NORWAY - WORLDWIDE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Posted September 11th, 2014
LATEST WORLDWIDE TRAVEL NEWS
NORWAY
Information and photos provided by Cruise Norway AS
Update September 2014
News from Hardangerfjord
Eidfjord has launched new “parent-free” shore excursions for children and teenagers. Furthermore the port of Jondal has now got ISPS clearance by the Norwegian Coastal Administration and Ulvik can offer “Back to Nature – Back to Basics” experiences.
Photo - Flatearth Adventures
Some of the cruise ships calling at the port of Eidfjord have up to 700 children below 18 years on board. Many of these don’t wish to follow their moms and dads on bus trips enjoying the spectacular landscapes of Hardanger. Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord has therefore developed two new “parent-free” shore excursions; one for children 10-14 years and one for teenagers 15-18 years. Both include activities, camp fire and special meals. Mountain climbing, biking, whitewater jump and Viking Bread are a few of the ingredients.
The port of Jondal, close to the Folgefonna glacier and National Park, now has ISPS certificate by the Norwegian Coastal Administration. From the port a 19 kilometers long road leads you up to 1200 meters above sea level, where Norway’s 3rdlargest glacier and Hardanger’s summer ski center is located. The ski lift takes you up to 1600 meters above sea level, and the ski center is normally open May-August, depending on the snow conditions.
Hardanger Base Camp in Ulvik offer a vast choice of exciting nature based activities; guided hikes in the valleys or on Hardangervidda, tunnel excursions, climbing and abseiling or fishing trips. They teach about nature, how to make fire in many different ways, about edible plants and insects or survival techniques in the wild.
Contact: Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord, www.cruisehardangerfjord.com
News from Telemark Cruise Ports
Telemark winter program from 2015 includes dog sleigh ride, horse sleigh ride and winter markets. In Telemark you find the Norwegian nomination 2014 for UNESCO Industrial Heritage at Rjukan, Notodden. Norway’s biggest food festival 'Mersmak' is held the last weekend in August annually. Notodden Blues Festival, one of Europa’s biggest blues festivals, is the first weekend in August annually.
Winter program
We are proud to present our winter program including dog sleigh riding and horse sleigh riding. In November and December, our towns are decorated with lots of lights and Christmas and winter markets are arranged. Some of our museums also arranges markets in wintertime.
Norwegian nomination 2014: Rjukan – Notodden UNESCO Industrial Heritage” Protection by Use”
Telemarksgalleriet and Lysbuen in Notodden are a part of Norway’s UNESCO application, including;
• Revolutionary industrial inventions
• The story of Norsk Hydro and mineral fertilizer
• Art museum with a variety of elder Norwegian artists
• Art gallery with contemporary artists
• Nice café and museum shop
• Beautiful old listed industrial park
The Industrial Museum tells the story of the all-time most important Norwegian invention; the electrical arc oven and the productionof mineral fertilizer. The mineral fertilizer was crucial to changing a difficult food situation worldwide, and transformed Norway from one of Europe’s poorest countries into a modern welfare society.
The Art Museum exhibits art from Norwegian artist. Art collections contain images from the golden age in Telemark, with artists like Christian Skredsvig, Thorolf Holmboe and Theodor Kittelsen.
Telemark gallery displays exhibitions of national and international contemporary art.
Festivals
Norway’s biggest food festival «Mersmak» in Skien, is held the last weekend in august every year. Here you can taste and buy local food from Telemark and other places in Norway and also international food. Approx. 60.000 visitors over 2 days.
Notodden Blues Festival (NBF) in Notodden is one of the largest blues music festivals in Europe and the largest in Scandinavia. The festival is held the first weekend in August annually. The Blues Foundation awarded “Notodden Blues Festival” the best International Blues festival in 2010:“The festival is described as a blues adventure every fan should experience. We have no doubts about it – so do not forget to pack your things at the beginning of August if you want to be surprised of what Notodden festival town can offer!” Approx. 40.000 visitors over 4 days.
News from Oslo
The shopping centre on Karl Johans gate has been revamped for 200 million NOK, and will reopen with almost 30 new fashion and lifestyle shops and several new restaurants.
On Wednesday September 3rd at noon Paleet opened to the public, and opening week festivities included concerts, fashion shows and a photo exhibition. The shops will also be open Sundays.
Paleet aims to attract quality-conscious customers with goods "which are not found anywhere else in Norway". Among the products on offer will be Italian tailoring, Swiss watches, niche perfumes, custom-designed jewelry and high-end fashion from some of the biggest fashion houses in the world.
"The consumption habits of the Norwegian people has changed. We travel more, have become more discerning and expect higher quality. Therefore Paleet has invested in companies with unique expertise. All the products here are selected with personal care and professional excellence," Paleet director Øystein Aurlien said in a statement.
The new shops are complemented by several exciting dining concepts, including a gastro pub, a Mexican taqueria, a Spanish bodega and wine bar, a pizzeria with wood-fired ovens, Oslo's only Teppanyaki restaurant and a tea room.
News from Bergen Aquarium
Baby seal and penguin chicks born at Bergen Aquarium.
Our harbour seals, Selma and Vitus, have become Mom and Dad. In July a little baby seal was born at Bergen Aquarium. He grows rapidly and has just now started to eat small fish.
Bergen Aquarium also has two male penguin sweethearts this summer. The animal keepers discovered that two penguin males had an eye for each other and got one egg from another penguin couple that had an egg to spare. The males took turns to incubate, and in July the baby chick was born.
The male parents and their chick
News from NSB
Norwegian Railways has started up a new shore excursion called Seaview Rail. It departs from the port of Stavanger and the train takes you to the charming and picturesque town of Egersund.
Here you can visit the local chocolate factory/shop, or the famous porcelain factory where you also can do some shopping. The colourful houses makes the town perfect for a city stroll!
The posh Grand Hotel will welcome you for a coffee and Norwegian waffles.
From Egersund you can go back either by bus or train.
For more information, contact [email protected]
News from Stranda - Geirangerfjord
Stranda at summer. The mountain gondola by the fjordExperience the beautiful Sunnmøre Alps surrounding the fjord village of Stranda by gondola. The gondola takes you from 430 meters, up to the panoramic viewpoint at 1067 meters above sea level. Round trip from Hellesylt harbour, past Ljøen with view to Geirangerfjord.
For information about lots of wonderful adventures awaiting you when you visit or cruise NORWAY please visit http://www.cruise-norway.no