Norway in a nutshell

Norway | Jul 24 - Jul 31, 2026

Thanks Taylor and the Kimkim Team. Taylor planned a great trip for us, having spoken with us and heard our needs, likes and dislikes. Also to Nick and Maria who kept in touch when we were there. Communicated all the time, and made us feel really welcome and looked after. Luckily we didn't have any emergencies or need too much looking after, but it was great to know there were people there to call if needed. Anytime. Thank you.

Things we especially liked/that went well:
the app is great. Love having the details to hand, links to different transport we're using (flights, trains, ferries) and name and details of pickups and drivers. So obvious but not always provided by travel companies. Loved it.
The quality and location of the hotels was great. We're a bit spoilt and like the luxe end of the hotel market, but felt that KimKim got it right - the hotels were nice/better than nice AND extremely well places to schlepp ourselves and our bags across to a station, ferry port, etc. It made a huge difference, especially since it was raining a lot of the time.
Suggested activities and guides were great. Sven in Oslo and Sandra in Bergen were fab. Informative and easy to be with.
We loved the apple cider tasting in Balestrand, and the buffet at the Kviknes Hotel was the best buffet we've encountered for a very long time. We ate there both nights of our stay in Balestrand. Loved the oldy-worldy feel and it didn't feel overwhelmed by the large number of tour parties who were there too.
Oslo - two highlights - the Public Library is very special. It's a workspace for everyone, filled with books for everyone. Also the National Museum is fabulous. The feel, the curation of the exhbits - great. And you get a good taste for Munch from their smaller collection. (vs. a major feast (if it's to your taste) in the Munch Museum across the river.
The train to Flam on the Flam Railway was lovely. A bit of a tussle to get a window seat (which we didn't manage) - but still a fun, beautiful ride. The most surprising bit was a fabulous plate of fish and chips at the Flaam Bistro (Canteed). Don't miss it. Another couple we met said the Viking lunch at the PUB in Flaam was great too.

What was less great:
TBH, nothing.
We'd have liked it if it rained less, but it's Norway (and Bergen is renowned for rain :-)). And it didn't stop us doing anything.

The ferries were a bit of a bun fight - understandably as it's peak tourist season. If you are on a ferry - get there early. You won't be the first in the line but you'll get a decent seat and sit together. Ditto the Flaam Train. But if you go in peak season, you have to be chill and roll with it. There are a lot of people wanting to experience the beauty of Norway. It's so worth it.

Thank you Kimkim for creating a great trip. We had a lot of fun and got a real taste for Norway.
We'll be back to book another Kimkim adventure.

Noeleen & John