Scheduling: Plan to arrive in Ålesund on Friday or Saturday morning prior to the first scheduled day of the itinerary; Sunday. Likewise, on the final day of the itinerary (Friday) we return to Ålesund so you should plan to leave the next day; Saturday. Remember to book accommodation from Friday to Saturday in Ålesund.
Your guides will meet you between 15:00 – 17:00 (3:00 – 5:00pm) on Saturday at the Scandic Ålesund Hotel (+47 21 61 45 00) or in the reception of Prinsen Campground (+47 70 15 52 04) between 18:00 – 19:00 (6:00 – 7:00pm). It is important to meet us at one of these times; as it is here you will receive some important pre-trip information and you will also be issued dry bags which will assist you in packing and preparing for the next days’ departure.
We will arrive in Geiranger early in the afternoon on Friday. In Geiranger you will have time to explore the village before the van transports you back to Ålesund. In Ålesund there will be time for showers at your chosen accommodation before the trip ends with an optional no-host group dinner at a local restaurant.
Airline Flights: Norway’s capital, Oslo, is served by a wide range of airlines from North America and Europe. There are connecting flights to Ålesund several times a day from Oslo; the most notable air carrier servicing Ålesund from Oslo is SAS with at least two departures every Saturday from Oslo to Ålesund.
Travel Agent: We recommend Elizabeth Holmes Travel in Seattle for your travel arrangements. They are familiar with flights to Norway and our itineraries and can help you find the best airfare. Contact them at 1-800-588-8361or on the web at http://www.elizabethholmes.com.
By Train From Oslo:You can also get to Ålesund by train. Taking the train from Oslo to Andalsnes and then taking a connecting bus on to Ålesund. Travelling North by Rail from Oslo to Andalsnes there is a good departure that connects with the bus to Ålesund. There is a bus stop very close to Prinsen Campground.
Safety; Norway is a safe country, however travelers should still take sensible precautions to avoid petty-theft.
Weather: Ålesund and vicinity the weather is generally mild in the summer with day-time temperatures averaging 15˚C to 30˚C and night-time temperatures 10˚C to 20˚C between June and September. Ålesund has a Sub-Arctic coastal climate and the possibility of rain is very good. The fjords water temperatures range from 10 - 15˚C degrees in the summer months of June/July /August.
Currency: The official currency is Norwegian Kroner (NOK) divided into 100 ore. Larger establishments accept major credit cards and travelers cheques. Use of credit cards is widespread, with Euro card/MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club the most common. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks and major post offices, as well as many hotels and travel agents, although for poorer rates. ATMs are available in all villages, towns and cities.
There are TAX FREE SHOPPING stores across the country. An 11-18.5% (depending on the amount spent in one store) cash refund will be issued upon departure. Always look for stores displaying the TAX FREE SHOPPING logo when your purchases in one store exceed NOK 310. Ask for a Global Refund Cheque and show ID (passport) which proves you are resident outside Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The shop assistant will wrap and seal the goods. Write your name, address and passport number on the cheque before you reach the cash point. When leaving Norway show your airline representative (not Customs) the sealed goods, your ID (passport) and the Global Refund Cheque(s) and you will immediately receive your cash refund
Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use.
Communications: The international access code for Norway is +47. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0047 for Norway). City/area codes are not required. Two companies providing GSM 900 mobile phone networks cover most of the country. Internet cafes are widely available.
Advice:If you have any questions give our office a call.
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