Below you can find notes for our Norway Loften Islands Expedition
Scheduling:
Bodø is a Northern town of 45 000 inhabitants and is Nordland’s largest city; after being destroyed by the Germans in 1940 Bodø and was subsequently rebuilt after the war. This was completed in 1959 with the completion of the new town hall. Today Bodø has a bustling harbor that services Nordland’s important fishing industry.
Plan to arrive in Bodø (BOO) on the Saturday prior to the first scheduled day of our itinerary; Sunday. Likewise on the final day of the itinerary we return to Bodø so you should plan to leave the next day; Sunday. We will arrive back in Bodø on the Hurtigruta (Coastal Steamer) at approx. 01:30 early Sunday morning. We arrive at the same terminal that we departed from the previous Sunday so there will be a 05-10 min. walk back to the hotel after we arrive in Bodø.
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of the Clarion Collection Hotel Grand Bodø on Sunday morning at 08:00. After meeting your guide in the hotel you will embark on a short walk to the ferry terminal for the Lofoten Islands. The ferry leaves at 10:15 and takes approximately 3-3.5 hours. Upon arrival at the Lofoten Islands our Coastal Odyssey van will meet you at the ferry terminal in Moskenes; from here we will take a short drive to Å where an introduction to the Lofoten Islands is presented through a guided tour of the historic fishing village of Å.
We recommend staying at Clarion Collection Hotel Grand Bodø (+47 75 54 61 00) prior to your expedition. The final night of the trip, Saturday, is spent at this hotel (which is included in the trip price). You may leave any excess luggage in Bodø at the hotel’s locked baggage room until we return from the Lofoten Islands.
Airline Flights:
Norway’s capital, Oslo, is served by a wide range of airlines from North America and Europe. There are connecting flights to Bodø several times a day from Oslo; the most notable among them is SAS with numerous flights daily.
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.
Safety:
Norway is a safe country, however travelers should still take sensible precautions to avoid petty-theft.
Weather:
The Lofoten Island’s weather is generally mild in the summer with day-time temperatures averaging 07˚C to 20˚C and night-time temperatures 07˚C to 20˚C between June and September. The Lofoten Islands climate is influenced by their high latitude and the possibility of rain and mist is very good. The water temperatures are fairly chilly and range from 06˚C to 12˚C degrees in May/June
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.