Norway runs out of storage space for snow…

Norway runs out of storage space for snow ploughed from the streets of Oslo in the snowiest winter for two decades.

Authorities are being forced to dump tonnes of snow into the sea with more winter weather on the horizon and overfilled snow depots unlikely to melt until September.

Watch the movie clip from Oslo at Reuters.

Unique design hotel opens its doors in Oslo

 

Grims Grenka is “a design hotel without the attitude” according to its webiste.

The unique style of Grims Grenka will be the one of Eastern mysticism and sensuality, influenced by exotic Norwegian nature, colours and sounds.

- Our goal is to become Norway’s best hotel, and the hotel will in many ways appear to be revolutionary in regards to interior design and service. Internationally, Grims Grenka will be classified as a five star hotel, says Concept Developer and General Manager Atle Hovde.

- Our ambition is to make Grims Grenka so exhilarating that guests do not want to leave.

Grims Grenka consist of 42 large deluxe rooms and 24 suites, many of them larger than 70 square metres. The rooms are in three different styles: Green for summer, blue and white for winter and gold for the mysterious, decadent and sensual way of living. Further you will find various sections for pleasure and enjoyment: A rooftop lounge, an Asian Fusion Restaurant, a nightclub, a private cinema, a spa/fitness centre and a Tea and Cocktail Bar based on organic raw materials.

The hotel is situated by Akershus Castle in the historical and most urban part of Oslo, only three blocks from Oslo’s bustling main street Karl Johans gate, five minutes from the central station and three minutes from the quayside. The hotel is designed by Kristin Jarmund Architects and will be part of the First Hotels chain.

Grims Grenka is Norway’s first member of Design Hotels™ which represents and markets a hand-picked collection of more than 150 hotels in over 40 countries across the globe. The member hotels are independently owned but united by a commitment to individuality, progressive design and cultural authenticity.

Website: www.grimsgrenka.no

     

Oslo’s bus drivers most liked in Europe

 

Bus drivers in the greater Oslo metropolitan area have topped a survey measuring passenger satisfaction in seven European cities.

- The survey makes for joyful reading for us in Stor-Oslo, Gry Isberg Haaheim of the public transport agency Stor-Oslo Lokaltrafikk told the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.

74 percent of those questioned in the greater Oslo area said they were “extremely satisfied” with the drivers’ service and helpfulness.

Passengers living in the suburban areas of Romerike and Akershus were most satisfied, with 89 per cent answering that the drivers are polite and do a good job. That compared to 71 per cent in the city of Oslo itself.

Drivers in Stockholm scored lowest in the survey, with 55 per cent of passengers saying they were satisfied.

It is the fifth year in a row that the survey, called “Best 2007 – Benchmarking in European Service of Public Transport,” was conducted. It questioned between 1,000 and 1,500 passengers in each of the seven cities selected to take part this year: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Vienna, Berlin and Prague.

Oslo improved its standing from last year’s survey, when it landed fourth after 65 per cent of those questioned said they were satisfied.

Veteran fjord ships to Oslo

 

For the first time ever the two classical fjord ships M/S Atløy and M/S Granvin together with the veteran steam ship D/S Oster are visiting Oslo.

In connection with this special visit you are invited for fjord cruises, guided tours of the ships and celebrations at Akershus quayside.

The floating museums from western Norway will be stopping in the Norwegian capital on their way from Bergen to the steam ship festival Nordsteam 2007 in the Swedish city of Gothenburg.

On Saturday 4 August there will be cruises on the Oslofjord. Departures from Nordre Akershus quayside at 11.00, 12.00 and 13.00. Each cruise lasts for approximately one and a half hours.

The following day, Sunday 5 August, there will be a spectacular trip where all three boats sail together to Oscarsborg Fortress where you will be given a guided tour. Oscarsborg lies on a small island outside the small coastal town of Drøbak. This historical sailing departs from Nordre Akershus quayside at 11.00.

Tickets
Send an e-mail to omktur@hotmail.com or call +47 91 69 15 78.
Any remaining tickets will be sold at the quayside before each cruise.

Prices
Fjord cruise Saturday:
Adults: NOK 100
Children NOK 50
Cruise to Oscarsborg Fortress Sunday:
Adults NOK 250
Children NOK 100

Visit the Royal Palace

 

Join a guided tour and get to know the Royal Palace from the inside this summer.

The Royal Palace is situated on a rise, the Bellevue, at one end of Oslo’s main thoroughfare, Karl Johans gate. The Palace is one of the country’s most important buildings, and a concrete symbol of the course of Norwegian history since 1814.

Building activities commenced in 1824, and the foundation stone was laid by King Carl Johan on 1 October 1825. The Palace was officially taken into use on 26 July 1849 by King Oscar I.

The Royal Palace is where the daily work of the monarchy is conducted and where the King and Queen live. It is where the King presides over the Council of State, grants audiences and holds official dinners. Foreign heads of state who visit Oslo stay at the Palace. Most of the members of the Royal Court have their workplace here.

Each year a special exhibition is arranged in connection with the guided tours. The 2007 exhibition is devoted to Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja, in honour of their 70th birthdays.

Guided tours will be given from Saturday 23 June through Sunday 12 August. The tours last about one hour and begin every 20 minutes.

Tours in English will be given at the following times:
Monday – Thursday and Saturday: 12.00, 14.00 and 14.20
Friday, Sunday and on the birthdays of members of the Royal Family (4 July and 20 July): 14.00, 14.20 and 16.00

Tickets
Tickets may be purchased at any Norwegian post office or by calling
+47 81 53 31 33. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the entrance before each tour.

Prices
Adults: NOK 95
Children, seniors and students: NOK 85
Children under three years: Free admission
Escorts of persons with disabilities are admitted free of charge

 

Oslo hosts unique outdoor photo exhibition

 

The free outdoor exhibition “Spirit of the Wild” displays 100 wildlife photographs by Steve Bloom. The exhibition will run until 30 September this year.

Situated on Rådhusplassen in front of the Nobel Peace Center, adjacent to Oslo City Hall, the exhibition is attracting thousands of visitors every day. With only a couple of hours of summer darkness, many people are coming at around midnight to see the pictures illuminated at night.

Steve Bloom is a photographic artist who specialises in evocative images of the natural world. His concern for the environment is strongly evident in his images.

The giant thought-provoking photographs serve to remind us of the fragility of the world, and our need to respect, protect and preserve it.

Taste your way through Norway in Oslo

 

This weekend you have the chance to taste delicious food from around Norway in Oslo’s main street Karl Johans gate. You can also have a little chat with the food producers.

The Farmer’s Market (Bondens marked) is a part of the event. At the market you will be able to buy farm produce directly from the farmers. Among the culinary delights you can choose from are meat, fruit, vegetables, jam, eggs, chocolate, fish, honey and ice cream. 

In addition there will be competitions, cooking lessons, activites for children, a café and beer from Norwegian micro breweries.

Friday 8 June: 12.00 – 18.00 
Saturday 9 June: 10.00 – 18.00
Sunday 10 June: 12.00 – 17.00