We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
At 3:45PM yesterday afternoon, an earthquake rumbled over southern Iceland causing mild structural damage in many villages. The earthquake registered a 6.1 on the Richter scale and is believed to have originated fifty kilometers outside of Reykjavik, between Hveragerdi and Selfoss. We were fortunate to hear from our inbound operators and Iceland partners early this morning that everyone is okay and that all services are still fully operational.
Our colleagues assured us, “We are pleased to inform you that there have been no fatalities, no serious injuries, and no major damage outside of the epicenter. Traffic through the area where the earthquake was has resumed, after the engineers had investigated it for potential cracks in roads or instability in bridge structures…All roads and structures in Iceland are built according to strong safety regulations fit for earthquakes well beyond what occurred yesterday.” Furthermore, the Icelandic National Security Administration announced that there is no forecast for future earthquakes and all areas are declared safe.
We bring you this news to assuage any worries our clients may have and to show you our proactive response to any situation that occurs while aboard. As soon as we received word of the earthquake, we made certain to contact our clients traveling in Iceland to confirm their well-being and share with them the information we had received from our partners. We informed any family members at home at their request, as well. We also informed clients set to travel to Iceland in the coming months of the recent events and welcomed any questions or concerns they may have. We are fortunate to have such close friends in Iceland who can give us a first-hand perspective, versus the hype and clamor the media often instigates.
We want to reassure everyone that yesterday’s earthquake was only a minor hiccup. You will find that it is not even being reported by most major news outlets, but regardless, we want to keep you informed. Iceland remains at the forefront of exotic and eco-friendly destination travel and we are committed to bringing you the best that this spectacular country has to offer. Nature has a way of reasserting herself every so often and this fact alone is often what maintains Iceland’s mesmerizing mystique.
The Nordic Company specializes in independent and group travel to Norway and beyond. Whether you feel beckoned to rekindle your roots or simply want to experience the spirit of Scandinavia, a Norway tour by land or a Norwegian coastal voyage (also known as Hurtigruten) is unforgettable. We also invite you to consider Finland travel, Iceland touring and St. Petersburg travel.
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Friday, May 30, 2008
Lean on Me - The Nordic Company's Unique Brand of Service
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
As you can see from Laurie’s reflections below, she wins the hotel review prize hands-down. Not only was she the only one to submit her accolades for her favorite hotel – none of our travel specialists can really top having their wedding reception in the historic Kvikne’s!
In reality, with the booking season upon us, our crew is busy planning trips and pleasing clientele. They haven’t had time to contribute their hotel reviews to the blog. No worries, however, as there is plenty about Scandinavia that warrants conversation and the blog must go on! We’ll return to hotel highlights once the summer rush has calmed and our staff has a chance to catch a breath of air. Thanks for your patience.
With the phones now keeping a steady chorus around the office, I thought it might be appropriate to address the two questions that our prospective clients typically propose to us:
“Why The Nordic Company?” and “Why Scandinavia?”
Firstly, it is our sincere hope that you can understand “why the Nordic Company” from the minute we pick up your call. As Midwesterners, we take to heart our reputation for friendliness and down-to-earth rapport. We look beyond business in order to form friendships that exemplify the level of trust needed to plan your dream vacation. We want you to feel comfortable expressing your every travel request and asking every question that comes to mind. We are here to assist everyone, from the beginning traveler to the wanderlusts who make a living out of seeing the world.
Beyond our appeal as that extra touch of sincerity in an otherwise corporate world, we also do not charge upfront itinerary fees. Most major tour operators these days will not spend time even devising an initial draft of an itinerary unless they know they will be paid upfront for their services. Here again, we extend our unique level of trust. The Nordic Company believes that if we come to you first as friends and then as business partners, you are more inclined to use our services. We will work on several drafts as needed for a customized itinerary until we find what best suits your travel ideas and encompasses the magnificence of Scandinavia - all before we ask for a deposit.
Admittedly, the time invested can sometimes be painstaking, but the rewards are always fruitful. We love using our knowledge and travel savvy to expose people to new and exciting corners of the world. We recognize that we are promoting a global perspective and introducing people to the enriching Scandinavian culture. Most importantly, we know that we are instrumental in creating memories that last a lifetime and really, at the end of the day, that’s what life’s about: Memories.
Next blog, I will answer “Why Scandinavia?” Why do you suddenly find yourself cruising the mighty Sognefjord without a care in the world? Why do our clients stand atop the colossal Holmenkollen Ski Jump and bemoan the fact that they weren’t born in Oslo? Why do we send hundreds of clients to Scandinavia year after year? The truth will surprise and delight you, I promise.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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As you can see from Laurie’s reflections below, she wins the hotel review prize hands-down. Not only was she the only one to submit her accolades for her favorite hotel – none of our travel specialists can really top having their wedding reception in the historic Kvikne’s!
In reality, with the booking season upon us, our crew is busy planning trips and pleasing clientele. They haven’t had time to contribute their hotel reviews to the blog. No worries, however, as there is plenty about Scandinavia that warrants conversation and the blog must go on! We’ll return to hotel highlights once the summer rush has calmed and our staff has a chance to catch a breath of air. Thanks for your patience.
