Places to stay

We apologize for not updating the blog in the last few weeks. We've been very busy with both of us working on our Master's theses, starting the wedding garden, and preparing for the coming of the lambs. It was spring for the month of March and we took advantage of the nice weather to work outside. Then on the first of April winter returned bigger than ever and there's more on the way. Lambing begins early next week and for the sake of the helpless little ones we hope for warm, dry weather.

Årolilja making the cuddle rounds

Your wedding dinner sprouting!

Winter again - it is beautiful, though.

As we promised, we have a list of places where we recommend people can stay. The list covers the range of rustic (camping at the farm) to a semi-luxury hotel, and everything in between. Since we live in a fairly remote area and there is no one place that can accommodate everyone you will have to spread out a bit over the area. However, being Norway, there are actually buses that you can take to get to and from where you're staying, including the farm! That means you don't have to rent a car :). We chose the accommodations based on recommendations from neighbors, on convenience (such as access to the bus), price range, and of course coziness. The other thing to consider is that we decided to hold the wedding dinner and after party at another location about a 15 minute drive from the farm in the town of Isfjorden. You can check out the location here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Woldstad-Gard/179852168736387. We still plan to have the ceremony at the farm so there will be some traveling. However, the wedding day will end in Isfjorden and you'll need to get back to your bed after that. Buses stop running at night but it is possible to order taxis both small and large (arrangements for that can be made by us later).

Option 1: Cabins at Gjerdset Turistsenter Located just a few kilometers down the road toward Molde you can find this turistsenter with cute little cabins and spectacular views. They also have hiking out the back door and swimming in a lake down the hill. They have several options for cabins such as size and amenities depending on budget and number of people in your group (or you can share with other wedding guests you don't know and make new friends!). The bus stops on the main road just below the center. This will take you to and from Molde, Isfjorden, Åndalsnes, and the farm (though it is possible to walk to the farm). They were already booked up until the day before the wedding but we reserved beginning that day and you can stay as long as you want after. Here is their website: http://www.gjerdset.no/index_en.html.

Option 2: Grand Hotel Bellevue This is a semi-luxurious hotel located in the center of Åndalsnes, which is the end of the line for the train from Oslo. It is about a twenty minute drive to the farm and about five minutes to Isfjorden where the dinner and party will be held. It is also the first and last stop for the regional bus line that runs to Molde and right past the farm. Åndalsnses is not the most exciting town, but it is very close to the famous Trollstiggen and Trollveggen (the winding road that climbs the mountain side and the famous climbing wall, repsectively). You can also hike right from the center of town up onto the spectacular Romsdalseggen, something we recommend for those looking for a challenging, but non-technical, day hike. You can read more about the hotel here: http://www.grandhotel.no/. We reserved some rooms here.

Option 3: Camping and Cabins at Isfjorden Feriesenter We haven't contacted this place yet but it is located fairly close to the wedding dinner and party (a long walk or a short car/taxi ride). It is low budget for those who want to stay in rustic cabins and very low budget for camping. Cabins have refrigerators and kitchens. The website is only in Norwegian, but you can check it out here: http://www.njff.no/portal/page/portal/more_og_romsdal/lokallag/aandalsnes/artikkel?displaypage=TRUE&element_id=19995317.

Option 4: The Åndalsnes Hostel (Vandrerhjem) We haven't been here personally but it looks like a very cozy option at a fairly reasonable price. It is a part of the Hosteling International network. There are numerous room and bed combinations from hostel-style bunk beds to private rooms for families or close friends. Breakfast buffet and wireless internet are included. It is a long (but reasonable) walk to Åndalsnes in one direction and the Rauma Ullevarefabrikk (wool factory where they make and sell well-known wool products) in the other. Short drive to Trollstiggen. Read more about it here: http://www.aandalsnesvandrerhjem.no/index.php?side=Home

Option 5: Trollveggen Camping This is the place for those who want to climb (you know who you are). It is located literally at the foot of the Troll Wall, Europe's highest vertical rock face and a world famous climbing destination. Just make sure you get back down safe and in time for the wedding. Read about it here: http://www.trollveggen.com/ and Troll Wall here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_Wall.

Some people have asked about camping at the farm and Årolilja and I decided that in order to keep things simpler for us during preparations it is best that we not have people staying here before the wedding. However, for anyone who wants to stick around you are more than welcome to set up a tent after the wedding when things are more relaxed. Then we can sit around the bonfire in the evenings and play music, cuddle with the animals, go for a dip in the fjord, and wander through the forest picking mushrooms and berries if there are any left - stiff competition here in the village. Let us know if you are interested in camping on the farm after the wedding.

We encourage people to coordinate accommodations with each other. It will be much easier for you and us if people are staying close to each other or in clusters. That way you can share cars and taxis when getting to and from the events. Please let us know as you book places to stay and whether or not you will have a car so we can plan for transportation. Also, this blog was intended to be interactive so post questions or offers such as sharing a car rental or a cabin.