2021 – Finland and Norway (Sept/Oct 2021)

[chockswahay]

@kurienp This thread is fantastic! Thank you for taking the time and trouble to post up so many lovely photos and memories. I think you have started something here as there are quite a few of us who are fans of Scandinavia. We toured the region for a couple of months in the summer of 2014 ………… after all this time Northern Norway is still our favourite place on Earth You’re thread will serve as a useful resource for anyone intending to visit Scandinavia. I’ll add to the mix if I may with our blog from 2014. It does drone on a bit (sorry) but it was the first big trip we had done in our van and we were in a high state of excitement! haha ……

Here are a few photos if you want to save yourself the grief hehe….

 

[kurienp]

@kurienp This thread is fantastic! Thank you for taking the time and trouble to post up so many lovely photos and memories. I think you have started something here as there are quite a few of us who are fans of Scandinavia. We toured the region for a couple of months in the summer of 2014 ………… after all this time Northern Norway is still our favourite place on Earth You’re thread will serve as a useful resource for anyone intending to visit Scandinavia. I’ll add to the mix if I may with our blog from 2014. It does drone on a bit (sorry) but it was the first big trip we had done in our van and we were in a high state of excitement! haha ……

Here are a few photos if you want to save yourself the grief hehe….

View attachment 102059View attachment 102060View attachment 102061View attachment 102062View attachment 102063View attachment 102064View attachment 102065

Wow!

I completely agree.

One of the things that is pending yet is the south/West of the bottom half of Norway. We wanted to do the trollstigen on our return, but a landslide has closed the route ... but that is on the bucket list and another trip to Norway!

I used my phone for all my pics and towards the end of the trip, the phone was at its end of life and the camera started to misbehave so not many pics towards the end, but having a good setup for pics definitely helps bring out the beauty of the place better. With a new phone, next trip, it should behave itself.

ha ha ! awesome pic on the land marker

 

[Whitwellblue]

Looks fantastic. We’re hoping to go to Norway next year as a retirement trip. Couple of questions if you don’t mind…
What time of year was this? We really don’t want to hit midge season, assuming there is one.
Did you think it would have worked better in a bigger van? So you could have a bathroom etc. We love our Cali but think the next size up could free us up for more wild camping on a long trip like this.

 

[kurienp]

Looks fantastic. We’re hoping to go to Norway next year as a retirement trip. Couple of questions if you don’t mind…
What time of year was this? We really don’t want to hit midge season, assuming there is one.
Did you think it would have worked better in a bigger van? So you could have a bathroom etc. We love our Cali but think the next size up could free us up for more wild camping on a long trip like this.

Hello @Whitwellblue , great to hear that you are planning a trip to Norway ... and what better retirement gift than this! I am sure you will enjoy the trip.

On your questions:

What time of year was this? We really don’t want to hit midge season, assuming there is one.

As our focus was the Northern lights, the best time to see it is during the equinox, and so we planned the trip in Sept. We left the UK on 22 Sept and Returned on the 15th of Oct. Mosquitos and Midges are a problem where the climate is warm and there is water. Norway also has its fair share and hence our plan to go in Sept/colder months so that challenge is averted.

Did you think it would have worked better in a bigger van? So you could have a bathroom etc. We love our Cali but think the next size up could free us up for more wild camping on a long trip like this.

We never had a challenge in the Cali and it worked well for us. The advantage for us was the manoeuvrability, and of course, our car train transport which would not take a large campervan. @chockswahay did it in a larger van and can share his experiences as well.

If Lofoten is on your itinerary, wild camping is not allowed, so you will need to find campsites every evening and all the ones that we found were well appointed.

Having all facilities with you would be an advantage if you are planning a general open-plan drive but accessibility-wise, you will not have any issues as roads are well-maintained and wide enough at all places.

 

[chockswahay]

Well I’m a stupid boy! I mentioned my blog then somehow left out the link!

