You don't often find bargains in Scandinavia, home to the world's highest standard of living, highest taxes and longest-lived inhabitants. But you needn't go broke visiting there, as groups like Discover Norway are trying to ensure. They've been offering an Oslo Package of only $71 a day, through the end of the year. That's the cost per person (two in a room) at one of five cozy bed and breakfast hotels, a big Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily and the Oslo Card (Oslo Kortet), which gives you unlimited free public transportation (bus, tram, subway, local train or ferry) and free admission to museums and attractions.
The card is valid for three days, and gains you entry to these museums definitely worth seeing--the Viking Ships Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum, the National Gallery, the Munch Museum and the Ibsen Museum. Don't forget the wonderful Vigeland Park (containing dozens of outdoor statues by the eponymous late and great sculptor), the Akershus Fortress and the Oslo Cathedral.
If you want to upgrade from the B&Bs (which are the Munch, Astoria, Gyldenløve, Spectrum and Terminus, all with private bath), you can pay $103 or $105 per day to stay at either of two elegant deluxe properties, the Grand Hotel or the Hotel Continental. In either category, children under 16 may share a room with their parents at no charge. A limited number of rooms accommodate four persons.
There are other choices in the total collection of 32 hotels, ranging from single rooms as low as $40 to double rooms from $106 (both categories with shared bath). There's a minimum stay of two nights.
Your free Oslo Card covers a cruise on Oslo Fjord, use of swimming pools, and discounts on sightseeing and at shops and restaurants. (Free parking at municipal carparks, too.) One or two children under 16 sharing a room with parents get a free breakfast and their own Oslo Card.
Discover Norway is a marketing alliance created by the Norwegian Tourist Board, Norwegian Coastal Voyages and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), as well as local partners Oslo, Fjord Norway region, the city of Bergen and Historic Hotels. You can get brochures from Discover Norway at 655 Third Avenue (1810), New York NY 10017, phone toll free 866/6-NORWAY, Web site www.visitnorway.com/us, e-mail discovernorway@ntr.no. Reservations for the Oslo Package are available from ScanamWorld Tours, phone 800/545-2204, Web site www.scandinaviantravel.com. Click on "Hotel w/ City Card," then "Oslo" to see the full details. Be sure to check out the other package deals they offer as well.
