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| Travel information and tips on The Faroe
Islands including passport information, accommodations, transportation
to and in The Faroe Islands, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more.
"Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel
information on The Faroe Islands!
General Information on The Faroe Islands
Things To See And Do In The Faroe Islands |
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Information on The Faroe Islands
General
Information
The following was
provided by
http://www.faroeislands.com
Situated in the heart of the
Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic at 62°00’N, the Faroe Islands lie northwest of
Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway. The archipelago is composed of
18 islands covering 1399 km2 (545.3 sq.miles) and is 113 km (70 miles) long and
75 km (47 miles) wide, roughly in the shape of an arrowhead. There are 1100 km
(687 miles) of coastline and at no time is one more than 5 km (3 miles) away
from the ocean. The highest mountain is 882 m (2883 ft) above sea level and the
average height above sea level for the country is 300 m (982 ft). For additional
information visit
http://www.faroeislands.com.
Another good source of information is http://www.faeroe-islands.com.
Passport and Visa Information
Passports and/or entry visas
are not required for citizens of Nordic countries. Identity documents are
required, however.
EUCountries, SHENGENCountries and other Countries: Passports are required. For
most countries entry visas are not necessary unless your stay will be longer
than three months. Consult the Danish Embassy or consulate for specific
requirements.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Climate and Weather Information
The weather is maritime and you
can always expect quick change. You may find yourself in brilliant sunshine,
only to suddenly be in a misty fog or showers. The Gulf Stream
encircling the islands tempers the climate. The harbors never freeze and the
temperature in winter time is very moderate considering the high latitude.
Although there may be times when it snows, the snowfall is normally short-lived.
The average temperature ranges from 3°C in winter to 11°C in the summer. In
sheltered areas, the temperature can be much higher, but the air is always fresh
and clean no matter what the season.
Because the Faroe Islands is a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Faroese government prints its own currency, the króna, although Danish coins are used. The exchange value is equivalent to the Danish krone, and there is no service charge on exchange, as Danish notes are equally acceptable as the Faroese króna throughout the country.
Banks and post offices provide foreign exchange services. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available for MasterCard/Eurocard, Visa and Dankort at various locations, e.g. at the banks located along the pedestrian mall in the centre of Tórshavn. At Hotel Hafnia in Tórshavn (see page 78) you can withdraw money on your American Express. Most banks provide cash advances on credit cards. Although several shops in the Faroes accept DK, Visa and MasterCard, it is better to have some cash available if you visit the smaller villages. Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
Credit cards
Credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard/Eurocard, Diner's Club and American
Express are accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops. Most
banks will give cash advances on credit cards supported by a valid passport.
Check with the credit card company for further details before traveling.
Traveler's Checks
The most widely accepted traveler's checks in The Faroe Islands are Amex, Thomas Cook and
Eurocheque.
Banking Hours
Banks in major towns and some villages are open from 9:30 to 16:00 weekdays. On
Thursdays, hours are extended until 18:00. (See page 79). All banks are closed
on Saturdays and Sundays. Secure Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available
from 6:00 until 24:00 every day.
Business Hours
Most shops are open from 9:00/10.00 to 17:30. On Friday, many retailers remain
open until 19:00. On Saturdays, shopping is limited; stores open at 9:00 and
close either at 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00. On Sundays, all stores are closed.
Kiosks, petrol stations and some bakers close late in the evening during the
week, usually 23:00 also Sundays.
Language
Faroese is the
national language and is rooted in Old Norse. Nordic languages are readily
understood by most Faroese, and English is also widely spoken, especially among
the younger people. I have found that it helps to know at least a
little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be
able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really
help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who
speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a
help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit
the Getting Away Language
Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another
language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators,
software and more
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Electricity
The current is AC 220
volts, 50 cycles. The electric outlets take round plugs, common to most European
countries. To be on the safe side, however, invest in a converter with a
variety of adapter plugs so you will have just what you need for your hair dryer
or shaver. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
Postage Information
The main post office
in Tórshavn is open Monday to Friday 09 17. Village post offices have shorter
opening hours. Please note that all post offices are closed on Saturdays and
Sundays.
Travel
Insurance
If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
Travel Warning
Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
If you have suggestions for items to be added to this this section of The Faroe Islands, please send them to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Getting To and
Around The Faroe Islands
By
ship
The faroese shipping company Smyril Line, operates an all year
Cruise and car ferry service with regular sailings to the Faroe Islands and
Iceland from Denmark, Norway, Scotland and the Shetlands Islands. Contact the
head office for more information about timetables, brochures and international
sales agents or visit
www.smyrilline.fo.
By air
Atlantic Airways, the
national airline, flies several times daily to the Faroe Islands. Contact the
airline direct or your local travel agent for information about flights. For
more information, see
www.flyfaroe.com. There is a direct bus
service between the airport and
Tórshavn in connection with arrival and departure times.
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Getting Around
Buses and Ferries
(The following was
provided by
http://www.faroeislands.com)
A well developed, national system of roadways and ferries connects most towns
and villages in the Faroes and is operated by Strandfaraskip Landsins. The
intertown bus system (Bygdaleiðir) operates daily to most areas. The buses are
blue in color. A comprehensive schedule (Ferðaætlan) listing the various
timetables for the intertown buses and ferries can be obtained from the tourist
office, as well as the central bus station near the harbor in Tórshavn. As well
as children, pensioners and students are eligible for discounts on fares
provided they show a pensioner or student identity card. The capital Tórshavn
offers an efficient local bus service (Bussleiðin) with four routes that reach
most areas of the town. The red colored buses operate every half-hour during the
day and hourly in the evening and on Saturdays and Sundays. Kollafjørður is
also included in the local bus service. Route maps and schedules can be obtained
on the buses, at Kiosk Steinatún in the centre of town, or at Kunningarstovan.
Atlantic Airways offers a helicopter service to selected towns and villages
throughout the Faroes. Contact Atlantic Airways directly at phone no. 341060.
Booking is required.
| Need to rent a car in The Faroe Islands and drop it off in another country? Getting Away and Auto Europe have joined together to allow you to rent a car in Austria and drop it in dozens of countries throughout Europe and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the UK and even some places in Africa. Click on Auto Europe more information. |
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If you have suggestions for items to be added to this this section of The Faroe Islands, please send them to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Cities, Towns and Areas of The Faroe Islands
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If you have suggestions for items to be added to
this this section of The Faroe Islands, please send them to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Some Things To See And Do In The Faroe Islands
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If you have suggestions for items to be added to this this section of The Faroe Islands, please send them to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Accommodations In The Faroe Islands
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Getting
Away Accommodations Finder! |
Visit Getting Away Accommodations, world-wide reservations available on line. And, if you are looking for a nice resort, check the Getting Away Resort Accommodations page or ResortDiscounts.com where you can find discounts at some of the world's most desirable resort locations
Coming Soon. If you have suggestions for this section, please send them to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Books, Maps and Other Resources
My favorite guidebooks when I am
traveling is Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost
always on the money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am
visiting. Click on Fodor's
Travel Guides to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
Some Suggestions For Dining In The Faroe
Islands
Coming Soon. If you have suggestions for this section, please send them to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Some Favorites In The Faroe Islands
Coming Soon. If you have suggestions for this section, please send them to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Links For The
Faroe Islands
Another good source of
information is
http://www.faeroe-islands.com.
If you have suggestions for items to be added to
this this section of The Faroe Islands, please send them to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