Here it is (be prepared to suffer )

25 April E1 We're off!

A personal view of Norway , Sweden and Denmark as we travel through them in our camper van

wolfydoesscandawegia.blogspot.com

 

[chockswahay]

Looks fantastic. We’re hoping to go to Norway next year as a retirement trip. Couple of questions if you don’t mind…
What time of year was this? We really don’t want to hit midge season, assuming there is one.
Did you think it would have worked better in a bigger van? So you could have a bathroom etc. We love our Cali but think the next size up could free us up for more wild camping on a long trip like this.

We went during the summer months….. never saw a single midge! As for van size?……. Cali all the way!

 

[Whitwellblue]

Hello @Whitwellblue , great to hear that you are planning a trip to Norway ... and what better retirement gift than this! I am sure you will enjoy the trip.

On your questions:



As our focus was the Northern lights, the best time to see it is during the equinox, and so we planned the trip in Sept. We left the UK on 22 Sept and Returned on the 15th of Oct. Mosquitos and Midges are a problem where the climate is warm and there is water. Norway also has its fair share and hence our plan to go in Sept/colder months so that challenge is averted.



We never had a challenge in the Cali and it worked well for us. The advantage for us was the manoeuvrability, and of course, our car train transport which would not take a large campervan. @chockswahay did it in a larger van and can share his experiences as well.

If Lofoten is on your itinerary, wild camping is not allowed, so you will need to find campsites every evening and all the ones that we found were well appointed.

Having all facilities with you would be an advantage if you are planning a general open-plan drive but accessibility-wise, you will not have any issues as roads are well-maintained and wide enough at all places.

Thanks for that. That all makes utter sense!

 

[Taff Tenor]

Absolutely awesome….bravo! It’s something we’ve been mulling over for some time and the northern lights we just have to see somehow? We‘ll likely have to pick your brains at some point having recently toured northern Spain and France which took a lot of planning but well worth it.

Q: we only have two wheel drive so ….feasible? How did you keep your van so clean..bloody immaculate!

 

[kurienp]

Absolutely awesome….bravo! It’s something we’ve been mulling over for some time and the northern lights we just have to see somehow? We‘ll likely have to pick your brains at some point having recently toured northern Spain and France which took a lot of planning but well worth it.

Q: we only have two wheel drive so ….feasible? How did you keep your van so clean..bloody immaculate!

Requires some planning, but as with a Cali, once on land, we prefer to have a draft plan and leave the rest open.

having recently toured northern Spain and France which took a lot of planning but well worth it.

Do share details, always good to see other people's travels. We have also been inspired by others on here.

we only have two wheel drive so ….feasible?

Absolutely! 100%. Just have tyres appropriate for the weather. We had winter tyres on. Robin, who inspired us to do this trip, has a 2wd and another one of Robin's friend (the third Cali in the group pic) was also 2wd. So, no issues.

How did you keep your van so clean..bloody immaculate!

Ha ha! I guess the Mojave beige hides the dirt quite well as it is the colour of dirt

 

[chockswahay]

Our way to keep the van clean was simply to pull up by a river and get a bucket and wash mitt/brush out and use enviro friendly car shampoo

 

[Taff Tenor]

Requires some planning, but as with a Cali, once on land, we prefer to have a draft plan and leave the rest open.



Do share details, always good to see other people's travels. We have also been inspired by others on here.


Absolutely! 100%. Just have tyres appropriate for the weather. We had winter tyres on. Robin, who inspired us to do this trip, has a 2wd and another one of Robin's friend (the third Cali in the group pic) was also 2wd. So, no issues.


Ha ha! I guess the Mojave beige hides the dirt quite well as it is the colour of dirt

Will share Spain and France asap…. planning a Nordic adventure now thanks to you !

