Runic Travels
Runic Travels
Travel TipsAccommodationsHotel rooms in Europe differ from those in the United States. Most rooms are much smaller, with two twin beds as opposed to two doubles or a queen/king. Twin beds may be pushed together to create a larger bed close to the size of an American queen bed. Check-in at most Scandinavian hotels is usually at 2:00 pm. You may book an extra day if early check in is required. This is most relevant when traveling to Iceland since flights from the US arrive around 5 or 6am. Also, most European hotels are not equipped with air-conditioning due to the moderate climate. Please contact Runic Travels if air-conditioning is required. Your room and breakfast (where noted) are included in the price of your trip. Please note that other expenditures, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, mini-bar, tips, room service, laundry, etc...are not included in the price and are the responsibility of the hotel guest. Banking and business hoursGenerally speaking banks are open from 9am to 4pm, except for Norway and Sweden where banks close at 3pm on most days. Many rail stations, airports, etc are open longer to exchange currency if need be. Also your hotel may be able to exchange smaller amounts, usually for a fee. Businesses and shops are normally open from 10am to 6pm, however many are closed on Sundays and holidays. Please keep this in mind when traveling. Some holidays are several days long, unlike here in the US. For example, Christmas and Easter in Norway are celebrated for 2 days: First Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day. Climate and weatherThe climate in Scandinavian countries is very similar to that of the north-eastern United States. Weather can change dramatically but one thing is for sure...no matter what the weather, with the right attitude, your trip will be just as enjoyable whether it be clear and sunny or overcast and chilly. Be sure to check out our weather link, http://weather.msn.com/ before your journey. ClothingWhen traveling in Scandinavia the weather can at times be quite unpredictable. Therefore Runic Travels advises its travelers to be prepared. This does not mean you have to bring every type of clothing you own but to pack wisely. The most important thing to remember is to dress in layers. A waterproof coat with removable liner is the best bet. Or try a medium weight coat with a rain shell over it. This way you will be prepared for anything. For most instances, casual clothing is appropriate but for some upper scale restaurants a dress coat for a man and a pants suit or dress for a woman may be more appropriate. The best advice we can give is to pack as light as possible, especially on adventures that require many different methods of transportation. Carrying one bag as opposed to many will make your trip much more enjoyable. Most important is your footwear. Comfortable footwear, with good support is crucial for all trips to Scandinavia. Whether it is for walking the old cobblestone streets of Stockholm or taking a hike in the Icelandic wilds, you will be most comfortable with the right pair of footwear. Runic Travels has traveled all over Scandinavia and can recommend the right clothing/footwear options for each tour. Other things to keep in mind include: -A money belt. It's a good idea and gives you peace of mind. You could lose everything except your money belt, and the trip could still go on. These can be purchased at most outdoor retailers and luggage stores. -A day pack/back pack. These are great to carry that lightweight jacket, a camera and your day's souvenirs. A small bag works as well but can be easier for pick-pockets to snatch. -A journal: Whether it be a simple note-pad or leather bound book, a journal gives you the opportunity to write down your thoughts and provides a day to day account of your travels. You can jot down good restaurant names or pictures you took, allowing you to look back on your journey from time to time once you return home. Credit cards, traveler's checks and debit cards/ATMsMajor credit cards such as Visa and Master Card are accepted at virtually all Scandinavian locations. Credit cards will always give you the best exchange rates but some locations, such as cruise ships and rail travel, may not accept credit cards. It is always a good idea to acquire some local currency once you arrive in the country of your trip. ATM's give the best exchange rates and are readily available. Travelers' checks are another option, although not required. Please notify your credit card company and/or debit card bank of the dates of your upcoming journey. They often monitor your card activity and will not put any "holds" on your card if they know you will be in specific countries. Please note: Most European ATM's will charge a surcharge for transactions. Banks and post offices also offer good exchange rates, but operating hours may vary. Currency and exchange ratesEven though Scandinavia is part of Europe, only Finland converted to the Euro. The other countries still have their own currencies known as the Krone, or "Crown" in English. Russian currency is the Ruble. When traveling from one country to the next, it is best to exchange your money before leaving that country so that you may exchange your coins as