Scandinavia Guidebook
Guidebook corrections:
Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.
The Oslo National Gallery is no longer free, since May 2011. Admission for students was 50 kroner per person.
Kristen in Wenatchee, WA USA 12/19/2011
Yes
Shirley Fleig in San Diego, CA USA 10/31/2011
The TI in Borgholm, on the island of Oland, is no longer in the old train station, as stated on page 462. It has moved to a building near the harbor area (about six blocks south).
Bob in Chico, CA USA 10/02/2011
Have always been a big fan and proponent of Rick Steves' guidebooks...My wife and I have probably used at least one version of all of them. BUT...this September (2011), we found the Twelfth Edition Scandinavia book so outdated, we wished we'd had a different guidebook. It is still being sold at full price and with a 2009 print date, the research is at least three to four years old. Many things were wrong, useless, or priced higher. C'mon, Rick you can do better ! Anyway, if you find yourself in Greensboro NC, we can discuss it over a beer !
Sam Pelligra, MD in Greensboro, NC USA 09/19/2011
Keith Wood in Lawrence, KS USA 09/16/2011
Norway Snapshot Page 28, Oslo's City Hall was closed August 16 >September 21 for Elections!
Page 32, The National Gallery is no longer free. Adults - 50 NOK; Seniors- 30 NOK. As in most museums must leave day-packs, etc, in locker for 10 NOK, which is returned when you retrieve your items.. Locations of specific paintings have been changed.
Page 54, In Grønland, the Sudost restaurant was closed...seemingly indefinitely. We had difficulty finding Stenersgata for the return walk from Grønland to the train station. More street names on the map would have been helpful.
Page 60. The Oslo Budget Hotel no longer serves breakfast nor waffles in the afternoon. We were told that it would be closed and rebuilt beginning in September, 2011.
Roberta in McBride, WA USA 09/12/2011
No.
Nelda Eitreim in Garretson, SD USA 08/22/2011
Stop saying Norway isn't that expensive. It is. Everything there costs three times as much as in the U.S. We got buy by packing a boxes of cereal and oatmeal and buying milk (at the low low price of $3 for half a liter) at the grocery.
In Oslo -- the national gallery is now free only on Sundays.
In Stavanger -- DO NOT budget only four hours for the Pulpit Rock hike, especially if you intend to spend any time at the top taking pictures. It's a heck of a view but it is a steep, rocky slog to the top.
On the Flam train -- need to tell people to line up about 25 minutes before the train departs so they can get a window seat. Both sides are good but the west-facing side is better.
JH in Alpharetta, GA USA 08/11/2011
Nothing to add to my post last month.
Steve Macfarlane in Carmichael, CA USA 08/07/2011
Stockholm: - To get to Djurgarden (Vasa and Nordic museums, Skansen, etc.), you should take Tram#7 from Sergels Torg. Bus 47 listed in the book no longer runs. - Public ferry from Djurgarden back to Gamla Stan dock near the Grone Lund amusement park (5-8 min walk from Vasa). Dock near Vasa museum serves only touristy Hop-On Hop-off boats. - Main TI office (Sverige Huset) moved to Vasagatan 14 across from the train station. There is still a small desk at the adress listed in Rick's book.
Irena in Cleveland, USA 07/29/2011
Stockholm:
The Nobel Museum is open on Mondays (we went on a Monday). The lunch special at Grillska Huset is now 85 kr; still a great deal. The Stockholm Card is now 550 kr for 48 hours.
We're in Stockholm now (July 2011) and are finding prices a little higher overall than stated in the 2011 edition of the guidebook.
Steve Macfarlane in Carmichael, CA USA 07/11/2011
In the Survival Phrases section, (or somewhere), add the word(s) that are used in each language for senior citizen discounts. For instance, in Norwegian, the word is "honnør".
Note that Midsummers holiday may mean that many places are closed.
