Holmenkollen ski jump

The Holmenkollen ski jump, located in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway, is host to the world's second oldest ski jump competition still in existence (the oldest being hosted by a small, local club named Medicinernes Skiklub Svartor in nearby Seterkollen).
Since then the capacity of the stands have been increased to over 50,000 people and the jump has been extended 18 times, last time in 1982. Today's tower extends 60 meters above ground, and 417 metres above sea level. The current record of 136 meters was achieved by Tommy Ingebrigtsen of Norway on 25 January 2006.^{[dated info]}

Tower Bridge

London

First Blog Post From Norway

Hello from Kirkenes, Norway !!!

Today is Friday the 12th and the photo of me to the left is leaving LAX on Tuesday the 9th.

We have been non-stop since then with a flight everyday, shleping luggage to and from airports, buses, taxi's and hotels... We are currently in our last hotel before boarding the ship tomorrow and are now traveling with 22 people comprised of Travel Agents and their spouses or traveling companions and WE CAN'T WAIT to GET TO THE SHIP so that we can unpack and stay awhile while enjoying the scenery and take a load off.....

Having said that we have been having a fantastic time in Norway!!!!!

It is absolutely incredible here and like nothing I have ever experienced. For the first thing it is not nearly as cold as we had anticipated... Today we are 69* Latitude... and 1.5 miles from the Russian Border. This town has a much larger population and is the housing is fairly modern. The houses are all built and look the same but are brightly colored as they are the only colors in contrast to the bright, bright beautiful whiteness of the snow that surrounds them..

Kirkenes is a town in the municipality of Sør-Varanger in the county of Finnmark with a population of about 3,300, or about 7,300 if the neighbouring suburban areas of Hesseng, Sandnes and Bjørnevatn ^[1] are included. Kirkenes is located in the extreme northeastern part of Norway on the Bøkfjorden, a branch of the Varanger Fjord, which is a vast bay connected to the Barents Sea near the Russian-Norwegian border. The town is situated about 240 miles (400 km) north of the Arctic Circle.

Unlike the vast majority of Norway, Kirkenes is located east of the neighbouring country of Finland. Because of this, travelling directly west from Kirkenes actually changes the timezone forward instead of backward, like it usually does. Travelling directly east from Kirkenes (into Russia) changes the timezone forward by two hours instead of one.

One can drive 100 km south, and walk 10 km, into the Øvre Pasvik National Park, reaching the border point of the three countries, where the three timezones meet. There are only a few such places in the world. It is forbidden, according to Russian law, to walk around the marker, since entering Russia is only allowed at a border control.

We are spending the night at the Rica Arctic Hotel.  It is very lovely, modern, the rooms are large with large deep bathtubs which I immediately filled up with hot water and jumped into as soon as I got off the bus, before venturing out for some exploring and picture taking...  There is a large lounge with sofa's, conversation areas, internet cafe, free wi-fi hotel wide and hot coffee.

Tonight we are headed out for dog sledding, a visit to the Ice Hotel and hopefully see the northern lights.  I will be taking the camera and video camera with the tri-pod out to see if we can get some good shots.

I basically wanted to jump in here and say hello.  I am going to throw a couple of pics up for you and chat with you a bit later.  Hopefully more tonight or tomorrow morning while the wi-fi is free and I think I will have some time....

Here are a couple of pics to show  you where we have been..  (first actual day was an overnight to London....)

Day 1 London, only a couple of hours in the hop on, hop off bus so pics are all from the moving bus.... !!!     Fish and Chips in a pub that night.

Day 2 Oslo,   FANTASTIC Tour and night there....

Day 3 Here....

IMG00268-20100312-1002.jpg

Kirkenes airport way above the arctic circle!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Want to Sail the Med with us in Europe Summer 2011 ????

Magic 9 day Med/Europe May 2011

 Want to Go with Us ????

Owners, Joe and Nancy and Associate Agent Alicia and her husband Hip will be onboard !!!

