Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
States
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
(
&
800/311-3435;
www.cdc.gov) provides up-to-date
information on necessary vaccines and
health hazards by region or country.
(Their booklet,
Health Information for
International Travel,
is $25 by mail; on
the Internet, it's free.) Any foreign
consulate can provide a list of area
doctors who speak English. If you get
sick, consider asking your hotel
concierge to recommend a local
doctor—even his or her own. You can
also try the emergency room at a local
hospital; many have walk-in clinics
for emergency cases that are not
life-threatening.
STAYING SAFE
Norway has a relatively low crime rate
with rare, but increasing, instances of
violent crime. Most crimes involve the
theft of personal property from cars or
residences or in public areas. Pick-
pockets and purse-snatchers often
work in pairs or groups with one dis-
tracting the victim while another
grabs valuables. Often they operate in
or near major tourist attractions like
in central Oslo, especially at restau-
rants, museums, bars, buses, and sub-
way trains. Hotel breakfast rooms and
lobbies attract professional, well-
dressed thieves who blend in with
guests and target purses and briefcases
left unguarded by unsuspecting visi-
tors and business travelers. Valuables
should not be left unguarded in
parked vehicles.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S.
passport should be reported immedi-
ately to the local police and the near-
est U.S. embassy or consulate. If you
are the victim of a crime while over-
seas, in addition to reporting to local
police, contact the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate for assistance.
The embassy/consulate staff can, for
example, assist you in finding appro-
priate medical care, contact family
members or friends, and explain how
funds could be transferred. Although
the investigation and prosecution of
the crime is solely the responsibility of
local authorities, consular officers can
help you understand the local criminal
justice process and find an attorney if
needed.
U.S. citizens may refer to the
Department of State's pamphlet
A
Safe Trip Abroad
for ways to promote
a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet
is available by mail from the
Super-
intendent of Documents, U.S. Gov-
ernment Printing Office,
Washing-
ton, DC 20402, via the Internet at
www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau
of Consular Affairs home page at
http://travel.state.gov.
8 Specialized Travel Resources
There are a number of resources and
organizations in both North America
and Britain to assist travelers with spe-
cial needs in planning their trips to
Norway.
TRAVELERS WITH
DISABILITIES
Norway has been in the vanguard of
providing services for people with dis-
abilities. In general, trains, airlines,
ferries, and department stores and
malls are accessible. For information
about wheelchair access, ferry and air
travel, parking, and other matters,
contact the appropriate tourist board
(see “Visitor Information,” earlier in
this chapter).
The
Norwegian Association of the
Disabled,
Schweigaardsgt #12, 9217
Grønland, 0185 Oslo (
&
24-10-24-
00;
www.nhf.no), provides useful
information.
If you're flying around Norway or
Europe in general, the airline and
ground staff can help you on and off
planes and reserve seats with enough
legroom, but you must arrange for this
