NORWAY COUNTRY INFORMATION Norway Car Hire Norway Campervan Hire

Norway is a wildly beautiful country of snow-capped mountains and deep glacier-carved fjords. The astounding scenery of the south-western fjordland is the main drawcard for tourists, but there are many incentives to visit this sparsely inhabited country. It offers remote wildernesses and outdoor activities, fairylike forests, historic towns and charming fishing villages, down to earth friendly people, and the lure of the Arctic Circle with its famous Midnight Sun and surreal Northern Lights. It also boasts some of the most scenic bus trips, boat cruises and train rides in the world.

'The Land of the Midnight Sun', with its long summer days, is not only for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, but offers a rich cultural heritage from the Vikings, the traditional nomadic Sami people of the remote northern regions, and world-renowned artists such as Edvard Munch. Principle cities of interest are Oslo, the prettily sited capital; the historic trading port of Bergen, situated on the fjords and gateway to the Fjordlands; and hilly Tromsø within the Arctic Circle, the centre of the Northern Lights activity. They are pleasant, low-key cities that offer a good range of museums, historical sights and unique architecture.

Norway's greatest impact on history was during the Viking Age, when the sleek Viking ships crossed the Atlantic, and Europe was subjected to numerous raids. Traditionally Norwegians were explorers, and their influences are evident from the Viking settlements established in Scotland, to the more recent personalities like polar explorer Roald Amundsen, and the legendary Pacific crossing of Thor Heyerdahl on his wooden raft, the Kon-Tiki.

Today Norwegians hold onto many of their cultural traditions, most notably the art of storytelling that takes place around the fireside to while away the long winter hours. Trolls figure prominently in their folklore, some friendly and helpful, while others are naughty characters that conveniently serve as a source of blame for all of life's troubles.

Essentials:

Time:Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use.

Language: Norwegian is the official language, but English is widely understood.

Communications: The international access code for Norway is +47. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not required. Most of the country is covered by two operators providing GSM 900 mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are widely available.

Norway Climate :Despite its northerly location, the climate in Norway is temperate, thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream flowing along its coast. The interior highlands have an Arctic type of climate in winter with snow, strong winds and severe frosts, but during fine summer spells the daytime temperatures can rise above 86°F (30°C) with long hours of sunshine. By contrast, the coastal areas have comparatively mild winter conditions. Gales, rain and cloud are likely along the west coast, particularly in winter, and the rainfall is frequent and heavy. The lowland area around Oslo is the driest and warmest part of the country in summer.

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Bryggen
Bryggen, the site of the old medieval quarter, is a charming, compact area of brightly coloured wooden homes that once housed the city's merchants. Steep cobbled lanes are lined with a vivacious blend of cafes and artists workshops. The Hanseatic wharf area, with many buildings dating from before the 17th century, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the most important examples of the civilisation of a medieval settlement in the world. This was once the working area of the merchants and is the oldest part of Bergen, characterised by a maze of lopsided wooden buildings with pointed gables facing the harbour. The Bryggens and Hanseatic Museums as well as the 12th century St Mary's Church are all in the Bryggen area. At one end of the wharf is Bergen's famous fish market, a colourful market also selling flowers, fruit, vegetables and souvenirs.

Hanseatic MuseumThe Hanseatic Museum is housed in one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in Bryggen, the former home of a wealthy merchant. Furnished in the 18th century style, it provides a glimpse of the working and living conditions of the Hanseatic merchants during the Middle Ages. The austere layout and maze-like rooms are saturated by the smell of fish and leave a lasting impression.

Address: Finnegårdsgate 1A, Bryggen; Telephone: 5554 4690; E-mail: hanseat@online.no; Website: www.bergen.kommune.no/hanseatisk_/ekstern/museum; Transport: A few minutes walk from Torget; Opening time: Daily 11am to 2pm (May), 9am to 5pm (June to August), 10am to 3pm (1-15 September), 11am to 2pm (16-30 September). From October to April the museum is closed on Mondays, opening from 12pm to 5pm on Sundays and 11am to 2pm the rest of the week; Admission: Adults: 45 kr (May to September) and 25 kr (October to April), entrance is free for children

St Mary’s Church (Mariakirken)
Bergen’s oldest surviving building, the beautiful Romanesque stone Church of St Mary’s, dates from the beginning of the 12th century. The interior is decorated with old frescoes and a splendid Baroque pulpit that was donated by the Hanseatic merchants in 1676. The twin towers of the church are distinctive among the low red-tiled roofs of the old quarter.

Address: Dreggen 15, Bryggen; Telephone: 5531 5960; E-mail: domkirken.menighet@bkf.no; Transport: Bus 5, 6, 9, 20, 21 or 22 from the city centre; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 11.30pm and 1pm to 4pm (mid-May to mid-September), Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 1.30pm (October to April)

OSLO
Legends of heroes, trolls and princesses roaming the countryside outside this charming city attracting many travellers looking for a Scandinavian holiday. Oslo, situated at the end of a 70-mile (110km) long fjord, is Norway's capital and its largest city, rich in culture and folklore with a fascinating Viking history.