 

9 Day Mediterranean (05/1/11)

Port of call	Arrival	Departure
Venice, Italy		6:00 PM
"Fun Day" at Sea	At Sea	At Sea
Dubrovnik, Croatia	7:00 AM	7:00 PM
"Fun Day" at Sea	At Sea	At Sea
Messina, Italy	7:00 AM	6:00 PM
Naples, Italy	7:00 AM	7:00 PM
Rome (Civitavecchia) Italy	7:00 AM	10:00 PM
Livorno, Italy	7:00 AM	7:00 PM
Montecarlo, Monaco	7:00 AM	4:00 PM
Barcelona, Spain	7:00 AM

We are sailing on the very first, inaugural, as it stands now, sailing and the one and only ONE WAY, 9 night sailing of the 2011 season that the Carnival Magic will do.  This is a one way Venice to Barcelona sailing leaving time on either end of the 9 days to have a day or two in Venice AND Barcelona and still take a 2 week vacation. This is a great way to see the most sought after ports of Europe on a brand new ship with the economical pricing and FUN of Carnival !!!

We have locked in the best available pricing and will be offering Bon Voyage Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries along with $100 OBC.  

This is a limited time offer.  Make your reservations by 4/29/2010  Full Payment not due until 1/15/2011.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will debut with a schedule of seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Barcelona from May to October 2011. This marks Carnival’s first full season of Mediterranean cruises in three years, as well as the first time the line has homeported a ship in Barcelona.

To commemorate the line’s return to Europe, for the first time ever Carnival is offering an exclusive pre-sale for past guests from January 19 to January 25, including complimentary two-category upgrades, along with special pricing with rates starting at just $829 per person, based on double occupancy.

. 

 The 130,000-ton Carnival Magic will offer a host of features popularized on its sister ship Carnival Dream, including a WaterWorks aqua park, a stunning café/live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza; Serenity adults-only retreat; spacious, modern facilities for children and teens; and a wide range of stateroom categories. Several innovations unique to the Carnival Magic will be announced in the coming months.

Cahill added, “Making the decision to return to Europe is an indicator of our confidence in the increasing willingness of North Americans to travel internationally as we move toward 2011.”

Carnival Magic’s 2011 Mediterranean schedule will encompass three seven-day departures, six nine-day cruises, and eight 12-day voyages round-trip from Barcelona May 10 – October 16, 2011. A special one-time nine-day voyage from Venice to Barcelona will operate May 1-10, 2011.

Each of the three itineraries start and end on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, which reflects consumers’ traditional vacation patterns and provides convenient opportunities for adding a pre- and post-cruise stay. 

Seven-day cruises will feature Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Livorno, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples and Messina, Italy.  Departure dates include July 3, 10 and 17, 2011.

Nine-day cruises will call at Marseilles, France – the line’s first call at this charming coastal town – followed by Monte Carlo (excluding the August 26 departure); Livorno, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, and Messina; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  Voyages will operate June 3 and 24, August 5 and 26, September 16, and October 7, 2011.

The special nine-day cruise departing May 1 will visit Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina, Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia), Livorno; and Monte Carlo.

The 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages will feature Monte Carlo or Marseilles; Livorno, Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples; Dubrovnik (excluding the May 22 departure which will visit Palma de Mallorca); Venice (overnight call) and Messina. These voyages will depart May 10 and 22, June 12, July 24, August 14, September 4 and 25, and October 16, 2011.

On the Carnival Magic’s Mediterranean cruises, guests can sample the region’s renowned cuisine, experience unique sightseeing opportunities, view stunning architecture and visit centuries-old historical landmarks and museums.

All three itineraries will operate round-trip from Barcelona, a bustling, cosmopolitan city whose modern cruise terminal is considered one of the finest in Europe. 

As the line’s newest ship, Carnival Magic will offer a host of on-board amenities and facilities, including Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue with full bar service, a patisserie and a dance floor; Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat offering magnificent sea views; and The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade encircling the ship with cantilevered whirlpools that will extend over the ship’s sides.

Carnival Magic will also build upon the line’s distinction as the family cruise leader, with dedicated facilities and programming for children in three age groups – Camp Carnival (2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) – along with a miniature golf course and an expansive WaterWorks aqua park with multiple water slides and other features.

