Heading north
Hello
My wife and I are considering a trip in our swift voyager to holland/denmark/sweden and possibly norway. I would appreciate any advice, its all a bit dauntig, we keep hearing of astronomical food prices,/ restaurant /, site fees
any suggestions ??
thanks danny
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We travelled to Norway and Denmark some years ago when ferries ran from Harwich to Esjberg and yes, both countries were very expensive. We took a large amount of food (had a m'home with a big fridge then). We only stayed one night in Denmark but had a quick visit to Copenhagen where it seemed very pricey. I don't remember site fees being exorbitant but hot showers in Norway were extra - about £1 ! We used our own facilities. Roads were good, we had no problems getting around with the aid of a good map. The scenery is spectacular in places. Towns/villages are quite small and IMO not very interesting. We enjoyed our visit but would say it's better for people more into walking and outdoor pursuits than us. The Netherlands is not as expensive, has more to do/see and is worth spending some time there. Other people will probably come along with a variety of different opinions - best wishes for your trip.
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thankyou
Danny
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Hello Danny,
We've just returned from a month in Denmark with a few days on the German Baltic coast and in the Netherlands. We had previously visited Denmark 30 years ago when it was expensive - it still is though they now have Lidl and Aldi which helps.
If you go from now to early August you can easily spend £50 to £70 a night for a motorhome +2. ACSI is available earlier and later almost always at the highest price. They like to charge you in Crowns (DKK) and add heavy local taxes. 20€ seems to become £23 to £25. There are not many stellplatz, though quite a few campsites have a motorhome area which is cheaper for one or perhaps two nights. We did find five places which were free and there must be others. We found the (paid for) apps from Camperstops and ACSI motorhome stops very useful for these and less expensive night halts. Driving on beautifully maintained Danish roads is slow, relaxing and a pleasure.
We went briefly to Sweden and found it less expensive than Denmark. In conversation with a couple of German couples who motorhomed in Sweden each year they said it was less expensive than Denmark. As for eating out, adding alcohol to a £100 per person meal (mid price) will easily double the price. Street food is cheaper and usually very good.
In our experience Denmark is cheaper than Finland, Norway and Iceland in assending order of "eye-wateringness". I could list our Danish itinary if I've not put you off,
Carl
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Hi, been to Norway twice now, although last time in 2012, driving through from France, Holland,Germany,Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Food stuff is expensive, order low to high, Denmark,Sweden and eye watering Norway. Fuel about the same as here.
we did go all the way to the north Cape.
our blog and route here
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/your-stories/travellingpeacocks/norway-trip-2012/.
it is worth it, we intend one day to return.
enjoy.
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Just had a look at your story TravellingPs, it's still relevant but like many of us who posted stories our photos went missing when the web site was redeveloped. I think you have a Hadrian's Wall photo attached! If you still have any site photos you could add them onto this thread?
We have given travelling to Norway quite a bit of thought and we're now going without our van but hope to get to Denmark/Sweden in the future. So I enjoy reading these posts!
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Just noticed the picture, strange, will have to look on another device regarding pictures, will have some, just have to find them!
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Always been the same, Scandinavians go to Germany, Swedes go to Denmark, Norwegians anywhere but Norway for cheaper items. We took as much food as we could into Norway, fresh goods, milk, bread etc are expensive.
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When we were on the Baltic Coast we went to a massive supermarket( it could have been in Lubeck) which was obviously set up for the Scandinavian visitors as all the checkouts had little signs in German and English. At the time I couldn't quite work out why but it seems Scandinavians are more likely to speak English than German, perhaps with the exception of the Danes.
I thought Norway had strict limits on what could be taken into the country rather like we had pre Single Market days?
David
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As a Norwegian, I can only agree that Norway is very expensive to visit!
We generally regard Denmark as next most expensive and Sweden less expensive. Not been in Finland for a while, but when we were there it was on a par with Sweden.
Lidl, Aldi and other discount stores such as Netto are popular, though there are no Lidls or Aldis in Norway, for reasons which we have never understood.
