The Chief

Hi

Has anyone been to Norway????
Could you give me any tips, i.e. cheap ferries, hotels
oh and of course what is the nightlife like ive heard it is expensive
I am thinking of getting a ferry and driving up to the north cape
and back

stevencotton

I lived there once, went back in July for a weekend. I like Norway lots, however, it is rather on the expensive side and Oslo was recently voted this years "world's most expensive city" and for good reason. Nightlife is great in Oslo and Bergen, getting rather chilly around this time of year too. Scenery is fantastic, should be an excellent drive. Make sure you have lots of blankets and a good first aid kit, and winter tyres!

Jerome

I stayed at the Grand Hotel in Oslo (link here), not cheap, but very nice and it is very central.

The night life is not much more expensive than a night out in the West End in London.

When are you going? If you go in winter, you'll need winter tyres.

Brit_in_Japan

North cape and back at this time of year? Hmmm I think you should think again. Get an atlas out and check how far north it is. It's waaay above the Arctic Circle, somewhere in the region of 700-800kms north of it. They may not keep the roads open that for north in winter, it's pretty hilly. Even if the roads are open your average speed would be pretty slow. You'd be better off with a snow mobile, or maybe a sled and some raindeer.

Oslo used to have an "Oslo Card" which was very good value for tourists, covered all public transport and entry into many of the tourist attractions, like Amundsen's ship, Thor Heyadal's (sp?) reed boats etc. Never went clubbing there. In fact couldn't even afford a beer there as I was a student at the time

Brit_in_Japan

Road Closings
Several important roads are kept open all year. Road 134 from Oslo to Stavanger to Bergen to Drammen, across Haukelifjell mountain, is one such road. So is the E6 from Oslo to Trondheim, across Dovrefjell mountain. Some roads are closed for short periods because of snow, and others are closed by decree for the whole winter. The following roads are closed for some period during the year; the road number is given, followed by the road's county or the two cities it connects, and finally the rough dates during which weather may force the road to be closed.

E89, Skarsvåg to Nordkapp, late October to late April.
E69, Skarsvåg - North Cape, mid October mid April.
Road 7, Hardangervidda, normally open all year.
Road 13/5, Gaularfjell, late December to mid May.
Road 13, Vikafjell, normally open all year.
Road 27, Venabygdefjellet, early January to late March.
Road 45, Hunnendalsveien, normally open all year.
Road 51, Valdresflya, late November to late April.
Road 55, Sognefjellsvegen, early December to mid May.
Road 58, from Highway 15 to Geiranger, November through May.
Road 63, Geirangervegen, mid November to late May.
Road 63, Trollstigen, late October to late May.
Road 98, Ifjordfjellet, November thrugh May.
Road 220, Venabygdfjellet, late February to mid March.
Road 252, from Tyin to Eidsburgarden, late October to early June.
Road 258, Gml. Strynefjellsvei, late September to early June.
Road 520, Hellandsbygd to Røldal, early December to mid June.
Road 665, Norangsdalen, normally open all year.
Road 882, Storvik to Bardines, normally open all year.
Road 886, from Vintervollen to Gr. Jacobselv, not closed.
Fuel

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

i used to live in kolding in denmark a whilst back now, but had a few trips over to norway, you mostly find people from norway came to danmark for the weekend etc, cus its soooo expensive in norway, nice people some very cool markets! you dont guarentees with your goods though if you know what i meen?

to give you an idea of what i call expensive a pint or "mellum ol" spelling? is about £4.

some pretty cool clubs there though mate for all the good reasons

lightning101

Also remember - zero tolerance on drink driving - even mouthwash (alchohol based) can put you over the limit.

Miles

I've been to Stavanger a few times with work, the locals are very keen on the "pre-party" (ie having a few drinks at home) before going out as it's so expensive. Hence, night life can kick off a bit later than in the UK.

It's a beautiful country, it's expensive, friendly people and the good news is that the inhabitants' English is almost better than ours!

Leslie

Try to avoid the Smorgasbord in the morning-its raw fish!

Les

Diesel

Worked there a lot.

Lovely honest people.

Bristol Hotel was good value in Oslo.

'Tussen takk' is thanks a lot!

Harry_Boy

Been there a few times on business. Wonderful place, lovely people, expensive food & booze.

Nutty drivers on ice-packed roads... Drove from Oslo to Arendal & back in a Saab 9-3 with winter tyres. Very sure-footed, as I found out when I got out of the car and fell on my a*se....

Surprisingly warm there in the summer - 25 degrees plus. And that's Celsius, not Farenheit...

Winter days are gorgeous. Beautiful crisp snow, fantastic fresh air, clear bright blue skies.

Brit_in_Japan

...and they like the Brits too, legacy of the support we gave them in WWII. Top place, the only downside is the cost of everything.

The Chief

And what are the ladies like????????

Boarder1

Isnt the speed limit something like 70kph?

Harry_Boy

Can't exactly remember mate - think it's around 80/90 kph on the single lane 'motorways'..... Takes forever to travel more than 100 km..... A few forward facing Truvelo style speed cams as well.

Diesel

Chief, Scandinavian ladies are generally more, err, direct!

DrEvil

You can say that again... I had great *fun* over there...

The Chief

Oh aye!

super smashing great
looks like a trip to Norway then next spring

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Great place. VERY EXPENSIVE. The people are great and there is no language problem with almost everybody, middleaged and younger speaking at least some English. Winter tyres are a legal requirement at this time of year. As you go North it gets darker. eg light at 10am and dark about 2.30pm but in summer you can read a newspaper outside at 2am if that is your thing.
You will not enjoy driving to the artic circle at this time of year and you do not need to try and go anywhere near that far up to have fun. Most of the lakes are completely frozen over and covered in snow and driving on them can be great fun.
If you go in summer, take lots of insect repelant. Mosquitoes and midges.
Oh and the women. Well they are equal and if they take a shine to you and the mood takes them you will be dragged off to their house, room, tent, cabin or whatever.