North Norway / Finland Proposed meet up September 2021

Skooty Alan said:
I have just picked up on this thread. It looks a great trip and one we would like to do. Is anyone coordinating the trip overall or do we all need to work out our specific routes and ferries etc?
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Hiya Skooty Alan,
Having done the trip with two other Calis , even with just two others , having a fixed itinerary didn’t really work out , everyone has their own preferences about where to stay and for how long and what to visit etc . We all really enjoyed ourselves when we were together, however the lesson I learned is it’s about doing what you like best and sharing with each other what experiences you can , or just sharing the planning of what one intends to do to help others With their planning.
Having done the trip before and been often in the North of Norway and Finland I’m happy to help where I can from sharing the experiences we had last time, although travel and accommodation or site arrangements are certainly best made by individuals.
Having said all that it would be great I think if we did have at least one , maybe more meeting points where a group meet could take place. I’m going to check some sites where this could workout, for the numbers and timing and advise soonish about these.
Best wishes
 
Niborn said:
Hiya Skooty Alan,
Having done the trip with two other Calis , even with just two others , having a fixed itinerary didn’t really work out , everyone has their own preferences about where to stay and for how long and what to visit etc . We all really enjoyed ourselves when we were together, however the lesson I learned is it’s about doing what you like best and sharing with each other what experiences you can , or just sharing the planning of what one intends to do to help others With their planning.
Having done the trip before and been often in the North of Norway and Finland I’m happy to help where I can from sharing the experiences we had last time, although travel and accommodation or site arrangements are certainly best made by individuals.
Having said all that it would be great I think if we did have at least one , maybe more meeting points where a group meet could take place. I’m going to check some sites where this could workout, for the numbers and timing and advise soonish about these.
Best wishes
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Many thanks, that is very helpful. Keep me in the loop!
 
i take it everyone is busy planning/booking now in the hope that Covid allows?
do I take it that the only dates I should work around is to be at the top around 22 sep?
if any other planned dates/places are to be picked, when might you be letting us know? I’m going to get planning now.....something more exciting to do than the much needed post retiral tidying/organising!
 
Hi Dottie, in a few months, when the Covid future is a bit clearer, then maybe it will be possible to actually book things, like sites.
Just an additional note if anyone with UK residency and no EU passport is planning to be, if it is possible when Covid travel restrictions have cleared, in the Schengen zone , for a long duration in the summer just travelling around then you will need to take care to consider the new 90 day rule which now applies to UK residents / citizens.

This means for example , a two month stay in say France and Italy in June July will leave you then just one month for this trip in Norway Sweden and Finland .

Happy New Year everyone
 
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Went ahead and booked my Travelmunde to Helsinki return ferry as, if you are a finnlines member, finnlines are offering a discount as well as the flexibility to change the dates two times. The membership is free.

The train tickets will open up I think about 3 months in advance. As Niborn says, should have firm dates by then.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Niborn said:
Hi Dottie, in a few months, when the Covid future is a bit clearer, then maybe it will be possible to actually book things, like sites.
Just an additional note if anyone with UK residency and no EU passport is planning to be, if it is possible when Covid travel restrictions have cleared, in the Schengen zone , for a long duration in the summer just travelling around then you will need to take care to consider the new 90 day rule which now applies to UK residents / citizens.

This means for example , a two month stay in say France and Italy in June July will leave you then just one month for this trip in Norway Sweden and Finland .

Happy New Year everyone
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Thanks for this, we were thinking long Norway tour after Covid but would be tight in 90 days to allow other countries on way and way back, need to look at Norway temporary residency permit but not sure what is required yet, the udi.no website says will be updated after 4th Jan 2021.. will update here when I know.
 
kaf2546 said:
Thanks for this, we were thinking long Norway tour after Covid but would be tight in 90 days to allow other countries on way and way back, need to look at Norway temporary residency permit but not sure what is required yet, the udi.no website says will be updated after 4th Jan 2021.. will update here when I know.
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Hmmm, very interesting, im not sure that will change much as regards the other countries in the Schengen zone, but it is a great idea to check it out. Probably/possibly some making this trip, I imagine, may have already spent sometime in EU, on hols in summer, prior to going through Holland, Germany, Sweden and Norway and Finland. You might with a visa be allowed more time in Norway, it will be good to know if by having a Norwegian Visa and spending time in Norway, if time will with a Visa will still count towards your total time in Schengen. I think it may.

What I do know is those people with UK citizenship and as well with residency in any EU country before the transition date, which is tomorrow, will continue to be allowed free travel, thats over 90 days collectively in the Schengen zone. In otherwords for uk citizens who hold residency in any EU country the 90 day in 180 will not apply. If however a UK citizen with EU residency or an EU citizen say of France wants to stay more than 90 days in any EU country, say Spain, normally they are meant to register themselves at the police station or town hall, in that country, not sure if that means getting a visa too as EU residents have visa free status in EU.
New things to discover now UK has left EU
 
Niborn said:
Hmmm, very interesting, im not sure that will change much as regards the other countries in the Schengen zone, but it is a great idea to check it out. Probably/possibly some making this trip, I imagine, may have already spent sometime in EU, on hols in summer, prior to going through Holland, Germany, Sweden and Norway and Finland. You might with a visa be allowed more time in Norway, it will be good to know if by having a Norwegian Visa and spending time in Norway, if time will with a Visa will still count towards your total time in Schengen. I think it may.