With the phones now keeping a steady chorus around the office, I thought it might be appropriate to address the two questions that our prospective clients typically propose to us:
“Why The Nordic Company?” and “Why Scandinavia?”
Firstly, it is our sincere hope that you can understand “why the Nordic Company” from the minute we pick up your call. As Midwesterners, we take to heart our reputation for friendliness and down-to-earth rapport. We look beyond business in order to form friendships that exemplify the level of trust needed to plan your dream vacation. We want you to feel comfortable expressing your every travel request and asking every question that comes to mind. We are here to assist everyone, from the beginning traveler to the wanderlusts who make a living out of seeing the world.
Beyond our appeal as that extra touch of sincerity in an otherwise corporate world, we also do not charge upfront itinerary fees. Most major tour operators these days will not spend time even devising an initial draft of an itinerary unless they know they will be paid upfront for their services. Here again, we extend our unique level of trust. The Nordic Company believes that if we come to you first as friends and then as business partners, you are more inclined to use our services. We will work on several drafts as needed for a customized itinerary until we find what best suits your travel ideas and encompasses the magnificence of Scandinavia - all before we ask for a deposit.
Admittedly, the time invested can sometimes be painstaking, but the rewards are always fruitful. We love using our knowledge and travel savvy to expose people to new and exciting corners of the world. We recognize that we are promoting a global perspective and introducing people to the enriching Scandinavian culture. Most importantly, we know that we are instrumental in creating memories that last a lifetime and really, at the end of the day, that’s what life’s about: Memories.
Next blog, I will answer “Why Scandinavia?” Why do you suddenly find yourself cruising the mighty Sognefjord without a care in the world? Why do our clients stand atop the colossal Holmenkollen Ski Jump and bemoan the fact that they weren’t born in Oslo? Why do we send hundreds of clients to Scandinavia year after year? The truth will surprise and delight you, I promise.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Balestrand, Norway – Historic Kvikne’s Hotel: Rich in Tradition and Grandeur
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
Laurie, one of our Scandinavian specialists at The Nordic Company and the wife of President Jerry Norsman, shares with us one of her favorite hotels in Norway and the fond memories associated with it:
The warmth, grace, and charm of the lovely, historic Kvikne’s Hotel located deep in the mighty Sognefjord of Norway will always hold a special place in my heart. Several years ago, Jerry and I were treated to an extraordinary wedding reception at Kvikne’s after being joined in marriage in a nearby 12th century Stave Church in Norway.
Kari and Sigrid Kvikne, the fifth generation owners of the hotel, made certain we had wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime. To compliment our festive occasion, they arranged for a concert pianist from Bergen to play the beloved music of Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg. With great flair, they also presented us with a traditional Kransekaker – a Norwegian wedding & celebration cake!
The hospitality extended to us by the Kvikne family during our special occasion was hard to forget and we have remained good friends with them over the years. They continue to be equally gracious and accommodating hosts to all of our clients that we send to their picturesque hotel in Balestrand. From Kvikne’s, our clients are able to experience the beauty and wonder of the mighty Sognefjord, the unique landscape of the Fjaerland glacier, and the delicious cuisine presented in the historic dining room of the hotel every evening. Our clients return year after year expressing gratitude for their stay at the world renowned hotel. When they share with me that Kvikne’s has a special place in their hearts now as well, I am able to smile upon my own precious memories. That makes my job so very worthwhile!
We invite you to learn more about Norway travel by visiting our pages dedicated to Denmark Travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, and a Norwegian coastal voyage (also known as Hurtigruten); St. Petersburg travel, Finland travel and Sweden travel.
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Laurie, one of our Scandinavian specialists at The Nordic Company and the wife of President Jerry Norsman, shares with us one of her favorite hotels in Norway and the fond memories associated with it:
The warmth, grace, and charm of the lovely, historic Kvikne’s Hotel located deep in the mighty Sognefjord of Norway will always hold a special place in my heart. Several years ago, Jerry and I were treated to an extraordinary wedding reception at Kvikne’s after being joined in marriage in a nearby 12th century Stave Church in Norway.
Kari and Sigrid Kvikne, the fifth generation owners of the hotel, made certain we had wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime. To compliment our festive occasion, they arranged for a concert pianist from Bergen to play the beloved music of Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg. With great flair, they also presented us with a traditional Kransekaker – a Norwegian wedding & celebration cake!
The hospitality extended to us by the Kvikne family during our special occasion was hard to forget and we have remained good friends with them over the years. They continue to be equally gracious and accommodating hosts to all of our clients that we send to their picturesque hotel in Balestrand. From Kvikne’s, our clients are able to experience the beauty and wonder of the mighty Sognefjord, the unique landscape of the Fjaerland glacier, and the delicious cuisine presented in the historic dining room of the hotel every evening. Our clients return year after year expressing gratitude for their stay at the world renowned hotel. When they share with me that Kvikne’s has a special place in their hearts now as well, I am able to smile upon my own precious memories. That makes my job so very worthwhile!
We invite you to learn more about Norway travel by visiting our pages dedicated to Denmark Travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, and a Norwegian coastal voyage (also known as Hurtigruten); St. Petersburg travel, Finland travel and Sweden travel.
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