Norway with kids

[MEITAL BENYOSSEF]

I am planning a trip with 3 kids (ages 9, 7, 1) to Norway in July. I need help planning it  -  we have about 12 days. Where is the best to start and finish the trip and what are the recommended places to visit with kids. Is it better to stay in one hotel and do day trips or to change hotels every 2-3 days? 

[David Paul Appell]

I was in Norway last summer, and what a wonderful experience.  I must say, you're a brave woman to travel anywhere with three pre-teens - especially including a one-year-old. 

You'll start in Oslo, of course, which is a lovely (if expensive) city, and there are plenty of museums and activities that kids can enjoy (Visit Oslo even has a page about them: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/your-oslo/children/).  You could spend 2 to 4 days here, depending on how much of interest you find.

Apart from that, a lot of what is worth seeing in Norway is pretty spread out, so you'd need to move around and change hotels.  I would suggest taking the beautiful Oslo-Bergen railway to the city of Bergen, which is small, very charming, and historic.  A day or so would be enough, and then consider taking one of the Hurtigruten ships up the coast.  They cruise through the gorgeous fjords and make stops once or twice a day at interesting cities like Trondheim and Alesund. You don't have to stay on for any particular length of time - if on the cruise your 12 days are up, you can get off at, say, Trondheim and fly back to Oslo. 

If I have any other thoughts, I'll chime in later!

[MEITAL BENYOSSEF]

very helpful.thanks

[Carter G. Walker]

Norway is a wonderfully child-friendly place to travel. Though hotel rooms are small (and pricy) make sure to request a family suite or ask for a crib. Also, when you make train reservations, ask about trains with playrooms. They are fantastic. That said, renting a car would give you a lot more flexibility with travel (and is usually cheaper than a series of train rides). With regard to itinerary, that depends upon what you want to see, what the kids are interested in, etc. I agree with Dave that a few days in Oslo is a must (there is a nice amusement park, Tusenfryd, not far from the city). There are beaches and wonderful outdoor air museums (don't miss the folk museum and the viking ship museum), great restaurants, etc. The train from Oslo to Bergen would be amazing. And the Hurtigruten is world class ... an ideal way to see the entire coast with minimal planning on your part. Your room travels with you, your meals are prepared and you can select your excursions. Other options inland would be to consider a few days at a mountain farm or a mountain lodge (if the kids would like to hike). Lillehammer also has a bunch of kid-centered options (Lilleputhammer and Hundefossen) My husband is from Norway and we have been taking our children back each year since they were born (they are now 7 and 8). Have fun!