OSLO The capitol of Norway, and has in excess of approximately 510,000 inhabitants. Oslo is surrounded by forest and fjord. The Krogskogen forest was the setting for many Norwegian folk tales about princesses, kings, penniless heroes, and the inevitable forest trolls. From this observation tower in the summer, you can look down on hundreds of sailboats, motorboats, and windsurfers among the numerous islands of the Oslo archipelago. Nearly all visitors want to see Holmenkollen, a wooded range of hills northwest of the city rising to about 1,740 feet. You can reach it in 35 minutes by electric train from the city center. The Munch Museum devoted to the works of Edvard Munch (1863-1944), Scandinavia's leading painter, this collection was his gift to the city. It traces his work from early realism to latter-day expressionism. The exhibits change periodically. His work can also be found in the National Gallery, the University and the City Hall. Oslo is made for walking - in fact, you can walk from the Central Station all the way to the Royal Palace in a straight line. Except for excursions to the museum-loaded Bygdøy peninsula and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, most attractions can be covered on foot. Oslo is not neatly divided into separate neighborhoods or districts. It consists mainly of central Oslo, with the Central Station to the east of the city center and the Royal Palace to the west. Karl Johans Gate, the principal street, connects these two points. There are almost 50 museums and galleries in central Oslo, enough to fill many a rainy day. The most interesting include Akershus Castle, the Historical Museum, and the National Gallery. The streets Drammensveien and Frognerveien lead northwest to Frogner Park (whose main entrance is on Kirkeveien). This historical area is the site of the Vigeland Sculpture Park, which displays some masterpieces of Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943). The Old Town lies south of the Parliament Building (the Stortinget) and Karl Johans Gate. This section contains some of the city´s old-fashioned restaurants, along with the Norwegian Resistance Museum and the Old Town Hall. Aker Brygge is Oslo´s newest neighborhood. It emerged near the mouth of the Oslofjord in the old wharf area formerly used for shipbuilding yards. Fueled by oil wealth, steel-and-glass buildings now rise from what had been a relatively dilapidated section. Some of the best shops, theaters, restaurants, and cultural attractions are here, along with apartments for such well-heeled owners. The Akershus Fortress, Norway´s Resistance Museum, the Prison Museum, the Armed Forces Museum, Holmenkollen, Ski Museum, Aker Brygge, Oslo Cathedral, the City Hall, the Royal Palace, the University, the Nobel Institute, the Historical Museum, the National Gallery, the National Theatre, the Astrup Fearnly Museum, the Children´s Art Museum, the Ibsen Museum, the Parliamant Building, the Munch Museum, the Vigeland Sculpture Park / Museum, the Botanic Garden, the Zoological Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Polar Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki / Ra Museum, Henie Onstad Art Center. DRAMMEN Drammen the capital of Buskerud with a population of approximately 57.000 inhabitants. It is a fact that Drammen is the native town of the Line Aquavit. A town with a special atmosphere. Whether you visit here in connection with a conference or convention, for a sporting or musical event or as a tourist interested in culture and exciting adventures. See Bragernes Torg and the Tower Buildigs, The Stock Enchange, over the bridge to Strømsø Torg, and a popular recidental area Gyldeløve Brygge. Experience Drammens Theatre outside and inside. See Gulskogen estate from 1804, a pearl among manors, featuring a rococco park with peacoks and guinea hens, canals and a love maze, Austad estate the empire building, the beautiful Park is open all year round. Enjoy the view from Spiraltoppen, (Spiralen the roof of Drammen), and Haukås, visit the Open-Air Museum or the Konnerud Mines. Round Spiraltoppen runs a dense network of lit skitracks, marked paths to woodland lakes, cultural monuments and eating places. On the ridge below Spiraltoppen you can follow the old footpaths, built by citizens more than hundred years ago, and visit Åspavlijongen. The Hamborgstrøm Forest with 200-year-old trees has a rich flora and fauna. Take a cruise on the river or in the harbour and fjord, go fishing and swimming. In the centre of town, there is also a wonderful open-air pool with play tools for children. A wilderness walk in Kjøsterudjuvet ravine is another great attraction among the many that Drammen has to offer. At the banks of the Drammen River at the very same place as it has been since 1834, lies AASS Brewery Norway´s oldest brewery. The Drammen river from Filtvet, Holmestrand, Rødtangen, Svelvik, Engersand, Gyldeløve Brygge, see the largest selection of orchids in Norway to Hellefossen - one of the best salmon rivers in the country, where more than 40 species of fish have been registered. Safari up the Drammen River with 2 boats. MODUM Nature, trolls and art the artists´ valley! Blaafarveværket cobalt mines is situated in beautiful surroundings, here you can take a tour of the mine, visit the exhibitions and see Haugfossen, the tallest waterfall in eastern Norway. The Blaafarveværket cobalt mine has something for everyone with its many interesting activities ranging from the mine itself to a mill, children's farm and much more. From here Sigdal, following the Simoa river where you can find pearl mussels. If you are interested in costume, we recommend that you visit Sigdal Eggedal Museum´s beautiful costume collection.

