Exciting Norway Vacation Planning, we are 4-5 months out from leaving for our dream Norway vacation. Planning ahead for a European vacation is exciting! We are traveling as an extended family. Not listed below, and something I am currently working on is who is going. Here are a few things you can do in the 4-5 months leading up to your trip to ensure everything goes smoothly:
Finalize Your Itinerary
We have what towns we are visiting. So we can begin to finalize the itinerary, researching must-see sights, activities, and day trips. Booking tours or tickets for popular attractions in advance can help you skip the lines and save time during your trip. I have planned out all of what we are doing with some wiggle room for changes the last part of out trip will be more relaxing. The first part is in cities and I tend to plan more. It helps me see what we have time for. I will share the Norway Itinerary’s after we go.
Flights & Accommodations Planning
If you haven’t already, now is the time to book your flights and accommodations. Flights tend to be cheaper when booked months in advance, and securing accommodations ensures you get the best options, especially in popular tourist areas. I have completed both except booking the flight from Copenhagen to Oslo, which I hope to do this first week of March. Also due to a change of when some family are coming I’m canceling one hotel room and possibly looking at a cheaper option, hope to have that figured out by end of March.
I used our Venture X card to book the fight; these cards do have some travel protection go to their website to learn more about it. Link to the card https://i.capitalone.com/JCIUoiS1Z. I appreciate any use of our referral links.
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Link: Norway 9 Months out
Sort Out Travel Insurance for Norway
Look into getting travel insurance to cover any unexpected issues like cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and having coverage can provide peace of mind during your trip. I do have some travel coverage through the credit cards I have. However I am also thinking of getting this travel insurance.
Link: Travel insurance
Apply for/Check Passport
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates (some countries require this). If you don’t have one or need to renew, give yourself enough time to get it processed. This can take a few weeks, depending on your location. I did this in Norway 6-7 months out.
Link: Norway 6-7 Months out
Plan Your Packing
This is my favorite part. I started a long time ago but have just updated my planning and bought a few pieces. Start making a packing list to ensure you don’t forget anything important. Consider the weather during your trip, the types of activities you’ll be doing, and cultural dress codes. Don’t forget adapters for your electronics!
Link: Packing, Airport Outfits, Carry-On Essentials
Look Into Local Transportation
We are going to purchase the Norway in a Nutshell tour before April. Research how you’ll get around once you’re there. You might need to book train tickets, rent a car, or familiarize yourself with public transportation options in the cities you’ll visit. Otherwise, in both Oslo and Copenhagen, we are going to get a city pass to get around.
Links: Norway in Nutshell, Copenhagen Card, Oslo Card
Learn Key Phrases/Practice Languages
If you’re traveling to non-English speaking countries, it’s helpful to learn a few key phrases in the local language, such as “hello,” “thank you,” and “where is the bathroom?” There are many apps like Duolingo or Babbel that can help you brush up on basic language skills.
Financial Prep
Notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid having your cards blocked for suspicious activity. You can also consider getting a travel credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Think about exchanging some money for the countries you’re visiting or using a card that offers favorable currency conversion rates. I am probably going to wait until a month out for this one.
What I am doing now for financial prep is I made a spreadsheet with all the costs, then I divided it by 5 so I know how much to put away each month. You could have done this sooner as well. I have already paid 1/2 of the Airbnb so that is not included in the price
Create a Travel Journal/Document Your Plans
This can be a fun way to keep track of your journey, but it’s also practical for writing down important information such as flight details, accommodation addresses, and emergency contacts.
Conclusion
With 4-5 months to go, you’re in a great spot to start checking things off your list so that by the time your vacation arrives, you can focus on enjoying your time abroad! Thanks for checking out Exciting Norway Vacation Planning!
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