 

[Kenisted]

You have our mouths watering for adventure and we haven’t had our cali delivered yet
thank you for sharing

 

[GastardWilts]

The initial day in Tromso was spent looking around. Interesting place ... just taking in the local city vibes

The Arctic Cathedral in Tromso. Interesting from inside as well.
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Up the Fjellheisen using the cable car. We wanted to walk - but then decided to experience the views from the cable car. Great Views. View attachment 101991
View from the top. definitely worth it. View attachment 101993

and then the recommended soup at the restaurant on top

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Was interesting to see some art work around the streets down below.

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and only in Norway! A Tesla Model S Hearse.

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there is one in Wiltshire....

 

[Reman]

Fascinating thread - and one that let me relive memories.

I did a similar trip to Nordkapp in June this year - but on a motorcycle (!). Travelling up through the spine of Sweden on the E45, and a similar route back down the Norwegian coast but with detours to Bergen and Geirangerfjord on the way back. Some 5230 miles.

Not a Cali trip I know but some general points:

The E45 up through Sweden was much better than I had been led to expect. Beautiful scenery, good roads (apart from 20km of roadworks with loose gravel all the way - hell on a heavy bike), and no midges in early June.​

​

Although the peak tourist season for the trip is supposed to be July and August, it was busy this June - a point commented upon by everyone in Norway - with the few campsites available in the far north very busy and those on the Lofoten Islands fully booked.​

​

In early June the temperatures ranged from a balmy 22 degrees C at the Artic Circle crossing in Sweden to a wet 2 degrees C with snow at the equivalent heading south in Norway.​

​

Speed limits are very low (80km/h Norway) with plentiful speed cameras and mobile police traps (watch out for roadside bus shelters). Don't plan on mega mileages each day.​

​

The trip was a bucket-list affair on the bike - but how I missed my California when I stopped each night!!

 

[kurienp]

Fascinating thread - and one that let me relive memories.

I did a similar trip to Nordkapp in June this year - but on a motorcycle (!). Travelling up through the spine of Sweden on the E45, and a similar route back down the Norwegian coast but with detours to Bergen and Geirangerfjord on the way back. Some 5230 miles.

Not a Cali trip I know but some general points:

The E45 up through Sweden was much better than I had been led to expect. Beautiful scenery, good roads (apart from 20km of roadworks with loose gravel all the way - hell on a heavy bike), and no midges in early June.​

​

Although the peak tourist season for the trip is supposed to be July and August, it was busy this June - a point commented upon by everyone in Norway - with the few campsites available in the far north very busy and those on the Lofoten Islands fully booked.​

​

In early June the temperatures ranged from a balmy 22 degrees C at the Artic Circle crossing in Sweden to a wet 2 degrees C with snow at the equivalent heading south in Norway.​

​

Speed limits are very low (80km/h Norway) with plentiful speed cameras and mobile police traps (watch out for roadside bus shelters). Don't plan on mega mileages each day.​

​

The trip was a bucket-list affair on the bike - but how I missed my California when I stopped each night!!

and here I was, in the Cali, thinking how wonderful these roads would've been on the motorcycle ... ha ha.

PS: a secret - my wife might bash me for this - I can go without a shower for days on end when in the Cali - unless I am doing some strenuous activity during the day (even then you have body wipes that work well). This days of "without shower" can extend much longer when on a motorbike tour

... oh and yes, those speed cameras! good to be very careful on that.

 

[Kenisted]

What a great thread
Our Cali is arriving next week and we’re hoping to do a similar trip to yours in September
As we’re brand new to this can you point me in a couple of directions
It sounds like most of you’re trip was wild camping, how or where did you empty your toilet and fill with fresh water
Any tips for a complete newby would be greatly appreciated
Ta

 

[Qnapper]

A great read and having read it all 3 times now we are planning a trip next year. Thank you.

 

[WelshGas]

I have a little experience of touring Scandinavia in a California. I’ve been 4 times since retirement, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022. I drive from South Wales averaging 5 to 7,000 miles
I normally travel mid-May to June for about 3+ weeks. No midges.
Ive been to Knordkapp twice via Sweden/Finland and Norway on the E6, Tromso and the Lofoten Islands and Fijord Land including the Trollsteign, Lysebotn and Laerdel Tunnel.
I wrote up my trips on the Forum here.:-

Countdown begins!

