantime is busy, for a walk and into the 19 we put ourselves in search of a restaurant, of course not too expensive "to eat dinner. At the hotel we were advised that the Egon Restaurant is right next to Sentralstation. Consulted the menu, even in Italian, and we choose two "Pizza buffet: pizza and salad at will to 99nok each. There seemed a good solution, and then we were hungry ... Back at the hotel we have placed the luggage trying to stare into each 15kg Ryanair imposes that ... we'll see tomorrow.

Oslo – Italia

The last day in Norway ... After breakfast at the hotel take the Ryanair bus to head to 130nok that brings us all'Oslo-Sandefjord Airport where we take a flight to Bergamo. We arrive in Italy even 20 minutes in advance, the impact with the heat is great: a little time for us and we undress acclimatization.
Collect your luggage next to newly arrived tourists from Sharm el Sheik, naked and tanned, pale and covered us.