8 New Hostels In 2009

This year’s newcomers are Lysefjorden, Molde, Nesna, Sandefjord, Skjolden, Sortland, Stabbursdalen, and Svalbard. In addition to these, Runde, Røvær and Nordkapp hostels opened their doors late in the 2008 season.

Hostelling International Norway offers affordable accommodation at 75 locations all over the country. Our hostels are an excellent option for travelers whether they are driving, bicycling or traveling by public transportation through Norway. Each of our hostels is unique, but what they all have in common is their focus on experiences in an informal atmosphere. Hostel traveling means meeting friendly, likeminded people!

All hostels offer facilities that encourage people to connect with each other easily. The hosts are proud of their hometowns, and they will be happy to tell you about activities and sights special for their area, and also where you should go next.

Worldwide there are 4 000 hostels cooperating with Hostelling International.

Lysefjorden Vandrerhjem	Season: 19.6.09 - 30.8.09
Lysefjorden Vandrerhjem sits right inside the Lysefjorden. The hostel has 22 rooms and 49 beds. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Lysefjorden is a starting point for many exciting trips, for instance to Kjerag, or Nilsebu. Impressive, wild nature with great contrasts is what makes this idyllic place what it is. Population: 1 225 (Forsand kommune) Activities and attractions: hiking, base hopping, mountain climbing, kayaking and the Chapel of Lyse. Tourist Information: www.lysefjordeninfo.no
Molde Vandrerhjem	Season: 1.6.09 - 10.8.09
Molde Vandrerhjem is set in beautiful natural surroundings on the west side of downtown Molde. The hostel has a lovely view of fjords and mountains as well as splendid lawns for the guests’ enjoyment. All together the hostel has 28 rooms and 70 beds. Shower and toilet facilities are shared in the hallway. Molde, “City of Roses”, is a coastal town in the county of Møre og Romsdal. The swinging city is known for its view of the Molde panorama which counts 222 tops. The city is also a known tourist site due to its Jazz festival. Population: 24 380 Activities and attractions:  trips on the fjord, Aker Stadium and Molde Cathedral. Other attractions close by are Trollstigen, Trollveggen and Atlanterhavsveien. Tourist Information: www.visitmolde.com
Nesna Vandrerhjem	Season: 1.1.09 - 31.12.09
Nesna Vandrerhjem is set in the center of Nesna town, and is an excellent starting point for an activity-filled holiday. The hostel has 20 rooms and shared facilities. All rooms are single rooms. Nesna is located by the coastal road R17 at Helgeland in the county of Nordland. It is the place to start for island experiences. Among other things the great populations of sea eagle and other bird species are famous. Nesna also has a big harbor for small boats. The Hurtigruten cruise boat passes by regularly. Population: 1 780 Activities and Attractions: Bird watching, island hopping and the Nesna Town Museum. Tourist Information: www.artic-circle.no
Sandefjord Vandrerhjem	Season: 15.6.09 - 15.8.09
Sandefjord Vandrerhjem is set in beatiful natural surroundings about 2 km from the city centre of Sandefjord. The hostel has 98 beds and 44 rooms. All rooms have washbasins, but the showers and toilets are shared separately. Parking and wireless Internet is free for the guests. Sandefjord is formerly known for shipping and whaling. Today it is possible to learn about Sandefjord and these trades at the local museums. Sandefjord comes to live in the summertime and the township has a coastal line of 146 km. The city is well connected with an International Airport - Sandefjord Airport Torp, train and express coaches. Population: 42 654 Activities and Attractions: hiking, Sandefjord Bad, Badeparken, Commander Christen Christensen's Whaling Museum Tourist Information: VisitSandefjord
Skjolden Vandrerhjem	Season: 1.5.09 - 30.9.09
Skjolden Vandrerhjem is set in beautiful natural surroundings about 3 kilometers from Skjolden town. The hostel has 24 newly renovated rooms with private bathroom facilities. At the innermost point of the longest fjord in Europe lies idyllic little Skjolden. Here mighty nature is in focus with both steep mountains and great waterfalls. Population: 275 Activities and Attractions: hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, Jotunheimen. Tourist Information: www.skjolden.info.no
Sortland Vandrerhjem	Season: 20.4.09 - 31.12.09
Sortland Vandrerhjem is located right downtown in Sortland. The hostel has 15 rooms with 36 beds. Shower and bathroom facilities are shared except for 5 rooms which have their own bathrooms. Sortland, the “Blue City by the Sound”, is a small town in Vesterålen, Nordland county. The town is the biggest commercial center in its region and offers a broad range of activities. Hurtigruten cruise boat passes by regularly. Population: 9 730 Activities and Attractions: whale safari, fishing, hiking, biking, Kulturlandskap Nordland sculpture exhibit, Lihallen Culture Farm and Jennestad Commerce. Tourist Information: www.vestreg.no
Stabbursdalen Vandrerhjem	Season: 1.1.09 - 31.12.09
Stabbursdalen Vandrerhjem is beautifully set right where the Porsanger fjord meets Stabburselva River, about 15 km north of Lakselv. The hostel has 24 beds in six rooms. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Stabbursdalen is an idyllic site in the heart of Finnmark. Her you will find some of the country’s best salmon rivers as well as unique bird life and fascinating flora. Come experience Stabbursdalen National Park which features the world’s northernmost pine forest. Population: 4 400 (Porsanger municipality) Activities and Attractions: Fjord and river rafting, hunting, fishing, bird watching. Tourist Information: www.finnmark.com
Svalbard Vandrerhjem	Season: 15.6.09 - 15.8.09
Svalbard Vandrerhjem sits about 3 km from Longyearbyen city, Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The hostel building is used for student housing most of the year. The hostel has 12 rooms with 24 beds. Bathroom and shower facilities are shared in the hallway. Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Its islands are located between 74 and 81 degrees northern latitude, 10 to 35 degrees eastern altitude. Longyearbyen is the administrative center of the archipelago and has the largest inhabitation. Population: 2 075 Activities and Attractions: hiking, boat trips, kayaking, glacier walking, unique nature and wilderness in a dog sled. Galleries and a museum. Tourist Information: www.svalbard.net

Hostelling International Norway also informs our clients that the hostels Inderøy Vandrerhjem, Kragerø Vandrerhjem, and Leira Vandrerhjem, no longer make part of our organization.

A complete presentation of the now hostels can be seen on www.hihostels.no. For more information, please contact Hostelling International Norway by e-mail: info@hihostels.no or phone: +47 23 12 45 10. For booking information, please contact the hostels directly. 

See you tomorrow