Information guide for the Norway trip

Fall 2015

Växjö

—

Oslo

—

Jostedal

Hello Everyone! Our trip to Norway is approaching and in this document we have summarized all the important information you need to know! Please read this document carefully, it is your responsibility to follow and understand the rules concerning this trip. Let’s have an awesome trip and weekend together in Norway! This is the route First day route to Oslo Second day route to Jostedal Oslo “Hemmed by a ‘fjord’ and kilometres of woodland, Norway’s capital is an easy-going city with an eclectic architectural mix of old, new and just plain 1960s that is hard not to like. The perfect size for exploring on foot, the city boasts world-class museums, a lively nightlife and plenty of outdoor activities for the energetic. Most visitors will find themselves struggling to choose between Oslo’s numerous museums, which offer something for almost every taste: a face-to-face with the haunting image of Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Gallery, a chance to stand in the shoes of an Olympic ski-jumper at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, or a window into history and culture at the unforgettable Viking Ship, Polarship Fram or Folk Museums on Bygdøy. And Oslo is certainly the cosmopolitan heart of Norway, with a rapidly growing café and bar culture, top-notch restaurants, and nightlife options ranging from world-class opera and jazz to indie rock.” Jostedal “The Jostedalen valley stretches from the Sognefjord to the mountains on the Oppland county border, in all its length on the eastern side of the Jostedal Glacier. The many arms of the glacier reach all the way down to the bottom of the valley itself. You can get to Jostedalen from two directions. Either the Sognefjell Mountain Road, Rv55, from Lom, or through Sogndal, which is the center of the Sogn region. The Sognefjellet Road is really a thrill, as you drive very close to the peaks of the western Jotunheimen.”

Schedule

1ST DAY

07:15 Meeting at Pressbyrån, don’t be late and have your

VIS card with you! 07:40 Arriving at Vallgatan

11:00 Lunch in Uddevalla

12:00 Leaving for Oslo

16:00 Arriving in Oslo, you are free to do whatever you want

2ND DAY 09:30 Leaving Oslo! Don’t be late!

12:00 Lunch

XX We will probably stop at Flå, eat there and shop some grocieries.

XX Leaving for Jostedal

19:30 Arriving in Jostedal

3RD DAY 10:00 The Glacier Hike and the Kayaking starts!

16:00 Back in Jostedal

FREE TIME FREE TIME

4TH DAY 09:00 Leaving Jostedal

12:30 Lunch somewhere

19:00 Dinner somwhere

00:00-01:00 Arrival in Växjö

To bring with you General • VIS/ESN Card (it will make the check in much easier) • Norwegian currency (remember that Norway isn’t a EU or a EURO country) but you can

of course use the ATM in Oslo! • Bed linen or towels are NOT included on the price in Jostedal or in Oslo! That means you

should bring your own towel and bed sheets. • DO NOT BRING SLEEPING BAGS! They take this very seriously at the hostel in Oslo! • Your good mood! Hike For the Hike you should bring: • Warm hat and gloves • Warm clothing including rain jacket • Camera • Drink bottle • Sunglasses • Lunch • Good shoes, for example winter shoes (running shoes possible, but not comfortable on

glacier) And if possible, bring • Woolen under layers • Waterproof trousers • Sunscreen (and sun hat) because it might be really sunny in the glacier. • Good walking shoes/boots (but don’t buy new ones especially for this tour). If you have

the possibility, bring two pairs of shoes just in case. The shoes might get wet during the hiking or kayaking, so it’s nice to have an extra pair to change to. The same goes with the socks. ;)

Remember Bring warm clothes with you! As we do outdoor activities in a Northern country, the key word is layering. As written above, if possible, bring waterproof jacket/trousers, woolen under layers, or other warm clothing which you think will be suitable, and most importantly – that you think will keep you warm! The temperature won’t be extremely low, but it might rain and the wind might be cold. Check your insurance cover. VIS is the trip organizer and we don’t sell any insurances. That means that either you should have an insurance (card) with you during the trip, or you take the responsibility of the possible consequences. There is a grocery and cafe at the camping in Jostedal but it is very small so we recommend bringing anything special that you want to eat!

And remember that most goods – especially food and alcohol – are much more expensive in Norway. Plan ahead!

What to do in Oslo Walks Going for a walk is a great way to discover the city, whether you stay within the centre or decide to explore local neighbourhoods. And of course a good vantage point is always a bonus – luckily Oslo boasts a few of those. The grounds of the Akershus Fortress, for example, make for a pleasant wander, blending history with open views over the harbour. Other recommended spots include Ekeberg (the most scenic route is to follow the tram tracks from Gamlebyen up the hill), Frognerseteren (served by the metro, and a good starting point for a foray in the Oslomarka Forest, where dozens of hiking paths await) or if you prefer a more urban environment, the top of the Radisson Plaza near Oslo central station. A walk down the Akerselva River, with its many waterfalls, iron bridges, little parks and old mills, is another pleasant option. Do make sure you go up Telthusbakken hill and stop at the Old Aker Church, a picturesque church that inspired Edvard Munch among other artists. From there you can rejoin the centre via vibrant Grünerløkka, or cut through the green Our Saviour's Cemetery, where you will find the tombs of illustrious Norwegians such as Munch, Ibsen and Bjørnson, on your way back towards the Royal Palace. Parks The Palace Park is popular with both locals and tourists - you can see the changing of the guard here every day at 1:30 pm. Or check out the Botanical Garden in Tøyen (next to the Munch Museum in the eastern part of town), which was founded in 1814, and is home to some 7,500 species of plants. Particularly pretty in spring when in full bloom, and in autumn for the colourful foliage. Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park in Frogner is another good option – the park, with its 212 sculptures, is one of Oslo's top attractions, and certainly warrants a visit. (Source: visitnorway.com) Night Life (for example!): Icebar Oslo ICEBAR run by Ice Hotel serves drinks all year round in an artificial environment made entirely from frozen ice. The temperature inside is constantly -5°C at all times and the ice used is sourced from the Torne River in Northern Sweden. This one of a kind bar gives visitors an insight into the arctic winter albeit in a contemporary setting. The entrance fee includes an ice drink served in an ice glass and a trendy thermal cape with a hood to stay warm. Each visitor is allowed only 45 minutes inside the bar. Address: Kristian IVs gate 12, 0164 Oslo Opening Hours: 9th September to 5th May: Monday to Thursday: 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Friday: 4:00 pm to midnight, Saturday: noon to midnight (Source: http://www.oslo.com/v/nightlife/) For more info please check: http://www.visitnorway.com/en/ http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g190479-Activities-Oslo_Eastern_Norway.html http://www.lonelyplanet.com/norway/oslo/things-to-do

Map of Oslo

Map over Jostedal

Leaders

Lauriina Pernu Main responsible

+46727191578

Annie Grahn +46730643872