What I do know is those people with UK citizenship and as well with residency in any EU country before the transition date, which is tomorrow, will continue to be allowed free travel, thats over 90 days collectively in the Schengen zone. In otherwords for uk citizens who hold residency in any EU country the 90 day in 180 will not apply. If however a UK citizen with EU residency or an EU citizen say of France wants to stay more than 90 days in any EU country, say Spain, normally they are meant to register themselves at the police station or town hall, in that country, not sure if that means getting a visa too as EU residents have visa free status in EU.
New things to discover now UK has left EU
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Indeed I was hoping a Norway permit might stop the Schengen visa clock, otherwise no point in getting it, will find out early 2021
 
kaf2546 said:
Indeed I was hoping a Norway permit might stop the Schengen visa clock, otherwise no point in getting it, will find out early 2021
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A little bit of information that might be helpful for those already living in France or another EU country (taken from an official government French website =https://.gouv.fr/sites//accueil/vous-etes-britannique-en/droit-au-sejour-en.html ) ...I believe that means 3 months in any one Schengen country , so 3 months in Sweden PLUS 3 in Finland PLUS 3 in Norway ..as mention all EU residents may have to register in any Schengen country after 3 months, all nothing to do with the 90/180 day rule which now applies to UK residents.
  • Will permits issued in France allow their holders to travel throughout the EU ?
    Besides the holders being able to settle in France, the residence permits will allow them to travel in the other Schengen Area countries for periods of less than three months.

So it appears having a residence permit in France does ”stop the clock “ as you put It , would a right to stay in Norway with a visa do the same , it’s a very good question.
 
Niborn said:
A little bit of information that might be helpful for those already living in France or another EU country (taken from an official government French website =https://.gouv.fr/sites//accueil/vous-etes-britannique-en/droit-au-sejour-en.html ) ...I believe that means 3 months in any one Schengen country , so 3 months in Sweden PLUS 3 in Finland PLUS 3 in Norway ..as mention all EU residents may have to register in any Schengen country after 3 months, all nothing to do with the 90/180 day rule which now applies to UK residents.
  • Will permits issued in France allow their holders to travel throughout the EU ?
    Besides the holders being able to settle in France, the residence permits will allow them to travel in the other Schengen Area countries for periods of less than three months.

So it appears having a residence permit in France does ”stop the clock “ as you put It , would a right to stay in Norway with a visa do the same , it’s a very good question.
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I think the answer is here in this official Norwegian site...

www.norway.no

Visitor’s visa and residence permit

Information on how to apply for a visa or a residence permit to Norway
www.norway.no www.norway.no
 
WelshGas said:
If you are resident in Eritrea or Somalia.
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Well you’re no longer part of the EU and not a residing within Schengen. I do see some simmilarity’s
(I guess some negotiations are still in progress :) )
 
Bartje said:
Well you’re no longer part of the EU and not a residing within Schengen. I do see some simmilarity’s
(I guess some negotiations are still in progress :) )
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Not really. Residents of those countries have always required a Visa to visit Norway.
We don‘t, even after midnight, as long as we only remain within the Schengen area for a maximum 90 days in any 180 days Period.
If you wish to stay longer in Norway, or require a Visa as you are not a U.K. citizen then you’ll have to go to the Norwegian Embassy and probably have to travel direct to/from Norway.
Probably no different for EU or any other country citizens that wish to visit the U.K. ( Irish Passport holders excepted ) for a period greater than 90 days, unless there is a Visa Waiver Agreement.
Who knows what might change in the future, but I do know that I won’t be going to Eritrea to get a Covid Test and a Visa to visit Norway.
 
Bartje said:
Well you’re no longer part of the EU and not a residing within Schengen. I do see some simmilarity’s
(I guess some negotiations are still in progress :) )
Click to expand...
Fortunately for me, without wishing to be even slightly political, I decided to leave blighty and stay a resident of the EU where I currently now reside, so personally I can move freely in the Schengen area. However I know some of my friends don't, or only now just realise they have lost this right, which is why I am highlighting the need to think about this point now, there is a lot to discover about these new UK and EU arrangements. Thankfully on a related travel point at least the EHIC card is being replaced with a UK version of same, which will help those with prexisting conditions on longer trips like this.
 
