Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Hardangerfjord, centered
around the town of Loftus, former
retreat of composer Edvard Grieg
and other well-known artists. You
can take in the scenery of this
fjord either by a boat ride or a
motor trip along its shores. The
fjord stretches a total distance of
179km (111 miles), and there are
panoramic waterfalls on each of its
banks. Along the way, you can
take in views of the Folgefonna,
Norway's third-largest glacier,
stretching for 37km (22 miles).
See p. 298.
11 The Best Wildlife Viewing
•
Dovrefjell National Park:
In cen-
tral Norway, Dovrefjell (p. 206) is
one of Norway's great national
parks. You can see reindeer in the
park, and it's also a habitat for the
wolverine and the arctic fox, but
don't count on seeing these elusive
creatures. Many visitors come here
just for a glimpse of the musk ox.
While this unusual species almost
vanished during World War II,
careful breeding has brought it
back in very limited herds. To see
the rare animal, which may not
make it through the century, you
need to go on one of the safaris
conducted by
Moskus Safari
Dovrefjell.
See p. 208.
•
Rondane Nasjonalpark:
Entered
through the little town of Jeska,
this national park was the first
ever to open in Norway, having
been created in 1962. Peppered
with little lakes and rivers, the
park is famous throughout Nor-
way for being inhabited by more
than two dozen types of animals,
including reindeer. Rondane is
also home to some 125 different
species of birds, making it a regu-
lar birder's Valhalla. See p. 206.
•
The Puffins of Vaerøy:
In the
remote Lofoten Islands in the
north of Norway, you'll come
across one of Europe's great bird-
watching retreats. The thinly pop-
ulated island is the nesting place
for more than 1.5 million
seabirds, including sea eagles,
auks, guillemots, kittiwakes, cor-
morants, the arctic tern, petrels,
gulls, and other species, which
breed from May to August. Many
birders come here just to see the
famous puffins at the seabird
rookeries. See p. 424.
12 The Best Hotels
•
Grand Hotel
(Oslo;
&
800/223-
5652
in the U.S., or 23-21-20-
00): This is Norway's premier
hotel, the last of Oslo's classic old-
world palaces. It opened in 1874
and is still going strong. Ibsen and
Munch were regular visitors. Con-
stant renovations keep the hotel
up-to-date and in great shape. The
opulent suites house the Nobel
Peace Prize winner every year. See
p. 81.
•
Hotel Bristol
(Oslo;
&
22-82-
60-00
): Inspired by Edwardian-
era British taste, the interior
design is the most lavish and
ornate in Oslo. You'll enter a
world of rich paneling, leather
chairs, glittering chandeliers, and
carved pillars. The most inviting
area is the bar off the lobby, deco-
rated in a library motif. The guest
rooms boast painted classic fur-
nishings and rich fabrics. See
p. 84.
•
Skagen Brygge Hotell
(Stavanger;
&
51-85-00-00
): Southwestern
Norway's most architecturally
impressive hotel at the harborfront
duplicates the look of a string of