Visits to Theodor Kittelsen´s home, Lauvlia, and Hagan, the home of Christian Skredsvig, show how two of Norway´s most famous artists lived and worked. With its collection of Kittelsen´s many fairy-tale illustrations and toys, Lauvlia is, without doubt, a popular destination for children. The fact that Krødsherad is a fairy-tale place will be apparent even before you leave the RV 7, as you pass Bjørøya with its Villa Fridheim fairy-tale museum. This is a spot which will appeal to the imagination of both children and adults alike. A trip by steam train on the Krøderbanen railway trom Vikersund to Krøderen is also to be recommended. And if the train has gone, you can cycle after it or chase it on the handcart. A boat trip on board the Kryllingen along Krøderen or horse riding on the beautiful wild slopes of Norefjell which climb to 1,166 metres above sea level are both experiences you will never forget. Well worth a visit is Ringnes Gard, one of Norway´s oldest freehold farms, which has a 350-year old store house and a fascinating history. There is also a wide range of hunting and fishing on offer in Norefjell. And remember you will find all this only 110 km from Oslo. A rollercoaster ride from fjords to mountains. From Gol in the direction of Leira in Valdres. From Fagernes towards Tyin. Travelling through beautiful farmland, you will pass several old churches. Turn off to Årdal at the Tyin junction and enjoy the mountain views across Jotunheimen. The steep descents into Årdal are quite hair-raising! Continue on to Lærdal and Lærdalsøyri with its specially protected buildings. You can also visit the Villakssenteret and Borgund stave church, possibly the most beautiful of all the stave churches, which dates from the 12th century. Travelling along you will come to Hemsedal´s characteristic mountains. As you head back to Gol, you will pass the Hydnefossen and Rjukanfossen waterfalls cascading down the mountainside. A unique journey through some of Norway´s most beautiful scenery. This is the starting point for the Bergensbanen railway. Board the train at Myrdal station and travel along Flåmsbana railway´s beautiful, wild track down to Sognefjord and Flåm. A boat will then take you out of Aurlandsfjord and into Nærøyfjord. Here you will find Gudvangen, surrounded by snow-capped mountains towering as high as 1,800 metres. From here the trip continues by coach through the narrow Nærøydalen valley and up the once notorious Stalheimskleivene ascent. It is now a beautiful journey which takes you over to Voss, where you meet the Bergensbanen railway once again. Tickets for the whole journey can be purchased at NSB (Norwegian State Railways) stations. Fjord trips in Hardanger Board the M/S Vøringen and enjoy a fjord cruise on the spectacular Hardangerfjord. When you return to dry land, be sure to visit such attractions as Stream Nest and Hjadlane Galleri in Ulvik and Hardanger Feriepark in Kinsarvik. Vøringsfossen waterfall on the edge of northern Europe´s largest mountain plateau, forms an impressive gateway to one of Norway´s most beautiful areas in Hardanger. Famous artists such as Tidemand and Gude, Hamsun, Grieg, Kinck and Tveitt have all sought inspiration here, among the snow-covered mountains, blossoming orchards and deep fjords. Both their works and the nature of Hardanger live on, for us to enjoy, creating memories we will never forget. Go behind Steinsdalsfossen waterfall and watch the water thunder down in front of you.Or perhaps you fancy strapping on your skis at Folgefonna´s summer ski centre and enjoying the view of Hardangerfjord one kilometre beneath you. Don´t miss out on a visit to a farm in the orchard area of Lofthus, the Hardanger Folkemuseum at Utne. Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter, the national wooden boat centre, is located in Norheimsund. It is a working museum, with ongoing restoration work, a boat collection and a diorama. Also worth a visit is West Norway Industrial Museum (Vestnorsk Industristadmuseum) in Tyssedal If you are looking for an adventure for the whole family, take the tramway up Mageli. At Bu you can see Hardanger´s shyest inhabitant, the deer. Although Kjeåsen mountain farm is located in a very sheltered spot, 600 metres above the fjord, it is possible to reach it by car. Other attractions in the area which are not to be missed include Hardangervidda Natursenter in Eidfjord with its superb video show, exhibitions and aquarium, and Måbødalen. BERGEN Bergen, fjord-Norway´s capital surrounded by seven mountains, boasts nearly 1000 years´experience in welcoming people from abroad. And Bergen is worth a visit: the Gateway to the Fjords, has always something to offer no matter what time of year. There´s always a party or a celebration going on in Bergen, and if there isn´t one, we´ll find an excuse! Bergen is an international town full of historie and tradition. The city with its approximately 240.000 inhabitants is a spectacular amphitheatre clambering up the mountainsides, looking over the sea, embracing you. Wander along the Fish Market and mingle with the masses as they go about their daily life. Stroll leisurely to the Aquarium to see the fish, the penguins and the seals. Walk the length of Bryggen to the old fortress of Bergenhus. Perhaps you have an appreciation for old-style painters such as J.C. Dahl or more modern ones like Munch or Picasso, perhaps you´re interested in architecture or history, technical skills or maritime matters. The old parts of town are living history and our museums and galleries keep both art and our ancestral heritage alive. The Hanseatic wharf Bryggen, the Fish Market, composer Edvard Grieg´s home at Troldhaugen, Rasmus Meyer´s art collection, the Aquarium and Old Bergen, just to mention a few. Tradition, initiative and drive has made Bergen one of Norway´s most vigorous cultural towns. It isn´t merely by chance that Norway´s biggest cultural event, the Bergen International Festival,is held here each year. The very first buildings in Bergen were alongside the harbour called Bryggen. Bryggen has been the nervecentre of the city for hundreds of years and the silhouette of it´s ancient gables is perhaps the most familiar image in all of Norway. Bryggen is now on UNESCO´s World Heritage List and the city of Bergen is a designated World Heritage City. The Fjord Capital has a, vide variety of activities ranging from culture to lively football matches at the Brann Stadium. We have a professional ballet company, an exciting jazz and blues milieu, repertory theatres and imaginative revues. Norway´s very first theatre, Den Nationale Scene, and the Bergen International Theatre offer a broad spectrum of performances, while one of the world´s oldest symphony orchestras, Harmonien, holds Thursday concerts in the town´s splendid Grieg Hall. The World´s Most Beautiful Voyage starts or end in Bergen. It´s a voyage like no other. Nothing can compare with it. Nothing about this journey will resemble anything you have ever experienced before. A ticket for the Coastal Express (Hurtigruten) is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you.