Anyone been to Tromso, Norway?
Discussion
Heading to Tromso in December for a long weekend Fri - Mon.
Any tips or recommendations for things to see/do and places to eat?
Already got the Aurora Borealis on the to-do list
Also any clothing tips?! Looks like it'll be rather cold. I have ski gear so the jacket is a given, but will I look out of place walking around in ski pants?
Any tips or recommendations for things to see/do and places to eat?
Already got the Aurora Borealis on the to-do list
Also any clothing tips?! Looks like it'll be rather cold. I have ski gear so the jacket is a given, but will I look out of place walking around in ski pants?
I assume you'll be connecting in Oslo ? It's getting shocking on Fridays with the queues. You have to collect your bag and check it in again.
Ski pants are fine, just use layers and you'll be good to go.
If you're staying at someone's house, ask them what booze they want from the duty free, it's a pain in the arse to get a decent drop from the only shops that sell it.
Bring money too. Lots of it, the Kroner just tightened up 10% in the past 6 months or so against the GBP.
Ski pants are fine, just use layers and you'll be good to go.
If you're staying at someone's house, ask them what booze they want from the duty free, it's a pain in the arse to get a decent drop from the only shops that sell it.
Bring money too. Lots of it, the Kroner just tightened up 10% in the past 6 months or so against the GBP.
Yep flying Scandinavian airlines from LHR and connecting in Oslo. Might try to do hand luggage only, probably quite possible if I wear my bulky stuff like coat, ski pants, boots etc?
We're staying at the Clarion hotel. Don't actually know anyone that lives that way!
Thankfully as it's a short trip, i'm hoping we won't be crippled too hard with the cost of things. I'd much rather spend on a good meal than expensive booze anyway - got any restaurant recommendations? Will check out trip advisor but always nice to have insider knowledge.
Quite looking forward to it! Think the lack of daylight thing might be rather interesting
We're staying at the Clarion hotel. Don't actually know anyone that lives that way!
Thankfully as it's a short trip, i'm hoping we won't be crippled too hard with the cost of things. I'd much rather spend on a good meal than expensive booze anyway - got any restaurant recommendations? Will check out trip advisor but always nice to have insider knowledge.
Quite looking forward to it! Think the lack of daylight thing might be rather interesting
The Tromsø bridges & road tunnel network (from a PH PoV)
The days are going to be v.short in December
Have you ever tried cross country skiing ?
The days are going to be v.short in December
Have you ever tried cross country skiing ?
Just thought, there are two Clarion hotels, I know the With one does free afternoon waffles and a free evening buffet, it's the reason why we booked as we're hoping it will save on restaurant costs. However we will eat out one night at least, I've been checking out Trip Advisor for suggestions.
SAS are on the verge of bankruptcy at the moment. All the flights tomorrow are going out with enough fuel to return if they can't refuel at out stations.
Should the worst happen, they will exist in some form or other, their service is essential domestically for moving sick around etc. Norway is a bloody long country, with no rail network all the way up. The roads, whilst scenic, aren't up to much frankly.
The Danish pilots are currently refusing new cost cutting measures, and this will drag on tonight. Unions are very strong here.
Should the worst happen, they will exist in some form or other, their service is essential domestically for moving sick around etc. Norway is a bloody long country, with no rail network all the way up. The roads, whilst scenic, aren't up to much frankly.
The Danish pilots are currently refusing new cost cutting measures, and this will drag on tonight. Unions are very strong here.
No problem with ski pants although jeans and thermals will be fine. Obviously take more money than you think. Aunegarden is a nice place to get a coffee and a cake. Try and book somewhere in advance for Sunday night for a meal though as those that are not closed get busy.
We booked on an evening trip to see the Northern Lights with Arctic Guide Service and were very lucky. We saw them for a very prolonged period at the edge of a fjord then went to the Finnish border and saw them again. We booked this at the hotel ( although we checked in advance that this was possible). If you plan to take photos don't forget a tripod.
There are loads of options for seeing the Northern Lights which can be booked from the local tourist office if you haven't got something booked in advance.
We'd planned to go out on snow mobiles for a day but due to an unseasonal lack of snow we were prevented from doing this. Dog sledding trips were also affected. In the end we went on a boat trip around the island which was okay but not worth the £100 or so per person.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.
We booked on an evening trip to see the Northern Lights with Arctic Guide Service and were very lucky. We saw them for a very prolonged period at the edge of a fjord then went to the Finnish border and saw them again. We booked this at the hotel ( although we checked in advance that this was possible). If you plan to take photos don't forget a tripod.
There are loads of options for seeing the Northern Lights which can be booked from the local tourist office if you haven't got something booked in advance.
We'd planned to go out on snow mobiles for a day but due to an unseasonal lack of snow we were prevented from doing this. Dog sledding trips were also affected. In the end we went on a boat trip around the island which was okay but not worth the £100 or so per person.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.
sneijder said:
SAS are on the verge of bankruptcy at the moment. All the flights tomorrow are going out with enough fuel to return if they can't refuel at out stations.
Should the worst happen, they will exist in some form or other, their service is essential domestically for moving sick around etc. Norway is a bloody long country, with no rail network all the way up. The roads, whilst scenic, aren't up to much frankly.
