While the case of population density is vice-versa. I think that Switzerland has better public transport links and is more tourist friendly. Alternatively, you may use, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-gc-h_mpqvhN3BQUjJ5ZUsxcWgtZlR3Q2tPNmtVczhER0lz/view?usp=sharing. $(this).remove(); We plan to visit Zurich, Lucerne, Bernese Oberland, Zermatt, Montreux, Gruyere and Bern in the given order, with detours. var layer = $(this); ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-69567915', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises etc. Must Read: Norway Travel The Land of Midnight Sun Is Calling. reverse:false, The country is famous across the world for its picturesque landscapes. Average monthly disposable salary > After tax: Average Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax). Be sure to thoroughly research the average weather conditions for any location you are seriously considering. Because penguins are so cute and popular, many people think these flightless birds are the only feathered creatures that live near the south pole. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Of course, no trip to Finland would be complete without a sauna experience. The view from the south side of The Alps there is breathtaking. For example, Stockholm locals often head out to the much quieter islands of the Stockholm archipelago when they need some downtime. The region is home to various world records, and its one of the best regions in the world for dramatic views. The currency of Norway is Norwegian Krone and stands at an equivalent of 8.24 Indian rupees. This museum hosts the best-preserved 17th century ship in the world. Is there anything else that we should consider ? Everything you need to know about travelling in Scandinavia. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 1.9 months in Norway compared to 2.3 months in Switzerland. Daytime temperatures: 15.3 C. Other beautiful mountains can be found in Alaska, Canada, and California ( the Sierras), but we were not thrilled with the mountains of New Zealand. animation:'slide', Are you planning to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? the five principal countries of the Nordic region. Have a look at. You can head to the largest city in Northern Norway (Tromso) or take some time out at the casual small town of Flam. score for Swiss. Italian Dolomites Is this assumption correct ? Help Wanted. Both countries follow a similar approach to distributing alcohol, like most Nordic countries. ", and Norway is "WHAT?? It feels like home and you can try your hand at dog-sledding or summer hiking. Norway is much more beautiful for me, more peaceful, less commercialized, and with much friendlier and smiling people. Sweden is around 174,000 square miles in size, and its not a particularly cluttered or crowded place, with a population of just over 10 million. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. Nisarg Can't Stop Praising His Honeymoon Trip To Maldives. At their "wilderness home", there's no electricity, running water or plumbing, no communications etc. It stands as an example of Jugendstil design. Its enormous glaciers and iceberg-filled fjordsoutperform even Norway in the natural beauty stakes. The plan for Iceland is realistic for summer travel. High speed rail connects Stockholm with the other big cities Gothenburg and Malm, enabling tourists to explore them with relative ease. The Irish are also some of the friendliest people in the entire world who love to chat and meet visitors - so be prepared to meet and greet the locals! Is it possible to rent a car somewhere near Flam, so that we get both experiences of enjoying the scenic ride and then exploring on our own in a car ? nextText:">", Northern Lights In Norway. Oh PS- I'd consider a day in Basel, Switzerland if you can swing it! The park is also home to Vettisfossen, which at 275 meters (900 feet) is the highest waterfall in Norway. var timer_metaslider_57782 = function() { $('#metaslider_57769 .msHtmlOverlay').each(function() { 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). orig_width: 300 Good point Lo, I missed the time of year. Svalbard is also an amazing place to watch the Northern Lights, as its remote location can mean less light pollution and better visibility. Both have high mountains, lakes, trolleys and glaciers. The only thing Switzerland really has going for it is its location at the heart of Europe. The makers drop their first song - 'Shubho Shubho,' a glimpse of which . Have Questions? Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Help Wanted. In Austria, more than 8.7 million inhabitants live on 83.871 square kilometres, and around 8.3 million inhabitants live in Switzerland on 41.277 square kilometres. Moreover, it contains 175 species of plants in the area. Alternatively, why not take a trip to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, where youll see more than 650 sculptures created by the amazing Gustav Vigeland. The relationship between Norway and the Euro. Bergen Fjords in Norway. var slider = !window.jQuery ? From world-class hiking trails to jaw-dropping fjords and the chance to catch a glimpse of the show-stopping Northern Lights, it can be hard choosing between the two. Which country is more beautiful than Switzerland or has nearly equal. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91202434', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland a lot, I prefer Norway. The trailer of Rani Mukerji's Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway hit the internet just a few days back that moved the audiences. It is one of the most vibrant cities. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. This is why a lot of people who work in Norway will actually live outside of the country and commute every day. Are you ready to discover the most famous landmarks in Norway? But if one wanted to do a walk/hike at one of the more scenic higher altitude trails those would be extremely dangerous at that time of year without proper equipment (more than most tourists are prepared for and depending on the children could be unsafe for kids) ; on routes that are a relative easy walk/hike in the summer months. It is also called the gateway to the iconic northwestern fjords and surrounding alpine mountains. But I will give a shout out to the Dolomites in Italy, especially Val Gardena. If you can spend a day in Basel (or more), Easyjet has (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Iceland is "Eh? Neither of them have what Iceland has, though - the stuff that's fascinating, unique, odd, and often just plain weird. It is buses, not trains, to get around on, but scenery is amazing and the prices, compared to Switzerland, are a bargain. Saurabh's Family Trip Proves Hong Kong To Still Be Full Of Fun. total water area. In higher altitude, the weather changes very quickly and dramatically. }); Theres a lot of competition between the two countries, because Sweden is more populated than Norway. Is the scenery between Holmavik and Isafjorrour.. Snaesfullness Peninsula or Westman Islands September? Consisting of 18 main islands, the remote Faroe Islands are best known for their bird cliffs and unspoiled landscape. You need to get your rupee notes converted into Kroner before you get into this nation. When you're house and pet sitting, you provide free house and pet care. We find Austria so much cheaper and easier to travel through than Switzerland. