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"Smoking tobacco, or even importing tobacco is completely illegal under the Communist government of Norway"

I don't know who wrote this, but this is absolute nonsense. Smoking is banned in all public places, but you are allowed to smoke outside and in private homes.

http://www.norway.org/News/archive/2004/200403smoking.htm

There is no Wikitravel:CIA World Factbook 2002 import for Norway because the page existed before the factbook import began.

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[edit] This line makes no sense. Free everything = low unemployement?

Politically, it is dominated by a widespread and continued support for the Scandinavian model, which means high taxes and high government spending to support free schools, free healthcare, an efficient welfare system, and many other benefits. As a result the unemployment rate in Norway is low.

Where is this line? - Andrew Haggard (Sapphire) 14:44, 5 June 2006 (EDT)

This is easily explained - the big government employs a lot of people in their bloated bureaucracy - it's their way of making the statistics shine in their favour. If the government bureaucracy was slimmed down, unemployment would be radically high. 81.0.175.34 17:08, 21 June 2006 (EDT)

[edit] cities

I reduced the list to 9 per our current policy, but if it's not the perfect 9, feel free to swap some out for others - but please don't exceed 9 total cities.

For reference, I removed:

• Sandnes - Stavanger's twin city has less going for it, but still holds attractions worthy of a side trip from Stavanger.
• Aalesund (Ålesund) - a splendid Art Nouveau centre in the very western outskirts of Norway? Yes! Ålesund is one of the most unique towns in Norway
• Alta - "The Aurora Borealis City", and the largest city in Finnmark
• Bodø - the gateway to the magnificent Lofoten islands the place of Saltstraumen
• Hammerfest - the northernmost city in the world
• Kirkenes - the gateway to Russia is further east than Istanbul or Kiev
• Kongsberg - old mining town, now a center for hi-tech industry
• Lillehammer - picturesque former Winter Olympics site

I moved Lillehammer to "other destinations", replacing Hessdalen valley (which is in no way a destination for tourists)

• Molde - jazz festival in July, Atlanterhavsveien a short drive away
• Tønsberg - Norway's oldest town has a seaside location with a lot going for it
• Svelvik - Small village south of Drammen, with the one of the highest concentrations of drugs in Norway.

Thanks! – cacahuate ^talk 18:18, 18 May 2007 (EDT)

I swapped out Drammen for Alesund, which really is quite remarkable. Jpatokal 23:54, 18 May 2007 (EDT)

• Drammen - Known as industrial and grimy, but recent refurbishing has made Drammen an enjoyable side trip from Oslo.

I have made changes to the list of cities. The list contained 12 cities before I reduced it. If you don't like my selection bring up the discussion here! ViMy 18:13, 25 September 2009 (EDT)

Hey, thanks ViMy, I'd personally substitute Drammen for something else, it's so close to Oslo and really not that interesting. How about Ålesund (a city, so doesn't really work under other destinations) or Kirkenes? --Stefan (sertmann) ^Talk 04:09, 26 September 2009 (EDT)

ViMy, you should have proposed here first before changing things... and I'll second Sertmann, Alesund is a city and more worthwhile than Drammen. Jpatokal 06:56, 26 September 2009 (EDT)

I picked some of the "larger" cities. And also tried to find cities all over the country. I was in doubt regarding Drammen. The reason why I mowed Ålesund to other destination, was becouse Lillehammer allready was on that list. ViMy 07:08, 26 September 2009 (EDT)

[edit] Personal opinions

I have removed this line from the article:

Buy at least one 19-30 kr hot-dog - they are referred to as "Kjempegrill" (Not only do they taste good, they also give you an excuse to go inside when you are cold and waiting for the tube) They are great for keeping the low blood sugar troll at bay. Remember to put on a lot of cucumber mix.

[edit] airport

Could anyone tell me, why it's not a good idea to hitchhike out of the airport? Jo.

It's not a bad idea, but its likely to take time. You'll be likely to see friendly, waving faces passing you by for a couple of hours. If you have to, it pays off to be upfront asking people on their way to the parking lot --Jonhov 08:24, 8 July 2008 (EDT)Jon

[edit] by train

This section was rather messy with pieces of info here and there. I tried to put the main info on top and evaluations and opinions in the end. Hope this was okay.--Jonhov 09:08, 8 July 2008 (EDT)

[edit] by boat

[edit] Wihin Norway

The following senence is in my opinion wrong:

On board the ferry are a number of restaurants, bars, casinos, cinemas and also a stage show to keep you entertained during the journey.

There are no casinos on these ship, that would be ilegall in Norway. As far as I know there are no stage show either. Unless someone protest I think this sentences should be changed. I guess that the person writing this confuses Hurtigruten with ordinary cruiseships. ViMy 19:13, 17 January 2009 (EST)

It's not casino's, but they have those money games on all the ferries I've been on (admittedly only 3 - Moss-Horten,Strömstad-Sandefjord,Tromsø-Finnsness) where you try to make the coins drop over a ledge by dropping them at the right time - I think that's what refered to? --Stefan (sertmann) ^Talk 05:23, 24 August 2009 (EDT)

[edit] Other destinations

I swapped out Svartisen for Jostedalsbreen. Since we have no aticle for Svartisen, but we have for Jostedalsbreen. Also Jostedalsbreen is the bigest glacier in Norway. And is more known than Svartisen. ViMy 17:14, 20 March 2009 (EDT)

[edit] AutoPass RFID box

Can somebody add some more information (or a hyperlink to more information) about the mentioned "AutoPass RFID box" ?

[edit] Respect: real life experience?

The paragraph about 'Respect' starts with: "Norwegians are generally sincere and polite, though small talk often doesn't come easy – it's usually up to you to break the ice (sometimes literally)."

How many people have experienced this themselves? I'm wondering wheter this is just a cliché, as my experience is quite the contrary: Many Norwegians like talking to strangers, are interested in travellers, small talk happens all the time. Same for several other travellers I met in Norway. Maybe there is a difference between regular travellers and people who travel in a sporty way, e.g. hiking, cycling, skiing or by kajak.

So, does anyone have personal, real-life experience with this? 147.181.20.71 04:47, 24 August 2009 (EDT)

I've spent a fair deal of time in Norway as my stepdad and his family are Norwegian, And I think it's fairly accurate description. This stuff always depend on the circumstances - but generally it's not far off imho. --Stefan (sertmann) ^Talk 05:15, 24 August 2009 (EDT)

I think it's quite true as well, Norwegians do not seem to take the initiative in these kind of things... They are mostly on the background. Of course it's a stereotype and not true for everyone, but that's unavoidable. Globe-trotter 12:59, 24 August 2009 (EDT)