Extensive formal and casual dining options, including two two-level main dining rooms, an expansive poolside Lido restaurant, an elegant steakhouse serving U.S.D.A. prime dry-aged beef, a sushi bar, and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service, will also be available.

High-tech features aboard the Carnival Magic will include the Fun Hub, a comprehensive intranet portal and shipboard social network, along with ship-wide Wi-Fi access. Health-conscious guests will enjoy a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa featuring a thalassotherapy pool, thermal suite and elaborate spa and gymnasium facilities.

Carnival Magic will also feature 1,845 staterooms – the most ever on a Carnival ship – and will offer a wide range of accommodation categories.  These include the affordable cove balconies, located on Deck 2 and closer to the water line, and a wide range of staterooms including deluxe ocean views with two-bathrooms, some of which feature five berths. 

Contact us at 307.278.9663 or NReal@cruiseone.com

www.nreal.cruiseone.com

Luggage Update

By the way,  I forgot to tell you that I ended up paying $87.00 for the large Sub-O bag and $110 for the spinner carry on   BOTH are by International Traveller.  

I purchased them and the Camera/Loptop Bag at my favorite website for Bags of all kinds.  www.ebags.com  They have fantastic selection, pricing, service and shipping.  I also love the way the is built and the customer comments which I rely on quite a bit.  The different ways to search are helpful too.  I.E. best sellers, highest rated, etc.

I am about to start the packing.....  all my items have arrived for the trip and are assembled.  Now we just have to see if we can cram them all in and what has to stay home.....

How to Travel Around the World By Airplane

How to Travel Around the World By Airplane

February 22, 2010 at 9:35 AM | by kjb | 1 Comment

If the usual travel destinations have gotten a little boring, it might be time to consider something a little more adventurous. Traveling around the world is slightly intimidating, but doing it by airplane isn’t too tricky. There are plenty of options for flying around the globe, and there’s three main ways to get you to and from your home with time for pit stops on most continents. The best part is things are somewhat flexible, so feel free to skip over countries you’ve seen before or ones you’d rather avoid. Here’s a rundown of where to go to get things done.

· Star Alliance
Star Alliance is ready, willing, and able to take you to your dream destinations, and they can do it with help from lots of airlines including United Airlines, ANA, and Singapore Airlines. Tickets are priced depending on total mileage planned for your trip, and you can choose from 29,000, 34,000, or 39,000 miles. For those that enjoy the pain and suffering of a seat in the back of the plane, there’s a special economy option available with a 26,000 mileage allowance—in case you only have a week to finish exploring.
Once you’ve gotten the cash together to plan an adventure you’ll need to decide which way to travel around the globe. You can go either east or west, but all travel needs to continue in that direction once it has begun. Stopovers—that’s when you get to escape the plane—are stays for more than 24 hours. You’ll need to include at least three of them, but you can do as many as 15. If you go with the special economy ticket you are limited to a maximum of only five stops—bummer.

Click Here for the rest of the article and a really cool Blog!

JFK runway closure to rattle nerves, wallets

It might be a good idea to avoid flying to, from or through JFK for awhile.  Thanks to Mary for pointing this info out!

By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP, AP Transportation Writer Samantha Bomkamp, Ap Transportation Writer –

Mon Mar 1, 2:11 am ET

NEW YORK – One runway, a whole lot of problems.

The main runway at New York's John F. Kennedy International will be closed for four months starting March 1. Millions of travelers will experience delays — including some not flying anywhere near the Big Apple.

With about one-third of JFK's traffic and half of its departures being diverted to three smaller runways, planes will wait on longer lines on the ground for takeoffs and in the air for landings. Delays at one of the nation's largest airports will ripple to cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orlando.

Passengers using JFK also face another headache — higher ticket prices. JetBlue, American, Delta and other airlines have cut their schedules by about 10 percent for the shutdown period. They can raise prices because there will be a smaller number of seats to meet demand.

JFK's Bay Runway, at 14,572 feet, is one of the longest commercial runways in the world. It's a backup landing spot for the space shuttle, which has its next mission in April. The runway is being repaved with concrete instead of less-durable asphalt and widened to accommodate today's bigger planes.

