Rick Steves' Scandinavia
- The 2008 edition of Rick Steves' Scandinavia is now available.
Updates since the 2008 edition:
General
Some readers are reporting having trouble using credit cards at some Scandinavian hotels, merchants, and car rental agencies, where a PIN code is required to use a credit card for a purchase. The requirement is being more strictly enforced in large cities (Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm). You can get a PIN code for your Mastercard, Visa, or American Express card by calling your bank or card issuer.
Denmark
Copenhagen
Private guide Richard Karpen conducts walking tours June through September (rather than March through September).
For the Dine with the Danes experience, it's not yet possible to directly book a dinner online — you still need to book through the organization. The group now has host families in most parts of Denmark. Prices are: Adults-400 kr, children 8–14-200 kr, and kids under 8-free. For more information, see www.dinewiththedanes.dk.
Ærø
The island has a new website: http://aerotheisland.com.
Graasten Farm's phone number is tel. 0045 23 26 11 38 and their new website is www.greyfarm.dk.
Norway
Oslo
The stunning new opera house opened this spring. For more information, see http://arts.guardian.co.uk.
The Munch Museum is showing the recovered and restored paintings The Scream and Madonna from May 23 to September 26, 2008. The paintings were stolen in 2004 and recovered in 2006.
The ski jump and ski museum at Holmenkollen, outside Oslo, will close in September 2008 and remain closed through December 2009. The ski jump is being renovated in advance of the 2011 World Ski Jump Championship. During the renovation, a visitors center will be available to tourists in Kollenstua, adjacent to the arena. The visitors center will have information about the renovation project and temporary exhibits from the ski museum, as well as a gift shop, café, and restrooms, and will be open Mon-Fri 10:00-15:00 and Sat-Sun 10:00-16:00.
The Olso Sweater Shop's correct opening times are June–Aug Mon–Sat 8:00–22:00, Sun 13:00–19:00; Sept–May Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–15:00, closed Sun.
Balestrand
The express boats between Bergen and Sognefjord are so popular that making reservations in advance is recommended (includes the Bergen–Balestrand–Flam boats and also the excursion boats going to Fjarland and Gudvangen to Flam). To make a reservation, email fylkesbaatane@fjord1.no or call 55 90 70 70. You can pick up the tickets on the boat or at a local tourist office. For more information, see www.fjord1.no.
Finland
Helsinki
Martta Hotelli has closed.
Updates in the 2008 edition:
(This information is new in the 2008 edition, and is posted here for those who have the 2007 book.)
Denmark
Copenhagen
The Use It tourist information office has closed; for information on Copenhagen, visit www.visitcopenhagen.com.
Norway
Oslo
The Munch Museum will show the recovered and restored paintings "The Scream" and "Madonna" during its summer exhibition from May 23 to September 26, 2008. The paintings were stolen in 2004 and recovered in 2006.
The arrangement of the Munch paintings at the National Gallery may not match the self-guided walking tour in our guidebook; pick up a map at the gallery. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.no.
The Skanplus Hotel Pass for Thon Hotels has been discontinued. Travelers staying at Thon Hotel properties may want to consider the free Thon Membership Card, which offers 17 percent discounts off normal room rates at Thon City- and Conference-class hotels (the discount does not apply to their budget hotels). For information, visit www.thonhotels.com/member.
Sognefjord
The ferry from Kaupanger to Gudvangen may run only between June and August — check the schedule at www.fjord1.no.
Sweden
Stockholm
Fees are now charged for Sweden's national museums, including: Royal Palace — 90 kr, 130 kr combo ticket includes Royal Apartments, Treasury, Gustav II's Museum of Antiquities, and Tre Kronor Museum; Royal Armory — 50 kr; Royal Coin Cabinet and Swedish Economy Museum — 50 kr; National Museum — 80 kr; Museum of Modern Art — 80 kr; Nordic Museum — 60 kr.
The Museum of Medieval Stockholm is temporarily housed in Kulturhuset, at Sergels torg right in the middle of Stockholm, due to the renovation of Norrbro (the North Bridge). A new renovated museum should open late 2009/early 2010.
Stockholm Card prices have increased (adults — 24 hours 290 kr, 48 hours 420 kr, 72 hours 540 kr; children ages 7–17 — 24 hours 120 kr, 48 hours 160 kr, 72 hrs 190 kr).