Greg Mansfield in Washington, NC USA 07/03/2011
page 527 of the 2010 scandinavian guidebook at the St. Nicholas church it should read... From the church, turn LEFT and climb the steep, cobbled, Lubike jalg. I can be reached at m.f.lundbeck@gmail.com to notify me of my free Rick Steves' vacation for identifying this egregious error. I actually followed the book and turned right and ran into a wall. It was painful and caused a minor scene in what would have been a perfect day in Tallin.
marlene lundbeck in hinckley, OH USA 06/18/2011
eliminate Meriton Old Town Hotel, Tallinn, Estonia; we are experienced travelers (our 16th trip to Europe, most of which included 99 out of 100 score hotel recommendations per Rick Steves) and would not recommend this hotel to anyone (except perhaps a tour group)! And be warned as we got the impression this happens alot, as the Meriton Old Town hotel is beautiful but small, reigning guests in to the meriton hotel franchise, and they must know they have loads of empty rooms in the other Meriton hotel to put guests in as it's so unappealing, especially if you've already paid!
richard kruse in la jolla, ca USA 06/16/2011
Under eating pg 94. Listed Lakka as a syrupy-sweet liquer. After 3 restaurants and no-one knowing what this was - - was told that this must me a northern region drink.
Lynn Porterfield in Ridgewood, NJ USA 04/11/2011
The book says train tickets are able to be conveniently purchased through www.sj.se. Unfortunately, I cannot get any of my US credit or debit cards to work on their site. I was advised through contacting them that there are "limitations" on foreign credit cards.
Beth in Los Angeles, CA USA 04/06/2011
Scandanavia, Stockholm for smorgasbord at Grand Hotel the cost was much higher on 9/25/2010: $342.57 for two adults.
David Heagy in Vienna, VA USA 12/23/2010
yes teh Søby fåborg ferry Ærø Denmark route closes down 1.2.2011 the Søby - Fynshav ferry continues as now.. go to www.aeroe.dk.
roald sørensen in Ærø, -- denmark 12/11/2010
In Stockholm, the tourist information center has moved from its old Sweden House location to across from the central train station. In addition, in the Kultur House, internet is only available to those with a Stockholm library card (I did not ask if there was a commercial Internet cafe located there).
Dean Agouridis in Nashville, TN USA 11/20/2010
Map on p117 of "Copenhagen", the Arhus Art Museum in the upper edge no longer exists. (It's now the AU geology department.) Go to ARoS instead (p119
Jason Sherron in Seattle, WA USA 10/13/2010
Yes -- Copenhagen and Best of Denmark, p114, the Internet cafe is no longer called BoomTown, it's still there and says NatCafe but called Gaz Station (I couldn't check it out, it's closed on Mondays)
Jason Sherron in Seattle, WA USA 10/11/2010
In Copenhagen after arrival, we wanted to call back to the U.S. to let family know we'd made it there. I don't know if it was just us or if things have changed, but we could not find an international calling card ANYWHERE. As specified in RS Scandinavia guidebook, we checked with several 7-11's with no success. Also checked two different places at Central Station and two other places besides that. All said that the only thing they had was a prepaid phone card to use with a cell phone (which our cell phones wouldn't work there, so that didn't help). Also could not get the pay phones to accept a credit card, and tried several. Finally went to the TI office for help, adjacent to Central Station, and was told about a place that was near the 7-11 that's across the street caddy-corner from the TI office that provides phones to be able to make overseas calls at a rate of 2 DKK per minute to the U.S.
Jon Logan in Todd, NC USA 09/18/2010
The t-bane doesn't take you to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. The bus is the only way to get there in the summer. You can get off at the stop right next to the ski jump (vs. getting off above & walking down). By choice, we got off at the Frognersetern Hovedrestaurant and hiked down through the trees and had a great time! There is a beautiful old church near the ski jump that we enjoyed photographing. From the front of the restaurant, take the path towards the right - you are near the road but not on the shoulder - for most of the trek.
Ashley Parker in Tampa, FL USA 08/30/2010
Rosenborg Castle update in Copenhagen: It is open on Monday, and while using your book as a guide, I couldn't find the "box made of amber" in the dining room. One of the employees mentioned that he has seen many people using your books as a castle guide, and told me that the box made of amber is now located in the Castle Basement.
Shannon O'Connor in Grand Forks, ND USA 08/03/2010
Hotel Barons in Tallin, Estonia, proved to be nicer than you promised. I found our spacious room to be very nicely appointed in period furniture with a great view of the Russian Cathedral. Not only did we get breakfast, but also dinner and a 24-hour Tallin Card, for a two nights for a total of $218 Euros. We charged a few drinks to our room and for that they gave us a 15% discount on the charges. The staff was always very helpful and friendly.
