Name: Anne-Marie Kefi 
Age: 59
Nationality: French

Reason for visit? I’ve never visited this part of the world before. I planned this holiday in just a week, and it’s great fun.

Length of stay? Three days.

Seen so far? The first thing I did when I arrived in Oslo was to go to the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, because I’ve worked at the French equivalent for 25 years. It was great! Then I went to Holmenkollen, and today I started with the Nobel Peace Centre, before I went for a walk around the city centre. Walking and using public transport are the best ways to get to know a city.

My entire trip consists of three days in Copenhagen, three in Oslo and three in Stockholm. I like Oslo much better than Copenhagen! Everything is easier here, the metro works fabulously. It’s expensive though, even more expensive than Japan.

Best experience? It’s incredible to see people on skis in the city centre. Fantastic that you can take your skis on the metro, travel up to Holmenkollen, strap on your skis and go skiing. There’s no other capital in the whole world that can offer this. Nature this close to a cultural hub is unique.

Also, the Nobel Peace Centre’s interactive technical installations were amazing; especially the electronic wallpaper and the magical book about Alfred Nobel were impressive. France doesn’t have anything like this – we are much more conservative.

Worst experience? Nothing so far. Everything is very easy, especially compared to Copenhagen. People are friendly. The only thing, though I was not really expecting it, is that nothing is available in French.

Biggest surprise? That you can take your skis inside the metro and that nature is on your doorstep.

Suggestions to other visitors? Come in winter! Combine a ski trip with visits to museums. You can go skiing literally in a cultural centre. It’s truly unique, and I shall tell all my friends about this. It’s very precious, Norwegians should be proud of it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Richard and Phillipa Elloway
Age: 60 and 54
Nationality: English

Reason for visit? Holiday.

Length of stay? Eight days.

Seen so far? We’ve been to the Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum and Holmenkollen. We’re going to the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Norwegian Maritime Museum, Oslo Reptile Park, the Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park, the Resistance Museum and the Holocaust Centre.

Best experience? The Fram Museum and the excellent English spoken by all Norwegians.

Worst experience? Maps are not fully informative. All names of bus and tram stops should be mentioned. 

Biggest surprise? Despite so much snow, Sandefjord Airport Torp was still open.

Suggestions to other visitors? Stay at Haraldsheim Youth Hostel – it’s very good.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Aljaz Grah
Age: 21
Nationality: Slovak

Reason for visit? I’m an exchange student in Helsinki and I’m visiting Norway during my winter holiday.

Length of stay? Three days.

Seen so far? I’ve been to the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, Bygdøy and Holmenkollen. I’ve also just been wandering around town. I plan to go skiing and to visit Lillehammer. And hopefully I’ll get to see the king. 

Best experience? The Viking Ship Museum because I’m interested in history.

Worst experience? It’s expensive here.

Suggestions to other visitors? Dress warmly if you come in winter – it’s cold.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Orlando Gabriel Zancaner
Age: 24
Nationality: Brazilian

Reason for visit? I’ve always dreamt about coming to Norway and seeing the fjords. I also like snow!

Length of stay? 10 days.

Seen so far? I’ve been to Oslo and the National Gallery. I’ve also been in Bergen and on the Norway in a nutshell® trip. I want to go snowboarding at Tryvann, but I’ve hurt my foot.

Best experience? Coming from a place without snow, it must first of all be the snow-covered streets. The great architecture in beautiful Oslo.

Worst experience? I arrived in Oslo at midnight and no beds were available, so I had to stay in an expensive hotel. I had read in my guide book that there were many hotels, so I expected there to be many places to stay. 

Biggest surprise? No cheap hotel rooms available when I came.

Suggestions to other visitors? Book your accommodation before you arrive. 

 Interviews took place February 2007.