Mrs SR and I are heading there on a cruise at the end of May, and will be stopping in Stavanger, Flaam, Alesund, and Bergen. There are some interesting-looking excursions, but I would really love just to rent some bikes or kayaks and do our own thing if possible. At least once.
In any case, I was just wondering if there was anyone on here who could advise me, or actually lived in one of the above-mentioned towns, and could assist me in getting my hands on some sports gear, or have time to show us around for a beer or two.
Last time my family was there we could have built you a boat or chopped your head off depending on the mood.
Quite jealous, I'm more & more drawn to the place and will have to arrange a similar trip soon.
My brother lived in Stavanger for 5 years. I visited a few times. There is plenty to do around there. The town itself is very picturesque and there is an oil exploration museum that is worth a look around if that sort of thing is of interest. There is also a cycle track in and around that takes in some of the nearby Fjord, so not sure if that is feasible to do with the time you'll have there. Also walking upto high cliff's that encircle the nearby Fjords - those classic photo's of people sat on the edge of sheer vertical drops...One one about 1400 feet sheer vertical cliff that my brother used to walk upto. Unfortunately I never got the chance to walk up there myself, but I'm not great with heights so probably just as well.
Although Stavanger itself is lovely but I was disappointed with it at night, though there seems to be lots of nice looking bars and restaurants they seem to be largely empty and not alot of life. Maybe I was unlucky but my brother said it is mostly pretty dead in the evenings as it is so expensive to eat and drink out...even for the extremely well paid oil industry workers, so there isn't that eating and drinking out in town culture you get in the rest of Europe.
If you've got any specific questions let me know and I'll be happy to ask him.
I spent some time in Bergen which is a really pretty town. There is a funicular thing which goes from sea level to the top of the overlooking plateau and from there you can hike into the wilderness and be totally lost in about 20 minutes.
Fabulous nature; very boring population.
lived in Stavanger for 3 weeks not much not to around there, we were limited in our movements as my wife cam up for art 10 days and we had our son who was a year and she was pregnant with the 2nd. There is the famous Pulpit rock hike and the Kjerag boulder hike. Never got around to doing either!
Bergen is a great spot - a few things to do we went to the Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg's home), the Maritime museum, the Leper museum and the Hanseatic Museum. Lots or restaurants in the harbour and it was just nice walking round the streets where we stayed.
As far as renting kayaks and bikes I can ask some of my pals and get back.
Nothing g to add but jealousy. I would love to go back for a long holiday in Norway.
I went to Stavanger a few years ago and loved it. Write up on my blog here: http://benstravels.co.uk/stavanger-norway-2
I'm going back to Norway later this year. You'll love it.
Never been but had a few norwegians stay at my rental villa over the years. Surprised to read the above comment re boring population. I have met some of the more interesting ones, mostly taking advantage of the cheap spanish alcohol at a v early hour.
I was away and didnt meet them but i had a norwegian family stay in jan, the pool was about 15 degrees max. Said family were drinking beer swimming in the pool at about 10 am most mornings.
Sorry i have nothing to add re the excursions.
I've been travelling to Norway regularly for 6 years and living there Monday to Thursday for the last year.
Im based in Oslo so can't provide advice on stavanger and Bergen but can add that the scenery, landscape and wildlife is top notch and I'm sure you will have a great time. Be prepared with lots of spending money, especially if you like a drink 😉
There is an oil museum in Stavanger that is surprisingly interesting but will only take up an hour.
If you do the funicular in Bergen there are lots of walks that you can do from there. It is a bit of a park at the top and the cinnamon bun things they did were very nice.
Flaam is very nice but again you will be struggling to do your own thing I think there was the possibility of renting Little electric cars so that you can go off exploring on your own. There wasn’t anywhere to rent kayaks or anything. I think our cruise ship had a trip where you cycled the route of the Flåm railway or something so there must be hire bikes available.
We got back from our cruise today but had a 4 year old with us so didn’t look too hard for things to do he was happy exploring places going on Little train rides etc.
Who are you cruising with?
https://www.haugastol.no/en/bike-rental
https://www.haugastol.no/en/rallarvegen
Rallevegen route goes from Flam up to the Handager plateu. Might be worth a look. I intended to ride it many years ago whilst bike touring but it was under several feet of snow!!