well. Once you leave the country it is difficult to use them and even more difficult to find a bank or vendor to exchange them. For current exchange rates check out www.xe.com/ucc, consult your local papers business section or contact Runic Travels. Duty free shopping, allowances, and tax refundsPlease consult http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/dutyfree_exemption.xml for duty free allowances when traveling back into the United States. In general, US citizens traveling from Scandinavia to the US are allowed: 1 liter (33.8 fluid ounces) of alcohol and 200 cigarettes. Again, please refer to the above link for specific laws. For US citizens traveling to Scandinavia, you are allowed to bring 1 liter of alcohol and 200 cigarettes (300 to Finland and 400 to Norway). Runic Travels provides this information as a general guideline and is by no means responsible for any changes to these laws or misunderstandings which may occur. When shopping in Scandinavia a "value added tax," or VAT, is included in all prices. Anyone permanently residing outside of the European Union can avoid this tax in two ways, 1) while shopping ask for a duty-free form so that you may claim a refund when departing the country, or 2) ask that your purchase be shipped home. For more information on Global Refund System please consult the website www.globalrefund.com. Electric current and adaptorsThe electric current in Scandinavia is 220 volt AC in 50-60 cycles. Prongs on the wall outlets differ from those in the US and Canada. Thus to operate small travel appliances, such as irons, hair dryers or electric shavers, current converters and adapters are required. Most electronic stores, such as Radio Shack, carry these products. Ask for the Northern European prong adapters. Larger hotels in major cities might also have them available for guests. Emergency numbersDial 112 in case of emergency in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Russia. In Norway, dial 110 for fire, 112 for police and 113 for Ambulance. It is also a good idea to leave a list of hotel numbers with family and friends in the States incase they need to contact you for any reason. Runic Travels provides hotels lists on every tour for your convenience. Food/DinningMorning breakfast buffets are usually included in the price of the trip (unless otherwise noted). The typical Scandinavian breakfast includes such items as bread, cold cuts, yogurt, fresh fruit, hot or cold types of eggs, cereals and cheeses. Some breakfasts may be smaller or larger in scale but no matter what it will be most enjoyable and a great start to your adventurous day! Food in general can be quite expensive so we at Runic Travels suggest enjoying a hearty breakfast and then a light lunch to save a little money while traveling. Shopping at the local grocery stores can not only be an eye-opening experience but also a wonderful insider's look at the culture. For dinner try local specialties such as fresh seafood or organic lamb. Most chefs use fresh, local ingredients with fewer additives allowing the true flavors to excite your taste buds. One thing to keep in mind while dinning is that you will often have to ask for your bill at the end of the meal. It is not customary for the wait staff to interrupt your meal or rush you to finish as is some times the case here in the States. Often you will have to signal for refills or if you need further assistance. Please do not think this as poor service, but merely a cultural difference. LanguagesIn general, English is readily spoken in all Scandinavian countries. This is especially true at hotels, restaurants, tourist destinations and stores. While this may be true it is always welcome to use a few Scandinavian phrases when talking to the staff. Do not be hurt if they answer your phrase with English, they are just trying to make it easier for the both of you. But a simple "god dag" to a Norwegian waiter shows you care. Most US bookstores sell Scandinavian phrase books, which you can purchase. But be sure, even if you do not know a single Scandinavian phrase, everyone you come in contact with will be happy to talk to you...whatever language you speak. Medical concernsBe sure to bring along enough personal medication to cover the entire duration of your trip. It is also a good idea to bring along some extra, packed separate from the rest in case your luggage is misplaced. Always have the name of the medication, as well as the name of the generic equivalent, along with a prescription from your doctor. This will enable you to replace any lost or misplaced medication. It is also a good idea to pack a personal first aid kit containing aspirin, antiseptic, antacids, band aids and any other medical items you may need. Often common over the counter drugs available here in the United States require a doctor's visit in Scandinavia. Northern Lights and Midnight SunBecause of the high latitude the Scandinavian countries enjoy long hours of sun during the summer and a unique phenomenon known as Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, during the winter months. The best time to view the Midnight Sun is between the months of May and July in the northern regions of Scandinavia. The Northern Lights are best experienced between September and March, however