Brianne85

I will be visiting Oslo in July, and I know Norway is pretty expensive. So, I was wondering if anyone had any tips on budgeting my trip as far as the cost of things, what to expect to spend in per day (aside from the cost of the hotel). I'm also rather nervous about this being my first trip to Europe.

Also, the purpose of this trip is to visit a college friend, and I will be meeting her family.
I'm kind of afraid of making some sort of horrible social faux paus and embarassing myself, so any insight on social norms and what's considered polite would be great too

Viajero2

Norwegians are wonderful people, kind and very courteous. By the way they treat you they also show how they want to be treated. They are reserved and respectful of YOUR personal space, so you need to give them the same consideration.

If you are there with a local friend most likely she will be the best source of budget info as there is no place in Europe where budget tips from locals will come more handy Dining out in Norway (Oslo in particular) is terribly expensive, but there are the local eateries where you can have good meal and not break your budget....which brings me to your first question: I would budget $50/day for food (it IS that expensive!) and $30/incidentals; tickets, water. make sure you get breakfast included in your hotel. Fruits and sandwiches from supermarkets make for great lunches.

Take a present to their family; some local book showing the sights around your town (a photo calendar?), jams, or aframed picture of their daughter taken while she was in the USA (a tasteful shot obviously....). Have fun! Get yourself to BERGEN!!

WillTravel

$50 for food, if you go for some of the cheapest options possible, sad to say. If you get most of your food from the grocery store, then you'll have a bit more leeway.

Brianne85

Thank you to both of you, you have both been very helpful.
And for the present ideas too, Viajero2

nhulberg

Viajero2 is right about presents: Norwegians always seem to appreciate something to eat. From our home in California, I often take dried fruit. A small bottle of cognac or similar is appreciated: taxes on liquor are high.

Having been to Norway at least 13 times, I still can't get used to how expensive it is. I did find that some ethnic restaurants can be a bit less. Also, at least for lunch, try to do as locals do and pack your own lunch. In the US, most of us think nothing of going out for a meal, as there are a lot of decent places at a moderate cost. It seems to me that almost everything in Norway is either a cafeteria or a pricey restaurant, with not much in between. You will find that Norwegians do not eat out as much as Americans. So, try to do as the locals and at least pack a lunch.

I have to also echo Viajero2's comment that Norwegians are reserved. This does NOT mean they are unfriendly. But they are not going to greet you with a hugh Italian hug. And they are not going to exclaim in raucous voices how great it is that you came to visit. That is not in their nature.

You mentioned that you are visiting Oslo. If there is any way you can find time to get to western Norway, that is where you will really see the beauty of the country. As my wife said after her first trip, "Norway is not beautiful...it is spectacular!"

rjsol

Presents. JAM ? remember flight regulations 100 ml only ! if not local presents from home country flowers is a common, but NOT white carnations ! And we eat with a knife and a fork ! Not that you will be a laugh if you use fork only. If you go for cognac buy at arrival taxfree airport.

Viajero2

rjsol--- I am from Northeastern USA where jams are absolutely wonderful and packaged with great regional style and pride, which make for great presents. I have seen similar trends in many regions of the USA; salsa, barbecue sauces, etc... I guess my idea of a present to a family in another country should tell a story of where it comes from...

deladeb

In our 14 nights in Norway we stayed 6 places, each time experiencing at least 5 incredible jams each morning. So 30 delicious jams...the best!!! Meanwhile one night we had chips and salsa...the chips were fine but the salsa was not good...like ketchup. I later read that salsa is an appreciated gift. So I would choose salsa over jams as a hostess gift.

Brianne85

I come from the midwest, so we do have some really nice Amish made possibilities for gifts, such as jam or honey (the pie is really good too, but I don't think that would be a good idea )
All this talk of food also makes me nervous, I don't really eat alot. I can eat one good meal and honestly not think about it til the next day. Am I going to seem rude?

nhulberg

I have always found that food is appreciated as a gift. Or you can just pick up flowers or chocolate in Norway...also appreciated.

I can't comment on directly your one meal per day question, as I am big eater. But I think if you explain your habitual lack of appetite and join family at the table, just munching a cracker ("flatbread"), that will likely be acceptable. However, don't be surprised if they offer you food repeatedly. In many Norwegian circles, it is traditional to offer three times so you can be sure the guest reallly doesn't want it, and isn't simply being polite.

Malamea

If you only eat one meal a day, the Norwegian breakfast buffet at the hotel will get you a long way... Find places to eat outside the main tourist route - in other words avoid Karl Johan and Aker brygge if you want to save money. There are affordable places to eat - but as in any city, the most touristy places will be expensive. Avoid alcohol with your meal - that is the most pricy part of the meal. It is perfectly OK to order tap water - it tastes good, is free and the best environmental choice (compared to bottled water).

When visiting a Norwegian home, remember to take off your shoes when you go inside. Unless your host upon you removing your shoes insists you keep them on. Then it is ok to keep them on. However, if noone else is wearing shoes inside, you may just insist to take them them off

A house gift is a very nice idea. Do bring something from the US rather than pick something up in Norway. Shows much more thought! A bottle of wine will be appreciated. We received cookie ingredients last time we had someone from the US over, and had fun with the kids making cookies afterwards.

Also, most Norwegians are very proud of their houses, so do make some remarks about the house, the garden, the homemade cake and cooking.

Viajero2

Brianne- I recomend you read the book "Hanna's Daughters" as a nice preamble or even while touring in Norway.