Few people decide to go to Norway. But those who do recover remain impressed for life. Now a lot of travel agencies work with this country, but nothing can be better than a travel itinerary compiled by yourself.
General information
A trip to Norway attracts mainly those who love adventure, vivid emotions and unforgettable impressions. According to legends, it is Norway that is the birthplace of Santa Claus, and in Russian - Ded Moroz. It is winter beauty that allows you to plunge into a fairy tale and feel like a child. Nevertheless, no matter how drawn you are to plunge into childhood, you should not forget about the realities of life.
The country still has a constitutional monarchy. The area of Norway is approximately three hundred thirty thousand square kilometers. Neighbors are Sweden, Russia and Finland. The city of Oslo is the capital of the state. Not only does the climate leave much to be desired, but the prices in the country are high.
Ninety-five percent of the country's population are native Norwegians. Norway is dominated by Lutheranism. Besides, thisThe country is officially recognized as one of the most beautiful places on our planet. This is because nature here is practically untouched by man. In the west along the coast there are many fjords, which gives it a primitive look. Mountainous reliefs, glaciers and much more will not leave travelers indifferent.
The best way to travel to Norway is by car. This way you won't miss anything.
Requirements for tourists
To enter Norway, you need a Schengen visa. At the same time, the purpose of the trip does not play a role.
It is important to know that starting this year, every Russian citizen receives a visa based on a biometric photo and fingerprinting. Such data are valid for no more than five years. Children under twelve do not need it.
There are also some nuances of owning such a visa. This refers to the period of stay directly in the country. What does it mean? And the fact that according to the Schengen, which is issued to Norway, you can travel to all countries located in the Schengen zone. And if a tourist spent very little time in the country itself, then the next time the Schengen will simply not be approved. It is also important that the tourist enters Norway first, and then to other countries.
Visas to Norway
Naturally, before applying for a visa, a person must decide for what purpose he travels to the country. This country is characterized by several types of visas:
- Schengen visa C. This type is suitable for tourists, members of delegations traveling by invitation, businessmen.
- Pomeranian visa. This visa is best for residentsMurmansk, Arkhangelsk region. The document is issued only to those who have a residence permit in these regions. Its advantages are the issuance period of more than five years, a reduced consular fee. Schengen for a trip to Norway is first approved for one trip, and then for multiple trips. Such a Schengen is issued at the Consulate General, which is located in the city of Murmansk. To obtain a document, a person must personally apply. The same papers are required as for the first type of visa, but there is an indulgence in the financial issue. In order to issue a visa, there will be enough papers confirming the presence of five hundred crowns per day on one account. Pomeranian visa does not give the right to work in the country.
- National visa D. Such a document must be issued to those who are going to study in the Kingdom, work in the country or have close relatives in it. The difference between a national visa and the rest is that the period of stay in the country is longer and the validity of the visa itself is also longer.
Visa documents
The first thing you need to travel to Norway is documents. Therefore, you need to prepare them before the trip. Namely: apply for a visa for a trip to Norway and check the validity of the passport.
What you need to apply for a visa:
- A letter with a signature that comes by e-mail after registering on the portal. Instead of a letter, a signed questionnaire will do.
- Black and white photograph approximately 3545 millimeters. It must meet standards.
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages. The expiration date must notend three more months after the trip.
- Photocopies of all passport pages that contain data.
- Cheque or receipt notifying that the consular fee has been paid. When registering online, nothing is needed.
- Medical insurance covering expenses not less than thirty thousand euros. Under this insurance, the tourist is en titled to medical care in the country.
- A paper that confirms residence in the territory of the state. This could be a rental agreement or a hotel reservation.
- Documents that can confirm the direction of movement. Tickets for trains or planes will do. In the case of traveling to Norway by car, a person must provide a description of the route on paper.
- For tourists by car, you must have an international driving license, documents for a European standard car and the same insurance.
- Among other things, guarantees of the traveler's financial stability must be provided. These can be a certificate of income from employment, a bank statement or a confirmation letter from a sponsor.
All these documents are presented by the tourist. But what papers are submitted by a person who has a relative who has the citizenship of the country? The list is as follows:
- Written invitation which is certified by any competent Norwegian authority.
- A paper confirming the legality of the relative's residence.
- Passport number of a citizen of the country.
- Documents proving kinship.
Those who travel on business, exceptstandard, must also submit an invitation from a Norwegian company or organization. It must contain the traveler's details.
Those who have real estate in the country are required to submit an extract from the register or a contract of sale. In general, any paper that will confirm ownership.
Only those people who sign an employment contract, pay for training in the country or provide information about a close relative will receive a long-term national visa.
How to get there
There are many ways to get to this country. For example, a trip to Norway from Moscow can be either by car or by plane. The last option will take only three hours, but it will also cost a lot.
