Ah, Bjorn, you babe in the Norwegian woods, the Games were staggered to heighten TV revenues.

Turin, Athens, Sydney and Salt Lake can all thank Atlanta for lessons in how not to put on an Olympics.

Count on hotels being at least two and probably three times their usual rate, most with lengthy minimum stays. Figure out what you want to see and plan it out now -- 40 percent of all tickets (which means many of the high-demand tickets) have been sold.

CoSport handles the U.S. sales. You can get tickets on site if any are left, but it's a big gamble. You might want figure skating and end up at curling.

Usually a high percentage of the hotel rooms are blocked and a small share of them open up close to the Games. Or in the case of Athens, U.S. questioning of the Greeks' ability to stage a safe Games and an overhyping of the threat (whatever color) meant a lot of open rooms -- and a sad situation that the hosts handled very well.

That said, there are magical times during all Games -- and you don't have to have a ticket for many of them.

For instance, I was in Circular Quay when the Aussie field hockey team scored a huge win. The area had several big screens and drew thousands of people. It was stunning. As the game ended we walked ionto a pub and the band cranked up, ``Waltzing Matilda.''

The non-sports programs also are worthwhile.

Was in Salt Lake for 2002. Awesome time! Great parties and people from all over the world. Now that was Utah, I can't wait for Torino! Just booked a B&B for a few nights in Turin.

Try: http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-italy.com

Does anyone know how long a train ride it is from Turin to the mountain venues? Towns of Cesana and Sauze d'Oulx?

I've heard to plan on three hours to get from downtown Torino to the farthest ski venues.

My husband and I went to the Salt Lake Winter Olympics in 2002...it was a dream of a lifetime to be at an olympics. We went to the closing ceremonies but also the Women's Final Ice Skating and Luge and several other events. The closing ceremonies cost a fortune but like I said, it was something we've wanted to do for a long time.
A few suggestions: bring pins to trade, and try to get into some of the country houses...the places where each country has their parties to congratulate their winners, etc. We had a great German lunch at the Germany House in SLC and you really get into the Olympic Spirit...lots of fun.
Wish I were going again!!
Have fun!
Shadow

Access to national houses vary by country and Olympics. Mostr very very open in SLC, but in Athens, for example, the Germans were very strict about access.

yikes -- don't let me type in the a.m.

Access varies by country and games. Most houses were open in SLC, but many, including the German house, were less accessible in Athens.

ttt