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Accommodation
HOTELS: First-class hotels are to be found all over the country. Facilities in all establishments are classified, as hotels must come up to official high standards; for example, there must be a reception service, dining room, and a minimum of 30 rooms, each with full bath or shower. Many hotels are still family-run establishments. Full en pension terms are available to guests staying at the same establishment for at least three to five days. Hotels usually allow a reduction on the same en pension rate for children according to age. This reduction may only apply when the child concerned occupies an extra bed in the parents’ room. There are several schemes which offer visitors reduced rates in selected hotels. A Fjord Pass (which covers two adults with special concessions for children under 15 years of age and is available from the Norwegian Tourist Board in the UK) is accepted by 250 hotels in the period 1 May-30 September; reductions of 20 per cent or more are possible. The Nordic Passepartout is a pan-Scandinavian card accepted by over 50 hotels in Norway in the main summer period and at weekends; the visitor’s fifth night is free. A Scandinavian Bonus Pass (which covers two adults with special concessions for children under 16 years of age) is accepted by 45 hotels in Norway between 15 May and 1 September and at weekends during winter; a Scanrail railway pass will also be accepted. Scandinavian Hotel Express is a travel club which enables visitors to have reductions of 50 per cent in certain hotels. Roughly 50 per cent of establishments belong to the Norwegian Hospitality Association, PO Box 5465, Majorstua, 0305 Oslo (tel: (22) 2308 8620; fax: (22) 2308 8621; e-mail: firmapost@rbl.no; website: www.rbl.no). Grading: There is no grading system, but establishments designated turisthotel or høyfjellshotell must meet specified standards.
GUEST-HOUSES AND MOUNTAIN LODGES: Guest-houses (pensjonat) and mountain lodges are generally smaller in size and offer less elaborate facilities than hotels, although many establishments can offer the same standard as those officially listed as hotels. Further information is available from Bed & Breakfast Norway AS, Østerdalsgaten 1 J, NO-0658 Oslo (tel: (22) 673 080; fax: (22) 198 317; website: www.bbnorway.com).
FARMHOUSE HOLIDAYS: Farms selected are working farms and anyone who wants to can join in the work, but guests are at liberty to plan their own day, and the hosts will generally be able to suggest tours, excursions and other activities. Contact the Norwegian Tourist Board for further information. The tour operator Trollsykling offers many farmhouse holidays, and a programme printed in Norwegian, German and English is available from Trollsykling A/S, PO Box 373, Elvegaten 19, 2602 Lillehammer (tel: (61) 289 970; fax: (61) 269 250; e-mail: info@norske-bygdeopplevelser.no; website: www.norske-bygdeopplevelser.no).
SELF-CATERING: Chalets, log cabins and apartments are available for rent by groups and will generally work out less expensive per head than other kinds of holiday. Most chalets have electric lighting, heating and hot plates; some have kerosene lamps, calor gas for cooking and wood fires, while water will often have to be fetched from a nearby well or stream. Chalets are grouped near a central building which may contain such facilities as a cafe, lounges, TV rooms, sauna, a grocer’s shop, and in some cases a swimming pool. All chalets and apartments are regularly inspected by responsible rental firms. Bookings can be made by writing to various firms. Den Norske Hytteformidling A/S organises chalet holidays all over Norway, with full board or self-catering. Contact PO Box 309, 0103 Oslo (tel: 8154 4270; e-mail: novasol@novasol.no; website: www.novasol.com). Further information can also be obtained from the Fjordline office in the UK (tel: (0191) 296 1313; fax: (0191) 296 1540; e-mail: fjordline@fjordline.co.uk; website: www.fjordline.com); or the Norwegian Hospitality Association in Norway (tel: 2308 8620; fax: 2308 8621; e-mail: firmapost@rbl.no; website: www.rbl.no).
RORBU HOLIDAYS: A rorbu is a hut or shelter used by fishermen during the winter cod-fishing season. Equipped with all the necessary facilities, these are leased to holidaymakers during the summer, providing an inexpensive form of accommodation. They will often be actually over the water. Catching your own fish will further reduce the cost of the holiday. For more information on Rorbu holidays, contact Destinasjon Lofoten, PO Box 210, 8301 Svolvær (tel: (76) 073 000 or (76) 069 800; fax: (76) 073 001; e-mail: tourist@lofoten-tourist.no; website: www.lofoten-tourist.no).
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Offsite camping is permitted in uninhabited areas (not lay-bys), but fires are illegal in field or woodland areas between 15 April and 15 September. Farmers must be asked for permission for farmland camping. Further details and a manual are available from the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF) (see Road section for contact details). Grading: There are over 1000 authorised sites in Norway, classified according to standards and amenities from 1- to 5-star camps, with charges varying accordingly. Notice of available amenities is posted in each camp.
YOUTH HOSTELS: There are some 100 youth hostels spread all over Norway, some of which are open all year round. Others are in apartment houses attached to schools or universities and are open only during the summer season. Sleeping bags can be hired if necessary. Groups must always make advance bookings. All are welcome, but members of the Norwegian Youth Hostel Association (NUH), or similar associations in other countries, have priority. International membership cards can be bought at most youth hostels. Hostels vary from 1- to 3-star establishments. Breakfast is usually NOK50-60. Detailed information can be obtained from the Tourist Board’s Camping/YH list, or direct from Norske Vandrerhjem, Torggt 1, 0181 Oslo (tel: (23) 139 300; fax: (23) 139 350; e-mail: hostels@vandrerhjem.no; website: www.vandrehjem.no).
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