A more budget option would be to travel by bus. It will be cheaper, but it will also take more time. Moreover, there are no direct bus routes to Oslo. First you have to go to Helsinki, and from there to the capital of Norway. You can make a trip to Norway from Murmansk. You can get to the country by bus from Tula, Orel, St. Petersburg, Rostov.
You can also get there by train. But you will have to go first to Helsinki, then by ferry to get to Stockholm. And only from Stockholm you can take a train or bus to Oslo.
Although Murmansk also has a sea, you won't be able to make a ferry trip to Norway from Murmansk. But the water communication is well established between Norway and Great Britain, Iceland, Denmark.
Why you should go
First of all, you need to see all the monuments and sights. It is impossible to spontaneously gather in this country. You need to carefully prepare and think over the route. As an option, you can consider a trip to Finland and Norway. Or lay a route with a stop in Sweden. So the impressions of the trip will be even more.
Experienced travelers recommend living in the countryside, not the city. The reason for this advice is as follows: only by going beyond the fence, you can feel the unity with nature and see all the beauty. Here, all nature is like a fairy tale. For those who are in this country for the first time, it is best to start your trip to Norway with a walk along the city streets. Such easy walks will help to plunge into the local atmosphere.
Fjord Trip
Norway is the only country where these same fjords exist. They are usually viewed from land and water. By land, tourists use the road that connects Aurland and Lairdal, its length is almost twenty-five kilometers. But traveling by water is best on a liner or ferry. In addition to the fjords, waterfalls, fishing villages and grottoes are visited on a water excursion.
Norwegian fishing
Norway, among other things, boasts the largest whirlpool in the world. It's called Salstraumen. This place has the best fishing and diving. All equipment can be rented here. Near the shore you can catch a lot of cod, halibut, catfish. It is possible to hire a boat that is designed forbig company. Each trip is accompanied by special people, because seemingly calm waters can hide dangerous currents and whirlpools.
Snow Palace
To visit this country and not go to Lapland would be a crime. An Ice Hotel was built not far from Kirkenes. It even has beds made of ice, and the temperature of the rooms is always stable minus five. Guests who dare to spend the night there sleep in thermal underwear provided by the hotel. An overnight stay in such a hotel will cost about eighty dollars. For this money, guests receive dinner, breakfast, sleep in the room, the opportunity to visit the sauna and an alcoholic drink. No matter how terrible the conditions may seem, tourists are very eager to get into this hotel.
Liner "Hurtiruten"
The journey on the liner takes a full twelve days. During the cruise, the liner calls at thirty-four ports. In general, the atmosphere is conducive to calm and tranquility. The country has a well-developed waterway, but it is this route and the liner that are considered classic entertainment. It is not necessary to swim all the way, you can pay only a part of the way.
Sculpture Park
The whole park is a collection of monuments with a philosophical concept. The idea of the park is that there is no unambiguous understanding of each sculpture. The perception of any is strictly individual. He created the Vigeland park, he also thought out the whole layout, not to mention the sculptures. It will be especially interesting for experienced tourists who are looking for the meaning of life.
Dog teams
This entertainment comes from childhood. You can try in the cityKirkenes, this is where the best conditions for such races are. The fact is that only around the city is a relatively flat landscape. The tour lasts for three days, its cost is 220 euros. The route of travel has a length of fifteen kilometers. Tourists sit in a sleigh, and a professional instructor drives the team.
Whale Safari
Whale safari is only available during the season. It starts from the moment when the whales swim up to the shores of Vesterålen to hunt octopuses. Tourists are seated on high-speed catamarans and brought to a safe distance to the whales. The entertainment is called a safari, but, in fact, it is the observation of mammals.
Try local food
The food that is prepared in Norway is different from that used to be eaten in Europe. It is impossible not to try the national dish forikol. This is chopped lamb on the bone, which is stewed with cabbage and allspice peas for at least three hours. Be sure to try lutefisk. In fact, this is dried cod, which is kept in soda, and then soaked in water. It doesn't sound like much, but it tastes divine. You should definitely try the brown goat cheese. Its taste is sharp with a hint of caramel and a sweetish aftertaste. Such cheese is allowed to be exported from the country in small quantities.
Jazz Festival
Some people decide to travel to Norway from St. Petersburg, Moscow, and even more so Murmansk just because of this festival. Every July, on sunny days, musicians from all over the world come to Kongsberg. The festival was founded in 1965 and is still popular among tourists and musicians. At this festival you can meet both young talents and world celebrities.
Local souvenirs
Since Norway is considered a fabulous country, souvenirs are sold here to match. Basically, these are figures of trolls and Santa Claus. In addition to them, the Vikings are very popular. Duvets and studded shoe covers also make great gifts.
You can't say exactly how much a trip to Norway costs. Because each traveler develops a route according to his taste and time. One thing is known - it is worth visiting this country, and the worldview will change. After all, it is very pleasant sometimes to plunge into childhood and merge with nature. Where, if not in Norway, you can find harmony?