The Danish pilots are currently refusing new cost cutting measures, and this will drag on tonight. Unions are very strong here.
It's staggering that they are in so much trouble. They cost so much and offer so little.Should the worst happen, they will exist in some form or other, their service is essential domestically for moving sick around etc. Norway is a bloody long country, with no rail network all the way up. The roads, whilst scenic, aren't up to much frankly.
The Danish pilots are currently refusing new cost cutting measures, and this will drag on tonight. Unions are very strong here.
They reached an agreement last night, so all is well for now.
Some of the geriatric cabin crew are earning in excess of 50k a year +. Some are earning more than copilots, the wastage you see compared to decent bare bones airlines is staggering. The pension situation is pretty crippling by all accounts.
They're on borrowed time as it is.
Some of the geriatric cabin crew are earning in excess of 50k a year +. Some are earning more than copilots, the wastage you see compared to decent bare bones airlines is staggering. The pension situation is pretty crippling by all accounts.
They're on borrowed time as it is.
We booked our flights through Norwegian, and the hotel through Expedia, who we're the cheapest at the time of booking for our hotel. I also booked a couple of guided tours for the northern lights beforehand as that was/is the sole purpose of us being here. I also booked husky sledding for Sunday but currently there is no snow around Tromso, I need to contact them tomorrow to find out if it will be cancelled, but they are further inland where there's more snow.
As for booking trips whilst you're here, I reckon you'd be ok at the moment. Got chatting to someone who arrived at the same time as us on Tuesday afternoon and they got booked onto a lights trip that evening. The tourist information is pretty good and I think most hotels will book something for you.
As for booking trips whilst you're here, I reckon you'd be ok at the moment. Got chatting to someone who arrived at the same time as us on Tuesday afternoon and they got booked onto a lights trip that evening. The tourist information is pretty good and I think most hotels will book something for you.
We went about 5 yrs ago for a northern lights trip in the solar min (lowest of 100 yrs or so) We booked up a boat trip from the tourist office when we got there and as luck would have it the lights put on a show with perfect timing. Restaurant wise we found a range along the harbour that got us by, Chinese/Indian cant remember which, a pub/steak type place etc. If you are driving try not to follow your sat nav into the pedestrian only/access shopping street. 
Don't be surprised when you find a roundabout in a tunnel.
We are also having another go this year in December also. Everything booked independently (SAS, panic last Sunday!), we have a car and will be trying to find clear sky, probably heading down to the lyngen alps area as its supposed to be clearer there but will be keeping an eye on the forecast and satellite
http://www.yr.no/satellitt/europa.html
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/
http://mms.rice.edu/realtime/justdials.html
http://www.spaceweather.com/
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast
http://www2.gi.alaska.edu/images/plot_ace.png
Last time we went, we were ok in jeans and ski jacket in town, (march) but wore ski trousers and the works for Aurora spotting. Looking forward to the two hours twilight and dark Sky's for photography, hopefully get some milky way shots if no aurora but fingers crossed and the long range carrington rotation forecast is looking good.
Don't be surprised when you find a roundabout in a tunnel.We are also having another go this year in December also. Everything booked independently (SAS, panic last Sunday!), we have a car and will be trying to find clear sky, probably heading down to the lyngen alps area as its supposed to be clearer there but will be keeping an eye on the forecast and satellite
http://www.yr.no/satellitt/europa.html
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/
http://mms.rice.edu/realtime/justdials.html
http://www.spaceweather.com/
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast
http://www2.gi.alaska.edu/images/plot_ace.png
Last time we went, we were ok in jeans and ski jacket in town, (march) but wore ski trousers and the works for Aurora spotting. Looking forward to the two hours twilight and dark Sky's for photography, hopefully get some milky way shots if no aurora but fingers crossed and the long range carrington rotation forecast is looking good.
Edited by ViperDave on Thursday 22 November 21:55
Flights were booked direct with Norwegian - I think I did a "who flies to..."
Hotel, checked on Tripadvisor then booked the Rica Ishavshotel as it had good reviews. Again direct with the hotel. Most amazing breakfasts, something daft like 8 different types of salmon!
Most things can be booked locally. As mentioned above we did our lights tour booked from the hotel. Our one was on a coach, well, two coaches so they have a lot of capacity.
Boat trip was at Tourist info who awere really helpful with a great deal of things to do locally.
There is a vegetarian place but IIRC it may have been shut when we went to go on a sunday. There are also a couple of pizza places and a few other pasta places where you'd get food without a face. Worth having a look on tripadvisor though to see what else there is.
Hotel, checked on Tripadvisor then booked the Rica Ishavshotel as it had good reviews. Again direct with the hotel. Most amazing breakfasts, something daft like 8 different types of salmon!
Most things can be booked locally. As mentioned above we did our lights tour booked from the hotel. Our one was on a coach, well, two coaches so they have a lot of capacity.
Boat trip was at Tourist info who awere really helpful with a great deal of things to do locally.
There is a vegetarian place but IIRC it may have been shut when we went to go on a sunday. There are also a couple of pizza places and a few other pasta places where you'd get food without a face. Worth having a look on tripadvisor though to see what else there is.
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