Le Havre, Bruges and Oslo options

[1fifthavenue, birmingham]

Hi all, some new ports for us coming up (we've been to Le Havre before but looking to go to Honfleur)


Can any of you advise on what to do in the ports, the best way to get to the main attractions etc? We go on Monday but had so much on that we've done so little planning

[Guy, Ormskirk]

Bruges is great, there is a bus now that goes from the port but most cruise lines bus you into Blankenberge where the train is cheap and quick. The trains only run at 52 mins to the hour so if you are taking the shuttle you need to time it well or there is an hours wait.

A fifteen minute walk into town (follow the crowds) and then wander. There is a lovely little canal boat trip, lasts half an hour and costs 10 euro, there are five stations dotted around the town and it will point out many of the sights.

There is a microbrewery with a tour which is ok and many of the bars do flights of Belgian beers which is good if you like beer. Chocolate everywhere of course and a diamond museum along with many other interesting museums if that is of interest.

Wander away from the main areas if you want food, the main square restaurants are average and over priced. Personally I love Bruges so I hope you enjoy it...Carol

[Wilba]

Walk out of the terminal at Le Havre and and at the bottom of the steps there will be a multitude of taxi's/vans of all sizes all waiting to take you to Honfleur.

Best is to team up with a couple of others and grab a van.

They will pick you up for the return at a time to suit yourselves.

Pay on return to ship.

Bruges

If you want to be in the centre of Bruges within 30 minutes of leaving the ship, you take the free RED port bus to the port gate, (not the Blankenberge Shuttle). Walk out of the gate turn right and there are two easy options. A 60 seat shuttle bus which runs every thirty minutes @ €20 pp return or taxi’s lined up as far as the eye can see. Six of us chose an 8 seater van @ €100 return, times of your choice and once again, pay on return

[Guy, Ormskirk]

P.S. If you are there at the weekend there is a fabulous flea market on the banks of one of the canals called Dijver which is well worth a visit.

[mags, cardiff]

We docked close to the centre of Oslo, practically next door to one of the castles. Its an interesting sail in through the harbour. We walked round the centre, the Town Hall is of interest. The main attraction in Oslo is the park with the famous staues, not to be missed. We took a bus, I suggest you research on line more about it and how to get there. Numerous museums a little further out. I know we went to one but cant remember how we got there, it would not be too difficult. In short, an interesting clean capital with much to see and do and merits some prior research.

[smtcan, Scarborough]

We also enjoyed the Sculpture Park in Oslo. I have lots of photos of the grandchildren posing to match the statues. We were docked very close to the city and walked to the park. It was a long walk, so we took public transit back. The museum our sons wanted to visit was closed on the day we were there, so it would be worth checking opening times of any you are interested in.

[Mason, Altrincham]

We loved Brugge when we visited last year. The microbrewery is one of the places we hope to visit in future as we found that the places around the town didn’t want to sell you a beer without food. Oh well.

Take care, Helen

[Wilba]

Walk out of the terminal at Le Havre and and at the bottom of the steps there will be a multitude of taxi's/vans of all sizes all waiting to take you to Honfleur.

Best is to team up with a couple of others and grab a van.

They will pick you up for the return at a time to suit yourselves.

Pay on return to ship.

Bruges

If you want to be in the centre of Bruges within 30 minutes of leaving the ship, you take the free RED port bus to the port gate, (not the Blankenberge Shuttle). Walk out of the gate turn right and there are two easy options. A 60 seat shuttle bus which runs every thirty minutes @ €20 pp return or taxi’s lined up as far as the eye can see. Six of us chose an 8 seater van @ €100 return, times of your choice and once again, pay on return

Just to add to my earlier post Re Bruges,

By taking a taxi this drops and picks up in the main square which is a 25/30 minute walk from the rail station. A 15 minute walk from the station only gets you to the canal area.

We arranged a pick up time and sat in the square with a beer watching for his arrival.

The Blankenburg shuttle plus waiting for train, the train journey itself, the 30 minute stroll to the square, then the same again for the return, plus the inevitable get the earlier train not to miss the ship takes up most of the day in port..............Wilba

[Victoria, Aberystwyth]

We also docked close to the centre of Oslo and took the small blue HOHO train. We got off by the University, and walked up the hill to the Royal Palace - there's a wonderful view over the city and some nice gardens by its side to explore - before walking down and exploring the city centre. The girls walked back to the ship but we caught the small blue train again as the changing of the guard ceremony was underway.

IMG_1840.JPGIMG_1844.JPGIMG_1825.JPG

[philhar, wallasey]

Honfleur is beautiful and has some fabulous restaurants. Bruges a canal trip is worthwhile and don't forget a waffle and beer!
Oslo we lived the sculpture park too very unusual sculptures.Enjoy your trip

[ilovesunshine, east yorks]

We caught the local bus to Honfleur then got a taxi back as they didn't run very frequently. We shared with a couple we met at the bus stop and it took us right back to the ship. Honfleur is very picturesque with lots of restaurants around the harbour. There was a market the day we went, not sure if it is there every day. We came across an interesting wooden church not far from the harbour. It looked like an upside down boat from the outside. Worth a look inside, some nice stained glass windows.

Another option for Le Havre is to hire bikes. They are available in the terminal building. We had a great time cycling around the town and along the promenade.

You must try the chocolate in Bruges. We found an old fashioned tea rooms serving traditional Belguim hot chocolate and home made cakes. There is a park with swans swimming on a lake which is quite pretty if you fancy a walk.

It is a long time since I visited Oslo. I remember it being very clean with a white church in a square and a craft market. We walked off the beaten track and ended up lost on a housing estate. Maybe best to pich up a map before you start walking.

[jc, liverpool]

Hi Tim
Honfluer is a lovely little place,,,,seek out the small wine shops and taste a free sample of the local Calvados.
Last time i went it was on a paid for shuttle with Royal Caribbean.

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Inside the wooden church ILS mentioned.
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Enjoy the trip over the Pont de Normandie over the River Seine between Le Havre and Honfluer.
Btw,You have to pay the taxi driver the toll to go over the bridge.
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Have a ride on the carousel,,,its been there for years...!!
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JC

[Garfield, Waterlooville]

Morning
If you do get to Honfleur don't forget to visit the oldest wooden churh in France St Catherines..
I would have posted some pictures but as usual this ever increasingly useless website says they are too big..
Google is your best friend in this case
Regards
A very frustrated Garfield

[ilovesunshine, east yorks]

Morning
If you do get to Honfleur don't forget to visit the oldest wooden churh in France St Catherines..
I would have posted some pictures but as usual this ever increasingly useless website says they are too big..
Google is your best friend in this case
Regards
A very frustrated Garfield

I have managed to crack that one by cropping the picture. Half a photo better than none! I agree it is so frustrating posting photos. Why can't it be just one click like Facebook?

[toshtosh, Guiseley]

Most of the modern digital cameras take a 10 to 20 megapixel photo which even a 4k TV cannot display. A HD screen can only display 2 Megapixels.

Many photo editing programmes will enable you to resize your high quality digital photos down to lower pixel size, without cropping, and save (under a new name or you may lose original). Also useful if you want to sell on Ebay.

https://www.howtogeek.com/354015/how...os-in-windows/

The adjusted size has little impact on typical computer screens, and a little experimenting will soon show you the amount to shrink it by.

Cheers

Tony B