sightings are never guaranteed. It depends on certain meteorological conditions which contribute to its uniqueness. Print a Schedule of the Northern LightsPassports and VisasTravelers to Scandinavia will need a U.S. passport to enter the country. Passports must be valid for six months after your return date back to the US. They are valid for 10 years and can be obtained at most U.S. post offices. For more information on passports you can also visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html While United States citizen do not need visas to travel to Scandinavia, they are required for Russia. Runic Travels will supply your required letters of introduction; however the rest of the process is the responsibility of the traveler. We are happy to help with the process; however it is faster and safer for travelers to send the information directly to a passport service or embassy. You can obtain more information on visas by visiting http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html or www.traveldocuments.com. *Please Note: Runic Travels suggests you make photocopies of your passports/visas as well as other travel documentation. Keep one copy separate from the originals while traveling and one copy with someone at home in the U.S. This will help expedite the process should you lose any thing while traveling. Phone CallsShould the need for someone from home to contact you on your trip, please follow these steps: To dial your hotel, etc...first dial the International access code (011), then the country code, finally the phone number. Country codes: Norway-47, Sweden-46, Denmark-45, Finland-358, Iceland-354, Greenland-299, Russia (Moscow-095) (St.Petersburg-812) Example: Calling the Radisson SAS Koldingfjord Hotel in Denmark Dial: 011-45-51-00-00 (International access code-country code-phone number) Public HolidaysPlease note that businesses, banks and most stores are closed for official public holidays and many, in fact, will close a half day early the day before as well. Please contact Runic Travels for a more information on public holidays during your visit. Smoking PoliciesIn general smoking is not permitted in indoor locations, but restrictions vary between countries. Almost all restaurants provide smoking and non-smoking areas and many countries have adopted new laws regarding the percent of non-smoking rooms available in hotels. While smoking is quite common, tobacco use is on the decline. For example Norway recently introduced a total ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, pubs, etc. Travel InsuranceRunic Travels encourages all of its travelers to obtain the appropriate travel insurance. Many factors can, in rare circumstances, affect the outcome of your trip. Obtaining travel insurance can safe guard against such an unfortunate occurrence and insure your investment. Please call Runic Travels for more information. Time ZonesThe time difference between New York, or East Coast Time, and the countries of Norway, Sweden and Demark is 6 hours. Iceland is 5 hours, Finland and the Baltics are 7 hours, and Russia is 8 hours. Greenland is only 2 hours different from the East Coast. Most countries observe Daylight Savings Time from the end of March through October, however Iceland does not. TippingDenmark: Restaurant bills and taxi fares include service charges in the quoted prices. Further tipping is unnecessary, although rounding up the bill is not uncommon when you think the service has been particularly good. Sweden: Hotel prices include a service charge. Service in restaurants is not usually included in the bill; around 10% should be added. Late at night the service charge is higher. Taxi drivers should be tipped around 10%. Norway: Service charges and tips are included in restaurant bills and taxi fares and no additional gratuity is expected, but there's no problem if you wish to reward exceptional service with by rounding a bill up. There are no set rules to abide by, but most customers leave small change at bars and 5-10% at restaurants. Wait staff are often paid meager wages on the assumption that tips will boost their salaries, so leaving a tip is usually greatly appreciated. Taxi drivers also expect a small tip. Finland: A 15% service charge is included in the bill in hotels. Restaurants and bars have a 14% service charge weekdays and a 15% service charge during weekends and holidays. The cloakroom or doorman fee is usually clearly indicated. Taxi drivers and washroom attendants should also be tipped. Iceland: Tipping is virtually non existent in Iceland. Russia: Tipping in Russia is becoming increasingly more expected. Normally tips are around 10% but can vary between 5%-20% depending on the service. Some restaurants automatically include a 10% service fee so be sure to check your bill before paying. Guides and drivers also expect tips, which can vary depending on the service and amount of time spent with them. They welcome US dollars and Euros, however money is money and rubles are accepted as well. Weights and measuresHere are a few conversions to keep in mind while traveling. Metric units are used exclusively throughout Scandinavia and Russia so it is good to familiarize yourself with a few of them to make your daily interactions a bit easier. From Metric: To Metric: |