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Showing posts with label Trondheim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trondheim. Show all posts

Don't say ‘no way' when it comes to doing business in Norway

There's no need to expect an icy reception when looking to send a parcel to Norway, because the world's best-known parcel delivery companies are equipped to get it there. Occupying a long coastal strip on the northern and western coast of Scandinavia, Norway has resisted efforts through the centuries by neighbouring Sweden to invade and take it over to reach the 21st century as a thriving nation, rich in natural resources, and whose people enjoy a high standard of living.

Whether a parcel needs to reach Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, or anywhere on the country's near-150,000 square miles land area, worldwide couriers have the resources and know-how to do the job in good time. With much of Norway's oil and gas-producing capacity controlled by the government, the country's fortunes are closely linked to the prices of these commodities. Nevertheless, the importance of these resources to the country is well illustrated by the fact that, although it is the 67th largest country in the world, its annual income makes it the fifth richest. Norway produces 15 per cent of the natural gas consumed annually worldwide.

Apart from oil and gas, shipbuilding, food processing, metals and chemicals manufacture and processing, mining and timber are other key industries. Imports to Norway mainly comprise machinery, metals, chemicals, ships – and fish. The balance of trade between the country and the UK is heavily weighted in Norway's favour, with 24 per cent of its exports heading to the UK, and the Scandinavian country receiving six per cent of its imports from British sources. The country's two main ports, Oslo and Bergen, are both in the south of the country. The latter, the larger of the two, is also one of Europe's biggest ports, and is the base for much of the helicopter fleet which services the offshore oil and gas fields.

Oslo is served by Gardermoen Airport, the second busiest in Scandinavia, which is 22 miles north of the capital. It replaced the capital's old airport in 1998, and has its own dedicated freight terminal. Norwegians have twice voted in referenda not to join the European Union, but as the country is part of the wider European Economic Area, in practice there are minimal barriers to doing business between EU members and Norway.

Much expertise to help keep the country's oil and gas fields running smoothly comes from outside the country, and as these people work in some of the harshest environments on Earth, they greatly appreciate contact with the outside world, and especially parcels sent from family and friends.

With long-established links between the UK and Norway, international couriers are well used to battling through the sometimes harsh weather to deliver consignments – and they are ready to do so whenever they get the call.

Getting the best resources available to help send a parcel to Norway is easily done online. Leading international delivery companies are waiting to rise to the task.

Norway Fjord Drive Not Cruise

We took a Norway fjord drive rather than a fjord cruise. Driving through Norway is easy and beautiful. You can choose your own route depending on what your time frame is and what you want to see.

We drove north from Oslo through the middle of the country. You can go through Lillehammer, a pretty resort town that hosted the Olympics in 1994. If you want to see a bit more of the interior of Norway, there are national parks you can explore, or you can visit the historic mining town of Roros. Its 18th century wooden houses have been preserved... many now give home to restaurants and shops.

We cut over to the coast to see Trondheim. It's a lively and historic university town. There are also some ancient rock carvings in the area just north of town. You can visit its historic Nidarosdomen Cathedral and museums.... or just enjoy the colorful town as a great spot to start your Norway fjord drive down the coast.

Head southwest out of Trondheim on the E39. The road will take you over toll bridges and ferries. Ferries run fairly frequently, so you won't have to wait long. The scenery is great even while you wait.

The ferry from Molde to Vestnes will get you on your way to the very pretty town of Alesund. It has a drop dead gorgeous setting, and the town is a kaleidoscope of colors with its Art Nouveau architecture... all turrets and spires and fancy ornamentation.

It's another great place to spend the night on your drive. The drive to the mountain-top lookout to see the town spread out below is a must. There's a cafeteria on top where you can have a beer and enjoy the view.

Start early and drive along the Storfjorden to Geiranger. The hour ferry ride down the Geirangefjorden is spectacular. This narrow fjord with its waterfalls is visited by cruise ships and photographed often for tourist brochures.... and it's included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

On this Norway fjord drive, you'll encounter lots of winding roads... so wind your way south through spectacular scenery. I know we keep using superlatives, but Norway demands that.

When you get to Sogndal on the Sognefjorden, turn north for a few miles so you can visit the Urnes Stave Church, the oldest wooden church in Norway. It was built in 1150, and is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Sogndal and head to Kaupanger where you can catch a really long ferry ride on the Sognefjorden. These ferries don't run quite so often, and because of the long ride, the last ferry is in the afternoon, so check the schedule or be prepared to wait until morning.

