Norway is a wildly beautiful country of snow-capped mountains and deep glacier-carved fjords. The astounding scenery of the southwestern 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.

OSLO:
Viking Ship Museum © Norwegian Tourist Board

Oslo, set in beautiful surroundings, is the oldest of the Scandinavian capital cities, founded by a Viking king in 1048. Situated at the inner extremity of a 70-mile (110km) long fjord, the city’s boundaries encompass large areas of forest, the setting for many Norwegian tales about princesses, heroes and trolls.

Despite being Norway’s largest city, it has a relatively small population and a low-key atmosphere, with a mixture of old medieval buildings and churches, modern architecture, wide streets, a surprising number of excellent museums and galleries, and acres of parks and gardens.

The Bygdøy Peninsula, a short ferry ride across the water, is a sought-after residential area encompassing a fascinating cluster of museums, including the large open air Norwegian Folk Museum that presents a walk-through insight to the country’s geography and history. Nearby, the Viking Ship Museum, the Polar ship Fram Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum provide an intriguing look into Norway’s varied seafaring past.

BERGEN:
The historic city of Bergen was medieval Norway’s capital, and is today an international tourist centre and gateway to the Fjords. It has a spectacular setting on a sheltered harbour of the North Sea, situated among seven hills that form a delightful backdrop to the brightly painted wooden houses along the waterfront, and is one of Norway’s most enjoyable cities

Bergen’s history is closely linked to the sea. It became a major trading port of the medieval merchants of the Hanseatic League, who dominated European trade during the Middle Ages. The hub of the city’s social life is around the Torget, the picturesque harbour-side market plaza that is surrounded by an assortment of cafes, restaurants and pubs, and home to the vibrant fish market. Flanking one side of the harbour is a colourful row of old wooden houses, part of the historic wharf area and the remaining influence of the Hanseatics, from where narrow cobbled streets wind their way up between the quaint houses of the picturesque old neighbourhood.

FJORDLAND:

Fjordland is Norway’s most important tourist destination with its breathtaking scenery of high mountains, spectacular fjords and glaciers. These are the alluring images of Norway, a wild and rugged landscape and deep, peaceful waters.

Carved by glacial ice in river valleys, the fjords are diverse in character, each with individual qualities and attractions as they wind their way inland, some with lush green fields alongside and others with steep mountains plunging straight down into the deep water. Geirangerfjorden is a tiny S-shaped fjord with magnificent waterfalls, sheer, rugged sides and striking scenery. Sognefjord is the best known of the fjords, the longest and deepest, with several charming villages such as Balestrand and Flåm, and old stave churches along its shores. Surrounded by towering mountains is the narrowest and most impressive branch of the Sognefjord, the beautiful Nærøyfjord. To the north lies the Nordfjord, dominated by the vast ice plateau of the Jostedalsbreen glacier that trickles down into the surrounding valleys, giving the water its distinctive blue-green colour.

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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.

Health:
Travellers should seek local advice before eating certain types of fish from the lakes and fjords and mussels from along the coast. The standard of healthcare is high. A reciprocal agreement exists between UK and Norway under which British nationals are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Norway as long as they hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Travellers should ensure that they have adequate travel and medical insurance.


Tipping:
A 10 to 15% service charge is added to most hotel and restaurant bills and a further tip is only necessary if exceptional service has been received; waiters often receive an extra 5 to 10% tip. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped, but the fare can be rounded up if the driver has been helpful with luggage.

Safety:
Norway is a safe country in which to travel, however travellers should still take sensible precautions to avoid petty-theft.

Customs:
Smoking is prohibited in all public places and on public transport, unless otherwise indicated.


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 codes are not required. Most of the country is covered by two operators providing GSM 900 mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are widely available.

Airports: Oslo Airport (OSL)
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). 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 (NOK90). There is also an Airport Express train and a variety of taxis that go to the city centre.

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. Website: www.osl.no

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). Transfer to the city: An airport bus (NOK60) services the city centre. Taxis (about NOK250) are available outside Arrivals.

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.

Currency:
Money: The official currency is Norwegian Krone (NOK) divided into 100 øre. Major credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted by larger establishments. Use of credit cards is widespread, with Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club the most common. Visitors should be aware that credit cards are generally not accepted as a means of payment in Norwegian supermarkets and petrol stations. Foreign currency and travellers checks can be exchanged at banks and major post offices, as well as many hotels and travel agents, although for poorer rates. ATMs are available in all towns and cities.

Visa & Passport Requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders must have a passport valid for at least period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders must have a passport valid for at least period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport (must be valid at least for period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport (must be valid at least for period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African passport holders require a visa for travel to Norway. The visa is an adhesive sticker printed on special paper affixed to the passport. A stamp, which must leave a clear impression on the sticker and passport page, is placed in a corner of the sticker. South African visitors also need a passport valid at least two months beyond the visa expiry date.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid at least for period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid at least for period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must have sufficient funds, or return or onward tickets, and any documents necessary for further travel.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

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