The project will affect at least the first month of the peak travel season, which officially starts on Memorial Day. But the chosen four-month period was picked because it's the driest in the New York area, making weather-related construction delays less likely. Of course, prompt completion isn't certain. A similar runway repair in Minneapolis last year created thousands of delays when it was slowed by unseasonably wet weather.

Click Here for more

Quake closes Santiago airport for three days; cruise ships wait out tsunami - Just In! | Travel News - MiamiHerald.com

Miami Herald staff and wire services

The airport in Santiago, Chile was closed for up to three days after a catastrophic earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.8, struck early Saturday.

Avianca and Copa airlines both announced they were cancelling flights to Santiago at least on Saturday and Sunday. An Avianca flight headed from Bogota to Santiago Saturday morning was diverted first to Mendoza, Argentina, and then to Buenos Aires.

Among the flights affected: nonstop flights by American and LAN airlines from Miami to Santiago.

The Santiago airport suffered major damage, including smashed windows, partially collapsed ceilings and destroyed pedestrian walkways in the passenger terminals.

Santiago's subway was shut as well and hundreds of buses were trapped at a terminal by a damaged bridge.

Chile's main seaport, in Valparaiso about 75 miles from Santiago, was ordered closed while damage was assessed.

Princess Cruises said it had changed some of its port calls Saturday and Sunday as a result of the quake, but it expected that its Star Princess would be able to dock in Valparaiso as scheduled on Tuesday and depart later that same day on another cruise.

Holland America Line had four ships in the Pacific Ocean at the time of the quake but said none was affected, although the ms Zaandam and ms Maasdam remained in open ocean until the risk of a tsunami caused by the quake passed.

The quake struck after concert-goers had left South America's leading music festival in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, where organizers canceled performances on Saturday, the final night of the festival. But it caught partiers leaving a disco.

``It was very bad. People were screaming. Some people were running, others appeared paralyzed. I was one of them,'' Julio Alvarez told Radio Cooperativa.

A tsunami set off by the early-morning quake also affected travel as it rushed ashore in parts of Hawaii and French Polynesia, but no serious damage was immediately reported. In Hawaii, where 100,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and roads into Waikiki were closed, waves were in 20-minute surges at 5.5 feet in Hilo and 6 feet at Maui.

Hilo International Airport, located along the coast, was closed.

The Port of Honolulu was closed in anticipation of the tsunami. Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, which cruises the Hawaiian islands, had been scheduled to dock in Honolulu Saturday morning, but instead remained at sea where it rode out the tsunami.

Nearly 50 countries and island chains remained under tsunami warnings, from Antartica to Russia's far northeast.

Let's talk about the Hurtigruten Cruise Line

I thought today we would start out by talking about what inspired this trip which was the allure of cruising a different type of ship and the beautiful, awe inspiring scenery that this area of the world offers.

Today I want to talk about the Hurtigruten Cruiseline itself and the Ships.  Now of course I am only going to be able to speak of what I know about them now...  I am certain I will come back with much more first hand knowledge and share that with you later.

For more than 115 years Hurtigruten have been a part of the coastal areas of Norway. With our experience in polar areas the company have become an international travel industry company with an unique product.

This is from Wikipedia.......


Hurtigruten or Hurtigruta (literally "Express Route", but sometimes referred to as Norwegian Coastal Express in English) is a Norwegian passenger and freight line with daily sailings along Norway's spectacular western and northern coast. Ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip journey in 11 days. The trip has been described as the "World's Most Beautiful Sea Voyage." Highlights include the Hanseatic League city of Bergen, the Geiranger fjord (summer only), and the Lofoten Islands.

Richard With - the founder of Hurtigruten

So when a seasoned Norwegian sea captain called Richard With proposed a regular steam ship service to link northern and southern Norway many saw it as unrealistic folly. Originally intended as a weekly daylight service from Trondheim to Hammerfest, delivering mail, cargo and passengers, this audacious mariner then proposed to extend the service to travel both day and night, winter and summer. His intention was to sail through waters that at this juncture had still not been mapped, through a landscape that for centuries had only been accessible from the sea.

