Posts Tagged Things to do
Sarpsborg Bowling Centre
Celebrating 20 years this year, Sarpsborg Bowlingsenter is one of Norway’s most popular bowling centres, attracting customers from all over eastern Norway and south-western Sweden. Located in Torsbekkdalen, along Rv109, between Sarpsborg and the E6 motorway, the White House, as it is known locally, boasts 16 bowling lanes, a laser world, billiard and snooker tables, and a range of simulators. There is a cafeteria on site, and fully-licensed VIP lounges for corporate events and birthday parties (the centre organises 2,000 such parties every year). A safe, fun environment for children and young people to play in, and a great option for the whole family on a rainy day.
Open seven days a week: Mon-Thu 1100-2300, Fri 1100-0100, Sat 1200-0100 and Sun 1200-2300.
Torsbekkveien 24. Tel: 69 13 05 50, www.sarpsborg-bowlingsenter.no
Norway’s first holistic spa
Posted by admin in Photos and videos, Uncategorized on February 19, 2010
Zen Resort & Spa, Rømskog
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on February 19, 2010
Did you know one of Norway’s best spas was located in Østfold? Boasting a stunning location by the shores of lake Vortungen, surrounded by deep forests in the heart of Rømskog, Zen Resort & Spa, which opened in the autumn 2008, is the first of its kind in Norway. The Japanese-inspired, eco-friendly resort has 44 rooms (all with huge windows overlooking the lake), sauna, Turkish bath, floatation tank, outdoor tub, infinity pool, but also a meditation room, a dojo, a fitness studio and 10 treatments rooms offering a range of massages and beauty treatments. The restaurant serves tasty, organic vegetarian food, and there is a cosy communal lounge with a huge fireplace in which to relax after dinner. You can rent a bike, or a canoe, to explore the surrounding area in summer, or go cross-country skiing in winter. Indeed enjoying the great outdoors right on the spa’s doorstep is all part of Zen Resort’s holistic approach, and guests are very much encouraged to reconnect with nature. A great way to recharge your batteries after the long winter months!
The resort is a 90-minute drive from Oslo’s main airport at Gardermoen, and about 2 hours from Fredrikstad by car (via Ørje).
From 1,595Kr per person per day (including three meals and free access to the spa, but not treatments), based on two people sharing a double room. Conference and incentive packages are also available.
For more information call 69 79 33 50 or visit www.zenresort.no
Top 5: Things to do in Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff, Uncategorized on February 10, 2010
- Shop til you drop at the newly renovated, expanded Torvbyen shopping centre, the only one of its kind in the city centre. It’s bigger, better and more popular than ever. www.torvbyen.no
- Catch a match at the local stadium, housed in a former shipyard, and watch Fredrikstad Football Club (FFK) supporters paint the town red as they cheer their team on. www.fredrikstadfk.no
- Discover the work of talented local artists at the Østfold Kunstnersenter on Fergestedsveien. Exhibitions change regularly, and entry is free. www.kunstnersenter.no/oks/
- Take a stroll in beautiful Gamlebyen, Scandinavia’s best preserved fortress town, on the eastern side of the river Glomma. Or join a guided tour (organised by the tourist office) if you’d like to learn more about the history of this fascinating place.
- Meet some locals in the cosy Verdenspeilet Cafe in winter, or watch life go by from one of the many bars/restaurants along the river in summer.
For more info visit www.opplevfredrikstad.com
Østfold in Pictures: Haukenesfjellet, Rømskog
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on February 8, 2010
Haukenesfjellet Tower, Rømskog
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on February 8, 2010
A few kilometres south of Rømskog village in the Rømskog municipality, Haukenesfjellet former fire tower is Østfold’s highest vantage point, 333m above sea level. The view from the platform at the top of the 12m high tower is impressive, particularly in winter – with snow-covered forest stretching as far as the eye can see, and the white surface of frozen Romsjøen reflecting the winter sunshine. If you look straight ahead of you when you come out on the observation platform you will spot a red wooden church by the bank of the lake – this is Rømskog Church, one of the oldest in the county. A marked trail leads to the tower, and makes for a pleasant walk, while in winter you can use the prepared cross-country skiing tracks to get there (different departure point, see below).
How to get there: Follow signs for Rømskog along Rv21 coming from Ørje in the south.
In summer: When you get to Rømskog, follow the signs to Zen Resort & Spa. After about 70m turn left. Follow the dirt road through the quarry (on your left). Take the first left, just before the top of the hill. Drive to the roundabout and park. Then follow the marked trail to the tower.
In winter: A few kilometers before you reach Rømskog, you’ll see a bus holding place on your left. Take it left here and drive a few hundred meters to the end of the road. There is a small car park here, and the ski tracks start some 100m to the north.
Østfold in Pictures: Skihytta, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos, Sport on January 27, 2010
Where to go cross-country skiing in Østfold
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Sport on January 27, 2010
There are many places one can go cross-country skiing in Østfold, but these are my favourites.
- Fredrikstad Marka: A popular spot within easy reach of Fredrikstad. It can get a little bit crowded at times near Skihytta (the place to go for coffee and a waffle after your foray into the woods), but you’ll find a good choice of tracks in a varied terrain.
- Rakkestadfjella: Fewer people come here, which means you might ski for hours on end and only meet a handful of locals. Pack a picnic, and make it a day outing. Great scenery, and who knows, with a bit of luck you might even spot some wildlife.
- Harehjellhytta: This is a good choice in the Sarpsborg area, with the possibility of going skiing after dark as some of the tracks are lit up at night. Artificial snow is used when required, and the tracks are in good condition.
- Halden: There are many tracks to choose from in Høiåsmarka just outside Halden. Høiåshytta, which lies 236m over sea level, is open Thursdays 1700-2030 and Sundays 1000-1500 from September to Easter.
Check also http://www.elusivemoose.eu/2009/12/where-to-go-alpine-skiing-in-østfold/ for info on where to go downhill skiing in Østfold.
The Robert Normann Museum, Sarpsborg
Posted by admin in Art, culture and literature on January 18, 2010
Like jazz? Then check out the Robert Normann Museum in Sarpsborg. Robert Normann (1916-1998) was a jazz guitarist who started his career in local dance halls in the 1930s and went on to become a world-class jazz musician. He taught himself the accordion and the saxophone, but it’s the guitar that brought him fame – few jazz artists could play it quite like he did. And few artists made their own instruments themselves as he did too. At the museum you can see several of those instruments, learn about Robert Normann’s life, and hear some of his music. As well as recording albums, Normann also composed music for films and the theatre, often inspired by jazz and Norwegian folk music. The on-site shop has a good selection of his albums for sale. The museum is open Wed-Fri 3pm-7pm and Sat 10am-3pm. Gågata, Sarpsborg.
Learn more about Robert Normann at www.robertnormann.no