Tulea

I looked around on the forum to see if this has been discussed before and didn't come up with much, so I apologize if this is repated material.

I am studying abroad this summer and I am interested in studying at the American College of Norway in Moss. Does anyone have any good information about Moss? Things to see and do?

I've taken a semester of Norwegian and will know more by the time I leave (in July.) I will also be going with other students from my college, but I'd like to be able to go out on my own. I may even take a weekend trip to Finland to see family, if I can arrange it.

Any advice on traveling around Norway? This will be my first time abroad and I don't even know where to start.

Tulea

Nothing? Nobody has any info on Moss?

Patrick

All I know is, when a stone rolls through town, no one gathers around it.


Sorry.

helen

Moss is a small town of 28000 inhabitants or so. Centre of town is divided of a canal. There you find restaurants and it can be quite lively on a sunny summer day. I have not been there much, but it is a nice enough town. You can rent a canoe and paddle lake Vannsjø. But the town itself is best known for its rotten smell from the paper industry although I think you get used to it when living there. Moss is close to Oslo, so many take the train to Oslo for work.
The tourist information:
http://www.mosseinfo.no/?language=eng&id=1

Tulea

Thanks for replying Helen.

Actually, the paper smell won't bother me one bit. I've got a paper mill in my hometown and I rarely notice it anymore.

I'll be studying at the American College of Norway and I'd like some basic information about the town. Maybe a few suggestions on where to eat, things to do, if anyone has any.

helen

There are many beaches close to Moss, and lots (mostly Norwegians) spend their holiday at campsites and in holiday homes in the area. This is why Moss ‘grows’ in summer, esp. if some event is happening in Moss at weekend. I have not been to Moss long enough for me to really suggest much, for me Moss is simply the town I pass halfway to Sweden going from Oslo. The centre of Moss is really compact mostly between the canal and the paper mill. Most shopping and dining is in the area of the pedestrian street. The shopping mall has access from the pedestrian street. There are also a few pubs in the area and a Micro brewery. I can recommend a visit to Loiten Lys, a Candle outlet close to the mills, having candles in all colours and designs. There is a restaurant onboard an old ferry anchored in the canal, and also a steak house at the canal serving some great Beef Tenderloin with Béarnaise sauce, corn and pommes noisettes. I believe the American College is situated on the island Jeløya on the other side of the canal. Jeløya have quite a few beaches south and west on the island also a nude beach to the north east.

Tulea

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'll be sure to check out the Candle outlet.

What about getting to Findland? Is it a fairly easy trip to get there? I'll have about a week after school gets out to go out on my own and I'd really like to get to Finland if at all possible.

elina

If you plan to take a weekend trip to Finland you will have to fly. Otherwise get yourself to Stockholm and take a ferry over. It is overnight to Helsinki, few hours to Turku.

helen

Travelling to Finland the best would probably be to go by air. I know Finnair has a special youth price for those less than 25 years. It is possible to change departure date for an ordinary youth ticket I think. They have happy deals that are cheaper, but they require more planning as you have to buy them months or at least a week ahead of time, you can not change the ticket either.

If you plan to go travel at the end of your stay, then you might want to combine Finland with a trip to Stockholm you can go there by train or long distance bus.

Moss is not as hilly and fjord like as the western part of Norway, so I would highly recommend doing a weekend trip with the Nutshell tour to Bergen. If having a student card you get a 25% discount on trains.

Another suggestion would be taking the bus to Strømstad in Sweden (just across the border) and taking the ferry to the summer islands of Koster. When there you get the feel of Scandinavia 50 years ago, as there are no cars. There is a tent area on the North Island close to a sandy beach where it is perfect to spend one night under the pine trees. To fully appreciate the diversity of the landscape you must wander the ring path on the North Island. Norwegians tend to go to the North Island, Swedes to the south Island. On the south Island you need to hire a bike (the cost is something like 50 Skr. a day). There is a small line-boat going between the two.

Info on Koster:
http://www.kosteroarna.com/eng.htm

Tulea

Thanks for your help Helen.

I'm busy researching options for weekend trips and I'm trying to find the cheapest route to get from one place to another. I checked out the Norway in a Nutshell tour and it seemed to be pretty expensive unless I had my infromation wrong.

I checked Finnair and the round trip flight from Oslo to Helsinki is just under $300. Can you suggest any train or ferry websites that I could do further research on? I'm still plowing through so much information.

Again, thank you for all of your help.

helen

Travelling on Trains:
http://www.nsb.no/internet/en/

There is something called Minipris ticket, with only a limited number of seats on every departure. The cost is 199 NOK or 299 NOK dependent on whats left. It is valid for the hole journey, even if you have to change trains on your way. But the ticket must be booked in advance online, and they start selling it 2 months ahead. Try and make a search and choose Minipris 199 or 299. Remeber to choose gender if going in a sleeper on a night-train. Then calculate the price.

A friend of mine travelled from Fredrikstad to Bodø in the north for only 199 kroner. The tickets sell out fast, so it is important not to wait too long.

patbateman

Getting to Finland.
300USD for a plane ticket to Finland seems somewhat expensive.

One suggestion is to take the bus to Stockholm (night or day). Price: 60 USD return ticket.
The the ferry to finland. price: 90 USD, overnight return incl. cabin.

Cobos

I would also add that the train from Moss to Oslo S is 40minutes so I'm quite sure a few of your fellow students and Moss'ites will during weekends or whenever travel up to Oslo... In certain larger US towns I beleive Moss would be seen as a suburb of Oslo or a town in "danger" of being swallowed by Oslo in maybe 30 years or so... So all the tips that applies to Oslo would be more or less relevant for Moss as well...

Sindre

helen

You could also try the discount airline www.blue1.com flying from Oslo to Helsinki, it is possible to get a return ticket for 100 Euro or a one-way for 60 Euro with tax.