Nordic Trip in July, looking for pointers/suggestions. (1 Viewer)

[TripItUp]

Looking for tips and suggestions regarding my upcoming Nordic trip.

tentative itinerary is the following:

July 3-9, Iceland

July 9-12, Oslo/Norway

July 12-14, Stockholm/Sweden

July 14-17, Copenhagen

July 17-20, St Petersburg

I'm meeting up with a buddy, so no girlfriend/wife type requirements. Not looking to re-live college either. Mostly interested in experiencing the culture, good food, scenic stuff, museums/history.

TIA, really appreciate it.

 

[msommer]

Interests?

Budget?

I can only give you pointers on Copenhagen, but in a few days I can contact my Icelandic buddy again and may be able to send you something also

 

[TripItUp]

Interests?

Budget?

I can only give you pointers on Copenhagen, but in a few days I can contact my Icelandic buddy again and may be able to send you something also

No budget restraints, I won't be riding around in helicopters, but will see and do anything worth the buck.

Thanks.

 

[msommer]

You can have your tastebuds seriously challenged by trying out the new nordic cuisine (if you can find a table)

NOMA is usually fully booked three months out for dinner but lunch might be possible. Be prepared to lay down some serious cash though.

There are a few other options at lower prices (and fewer michelin stars) http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/gastronomy/new-nordic-restaurants

I believe there are about 14 Michelin stars on 12 restaurants in Copenhagen so there are more conventional choices also, also if you are not into New Nordic.

Tivoli is a must, but you might find it tame. IIRC it's the world's oldest amusement park, and the inspiration for Disneyland. Unlike Disneyland, alcohol is served.

A canaltour on a sunny day is nice, there are sometimes party 'cruises' with music and beer as well. Beware of low bridges.

Couple of nice museums - Luisiana is a short train ride away at Humlebæk http://www.louisiana.dk/

And if you are looking for good beer you could do worse that the new joint venture between Three Floyds and Mikeller, Warpigs http://warpigs.dk/ that also serve Texas style Q

Everything is pricey though, although at least beer is likely a lot cheaper than Oslo and Stockholm.

For pointers on Danish Open face Sandwiches, Evilgrin72 just had a thread about Munich where there are a few options (he's stopping over in Copenhagen too)

As a bonus; everyone I've talked to say that you must see the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately I've been to St. Pete twice without having the opportunity.

 

[TripItUp]

Thanks msommer!

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Carlsberg brewery tour in Copenhagen.

 

[TripItUp]

Carlsberg brewery tour in Copenhagen.

thx!

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

I don't have specific recommendations about your trip but you should check out the 2014 film, Land Ho! I watched it on a whim on cable a few weeks ago and now I'm dying to go to Iceland. The plot sounds a lot like what you've described of your requirements (or lack there of).

Sounds like a great vacation. Enjoy.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Gamla Stam and the Vasa museum in Stockholm.

 

[chauncey]

You and a buddy (no wives or gfs) are going to spend 2+ weeks in countries with some of the hottest women on the planet? This sounds like the male equivalent of Karpis' wife's trip to Mexico.

You better post pics in the updates. And if you are single you better not kick any naked Nordic blondes out of your bed.

 

[Dentist]

I'm really jealous you have 3 weeks to travel. That's a luxury i'll never have until i'm retired.

 

[Fat Nick]

Bumping this because the wife and I are pondering going to Iceland in January/February...One of my bucket list items is to see the Northern Lights, and there are some good deals right now.

Anybody been to Iceland? Things to do? Things to avoid? I've heard it's quite pricey. Doesn't sound like renting a car is needed/recommended.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Bumping this because the wife and I are pondering going to Iceland in January/February...One of my bucket list items is to see the Northern Lights, and there are some good deals right now.

Anybody been to Iceland? Things to do? Things to avoid? I've heard it's quite pricey. Doesn't sound like renting a car is needed/recommended.

I went last April. My wife and I did rent a car and I would actually recommend it highly. The stuff that takes 4-5 hours to go see on a tour bus takes maybe half that if you have a car.

Blue Lagoon was great. I am not into spas or stuff like that and I would gladly go back.

The waterfalls are amazing. Gullfoss was my favorite. This picture doesn't do it justice, but there it is.

We were there for five days and I would gladly go back. We are thinking about doing a couple day layover in Iceland and then going on to the Faroe Islands or Scotland.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask...

 

[msommer]

I may have mentioned this before but I have two Icelandic friends. One of them went to visit his daughter in June. On his way back to the airport he was caught in a snowstorm.

Be prepared!

/boyscout

 

[Fat Nick]

Bumping this because the wife and I are pondering going to Iceland in January/February...One of my bucket list items is to see the Northern Lights, and there are some good deals right now.

Anybody been to Iceland? Things to do? Things to avoid? I've heard it's quite pricey. Doesn't sound like renting a car is needed/recommended.

I went last April. My wife and I did rent a car and I would actually recommend it highly. The stuff that takes 4-5 hours to go see on a tour bus takes maybe half that if you have a car.

Blue Lagoon was great. I am not into spas or stuff like that and I would gladly go back.

The waterfalls are amazing. Gullfoss was my favorite. This picture doesn't do it justice, but there it is.

We were there for five days and I would gladly go back. We are thinking about doing a couple day layover in Iceland and then going on to the Faroe Islands or Scotland.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask...

So I've read mixed things about renting a car in the winter...basically, some say that in Jan/Feb, renting a car to actually go outside of town is nuts because the weather can be that bad...I imagine April is a lot different than mid-winter. That's the one thing that I guess has me worried.

Gullfoss looks awesome. I love the nature stuff, but what is Reykjavik like? Decent restaurants? Easy to get around?

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Bumping this because the wife and I are pondering going to Iceland in January/February...One of my bucket list items is to see the Northern Lights, and there are some good deals right now.

Anybody been to Iceland? Things to do? Things to avoid? I've heard it's quite pricey. Doesn't sound like renting a car is needed/recommended.

I went last April. My wife and I did rent a car and I would actually recommend it highly. The stuff that takes 4-5 hours to go see on a tour bus takes maybe half that if you have a car.

Blue Lagoon was great. I am not into spas or stuff like that and I would gladly go back.

The waterfalls are amazing. Gullfoss was my favorite. This picture doesn't do it justice, but there it is.

We were there for five days and I would gladly go back. We are thinking about doing a couple day layover in Iceland and then going on to the Faroe Islands or Scotland.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask...

So I've read mixed things about renting a car in the winter...basically, some say that in Jan/Feb, renting a car to actually go outside of town is nuts because the weather can be that bad...I imagine April is a lot different than mid-winter. That's the one thing that I guess has me worried.

Gullfoss looks awesome. I love the nature stuff, but what is Reykjavik like? Decent restaurants? Easy to get around?

Some of our friends went a couple months before we did. I'll ask if they rented a car and if so, what their experience was like.

Reykjavic is a pretty neat little city. There are definitely some good places to eat (and to drink). Our hotel was the new Hilton, which is very nice but is a bit outside of the downtown core. So we ended up driving a couple miles, parking, and then walking around every evening. If your hotel is more in the downtown core, then it is pretty walkable. There are also buses. We heard they were pretty easy. But we didn't have much problem parking, and my wife isn't much of a drinker and was fine being the designated driver, so we never really looked into the buses.