This ferry will take you to Gudvangen via the Sonnefjorden, Aurlandsfjorden, and finally the Naeroyfjorden. That last segment is part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour, so you know it's going to be pretty. There is a hotel in Gudvangen, and there are more a few miles further up the road.

Drive the winding road up to Voss. From there you can take the E16 straight to Bergen, or since this is a Norway fjord drive, you can take the scenic route along the Samlafjorden, an arm of the Hardangerfjorden, before you connect back with the highway to get into Bergen.

Make arrangements to drop the car off in Bergen, and visit that historic town. You can fly home from there.

The bridges and ferries are not cheap, so keep your credit card handy. All of Norway does tend to be expensive, so one way to economize is to picnic... and you can't beat the scenery at the road side tables provided. Language is generally not a problem in most of Norway. English is a strong second language, and you will have no problem getting hotels and meals. Buying your tickets on the ferry can almost always be done in English.

A cruise along Norway's Fjords is great, but you really will see a more intimate view of Norway by taking a fjord drive.

Norway Culinary Travel

"Culinary experiences" might not be the first phrase that springs to mind when thinking about what to do in Norway.However, the country has a long tradition of producing high-class chefs as well as high class seafood.This guide is for those thinking about crossing the country to stear them in the right direction for the best possible meal!

OSLO

Oslo rules supreme when it comes to quality dining in Norway. 6 restaurants have a total of 7 stars in the Michelin Guide. Unfortunately the one two-star restaurant, Bagatelle, was abandoned by its founder and chef in 2010. However, a quick trip will not suffice to enjoy all the gourmet highlights in Norway!

1.Restaurant Oscarsgate Pilestredet 63, Oslo

A small setting for a grand meal. Oscarsgate keeps a small menu and a short wine-list. Whats isn't small here is the bill at the end of the evening, but the high-class gourmet food is absolutely worth it!

2.Haga Restaurant, Griniveien 315, Oslo. Genuine French cuisine served in the outskirts of Oslo. Also known for its excellent (French) wine list. Haga is one of the most consistent restaurants in Oslo.

3.Arakataka, Mariboesgate 7 ,Oslo

This Mediterranean style restaurant has had a reputation for two things; the place to get your money's worth, but also rather variable service. These days only the first part holds true. The place is a relaxed, budget-friendly restaurant with a brilliant kitchen - Mediterranean style.

SANDEFJORD

This city is normally a "transit-zone" for visitors arriving at the "Oslo Torp" airport. But, the Solvold restaurant is worth a short detour to Sandefjord before taking the train to Oslo.

Solvold, Thor Dahls gt. 9, Sandefjord

The chef Odd Ivar Solvold is one of Norway's "Bocuse D'Or" medal winners and has ensured his restaurant meets the highest standards for more than 12 years. Especially excellent fish.

VAAGAA

Head for the mountains (Jotunheimen) to experience the most traditional of traditional Norwegian food! This is the "realm" of famous chef Arne Brimi where he has created a culinary based experience center.

Vianvang, Brimi Fjellstugu, N-2680 Vaagaa

This is not so much a restaurant as a gourmet nature resort and culture center. One can book cooking courses, rooms as well as various nature activities. At the basis of the all, though, is Brimi's philosophy of caretaking and expanding upon Norwegian food traditions.

TRONDHEIM

Trondheim is a charming city in the middle of the country, known for its Viking roots and the magnificent gothic cathedral, Nidarosdomen. Trondheim is a cutural city in many ways; theatre, concerts, sports and dining here is more interesting than ever before!

1.Havfruen fiskerestaurant i Trondheim , Kjoepmannsgata 7, Trondheim

This is the place to go for excellent seafood in Trondheim. The season based menu offers the best of marine produce available. Traditional dishes served with imagination. The setting by the Nidelven River in a traditional local adds to the flavors of the meal!

2. Credo, Oerjaveita 4, Trondheim. Credo's (usually) five-course menu has to be one of the best value-for-money deals in Norway! Innovative food prepared with care at a (for Norway) very reasonable price served in unpretentious surroundings.

TROMSOE

The north is not the "culinary wasteland" it used to be. In the past you had to be on good terms with the local fishermen and hunters to get a decent meal in northern Norway! This is, thankfully, not the case anymore, and in places like Bodø, Harstad and the Lofoten Islands there are quality restaurant to be found. The "capital" of the north, however, is Tromsø.