Mary Paquet in San Jose, CA USA 07/11/2010
We wanted to go to the top of the Our Saviors Church in Copenhagen. Your book said that it closed at 8 pm, but it actually closed 4 pm.
Julia Fisher in Chicago , IL USA 06/14/2010
Recently, the format of the city maps in the guidebooks has changed(ex: Scandinavia, C2008) with much of the map in light gray with light gray text. This is impossible to read, esp with thinner pages and text from opposite page shows through. Please stop using light gray text on the maps...go back to black text and give your readers a break from eye strain!
Susan Bowman in Phoenixville, PA USA 10/11/2009
no
Jenna Close in Oceanside, CA USA 10/03/2009
The Kotiharjun sauna in Helsinki is apparently no longer there. The big SAUNA sign is gone and there is no number on the door. The district has probably changed: our hotel clerk did not recommend going to that area. We tried it anyway, and found the street which now has many signs for "massages" but no sauna.
Connie Blair in Seattle, WA USA 09/30/2009
The flag shop that Rick recommends in Oslo, Norway has moved. It is now located one block away on Tordensdiods Gate rather than Rosenkrantz Gate as mentioned in the book.
Mike Lincicum in Hillsboro, OR USA 09/13/2009
Your Scandinavia Guidebook says says that the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum opens at 10:00 AM. This is incorrect. It does not open until 11:00 AM.
Mike Lincicum in Hillsboro, OR USA 09/06/2009
Copenhagen, Denmark - Pusher Street is back in Christiania - there were at least one or two stalls. Our tour guide publicly chided this lady who insisted on taking photographs.
There is a typo on page 78 at the top - should say ". . . it's some of the priciest real estate . . .”
The location of Cochs Pensjonat on the Oslo map is incorrect - it is on the other corner of the park.
Dave in Seattle, WA USA 08/31/2009
It seemed that all prices of sights have increased since the book was last updated. This also applies to the city passes. Most increases were not significant, but they were higher.
J. Perschbacher in Atlanta, GA USA 08/02/2009
Several of your recommended restaurants are out of business.
Chris Peter in El Cajon, CA USA 07/29/2009
Rick's suggestion for rooms in private homes, Hotelltjänst, is closed and can't be contacted during summer (this year, from June 19 to August 9)... which poses problems for those trying to plan summer or fall travel.
Megan in Madison, WI USA 07/22/2009
Hi: I love Rick. He's taken us all over Europe. I would like to add what I think is an important piece of information if anyone wants to stay in the staff-less Apple Hotels (Like we did in Helsinki). The entry code will not work until 4 p.m. on the day of arrival. We were lucky to get into the hotel because someone was leaving as we were trying to punch in our code. A kind soul, on our floor, noticed our struggles and allowed us to store our luggage in his room until 4 p.m. Please let folks know that they had better find a place to store luggage (not in the hotel) if they want to sightsee before 4 p.m. Thanks...Janet
Janet Polzer in Athens, OH USA 06/14/2009
The Flambana train from Flam to Myrdal does have a bathroom on it (you indicate in the book it does not). I always have to use the restroom, so I have a keen eye for these things. :)
Lori K in Chicago, IL USA 06/02/2009
Credit Card Tip for Denmark:
My wife and I just enjoyed a beautiful 2 days in Copenhagen, and as always Rick's tips were right on! But I just wanted to add my observation on credit card use in Copenhagen.
Every merchant where I presented a credit card required me to enter a PIN number. I was using my Master Card Credit Card- NOT a debit card.
The good news is that the Danes are doing their part to prevent fraud. The bad news is that only by luck did I know the PIN for that card. Many folks don't even have a PIN assigned to their credit cards. I've seen Rick mention this from time to time, but as a frequent European traveller, this was the first time for me that it was the rule rather than the exception.
So, might be worth getting and knowing your PIN, in case you run into this.
Skol!
Dave
David in Atlanta, GA USA 05/09/2009
In Copenhagen, pg 66, the National Museum is not "ideal for a light 40-90 kr lunch, coffee and pastry". The menu had things priced from 85 to 165 kr, but nothing on the menu was available at all (on a Saturday afternoon) -- only a 185-kr brunch. The brunch was fine, but it sure wasn't 40-90kr. I exhausted my stock of kroner and had to go by the train station later to change more money.
Harald Chess in San Francisco, ca USA 01/04/2009