Oslo
One of Norway's largest hotel chains, Thon Hotels, has opened its first budget hotel, Thon Hotel Gardermoen (Balder Allè 22; tel. 64-00-45-00; www.thonhotels.com/gardermoen), located only five minutes from the Oslo Airport. This 260-room hotel offers guests a comfortable and modern experience, with cozy bedding and furniture with clean lines. Wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel, and a breakfast buffet is served daily.
Oro (Tordenskioldsgate 6a; tel. 23-01-02-40; www.ororestaurant.no), has renovated its tapas bar and replaced it with Smak av Oro (Taste at Oro), a bar and restaurant where smaller meals are served. The menu here does not offer meals, but instead presents 20 "taste experiences" from which diners can choose. Each experience is paired with a suggested wine, which can be ordered in the traditional manner, by glass or bottle, or you can simply request a taste. After midnight, the atmosphere gets livelier, with music playing in the background.
Home of the Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo has opened the Nobel Peace Center (City Hall Square; tel. 48-30-10-00; www.nobelpeacecenter.org), which showcases Norway's role as one of the forerunners in the process of peace. In this former train station, originally built in 1872, the various Peace Prize Laureates are profiled, along with the father of the institution, Alfred Nobel. The Center offers multimedia presentations of art, photography, and film which you can experience on your own, or on a guided tour. The Center also functions as a forum where topics related to peace studies and conflict resolution can be discussed.
In 2004, two of Edvard Munch's masterpieces, The Scream and Madonna, were stolen from the Munch Museum (Tøyengata 53; tel. 23-49-35-00; www.munch.museum.no), in a daring, daylight heist. After an intensive search for the thieves, they were finally captured and the paintings were returned to the museum. Sadly, both works sustained some damage during their absence, and the museum is undergoing a painstaking process to determine how best to restore them. Currently, neither painting is on display, but the museum is hopeful that they will soon be able to be returned to their rightful positions.
Tromsø
In the winter, more than 600 killer whales, or orcas, migrate to the Lofoten Islands in search of herring in the Tysfjord. Norwegian Coastal Voyage's Killer Whale Safari (Lofoten Islands; tel. 800/323-7436; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us) offers seven-day safaris, with airfare included, which journey from Tromsø to Svolvaer, the capital of the Lofoten Islands. On board your ship, you'll be on the look out for orcas, and when on land, you'll stay in a rorbu, a traditional fishermen's dwelling built on stilts, but modified to include modern conveniences.
The Lofoten Islands
The 24 newly restored cabins at Reine Rorbuer (Reine Rorbuer AS, N-8390 Reine; tel. 76-09-22-22; www.reinerorbuer.no), combine the traditional appeal of a fishing village with modern conveniences, like internet connections and fully equipped kitchens, for those who want to serve up their catch of the day. If you're not successful on your fishing expeditions, dine in one of the restaurants on premises, which serve Norwegian and international dishes from local ingredients of the land and sea. The environment here has much to offer, with stunning views of the Lofoten peaks and the Arctic Ocean, the Midnight Sun, and the Northern Lights.
Stavanger
Each year since 1985, the European Union has chosen a city as to be designated a European Capital of Culture (Domkirkeplassen 3; tel. 51-91-20-08; www.stavanger2008.no), and 2008 will be Stavanger's turn. During the assigned year, the Stavanger will be given an opportunity to display its cultural life, holding events such as art exhibitions, music festivals, and theater programs. European Capitals of Culture not only showcase their existing cultural achievements, but also use the opportunity to develop even more cultural programs and improve the city's image.
Lillehammer
Located 745 meters high, at the site of the 1994 Olympics downhill arena, Gudbrandsgard Hotel (P.O. Box 203, 2631 Ringebu; tel. 61-28-48-00; www.gudbrandsgard.no) offers guests comfortable and contemporary accommodations. Traditional Norwegian style is the theme here, with the hotel's exterior of carved timber and tufted roofs and the cuisine based on local farm menus. Befitting a hotel that is built on a former Olympic site there are plenty of athletic activities to pursue here, from the 18-hole golf course to, of course, fantastic skiing.
Halden
A new connection between Norway and Sweden has been formed with the opening of the Svinesund Bridge. Built as a remedy for increased traffic between the countries, the bridge spans a fjord south of Oslo and is now the world's largest single-arched bridge. The bridge's dedication was attended by Norway's King Harald V and Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, who joined together to unveil a monument depicting two hands reaching out toward each other, acting as a symbol of unity between the two Scandinavian nations.
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