Posts Tagged Tips
Stay in style – De Historiske
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on August 9, 2010
Want to treat yourself (and a loved one too maybe) to something really special during your trip to Norway? Well why not stay in a historic hotel? This group of hotels (De Historiske in Norwegian) comprises landed estates, country houses, manors, Swiss-style chalets, old coaching inns and many more historic buildings that have been transformed into characterful luxury hotels offering all mod cons in truly stunning surroundings. There are 39 properties to choose from all over Norway. All the hotels in the portfolio have fine dining on the premises, offering a taste of Norwegian culinary heritage, and many also offer cookery classes and wine tasting evenings. Others can also offer spa treatments, golf, ski tours, and more. Not cheap, but well worth splashing out on for a special occasion. Gift vouchers available.
Tel: 55 31 67 60, www.dehistoriske.com
Hotel Valhalla in Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Photos and videos, Travel and practical stuff on May 26, 2010
Budget hotels in Østfold
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on May 26, 2010
Norway may be expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to stay in Østfold. Here are some budget options up and down the county.
- St Olav’s Hotel in Sarpsborg. Central location in downtown Sarpsborg. Glengsgate 21. Tel: 69 15 20 55, www.hotelstolav.no. Double rooms from 695Kr, breakfast extra.
- Tuneheimen: Sarpsborg’s youth hostel, located near Tunevannet (lake). Open year round. Tuneveien 44. Tel: 69 14 50 01, www.tuneheimen.no. Double rooms from 670Kr.
- American College in Moss. In Mollerbyen in central Moss. Verket 22. Tel: 69 24 20 40, www.americancollege.no. Rooms from 350Kr, houses from 750Kr, summer only (1 June til early August).
- Moss Youth Hostel: Located in Nesparken, by the shores of lake Vansjø, within easy reach of the town centre. 44 beds in 11 rooms. Tel: 69 25 53 34, www.hihostels.com. Double rooms from 700Kr, family rooms 900Kr. Open year round (booking necessary outside of the summer season).
- Hotel Valhalla in Fredrikstad. On a hill overlooking the town. Valhallsgate 3. Tel: 69 36 89 50, www.hotelvalhalla.no. Double rooms from 895Kr.
- Grand Hotel in Halden. Central location by the station. Jernbanetorget 1. Tel: 69 18 72 00, www.grandhotell.net. Double rooms from 750Kr.
- Kaserna in Halden. On the grounds of the fortress, a short walk from downtown. Generalveien 25-27. Tel: 92 86 47 97, www.kaserna.no. Double rooms from 800Kr.
- Solstrand Terrasse in Ørje (Indre-Østfold). 32 rooms including family rooms, right by Øymarksjøen (lake). Haldenveien. Tel: 69 81 21 37, www.solstrand-terrasse.no. Double rooms from 600Kr.
Norway: Parking in winter
Posted by admin in Photos and videos, Travel and practical stuff on January 25, 2010
Driving in Norway
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on January 25, 2010
The minimum age for driving is 18. There are severe penalties (sometimes involving imprisonment) for drink-driving, and fines for illegal parking are high (a standard ticket will set you back NKr500). Fines for speeding are even higher (routinely over NKr1,000), so do watch your speed. You can’t say we didn’t warn you! Speed limits are 80 or 90kph (50, 56mph) outside built-up areas, 100kph (61mph) on motorways and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas.
All vehicles must, by law, drive with dipped headlights at all times. Remember to switch your lights off when you park, or you’ll end up with a flat battery. Seat belts are compulsory, in the front and in the back.
Don’t underestimate distances when driving in Norway – the topography and the elements may slow you down. Moose can be a danger, so drive slowly in forested areas around nightfall. Ferries and tunnels are numerous in the fjords – and the former can be expensive, so do factor that into your budget too.
You must use winter tyres (very common) or snow chains (much less so) in winter. Bear in mind that some roads are subject to closure in winter and early spring, particularly in mountainous areas where heavy snowfall can occur.
Information about road conditions, distances and the like: 175 (within Norway)
Roadside assistance: 810 00 505 (NAF) or 06000 (Viking)
In a Norwegian supermarket
Posted by admin in Photos and videos, Shopping, Travel and practical stuff on January 17, 2010
Shopping: Prices in Norway
Posted by admin in Shopping, Travel and practical stuff on January 17, 2010
You know it – Norway is expensive. But how expensive exactly? Check out the price list below to get an idea. Once the initial shock over, start saving, and budgeting, for what will no doubt be the trip of your life!
…
Main course in a budget restaurant (Chinese, or pizza for example): 120-150Kr
Main course in a more upmarket restaurant: 200-250Kr
Campsite plot for the night: 160Kr
Room for two in a mid-range hotel: 1,200Kr
1l of petrol: 12Kr
Car rental for a week: 4,000Kr
A bottle of beer in a bar: 55-60Kr
A bottle of red wine: (in Vinmonopolet) 100Kr, (in restaurant) 300Kr
…
Cinema ticket: 90Kr
Bus ticket: 25Kr
1l of milk: 12Kr
A loaf of bread: 25Kr
Hot dog in a kiosk: 25Kr
Newspaper: 20Kr
Stamp (postcard to Europe): 11Kr
…
Prices vary from place to place (from shop to shop, town to town, etc), but the list above is a good indicator of how much you can expect to pay for things here in Norway. You can convert these prices into your own currency using www.xe.com. Check out the following link www.elusivemoose.eu/2009/11/travelling-on-a-budget-in-norway for tips on how to save money during your trip.
Travelling on a budget in Norway
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on November 15, 2009
Is it possible to travel on a budget in Norway? Well… Can one lose 5kg in a fortnight? Find a man who doesn’t snore when drunk? Avoid paying tax on inheritance? I’m afraid the answer is: No – but you can try. Here are a few tips to help you save some money. Thing of it as a damage limitation exercise. And remember – it ain’t cheap, but who’s counting when you’re having the trip of a lifetime?
- Avoid alcohol, or bring your own. Wine and spirits are outrageously expensive in Norway, so it pays to stock up on duty-free. Otherwise make your beer last (at around 70kr a pint, you don’t want to be buying too many rounds).
- Do lunch instead of dinner. Most restaurants have good offers on for lunch, with a special, shorter menu or at least a dagensrett (plat du jour) for about 100kr. You’ll pay at least double for the same dish in the evening.
- Fill up the tank at the weekend. Petrol prices go up and down during the week, but are always cheaper at the weekend.
- Make the most of discounts for OAPs, students etc. These are available in many places, including museums, cinemas, public transport (30% off a standard rail ticket for students for example) etc. Make a habit of showing your card whenever you book a tour, a trip, whatever.
- Rema 1000, Rimi and Kiwi are the cheapest chains for grocery shopping. ICA and Coop are middle of the range, while Meny and Ultra have a much better selection, but are also a lot more costly.
Oh, and of course all that gorgeous nature is absolutely free!! That’ll save you a bunch too!