Stein am Rhein is a European town that is so idyllic that it looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. }); On the plus side, if you do live in Norway or Sweden, youll benefit from things like excellent healthcare coverage, fantastic schooling opportunities for your children, and a wonderful environmental protection strategy. On the other hand, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And is traveling by public transit a necessity (previous mention of loving the trains)? Its a city for architecture and design lovers, with popular stops including the hidden church carved out of the bedrock and the Helsinki design museum. Heres what to expect in each country along with a highlight or two to help you decide on your next Nordic travel destination. Btw, New Zealand is like a 'compressed' europe ( scenery wise) but without the crowds. Theres something here to suit almost every type of tourist and plenty of places to stay, so Norway is great for entire families to visit. Consumer Prices in Norway are 25.7% lower than in Switzerland (without rent) Consumer Prices Including Rent in Norway are 30.2% lower than in Switzerland: Rent Prices in Norway are 41.3% lower than in Switzerland: Restaurant Prices in Norway are 19.3% lower than in Switzerland: Groceries Prices in Norway are 30.9% lower than in Switzerland The Hofstede model for national culture offers a comprehensive study of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture. Google up some pictures. Much of Norway is covered in frost and fjords, making it less habitable, but incredibly beautiful. The survey was a collaborative effort by Match.com and Hotels.com, and surveyed singles registered on Match.com in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. in three trips to the european alp areas , all in may, we have been able to drive around and tour the mountains, hike, catch cable cars etc. Bergen Fjords in Norway. It is buses, not trains, to get around on, but scenery is amazing and the prices, compared to Switzerland, are a bargain. The Nordic countries are known around the world for their unique history and culture. Not necessarily. Switzerland was also ranked second best in the world for conducting business and was considered the second-most trustworthy country. While the case of population density is vice-versa. The fjord is located in the Fjordane district between Flam and the Beitelen Mountains and flows through the local authorities of Vik, Aurland, and Lrdal and near the villages of Flam, Aurlandsvangen, and Undredal. In Norway, approximately 2.3 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. A fun-filled destination for ages indeed! Flag. And as May is an unusual month to travel with children unless they're not school-aged, it might also be helpful to know how young they are? Touring Copenhagen by bike is a must, but the keen cyclist can explore Denmarks network of seven national cycling routes. It seems there is almost no mountain area that you have easy access to (including a restaurant and berghotel) - because of this access we fully expect to be able to hike in Swiss Alps well into our 70's - this is also a factor if you're taking kids along. I also visited the Paris but it was "just OK" for me but I liked Switzerland due to best unforgettable scenic views. Norway has plenty of delicious food and drinks to explore, just like Sweden, as well as happy people who will welcome you into the area. total water area. It is a geothermal spa, filled with seawater and has healing powers. Offseason is the best period for adventure freaks to visit these places. Nighttime temperatures: 6.5 C. Both have high mountains, lakes, trolleys and glaciers. Its also worth thinking about other expenses you may need to consider, such as the price of transportation if youre going to be using public transport or owning your own car. For example,Tenet,Ex MachinaandDunefeature fantastice Norwegian fjord landscapes. I know you said you plan on only visiting Oslo and Bergen, but in my opinion Northern Norway cannot be missed. Thanks. In 2022, the Tour de France comes to Denmark, further highlighting the countrys benefits for cycling. Now read these: The pros and cons of living in Iceland The pros and cons of living in DenmarkThe pros and cons of living in SwedenThe pros and cons of living in FinlandThe pros and cons of living in Norway Choosing between Denmark and NorwaySweden vs Demark, how to decideIceland and Greenland, how they differ. getty. var cloned = el.clone(); Iceland has vast expanses and dramatic scenery that is just as breathtaking as Switzerland. $(this).css('display', 'block'); Oh PS- I'd consider a day in Basel, Switzerland if you can swing it! June to August is the best time to visit Norway to chase the midnight Sun. You can embrace the culture like one of the locals or get the full tourist experience with things like guided tours. You certainly notice that in the capital city Stockholm where there's plenty of things to do to suit all tastes. 73rd. Visa requirement is also a determining factor whenever youre visiting a country, be it Norway, Iceland or any other. Rankings of Swiss quality of life and value of citizenship were also strong, both placing at seventh in the world. It is a storehouse of art and culture. You can climb up and ride and get a view of grazing reindeer, hundreds of idle seals can be seen, lazing under the midnight sun. You should expect to pay around $21 USD for a basic meal at a restaurant with a drink in Norway, whereas in Iceland you'll be paying $16.50. As observed on the physical map above, it is a highly mountainous nation covering nearly 60% of the country's area. Does Norway use the Euro? Switzerland is a tiny Country where you can easly move from one place to the other within a single day, that is totally impossible in Norway, where just a few People live on a giant area. This is why a lot of people who work in Norway will actually live outside of the country and commute every day. $('#metaslider_57769').flexslider({ When youre deciding whether to live in Norway or Sweden, its worth noting both countries give you an excellent opportunity to absorb the best experiences in nature. It is also an excellent place for nightlife. Norway Travel The Land of Midnight Sun Is Calling, Make Your Reservations At The Upcoming Worlds Largest Underwater Restaurant In Norway, 12 Beaches in Norway Where You Can Spend A Tranquil Evening, 8 Magnificent Waterfalls In Iceland Every Nature Lover Out There Must Visit, The 7 Best Water Parks In Iceland For A Great Weekend Out, 10 Museums In Iceland That Must Feature On Your Euro Trip Itinerary. Must Read: Norway Travel The Land of Midnight Sun Is Calling. Although Hsavk has plenty of exploration sites and probably is one of the finest places of picturesque beauty, it is a smaller town and has certain