The Most Important Communication Link

For 90 years the Coastal Express became the most important communication link between the north and south and it is from these pioneering voyages that the Hurtigruten tradition stems. Translating as ‘fast route’, it was the quickest and most reliable passage into the remote lands of northern Norway, regardless of weather conditions. Indeed it was not until 1983 that the mail delivery was finally entrusted to road and air routes. It is this heritage and experience that marks out Hurtigruten as one of the most professional and proficient expedition voyage operations on earth.

The Pioneering Years

During the middle of the 19th century a few steamers plied the waters along Norway’s northern coast in an attempt by the Norwegian government to unify the country. In 1893 the government offered permission for a regular route to be opened up, an offer rejected by all but one man – Richard With. On 2 July 1893, Captain With and his ship the Vesterålen sailed from Trondheim on a journey to Hammerfest that was to take 67 hours and arrive 20 minutes ahead of schedule! Realizing the journey was possible a number of other companies joined under the Hurtigruten banner.

The War Years

Following Norway’s independence in 1905, the Great War of 1914 saw the next development in the Hurtigruten story. Kirkenes was included in the route, whilst the reduced production and increased cost of coal deliveries from England resulted in the service being drastically reduced. The Depression years then saw the route regularly disrupted, before the Coastal Express began a boom period, with 1936 seeing the beginning of a daily sailing from Bergen. There were now 14 ships linking the coastal communities, visiting more ports than ever and transporting some 230,000 passengers annually. The Second World War heralded a dark time for Hurtigruten; suffering the loss of 9 ships and some 700 people, with ironically the Allies destroying twice as many vessels as Germany.

Rebirth and the Future

Following the war it was vital to rebuild the fleet as quickly as possible. The first 4 commissioned ships set new standards in comfort and service, quickly followed by 11 more over the following decade. The latter years of the 20th century saw Hurtigruten’s role change, as cars became more popular and the ship's original remit changed. New ships were built with passenger comfort in mind, with more cabins and panoramic lounges included to accommodate a new kind of traveler. A new generation of ships was built between 1993 and 2007, ensuring that today we have a fleet of custom designed vessels capable of safely negotiating not only the rugged coastal waters of Norway and the Arctic, but also the remote lands of Spitsbergen and Greenland and the southern oceans off Antarctica. Now, the idea for me of being on a ship that is a full working ship, stopping all times of day and night delivering supplies, mail, packages, people, vehicles to remote areas of the world that are inaccessible by any other means besides the sea just really struck a note with me of pure adventure. I also wondered what type of people I might mean on such a voyage both the passengers traveling on the ship, tourists and the people of Norway using it as transportation to and from their homes but of course the people in port when we have a chance to get off the ship,  (which is not at all ports of course as the ship might only stop for 15 minutes to take things off and pick up others).

 

I wanted to tell you that we will stop 34 times in 6 days on our Journey.  

The 6-day Southbound journey begins in Kirkenes in the far north of Norway near the Russian border and ends in the Hanseatic town of Bergen.  This voyage calls on the same 34 ports of call as the Classic voyage.

That is a bit of history of the Ships and Hurtigruten.  

This week I will fill you in a bit on our upcoming trip while I have the internet usage in abundance and can grab photo's and other things online to make the posts full of information and then on my trip I will share what I am experiencing...

I hope you like it!  If there is anything you want to know make sure you leave it or anything else in the comments below the posts!

Sail with us to Mexico - 3 night 4/30/10

We have 3 cabins left... On the Carnival Paradise 4 day/3 night sailing LA to Ensenada with a really fun group.  Hundreds less than going rate with $50 Onboard Credit, 2 bottles of wine and a welcome aboard cocktail party..    I only have them until Monday 3/1 and then they go back to Carnival.  Come with us!  Call me for pricing!

Mom and I go on a Norweigan Adventure!

Beginning a week from next Tuesday, on March 9th, 2010,  My mom, Mary, and I will be leaving on a Jet Plane to travel to Europe for our first time ever!  We are beginning with an 11 hour flight on Virgin Atlantic LA to London.  Before moving on to I am sure is THE Coldest Place on the Planet.  I am just sure of it which my husband can attest to by all the winter sales I have been hitting online.  