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-68706850', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car or doing trip by public transport? I've been to almost all of the places mentioned, and while many areas have spectacular mountains, what makes Switzerland unique (in the world, in my experience) is the easy access to amazing views via the myriad cable cars/trains, etc (which in part is what you're paying those exhorbitant prices for). If you just want to visit the best destination in Scandinavia, wed recommend planning to go to all of the regions whenever you can. Indo-European peoples settled Norway's coast in . And if youre keeping in mind the preference of Norway vs Iceland, it is one of the most difficult tasks because both offer incredible scenery, hidden gem experiences, and unique food and culture. 80%. Season: Mixed (Late-winter and early-spring) Daylight: 8 to 13 hours in Oslo, 10 to 14 hours in Tromso. In addition to that, Tromso is a great location for Northern Lights. Country Subcontinent Continent World. 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. The mountain peak offers stunning views of the city of Alesund along with the surrounding islands. Either way for a May trip much needs to be considered other than beauty of the destination. Grazing the 4000m (13,123ft) mark are Switzerland's "big three": Eiger (Ogre), Mnch (Monk) and Jungfrau (Virgin), enshrined in mountaineering legend. }); $(window).resize(function(){ You need to get your rupee notes converted into Kroner before you get into this nation. var slider = !window.jQuery ? Rush hour in Copenhagen is a sight to behold, with the capitals cycle lanes busier than the roads. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. window.setTimeout(timer_metaslider_57782, 100) : !jQuery.isReady ? Stein am Rhein is a European town that is so idyllic that it looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. According to My Life Elsewhere cost of living index, restaurants are 75% more expensive in Norway than Sweden, groceries are 50% more expensive and transportation is 65% more expensive. Norway (Lofoten/Senja which are both quite far north) I would say each of the above 3 are even more dramatic scenery than Switzerland but none have as good public transportation. 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! Personally - and it's a close run thing - I'd say that if I had the choice, and I'd spent some time in Switzerland beforehand, I'd go for Iceland. The Alpine ranges lie to the south and the Jura Mountains . Ireland. Sweden is a happy and comfortable place, ideal for people who want to get outdoors, but not expose themselves to too many challenges at once. Desert safari. minItems:1, Norway (Lofoten/Senja which are both quite far north). el.before(cloned); Norway is 10 times wider and less people, Switzerland sits in the middle of Europe surrounded by big countries, Norway is on the northern edge surrounded by ocean (and Sweden) 6. From there we drive back straight to Reykjavik. ", Switzerland is "No? Flag. All Rights Reserved. Accommodation is often cheaper in Norway compared to Finland ($51 vs. $63). Stein am Rhein. hope this helps. hope this helps. From a shared Viking past through to their Nordic model approach to society, the Nordic region of northern Europe attracts many curious travelers from all over the world. There are a number of shopping malls, fancy restaurants, parks that will help you relax during your trip if you visit this place. Norway is a little smaller than Sweden, at 148,729 square miles, Although the country is also far less populated, with only a little over 5 million residents. Norway is 10 times wider and less people, Switzerland sits in the middle of Europe surrounded by big countries, Norway is on the northern edge surrounded by ocean (and Sweden) 6. We have summarised below the main similarities and differences in business culture between Switzerland and the five Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. I managed to upload it on google drive. Every place has its own standards and beauty that depends on the preferences of people where they would like to visit. Sweden is a Swedish country with many lakes, forests and islands, while Switzerland is a Swiss inland country with no coastline. Norway is usually considered to have a bit of a little brother complex when it comes to Sweden. Should we plan our trip in some different order ? Support local journalism. Nomadic Nordic nation Iceland was excluded due to lacking a national Match.com site. Rain. $(this).css('display', 'block'); 2/ Aurlandsfjord. 9.0 C. It also has a similar appearance to Switzerland and again German is spoken -, Chamonix & Mont Blanc area - this is very close to Switzerland in the south east part of France, and shares some of the same features -, Various parts of British Columbia, depending on what type of scenery you're looking for. Also, the Nobel Peace Center located in the citys former railway station, Oslo is culturally rich and the people are amiable. $(this).css('display', 'block'); Norway and Sweden have a lot of similarities, but Norway can be a lot more expensive when it comes to food and restaurant prices. The median income in Switzerland is significantly higher than in most countries. Finland is actually not part of Scandinavia, but it shares the larger Nordic culture with countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Help Wanted. $('#metaslider_57782 .msHtmlOverlay .layer[data-link], #metaslider_57782 .msHtmlOverlay[data-link]').each(function() { Brands from Sweden: What are the most famous Swedish brands? Myth No. Great Antarctic explorers like Roald Amundsen have described the seventh continent as . 2. And that's exactly why you'll want to go. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, The Dolomites (Italy) and Alpi di Siusi - as others have suggested there are some incredibly scenic places there -, Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut (Austria) - the village of Hallstatt is one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Europe. Norway, the beautiful land of midnight sun or the island of fire, Iceland? Don't know enough about Patagonia, New Zealand or Nepal but those are others that many bring to similar conversations. itemWidth:300, Since I have no knowledge of Norway, Switzerland or New Zealand I'll stick with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sweden is a lot greener than Norway, with tons of forests and beautiful landscapes to explore. 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.