amenities, such as restaurants in the off-season. While you can still sometimes go whale hunting in Norway, although its becoming more of a taboo topic. hope this helps. Alternatively, you may use, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-gc-h_mpqvhN3BQUjJ5ZUsxcWgtZlR3Q2tPNmtVczhER0lz/view?usp=sharing. It is located between two glacial rivers and surrounded by the Mountains of the East, Hsey offers endless opportunities for excursions to discover Icelands untouched nature. If you consider Norway vs Iceland northern lights, Svalbard in Norway has one of the most fascinating lights that appear very appealing in winter. Sweden is a Swedish country with many lakes, forests and islands, while Switzerland is a Swiss inland country with no coastline. Lonely Planet named the Westfjords on its best in travel list due to recent investment that has made the region more accessible to tourists than ever before. }; Despite their similarities, each of the five main Nordic countriesDenmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Swedenoffers something different to travelers. the other area that we very much enjoyed was surrounding the der dachstein , we stayed in ramsau, but there are other quaint villages nearby. Explore best destinations with our experts. Most any mountain area you are taking a chance with a May trip. Try the Grossglockner High Alpine Highway, south of Zell-am-See, Austria. It is one of the most vibrant cities. You can check out cities like Oslo or break away from the rest of the world on a walk around some of the most beautiful natural environments in the world. Sweden and Norway are vastly different in terms of scenery and experience. Welcoming locals. We will also call you back in 24 hrs. Neither of them have what Iceland has, though - the stuff that's fascinating, unique, odd, and often just plain weird. after spending many weeks in these areas , over previous trips, we never cease to be impressed with alp areas, and they all offer similar experiences. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1.43CTS 5MM VS ROUND UNTREAT CHAMPAGNE COLOR LAB CERTIFIED LOOSE NATURAL DIAMOND at the best online prices at eBay! Amy Danise. Fjords, beaches and NL and so Norway is better for these things. Or, you can also explore a Medieval trading place preserved in time. However, to look for the Northern Lights you must have to endure a lot of colds to be able to get a view of it. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Aland Islands, Andorra and 81 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Albania, Algeria, Armenia and 19 more countries and over . Should we plan our trip in some different order ? Is that part of Norway we are covering very similar to Switzerland scenery wise ? 1. The national park is located in the southern region and has Norways 29 highest peaks. The mountain peak offers stunning views of the city of Alesund along with the surrounding islands. Why should guys have all the fun? In an ideal world, youd be able to take your time adventuring through each part of Scandinavia at leisure. Greenland offers the most imposing natural scenery of the region. Stay tuned and well bring the essence of Scandinavia to you. The beauty of the mountains and dense transport infrastructure is unmatched. You can visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, like Geirangerfjord, and check out some amazing waterfalls, or you can check out locations like Priekstolen and Pulpit rock. If you plan your visit to this city, you must definitely go for it. Kenny, are you based in or near Toronto, as a previous post implies? I have conflicting opinions on where you should go. While saunas are popular throughout the region, Finland is the undisputed home. I visited Switzerland (Jungfrau area) and loved this country due to beautiful Alps, majestic mountains and train system. For some drop-dead scenery, I'd try the American Southwest in May: do a park trip of Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches & Canyonlands. But I am not sure how to upload it on tripadvisor. The currency of Norway is Norwegian Krone and stands at an equivalent of 8.24 Indian rupees. animation:'slide', Iceland is no less when it comes to places with breathtaking scenery and awe-inspiring beauty. }); If public transport, then Switzerland would be better as they have very well connected train/cable car links everywhere. Also I prefer the norwegian landscape, it feels more accessible with beautiful forests, coast lines and fjords rather than rugged tall mountains. Visit ESPN to view the latest Switzerland news, scores, stats, standings, rumors, and more slideshow:false, Help Wanted. Talk to our travel experts today. animationSpeed:600, VS. Visit Accessibility Score Weighted score out of 100%, higher is better. animationSpeed:600, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark are the five principal countries of the Nordic region. What does you family like to do on your trips, as far as sightseeing? Suggested Read: 8 Magnificent Waterfalls In Iceland Every Nature Lover Out There Must Visit. Norway and Switzerland have some similarities, because of the mountains, but it's the fjords that make Norway so stunning (which Switzerland obviously doesn't have). Winter is also a gorgeous time to visit when the Northern Lights in Iceland are more visible and Norway's ski slopes and nordic trails are open. Start by checking out the amazing capital city of Oslo, where youll find some forward-thinking architecture and even heated roads to tackle the snow. On the other hand, time wise Iceland is probably the better choice as you can make your way around the island with less back tracking. You should definitely visit during January, February if you really have a craze for Northern lights. Some of the most popular outdoor activities in Finland include hiking, skiing, camping, sailing, and ice hockey. $('#metaslider_57782').metaslider_scale_layers({ First, let's start with the colors. Suggested Read: 12 Beaches in Norway Where You Can Spend A Tranquil Evening. Low 32F. km in Europe. }); early May could be different however, depends on the season/year. One thing they have in common is that they are both quite expensive in terms of lodging and foods. orig_width: 300 Both Norway and Iceland have excellent hot springs, but if you contrast Norway vs Iceland, there is no place such Blue lagoon. Which country depends on what time of year you want to go. The view from the south side of The Alps there is breathtaking. By the way, they're also the three most expensive countries in Europe. When hes not busy telling our readers about the wonders of Scandinavia, hes busy exploring the region. slideshow:false, Re: Norway or Switzerland. When it comes to choosing between Sweden or Norway, its worth checking out some of the wonderful things you can do in each region.