De 4 Roser, Groennegata 38, Tromsoe

French-Italian warmth in the arctic north. The concept is to take advantage of local produce (world-class seafood, for instance) and prepare it in a Mediterranean manner, and the concept works! Very inviting and pleasant interior.

This concludes our culinary journey in Norway, from south (Oslo) to north (Tromsoe). There could easily have been four-five times as many restaurants included in this guide, but half the fun of taking a journey like this is to discover, isn't it?

The Norwegian Culinary Route

Norway might not be readily associated with culinary experiences, but fact is; in the history of Bocuse D'Or (world championship for chefs) only France has collected more medals! If considering visiting the country for its unique nature and exploring the mountains, fjords and rivers on a cross the country expedition a few pit-stops are needed! This is the guide of the best the country has to offer as far as restaurants go.

OSLO

Oslo rules supreme when it comes to quality dining in Norway. 6 restaurants have a total of 7 stars in the Michelin Guide. Unfortunately the one two-star restaurant, Bagatelle, was abandoned by its founder and chef in 2010. However, a quick trip will not suffice to enjoy all the gourmet highlights in Norway!

1.Restaurant Oscarsgate Pilestredet 63, Oslo

A small setting for a grand meal. Oscarsgate keeps a small menu and a short wine-list. Whats isn't small here is the bill at the end of the evening, but the high-class gourmet food is absolutely worth it!

2.Haga Restaurant, Griniveien 315, Oslo. Genuine French cuisine served in the outskirts of Oslo. Also known for its excellent (French) wine list. Haga is one of the most consistent restaurants in Oslo.

3.Arakataka, Mariboesgate 7 ,Oslo

This Mediterranean style restaurant has had a reputation for two things; the place to get your money's worth, but also rather variable service. These days only the first part holds true. The place is a relaxed, budget-friendly restaurant with a brilliant kitchen - Mediterranean style.

SANDEFJORD

This city is normally a "transit-zone" for visitors arriving at the "Oslo Torp" airport. But, the Solvold restaurant is worth a short detour to Sandefjord before taking the train to Oslo.

Solvold, Thor Dahls gt. 9, Sandefjord

The chef Odd Ivar Solvold is one of Norway's "Bocuse D'Or" medal winners and has ensured his restaurant meets the highest standards for more than 12 years. Especially excellent fish.

VAAGAA

Head for the mountains (Jotunheimen) to experience the most traditional of traditional Norwegian food! This is the "realm" of famous chef Arne Brimi where he has created a culinary based experience center.

Vianvang, Brimi Fjellstugu, N-2680 Vaagaa

This is not so much a restaurant as a gourmet nature resort and culture center. One can book cooking courses, rooms as well as various nature activities. Central to the experience, though is chef Brimi's vision of presenting and developing the tradition of Norwegian food.

TRONDHEIM

Trondheim is a charming city in the middle of the country, known for its Viking roots and the magnificent gothic cathedral, Nidarosdomen. Trondheim is a cutural city in many ways; theatre, concerts, sports and dining here is more interesting than ever before!

1.Havfruen fiskerestaurant i Trondheim , Kjoepmannsgata 7, Trondheim

This is the place to go for excellent seafood in Trondheim. The season based menu offers the best of marine produce available. Traditional dishes served with imagination. The setting by the Nidelven River in a traditional local adds to the flavors of the meal!

2. Credo, Oerjaveita 4, Trondheim. Credo's (usually) five-course menu has to be one of the best value-for-money deals in Norway! Innovative food prepared with care at a (for Norway) very reasonable price served in unpretentious surroundings.

TROMSOE

The north is not the "culinary wasteland" it used to be. In the past you had to be on good terms with the local fishermen and hunters to get a decent meal in northern Norway! This is, thankfully, not the case anymore, and in places like Bodø, Harstad and the Lofoten Islands there are quality restaurant to be found. The "capital" of the north, however, is Tromsø.

De 4 Roser, Groennegata 38, Tromsoe

French-Italian warmth in the arctic north. The concept is to take advantage of local produce (world-class seafood, for instance) and prepare it in a Mediterranean manner, and the concept works! Very inviting and pleasant interior. This concludes our culinary journey in Norway, from south (Oslo) to north (Tromsoe). There could easily have been four-five times as many restaurants included in this guide, but half the fun of taking a journey like this is to discover, isn't it?