Oslo is an eclectic mix of old medieval buildings, churches and modern architecture, sitting among the green trees and extending forests that form the natural balance of nature and civilization. Around the city numerous museums, art galleries and places of interest, including the Edvard Munch Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum on the sought after Bygdøy Peninsula. Other attractions include Vigeland Park with its interesting collection of sculptures, and the medieval Akershus Fortress dominating the seafront.

Although Oslo has small population compared to other European capital cities, it retains a true vibrancy about it. The city centre is filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs and theatres and has a very cosmopolitan feel to it with street artists hanging around the main street, Karl Johans Gate. Oslo is renowned as a city of culture and the City Hall hosts the annual awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Vigeland Park
Vigeland Park is the city’s most visited attraction, a vast green area of duck ponds, trees and lawns that is a monument to the celebrated Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, who spent 40 years creating the life-size statues that decorate the walkways and open spaces. There are more than 200 works presenting the human form in a variety of poses and conveying a range of emotions. At the centre of the park is the most impressive piece, the Monolith, a gigantic mass of writhing bodies carved from a single column of stone, and believed to be the largest granite sculpture in the world at a height of 46ft (14m). Surrounding the column are groups of human sculptures in various forms of interaction with each other. The most famous and most photographed piece is the Angry Boy, a fat child stamping his foot. There are many more sculptures to be seen in the park and in the nearby Vigeland Museum, featuring a display on the development of the artist’s work and his sketches and plaster originals.

Address: Kirkeveien; Telephone: 2349 3700; Website: www.museumsnett.no/vigelandmuseet; Transport: Bus 20 or tram 12 to Vigelandsparken; all westbound underground lines to Majorstuen station; Opening time: The park is always open. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday 12pm to 4pm (September to May), and from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm (June to August)

The Kon-Tiki Museum
Situated on the Bygdøy Peninsula, the Kon-Tiki Museum contains the renowned balsawood raft, the Kon-Tiki, on which Thor Heyerdahl made his famous journey across the Pacific in 1947 to prove the theory that the first Polynesian settlers could have sailed the 4,300 miles (6,923km) between Peru and Polynesia. The museum also contains the original reed raft, Ra II, on which Heyerdahl sailed across the Atlantic in 1970. Besides the rafts there is a huge stuffed whale shark, artefacts from his expeditions and exhibits from his visits to Easter Island, and an intriguing collection of archaeological finds from Easter Island, Galapagos, East Polynesia and Peru.

Address: Bygdøynesveien 36, Bygdøy Peninsula; Telephone: 2308 6767; E-mail: kon-tiki@online.no; Website: www.kon-tiki.no; Transport: Bus 30 from the National Theatre, or ferry 91 from Pier 3 behind the City Hall to Bygdøy (summer only); Opening time: Daily except public holidays 9am to 5.30pm (June to August), 10.30am to 4pm (January to March), 10am to 5pm (April to May and September to October); Admission: 45 kr (adults), 25 kr (children). Other concessions are available

CONTACTS:
Lastly and I hope you don't need it, but should you require consular help - here are the details
Norwegian Tourist Office (Norges Turistråd), Oslo: +47 2414 4600 or www.visitnorway.com
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 333 6000.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7591 5500.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6571.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3444.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 6100.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 662 1800.
Royal Norwegian Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 2503.
United States Embassy, Oslo: +47 2244 8550.
British Embassy, Oslo: +47 2313 2700.
Canadian Embassy, Oslo: +47 2299 5300.
Australian Consulate, Oslo: +47 6758 4848.
South African Embassy, Oslo: +47 2327 3220.
Irish Embassy, Oslo: +47 2201 7200.
New Zealand Consulate-General, Lysaker: +47 6711 0033.
Emergencies: 112/110

AIRPORTS:
Oslo Airport (OSL)
Location: The airport is situated 29 miles (47km) northeast of Oslo. Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +47 815 50 250. Transfer to the city: An airport bus travels between the Oslo Bus Terminal in downtown and the airport, with night services connecting to every arrival (90 kr). There is also an Airport Express train and a variety of taxis that go to the city centre. Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office, left luggage, duty-free, tourist information and hotel reservation kiosk. Business facilities are available including fax and Internet access. There is a selection of bars, shops and restaurants. Disabled Facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Parking: Long- and short-term parking is available. Departure tax: None.

Bergen Flesland Airport (BGO)
Location: The airport is situated 12 miles (19km) south of Bergen. Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +47 55 998 000. Transfer to the city: An airport bus (60 kr) services the city centre. Taxis (about 250 kr) are available outside Arrivals. Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar, National and Hertz. Facilities: There are a selection of shops, bars and restaurants at the airport, other facilities include a bureaux de change, ATMs, left luggage, duty-free, a post office, child facilities, tourist information, hotel reservations and business facilities with fax and Internet access. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Departure tax: None.

Stavanger Airport (SVG)
Location: The airport is situated seven miles (12km) from Stavanger City. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October). Contacts: Tel: +47 51 658 000. Transfer to the city: A regular bus service links the airport and Stavanger City, as well as Sandnes. Taxis are readily available outside the arrival hall. Car rental: Car rental agencies represented at the airport include Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Statoil and Avis. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include restaurants, a pub, an ATM, a bank and a duty free shop. Parking: Long and short-term parking is available. Departure tax: None.

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