Norway in a Nutshell. Worth it?

Planning your first trip to Norway? Is a fjord tour on your list? The easiest and most inclusive way to see the Fjords of Western Norway without renting a car is by booking a trip through the Norway in a Nutshell>> platform through Fjord Tours. IMHO. You’ve heard of the Sognefjord and it’s jaw dropping sights, or the narrow Nærøyfjord but have no clue how to string public transportation to get there. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Norway, TWICE and here’s why I booked Norway in a Nutshell each time.

Norway in a Nutshell is not a guided tour where you’re led by a person through each step of the trip. Available year-round, it’s a self discovery trip through Western Norway with pre-arranged series of transportation by rail, fjord cruise and bus. That means you are free to enjoy the journey. The highlight of this trip is the fjord cruise, but there are definitely must-sees along the way, add ons available to your booking. If in Oslo, this is a creative one way trip to Bergen. Also an easy way to extend a visit to Bergen, taking the route round trip from Bergen to Bergen via Nærøyfjord OR Sognefjord. Different routes available depending on the season. Add additional nights along the way to settle in and experience this majestic part of the country.

Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen in February

The first leg of our journey was from Bergen to Myrdal by train. It was February, and after a few stops outside of Bergen, we had a train car to ourselves. Open seating. Grab a sandwich from the coffee shop in the mall next to the station>> before you go. Nothing but vending machines on the train.

This train trip through Norway was an amazing journey through a rugged winter landscape. Talk about “pure as the driven snow”. More snow than we’ve had in MN, and many cabins along the way were buried in the drifts. I tell friends that I went to Norway to find Winter. At one stop, riders got off and skied away from the station! Our ride brought us up to 1400m to the Myrdal Station where we caught the famous Flamsbana train to Flam.

Norway in a Nutshell Extended Stay in Flåm

My first trip to Flåm was in February 2018, and I’ve forever wanted to come back for a longer stay. (I will always choose to come back to Flåm – Autumn would be perfect!) This time, we stayed for two nights and extended our booking with a few options. To save a few Kroner, I chose to book my own hotel stays outside of the Norway in a Nutshell booking as well our daily excursions. This way, I was able to take advantage of the Hotel 2 night stay package.

Winter in Flåm Where to Stay

Honestly, I wanted to explore more of Flåm and see some of the sights I missed on my first visit. I made reservations at Flåmsbrygga Hotel because I love the location (look at the view from our room) and I adore the Ægir microbrewery next door. In the winter, the hotel is quiet and the rooms cozy. Food at Ægir Brewery is excellent with amazing beer pairings, and the casual hospitality is really personable.

Can’t Miss Activities in Winter in Flåm

When you look at Flåm on the map you might not understand how dramatic the landscape really is and worth the extra time to book a few excursions while you’re there. Winter or Summer there is so much to see and do! Here’s how we spent our time in Flåm:

We took an Electric minibus to Stegastein viewpoint

The route took us along the shores of the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and up above the town of Aurland. Along the way you’ll see 18th Century Farms and Homesteads, a few sheep and a dramatic road with 180 degree twists and turns. Our driver was a bit Mario Andredetti, which added to the fun!

The Stegastein viewpoint is a 30 meter long platform made of steel and pine laminate. Perched 650 meters above the fjord, it gives a panoramic vantage to the, Aurlands, fjordsand the mountains across and below. Designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen, it completed in 2006.

We booked time in a Fjord Sauna.

Leaning into the minutiae our Scandinavian heritage (we’re mostly German) and my love for sauna. I could not pass up the opportunity to heat up and cool down in a fjord. It was in this floating sauna in Flåm that I met the kindness of Norway. Complete strangers half naked in bathing suits chatting with a familiarity as if I were at home in Minnesota. It was a defining “travel moment” for me.

Traveling out of your comfort zone has you jump into a fjord of unknown depths, chatting 1/2 naked with strangers and getting your 78yo Mother in a bathing suit. Travel is my encouraging older sister that says “get out there, be bold, hells yes jump into a salty fjord”

Norway in a Nutshell Return from Flåm

Whether you decide to stay the night in Flåm or continue on, you’ll catch the Fjord cruise at the same docking location. In 2018 I took the cruise through the Sognefjord – amazing (and worthy of another blog post.) On this trip we traveled through the narrow Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves below.

Tip: Grab a sandwich at the Flåm Bakery>> before your trip. The Fjord Cruise Boat does have Hotdogs, snacks and beverages but there isn’t much time to grab something to eat at Gudvangen before the bus connection.

Catch the bus outside the parking lot of the Viking Village. There will be more than one bus depending on the number of tickets sold. When we were there, it was two busses and both took the same route. We had enough time to walk off the Cruise and onto the bus, but not enough time for a bathroom stop.

The drive from Gudvangen through the Nærøy Valley was breathtaking despite the rain (in February). The bus will stop right outside the train station where you can walk up to the platform.

Norway in a Nutshell Voss to Bergen

It was an easy trip back to Bergen from Voss. It was no problem taking a nap since we knew the end route! Having done some research and finding Dale along the route… we may or may not have stopped to the Dale Factory Outlet and Museum>>. Worth it!

Is Norway in a Nutshell worth it? For me, Yes!

Now, would if be possible to manage the same route on your own? Depends on your comfort level planning multiple transportation services, and the season you travel. For me it would take some head scratching and a spreadsheet – and maybe you’re into that.

Twice I’ve traveled to Norway in the Winter. Having the transportation arranged and not having to worry about driving was worth it to me. Did anyone say Black Ice?! I did take the option to chose hotel stays and activities, and that was enough to customize my time for this trip. Excursions were enough to give us a good sample of the region.

Norway in a Nutshell was a great intro to the region, and now after two trips I may be able to plan transportation on my own. You will have to decide for you!

What I do know is that I will always say yes to Flåm and can’t wait to visit again!