Generally, supermarkets in Norway have good "special offers", so that can help keep costs down if what you want is on offer.
Most soft drinks and beers have a bottle or can deposit, so be sure to save and return them, note that they can only be returned in the country in which they were purchased. Supermarket own brand drinks are much cheaper than branded, large bottles offer the best value.
Norway has been tightening up on what can be brought in due to most Norwegians spending a lot shopping in other countries, but other than alcohol and tobacco, they are unlikely to be interested in the relatively minor amounts of food that can be carried in a caravan or MH, we always stock up in Germany before going to Denmark, and in Sweden before going to Norway.
Site fees are not too bad, we have used ACSI in the past and also paid full price in summer, ACSI is not big in Norway. Expect to pay extra for showers in Denmark and Norway, and electricity is often metered, and expensive, in Denmark.
You can check out site fees on the internet, Camping Sweden also has a good booking system.
For economy, forget eating out in proper restaurants, fast food and street food is not too expensive, and meals at IKEA are always good value.
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It is some time since I toured Norway but as I recall fish was not expensive although most of it was frozen.
peedee
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Yes, the fish is usually very good, the fish market in Bergen is very famous, lots to choose from, the fresh prawns are always tasty.
We do have some fish specialities, whether they would appeal is another matter........ Boknafisk is part air dried cod , which is then boiled and eaten with potatoes and bacon fat........cold cooked salmon is eaten with chives, sour cream and boiled potatoes......marinated herrings done in vinegar, sugar and lots of onions.
Fenalaar is leg of mutton, salted and dried, then thinly sliced to serve in a sandwich, reindeer and elk meat make delicious stews, and roast pork is very popular.
Kjottkaker are traditional pork and beef meat cakes, and generally an inexpensive meal, served with a creamy gravy and boiled potatoes.
If you like cheese, try the Jarlsberg, also widely available in UK of course, but one you will not find so easily here is Brun Ost or Geit Ost, traditionally a sweet brown coloured goats cheese, but nowadays often made with cows milk, there are several varieties available under different names. The real goat milk ones are the most expensive.
Cakes........all sorts of cakes are very popular, Blotkake is traditionally made with fat free sponge layers called sukkerbrod, layered with fruit and vaniljecrem, and coated with fresh cream decorated with yet more fruit....delicious!
Then of course you must try the traditional Norwegian waffle.....always heart shaped and served with fruit "jams" or cheese.
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Sweden
2 years ago our daughter, whilst at university and studying International Business and Economics,
Partly swung with Brexit on the radar 'opted' to study in Sweden for 6 months -
WOW - quite apart from the eye watering prices for 'everything' At the same time we were paying for her UK accommodation - for a direct comparison this was just under half of that in Sweden and Sweden included a small university uplift grant. Quite simply what a country in every respect!
She attended Halmstad university with a 2 week break half way through her stay - we opted for a 2 week driving visit.
Now, having travelled all over Europe - having been stationed in Germany with the RAF for over 12 years - some of the costs, even by our standards came a little surprise.
Looking through rose tinted glasses 'the' Scandinavian way of living appears hard to fault - from their balanced working life through to their home life - BUT all this comes at a cost.
For us Sweden is the only country we've come across where by to 'spend a penny' - you pay using your Barcleycard!! - even when located in the high street.
We also took in whistle stop tours of Gothenburg and Stockholm - both cities quite amazing in their own separate ways - but both having the same 'common denominator - respective costs/expenses -
If you can get over these and don't keep comparing like for like - after day 3 we just gave up, you have to eat, live or what's the point in going if your not going to experience the local 'stuff' - So we decided to just wait for the credit card bill to hit the floor mat upon our return to home!!!
As previously mentioned - for an evening meal for 3 adults on average we paid around the £150 mark - a typical meal being chicken, chips, a salad each and 3 small beers.
Last night we went for fresh fish and a bottle of wine - that added another twelve to fifteen pounds per head, call it £200 for round figures - the restaurant was packed!!.
My suggestion - prepare well, go, enjoy, experience - be prepared to pay the prices or don't bother going and stay just in Germany.
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