Itinerary SOS! From Germany to Norway/Denmark/Netherlands then Eastern Euro
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Sep 16, 2012 3:36 AM Last Post By: kat_of_the_cats
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Itinerary SOS! From Germany to Norway/Denmark/Netherlands then Eastern Euro
Hello!I had the opportunity to come to Baden-Wurttemberg for a few weeks. I am near Stuttgart and will soon start a trip. I wish to go to the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. That's the first part of the trip. The second is going into Eastern Europe - starting with Prague and working my way down and further east to Romania. This part is logical (to me) starting from Prague and then on I can visualize it.
I'm lost on the first part, in terms of the sequence of countries to visit and what is most cost effective and no back tracking. I do need to make a stop in Berlin to see a friend and I would like to take the ferry Kiel-Oslo - those are the only constraints I have. I can go into Sweden if it makes sense to get into Denmark on my way down from Norway.
I am close to the Netherlands right now. So I would think it makes sense to go west first. Up the Netherlands, cross to Kiel, up to Norway - staying in the southern part of the country - cross to Sweden, down to Copenhagen and then Berlin.
If I were to go to Berlin first, then Kiel then Norway - Sweden? - Denmark - the Netherlands - Prague.
I haven't even touched the Eurail pass dilemma yet... To many options for me - can't compute - system shutdown.
Thank you!
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I think the simplest would be to go the Netherlands first and then by train to Hamburg and from there by train to the part of Denmark, where you would like to go. If you want to go to Jutland, you can take a ferry from the north, Hirthals, to Oslo and when you want to go to Copenhagen, you take a ferry from there to Oslo. From Oslo take the ferry to Kiel and then to Berlin, Prague etc. I think that is logistically the most logical.2
If you are now near Stuttgart you are not really close to the Netherlands. Maybe a look on a map can help. In order and from southern Germany the steps can be the Netherlands, Denmark, via Copenhagen to Sweden, up to Norway and than down south to Berlin before Prague and the rest of your trip.3
I think you need to give us more information on yourself. How long do you plan to travel around Europe?How old are you, and which languages do you speak?
If it is only a few weeks, then you can't squeeze in seven completely different countries scattered around.
I mean, Romania is so far away, geographically and culturally from Norway or Germany.
You would end up living in a train and not seeing what you came for.
Please reconsider going to all wind directions and focus on one instead.
From South-West Germany you can either go:
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Hi Hello!Thank you for checking in and writing. I ended up coming to Berlin to take care of some business. I am now ready to leave! I really enjoyed my stay in Southern Germany. I could have kept meandering through the smaller villages and towns.
I wonder how do something similar through Denmark to Hirthals and then by sea to Norway, like Liberat suggested. i know that I rather don't enjoy the bigger cities. I like the countryside and ambling through places that offer me a look in to local life - how to say, less globalized? For example, if I would have read about Baden Wurttemberg as a destination, i don't think I would have chosen it. I had the opportunity to be there, and ended up exploring the area and I'm quite happy that was my first stop in Germany.
I would do this by bicycle but my back is giving me troubles so it's not an option. But I think this informs you of the pace I like.
I've meandered before but in much cheaper countries (always easy to find affordable places to stay last minute with not much planning or booking ahead) and to answer your question Sleepy Bag, I travel slowly. NO city hopping for me...
thank you -
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As you are no doubt aware off, Denmark consists of a lot of islands and one bigger part, Jutland, that is connected to Germany, N of Hamburg. The second biggest town of Denmark, Arhus, is situated in Jutland, but it is much smaller than Copenhagen. On the N-side of Jutland is a breaktrough from the Northsea to the Baltic via the Limfjord. I sailed a number of times in that area and I think it is the type of area you are looking for. The western part of Jutland has a lot of dunes and some fishing villages such as Esbjerg, Hvide Sande and Tyboron. On the E-side is the biggest town in the area, Aalborg, where the famous aquavid is made. If I remeber correctly, the main connection about the Limfjord is in Aalborg. There are also some ferry connection and there is another connection on the W-side via one or more islands. Hirthals is almost on the northernmost tip of Jutland. One of the "must-sees" for children is "Legoland", somewhere in the middle of Jutland.In the connecting part of Germany, Schleswig-Holstein are also some interesting places, such as Schleswig itself and some other parts in the area of the Schlei, an inlet from the Baltic into the country.
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Hi Liberat!This caught my eye on your post: "On the N-side of Jutland is a breaktrough from the Northsea to the Baltic via the Limfjord. I sailed a number of times in that area and I think it is the type of area you are looking for."
I've become a bit more familiar with Denmark maps since I've arrived (via boat from Rostock to Gedser). I know I want the sea, and I also would like to visit a fishing village(s), not necessarily a tourist destination. The Limfjord area is long, which part where you thinking of?
I am actually quite happy staying in a fishing town observing the fisherman for a week!
In the end I need to get to Hirtshals, not sure that I need to necessarily stay there, but to get on the ferry to Norway.
Thank you for your advice!
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Esbjerg is by far the biggest of the towns I mentioned. It has a ferry-connection with the UK. More to the North are Hvide Sande and Thyboron, which both are much smaller than Esbjerg, but are typical fishing villages. Thyboron is situated on the S-side of the connection of the Limfjord with the N-sea. As I wrote I sailed in this area and stayed on board, so do not have insight in the presence of hotels etc. I think that in this time of the year there is very little activity, aside from the fishingboats coming into or leaving the harbour. Thinking about it, I don't know which of the places I would favor to stay in, possibly Thyboron, because of the pleasant memories of the type of hamburger we used to eat there, "Bifburg" or something they were called. Maybe you should post in the Scandinavian-branch to get more information. Also have a look at viamichelin.com to get an idea of the lay-out of the area.Good luck and happy traveling!