Well, just 12 days until I depart on my trip to Nordkapp - 5,000 mile return trip according to Garmin Basecamp. South Wales - Folkeston - Euroshuttle - Calais - Belgium - Germany - Denmark - The Bridge - Sweden - Finland - Norway - Nordkapp and then a leisurely return via the Euroshuttle. 19...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Countdown 2 - Begins. Scandinavia 2017

Well down to the last 4 weeks before Departure on the 10th May. Ferry booked - Harwich to Hook of Holland overnight, and return on the 31st but a daytime crossing to avoid the traffic in U.K. As it arrives at 2000 hrs Travel and Medical Insurance organised vis Red Pennant, Caravan & Motorhome...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Countdown 3 - Begins. Scandinavia 2019

Well it’s pouring down here and miserable, so a good time to get a few things sorted out. Ferry booked ✔️ Return trip Harwich to Hook of Holland mid May and return 21 days later. Nightime crossing + cabin on the way over and Daytime coming back. Red Pennant Travel Insurance ✔️ Green Card -...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Countdown 4 Begins. Scandinavia 2020

Well it’s that time of year. It might be sunny between the frequent horizontal rain showers but the wind is blowing and it’s cold. Even Max, our mad ginger Tom, only goes outside for the bare minimum and is curled up on my lap. So, plans for the year. Well, we are going to Copenhagen and Sweden...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

The only thing I pre-booked was the Euroshuttle or Ferry from Harwich-Hook of Holland.
I don’t book campsites but use the ASCI app and Archies app to find campsites. Never had a problem finding a site or wildcamping.

This year, house building work permitting, I will use the Harwich-Hook of Holland ferry and the new ferry service from North Holland to Kristiansund in Southern Norway

Holland Norway Lines - Holland Norway Lines

hollandnorwaylines.com

There are a lot of Toll roads and Tunnels in Norway, also some Fijord ferries use the same system, using APNR cameras. You will get a bill a few months later. There are environmental discounts for Euro5/6 vehicles and to avoid inaccurate vehicle charges you can pre-register your vehicle at

Epass24

www.epass24.com

Have fun. If you like driving, stunning scenery then you’ll be well rewarded.

 

[Azteccamper]

Great thread (and sub-threads). Certainly gets the adventure taste buds going. Thanks all - the forum at its best.

 

[Skylark2.0]

What a treat it has been reading all this, thank you!

 

[wandering star]

dear kurienp
great post re your trip to finland and norway - thanks
i have a question
on the finland car-train website it says it only takes vehicles with a roof width up to 170cm
and measuring my Cali T6.1 with the awning holder i find that the roof width it 170cm!
were you able to book your cali onto the train ok?
and when boarding the train with the van did you have much leeway at the roof level or was it a very narrow fit for width?
thank
wandering star

not at all. Excluding food and spend on "tourism/sight seeing" it was 2900 GBP. Food is expensive, and I guess we would've spent about 600 on grocery and meals out, general snacks. We love cooking in the van so mostly dinner was in the van and lunch out in the local place. This is over 3 weeks in two of the most expensive countries

 

[kurienp]

dear kurienp
great post re your trip to finland and norway - thanks
i have a question
on the finland car-train website it says it only takes vehicles with a roof width up to 170cm
and measuring my Cali T6.1 with the awning holder i find that the roof width it 170cm!
were you able to book your cali onto the train ok?
and when boarding the train with the van did you have much leeway at the roof level or was it a very narrow fit for width?
thank
wandering star

hi, no, did not have any issues with booking.
I have to admit, I do have air suspension, so did lower to the lowest point so did not have any issues with the roof width. It was a tight fit though.
To be on the safe side, take off the awning.
I booked my van in as a van - VW transporter.
They do take transporters without any issues.