WelshGas said:
Not really. Residents of those countries have always required a Visa to visit Norway.
We don‘t, even after midnight, as long as we only remain within the Schengen area for a maximum 90 days in any 180 days Period.
If you wish to stay longer in Norway, or require a Visa as you are not a U.K. citizen then you’ll have to go to the Norwegian Embassy and probably have to travel direct to/from Norway.
Probably no different for EU or any other country citizens that wish to visit the U.K. ( Irish Passport holders excepted ) for a period greater than 90 days, unless there is a Visa Waiver Agreement.
Who knows what might change in the future, but I do know that I won’t be going to Eritrea to get a Covid Test and a Visa to visit Norway.
Click to expand...

WelshGas said:
Not really. Residents of those countries have always required a Visa to visit Norway.
We don‘t, even after midnight, as long as we only remain within the Schengen area for a maximum 90 days in any 180 days Period.
If you wish to stay longer in Norway, or require a Visa as you are not a U.K. citizen then you’ll have to go to the Norwegian Embassy and probably have to travel direct to/from Norway.
Probably no different for EU or any other country citizens that wish to visit the U.K. ( Irish Passport holders excepted ) for a period greater than 90 days, unless there is a Visa Waiver Agreement.
Who knows what might change in the future, but I do know that I won’t be going to Eritrea to get a Covid Test and a Visa to visit Norway.
Click to expand...
I think the point for most UK people going on this trip will be if they holiday in Europe in the summer for say 6 weeks they might not now have enough time for this trip in September /October. That was not the case before for a UK resident.
 
Niborn said:
I think the point for most UK people going on this trip will be if they holiday in Europe in the summer for say 6 weeks they might not now have enough time for this trip in September /October. That was not the case before for a UK resident.
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Correct. But then again. 6 weeks is only 42 days so unless youre retired or a digital nomad it seems unlikely you will get into trouble with the 90 days within a 180 days period rule.
 
Great photos and would love to do it some time. Glad to see 4WD not essential
 
Niborn said:
Hello everyone,
In 2018 I made a trip, mostly with two other VW Calis, to Norway and Finland. My hobby is photograhing the Northern Lights it was my 8th trip and we saw some fabulous lights.
Im doing the same trip again next year at what is regarded to be the best time to see lights, thats the September equinox.
This time I won't be trying to organise accommodation for everyone but im very happy to meet up at a couple of preselected places where you can sort your own accommodation and we can if you like go to some good spots I know to take pictures. If you aren't sure about how to take pictures of the lights im happy to help with that too.
Later I will make a list of places and dates if anyone would like to join please feel free to indicate your interest andvwe can form a group I guess and possibly make one of the dates a formal VW meeting.
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Looks fab
 
Van to be collected early next week, EU residency visa sorted, time to start planning for an exciting 3 week trip! Just the small matter of the c-word to deal with. Hopefully vaccinations will have led to open borders by then.
 
We , my wife and I , been vaccinated and now we are looking again at the routes for this trip and sites to stop at , as we make bookings I will keep you informed .
So far we have only booked accommodation in Finland 1 week at a club which we know and like, it has excellent facilities and food shops near , easy Northern Light watching nearby.. W/B the 23rd of OCT , we are think about some more time there too. There is limited availability this year it seems, if anyone is interested you can book directly with the club and try and get these prices which is very cheap through RCI, about half the advertised price I think.
I took this picture there, often the colours seem stronger at this location , it might be something to do with the way the lights appear and the quantity of nitrogen which makes the lights look blueish purple.
Best wishes to all ..

Ivalo with RF and DF.png
1 Bedroom Full4/2 Max Occupancy/PrivacySat 23-Oct-2021 toSat 30-Oct-2021GBP 329.00
 
Looks amazing, I have previously looked at the ferry from UK to Norway before as part of a trip returning via Sweden/ Denmark...when I spoke to the ferry company they did say VW vans were allowed as commercial bookings, no cars though...was thinking I drive / ferry to Norway ( hang out with my new trucker friends onboard) and meet family at Oslo airport. Sadly no ferries for normal vehicles from UK to Scandinavia any more...
 
Niborn said:
We , my wife and I , been vaccinated and now we are looking again at the routes for this trip and sites to stop at , as we make bookings I will keep you informed .
So far we have only booked accommodation in Finland 1 week at a club which we know and like, it has excellent facilities and food shops near , easy Northern Light watching nearby.. W/B the 23rd of OCT , we are think about some more time there too. There is limited availability this year it seems, if anyone is interested you can book directly with the club and try and get these prices which is very cheap through RCI, about half the advertised price I think.
I took this picture there, often the colours seem stronger at this location , it might be something to do with the way the lights appear and the quantity of nitrogen which makes the lights look blueish purple.
Best wishes to all ..

View attachment 75800
1 Bedroom Full4/2 Max Occupancy/PrivacySat 23-Oct-2021 toSat 30-Oct-2021GBP 329.00
Click to expand...

Thank you @Niborn for the updates. A few questions please
- you had earlier mentioned that dates closer to the Equinox is preferred for best Northern lights viewing. The September Equinox is 22nd Sept. Is my assumption right that a few weeks after that also it is fine?
- the accommodation that you mention - are you able to share the location please?

Thanks :thumb
 
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