| From the midnight sun, northern lights, Viking | | | | enjoy the view. Because Bergen has such a long |
| Ships, stave churches, medieval farms and an | | | | established maritime history, you should really visit |
| endless list of outdoor activities - Norway is a | | | | the famous Bergen Fish Market and watch what |
| superb holiday destination. | | | | goes on beneath the surface of the water at the |
| If you're intending to spend some quality time | | | | Bergen Aquarium. There's a tropical area here too |
| exploring Norway then a car is the best means of | | | | with crocodiles, snakes and monkeys. Stroll down |
| transport as it can take you to some hidden | | | | 'Bryggen', which is the old wharf of Bergen, now a |
| gems off the beaten track. | | | | UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit the home of |
| Norway Car Hire Tip: When in Norway, drive on | | | | composer Edward Greig which is now a museum |
| the right, overtake on the left and always leave | | | | or simply do some shopping. Bergan has lots of |
| your headlights on. | | | | pedestrian shopping streets. |
| Probably the best starting point for your Norway | | | | Norway has an amazing array of Fjords and the |
| adventure is its capital Oslo. The cultural city of | | | | ones along the west side of the country are |
| Oslo is becoming a very popular holiday and short | | | | incredible. Take E39 north of Bergen to |
| break destination. It's a fantastic city with lots of | | | | Sognefjord which is said to be the world's |
| shopping, nightlife, and top attractions like the City | | | | deepest fjord! The most scenic route to get |
| Hall, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral and Akershus | | | | there is through the Sognefjell Mountains. If |
| festning - a superb medieval castle in the city | | | | travelling from Oslo you'll need to head northwest |
| centre. While in the city it's recommended that | | | | and get on route 51 taking a left off road 15 and |
| you park the car up and use the public transport | | | | taking exit on to route 55. |
| as the city has poor parking and severe | | | | Other fjords in that area worthy of a visit are |
| congestion during rush hours. | | | | the Hardangerfjord, Geirangerfjord,the Lyserfjord |
| However, it's only when you drive out of the city | | | | and the narrowest one in the world the |
| that you begin to experience the true extent of | | | | Naeroyfjord |
| Norway's natural beauty (and this is where your | | | | Norway Car Hire Tip: Some roads are closed in |
| car hire comes in!). | | | | Norway during the winter due to poor driving |
| Norway Car Hire Tip: Speed limit is 90km/hr on a | | | | conditions, so it's better to check you're driving |
| motorway, 80km/hr on open road and between | | | | route before you leave for your destination. |
| 30 -50km/hr in residential areas. | | | | If you're up for an adventure then you can |
| Outside the city you can drive to Winter Park | | | | continue north of Bergen and drive to the Artic |
| Tryvann, which is the main ski area in Oslo and is | | | | Circle or you can even go futher to the North |
| only about 10km from the city centre. It's located | | | | Cape (Nordkapp) and stand at the very tip of |
| at the top of Holmenkollen and has 14 slopes and | | | | Northern Europe while watching the mid night sun. |
| 6 lifts. It's popular for snowboarding and both | | | | This is a superb driving route where you'll notice |
| telemark and alpine skiing. To get there, take exit | | | | field and fjords give way to remote lakes, |
| for 'Smestad' from Ring Road 3 and follow signs | | | | forests, wilderness and snow further north. Stay |
| for 'Holmenkollen'. | | | | in a cosy little log cabin for a real Artic experience. |
| Another top attraction is TusenFryd Amusement | | | | Norway Car Hire Tip: You'll come across lots of |
| Park, which is in Vinterbro, about 20km from Oslo. | | | | toll roads! |
| You'll enjoy endless family fun here with roller | | | | South of Oslo is very popular with tourists. |
| coasters, carousels, a spectacular waterpark | | | | Important destinations include the historical town |
| (seasonal) and loads of restaurants. Get on route | | | | of Sandefjord - a 14th century town located on |
| E18 and take exit 6 to get to Vinterbro. | | | | the south east of Norway. This charming town |
| Norway Car Hire Tip: There are severe penalties | | | | was formed during the Viking era and the harbour |
| for drink driving in Norway - the strictest in | | | | hosts a replica of the historic Gokstad Viking Ship. |
| Europe, so just don't do it. | | | | Long ago, Sandefjord had many whaling |
| One of the best scenic driving routes in Norway | | | | expeditions to the Antartica and at one stage up |
| (and indeed Europe) is from Oslo to the city of | | | | to 2,500 men from here worked on the whaling |
| Bergen. The drive is roughly about 500km (plus a | | | | ships. Whaling stopped at the end of the 1960's. |
| ferry crossing) but how long it takes is up to you! | | | | The whaling monument and the whaling museum |
| This popular driving route is called the RV7, more | | | | (Sandefjordmuseene) are two popular attractions |
| commonly known as the 'Hardangervidda' as this | | | | in the town. Sandefjord is located just off the E18 |
| is the name of the national park you drive | | | | about 120km from Oslo. |
| through en route. There is so much to see and do | | | | Stavanger city is on the west close to the |
| along the way and plenty of accommodation. It's | | | | stunning Lyserfjord. The city, which is on a |
| mainly a mountainous drive but you'll really see a | | | | peninsula, has been chosen as the 2008 European |
| slice of Norway on this road trip! | | | | city of culture. The city centre has a beautiful old |
| Norway Car Hire Tip: In some parts of Norway | | | | town, lots of cobbled street, open air markets, a |
| snow chains and snow tyres are compulsory | | | | beautifully preserved cathedral and lots of |
| during the winter time. | | | | museums. The city and its outskirts are a |
| Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. | | | | paradise for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, |
| When you arrive here you're better off parking | | | | skiing, snowboarding and if you're up for ice |
| the car and walking as it will be much faster! Try | | | | skating during the winter time you can drive to a |
| to drag yourself away from the amazing bar, | | | | lake called Stokkavannet which is about 20 |
| clubs, pubs and restaurants to see attractions like | | | | minutes outside the city. |
| Bergenhus Fort (one of the best preserved in | | | | There is just so much to see in Norway and this |
| Norway!), Fantoft Stave Church, or take a cable | | | | is just a taste of what you can visit by car. |
| car to the top of two nearby mountains and | | | | |