We are going above the Arctic Circle,  a place I would never have thought I would be,  and when I checked the weather last it was a brisk -14* F, with wind chills making it -30* F.  Now the people in Norway are telling me not to worry that March is *nice*, like spring, they tell me...  What I want to know is WHO'S  spring.  Certainly not mine......  I live in the Mojave Desert in California...  My winters are probably warmer than there summers....   :-)  But I digress.

I have posted the general itinerary below so you can get the gist of where we will be and what we are doing and I have done everything possible to hopefully be able to blog right from my blackberry to the blog from wherever I am.  Now, having said that........  I said hopefully.

I did order a RedFly for my Blackberry last week which I had great hopes for...   Unfortunately I couldn't find the current model available anywhere sooooo I ordered someone's used one on EBay hoping to save me a few bucks.  When I got it the screen has been cracked.  I really think it must have happened in shipping and will try and get my $$$ back but now I am stuck with trying to get another keyboard in time for my trip.  

I think I am going to go with the Freedom Pro for now and then sell it when I can get my hands on a new RedFly CN8.

I really want to be able to do my e-mail communications and writing from my BB with no internet connection time being used on the ship, etc.  It would make life so much easier, less cumbersome and less expensive for me...

OK,   so we are working on that...  One week to go.

Now the packing and luggage is another story.

Since we have 5 different flights, 6 different hotel stays and 2 train trips, we needed to travel light....... BUT stay warm, which entails, heavier, bulkier items.  We decided one checked bag which can only weigh 44#'s for international flights on SAS, and one carry on.  I am also bringing a photo, laptop combo backpack for my technical equipement.

So I went on a mission.  

I have been meaning to rethink my luggage for awhile.  Having been on 8 different ships in the last 5 months and all the hotels, trains and airplanes that go with it, I decided I needed to do something about my luggage.  The constraints that the airlines have put on us was taking it's toll and especially with my traveling solo a bit of the time it makes life harder in airports, etc if you have to much with you...  Taking all my stuff with me to the bathroom just had to stop!

My final choices had to meet these criteria: 


I wanted ONE bag for check on that was:

• as light as possible
• as roomy as possible
• no hard sided luggage (no possibility of cramming more in)
• good wheels (preferably spinners but not mandatory) 
• had outside pockets
• durable
• had high ratings with reviewers
• under $175
• was not ugly 

I wanted ONE carry-on that was:

•  #1  HAD TO BE SPINNERS  to go down the aisle sideways.  I am tired of carrying my bag through the airplane aisles.  Dr say's NO also.
• as large in dimensions as allowable
• easy to pack, not alot of inside pockets (I have my camera backpack for laptop, fragile items)
• no hard sided...  see above.  easier to fit in overhead bins
• high ratings
• outside pockets for travel docs
• was under $125
• again not ugly

This is what I ended up with:  and I am THRILLED !!!!!!!!

It is the Sub-0-G  weighing in at 6.4# !!!  It is light as a feather and really big inside.  I will tell you how it works when I get back.  I bought it here E-Bags $89.00 and free shipping.

I also bought THIS for my carry on...

Here is the link for it....It is an International Traveller Brand

 This is the Camera Laptop Bag that I got Joe for Christmas for his Camera.

It is a Case Logic Brand.  We have been using it and we love it!  Sits flat on the ground, you can just open it enough to grab the camera out of the top for quick access.  Very, Very nice..  It fits a Laptop in the back of it...plus all the cords, etc. 

  Ok....  so, now you know what I have been spending time on.  In my spare time.  I get a bit obsessive just so I can report back to you.  I will also share with you later some of the other travel gadgets in my arsenal to make life easier on the road!

Our Norway Adventure planned by Real Cruises

Our Norway Adventure

Planned by Real Cruises

March 9th, 10th 2010 - Depart LAX-London-Heathrow (LHR)

• Depart LAX Virgin Atlantic
• From Heathrow you catch the Heathrow Express which is a high speed non-stop train to Paddington station which in the heart of London city. Then to catch a black cab from the station to the Hotel which will be around 10 to 15 minutes and its also a good way to se a little as you drive to the hotel.
• Arrive at The Ruben's at the Palace.   
  
• Tour London as long as we hold up !  Starting with this.....  Big Bus and River Tours  and cruise the River Thames
  
• Ask Concierge at hotel as to the best way to get to the airport in the AM
  

March 11th, 2010 London to Oslo

• Depart London -  on SAS  arriving Oslo at 10:25
  
  
  
  
• Catch up with Jason and the gang

March 11, 2010 – Oslo

·       Motorcoach City Tour of Oslo

o       Tour will meet at 12:00 Noon at SAS Airline Ticketing area. 

o       Please get something to eat prior to the tour as it is 3 hours and we won’t have time for a lunch break.

o       Tour will include visits to Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Park, and Holmenkollen.

o       For those who are arriving into Oslo early, we will pick you up at the Clarion Bastion Hotel to join the tour.

·       Check-In at Clarion Bastion Hotel – Oslo

o       From 3-6 PM you can make your own waffles

o       Every evening they offer an evening buffet with one warm dish from 6-9 PM

·       Evening on your own

March 12, 2010 – Oslo to Kirkenes

·       Motorcoach Pickup at Hotel to Oslo Airport at 6:30 AM SHARP

·       Flight from Oslo to Kirkenes      Departs 08:55  Arrives Kirkenes  11:05

·       Transfer from Kirkenes Airport to Rica Arctic Hotel

·       Pickup for Snow Hotel Visit, Dog Sledding and Dinner 4:00 PM

o       Tour will last 5-6 hours. Dress warm. Facility will provide gear for dog sledding.

Dinner consists of:

Starter:  reindeer sausage, grilled, served with LUMPE ( typical Norwegian “potato pancake”

             Maincourse: Salmon and cod prepared by open fire, baked potato

            Dessert: Ice cream, forest berries

They also have a Vegetarian Steak for those who would prefer non meat

March 13, 2010 – Sailing on MS Midnatsol

·       Breakfast at Rica Arctic Hotel

·       Transfer to Pier at 10:00 AM

·       Board MS Midnatsol                               

                          Day 1 Kirkenes-Vardo-Batsfjord-Berlevag

                                Depart Kirkenes for the southbound voyage.  Crossing Varangerfjord, Norway's only east-facing fjord and a fabled bird-watching site, you'll arrive in Vardo, the easternmost point of the country.
                          Next the ship will round the Varanger peninsula, where archaeologists excavated a community believed to date from 9000 BC.
                          In the evening, the ship calls at Batsfjord, which also boasts the remains of a Stone Age settlement, and Berlevag. Look out for the Tanahorn mountain, which long ago was a Sami sacrifice site.

                                Rest of the evening on your own    I think we will be spending a lot of time in the 2 deck Panoramic Lounge  

March 14, 2010 – Sailing on MS Midnatsol

                        Day 2 Honningsvag-Havoysund- Hammerfest-Oksfjord-Skjervoy-Tromso   

                            The ship arrives at Honningsvag in the early morning. After calling at Havoysund, she will stop for 1 1/2 hours in Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town.
                            Despite its remote location, it was the first Norwegian town to have electric street lighting and its own power station.

                            Your Norwegian cruise continues south to Oksfjord, whose glacier calves directly into the sea. After crossing open water, you will stop at the old trading post of Skjervoy.
                            You'll dock in Tromso just in time to savor its nightlife.

                        ·       Mandatory US Agents 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Mane AMFI Conference Room

·       Cocktail party 5:00 PM Panoramic Lounge.  

        Cocktail Party is Mandatory!

  

March 15, 2010 – Sailing on MS Midnatsol

       

                 Day 3 Harstad-Risoyhamn-Sortland- Stokmarknes-Svolvaer-Stamsund

                        The island groups of Lofoten and Vesteralen have some of the most stunning scenery you will see during this Norway travel adventure.·      

                        A Taste of Vesteralen Tour – 8:00 AM

                        Before your arrival, you'll see the captain skillfully maneuver the ship through the shallow waters of the Risoyrenna Channel, where sand banks are visible through the green water on both sides of the                            channel. The ship will negotiate the narrow Raftsund Strait leading into the breathtaking Trollfjord, before arriving in Svolvaer and Stamsund. Later, the ship heads east across Vestfjord toward Bodo.

                    ·       Group Workshop – Valhall Amfi Conference Room 2:00 PM

March 16, 2010 – Sailing MS Midnatsol

                Day 4 Ornes-Nesna-Sandnessjoen- Bronnoysund-Rorvik

                    From Ornes, you'll travel through crystalline waters, filled with spawning cod from January to April, and go by lush agricultural fields.   

                    Nearly every towering peak you'll see is associated with a local legend. Crossing the Arctic Circle once again, you'll pass the idyllic island of Sandnessjoen.  

                     On the approach to Bronnoysund, which you reach this afternoon, you'll spy the mythical Seven Sisters Mountains.

                    Make sure you're on deck when the ship departs Bronnoysund-you'll be impressed by the captain's steady hand! Today's last port of call will be Rorvik.

·       Rest of Day on your own

March 17, 2010 – Sailing MS Midnatsol

                Day 5 Trondheim-Kristiansund-Molde-Alesund

                    Arrive in Trondheim early, with time to visit Norway's largest medieval church, Nidaros Cathedral, and the restored Archbishop's Residence.
                   

·       City Tour of Trondheim – 8:00 AM SHARP    

                    You'll then sail out through the beautiful Trondheimsfjord, past Hitra, island of deer, and lonely Grip.
                    At day's end, you'll call at Molde, before arriving in Alesund late in the evening in time for a stroll on shore.

March 18, 2010 – Arrival Begen 

                 Day 6 Torvik-Maloy-Floro-Bergen

                    During the night, the ship will call at Torvik, Maloy, and Floro. The World's Most Beautiful Voyage is drawing to a close.

                    Yet still ahead lies mile after mile of spectacular west Norway scenery: holly trees on Svanoy, the mouth of Sognefjord, and the beautiful archipelago on the approach to Bergen.
                    You will disembark in Bergen.

·       Arrival into Bergen – 2:30 PM

·       City  Tour of Bergen – 3:00 PM     

·       Evening on your own

        Spend the night at The Neptun Hotel

March 19, 2010 – Spend the day touring Bergen

            Spend 2nd night at the Neptun Hotel

March 20, 2010 - Bergen to Flam

• Board the train to Flam 08:40 For Norway in a Nutshell Tour
  
  
  
  
  
  
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One-way trip from Bergen to Oslo
Travel direction Bergen-Voss-Gudvangen- Flåm-Myrdal-Bergen	13.12.09- 30.04.10 D
	Day  1
Train from Bergen	08:40
To Voss	09:53
Bus from Voss	10:00
To Gudvangen	11:00
Boat from Gudvangen	11:30
To Flåm	13:40
	Day 2
Train from Flåm	09:00
To Myrdal	09:40
Train from Myrdal	09:50 R
To Oslo	14:32

The Bergen Railway is the approximately 500-kilometre-long railway line between Bergen and Oslo. It is Northern Europe's highest stretch of railway, roughly 100 km of which runs through wild mountain terrain.
The twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountain bear witness to the most daring and skilled engineering in Norwegian railway history.

The Flåm Railway is one of Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions. The train journey provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. On the 20 km-long train ride, you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. The Flåm Railway makes a photo stop at the beautiful Kjosfossen waterfall.

                    Arrive at Flamsbrygga hotel

March 21, 2010  Flam to Oslo

• Continue our train journey from Flam to Oslo via Myrdal
  
  
  
  

• Arrive Clarion Hotel Christiania in Oslo   spend the afternoon with seeing Oslo a little more.  Shopping anyone?
  
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• Our last night in Norway...................  :-(

March 22, 2010  Oslo to London, London to LAX

• SAS Departs 07:55  arrives London 09:25
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• Virgin Atlantic  Departs London 11:25  arrives LAX 15:55

        Through customs, pick up car, 2 hour drive home.     Hug Loved Ones.....Talk for 2 hours, collapse...........................................