Social Programme

The events described here are activities organized for the symposium and included in your registration fee. When you registered at the social and hotel booking site you should have indicated which activities you would take part in. If you did not complete this site, or if your plans have changed, please inform a member of the staff as soon as possible. Locations are shown on these maps: overview map, city centre, university.
 

Icebreaker (Sunday 17:00–20:00, Polar Environmental Centre, 2^nd floor)

An icebreaker reception will be held Sunday evening from 17:00 to 20:00 at the Polar Environmental Centre, home to the Norwegian Polar Institute and other research institutions.  Snacks and drinks will be served while you have an opportunity to catch up with old colleagues and meet new ones.  The snacks and first two drinks are free of charge; additional drinks can be purchased.
 

Polaria

At registration, you received a ticket to Polaria, an Arctic-themed exhibition centre with aquarium, located next to the Polar Environmental Centre. You can use this ticket Sunday during the icebreaker (before 19:00) or anytime during the week.
 

The Polar Environment Centre and Polaria  
 

Seligman award (Monday 17:00–18:30, Teorifagbygget)

The Seligman award will be presented at the symposium venue on Monday evening, just after the regular sessions.  Drinks and refreshments will be served during a short break before the presentaion.
 

Public talk/Socializing (Tuesday 19:30–20:30, Driv)

Tuesday evening a public lecture will be held at Driv, a popular bar on the waterfront in the city centre that is run by the student association. The talk will be given by Harald Dag Jølle, the Norwegian Polar Institute’s historian. The title, translated to English, is: “Fridtjof Nansen and the sea: A different tale about the Norwegian polar hero.” He will focus on Nansen’s interest in, and contributions to, science. Aimed at the general public in Tromsø, it will be given in Norwegian. Although the talk might not be understood by many of you, we encourage conference participants to join—if not for the talk, then for the socializing afterwards. Free entrance, cash bar.
 

Driv, the site of the public talk, is the yellow building  
 

Mid-week excursion (Wednesday afternoon/evening, Tourist info)

Multiple options were arranged for Wednesday evening excursions. Most of these have reached capacity, so it is important to let us know if you will not be going on an excursion you have registered for or if you still would like to sign up for an excursion or change you choice.
 
**Time for travel from the university to the excursion departures is tight for most trips, so please bring all you will need with you to the venue rather than planning to stop at your hotel on the way. Buses go from the university bus stop to the city centre at 14:36–14:50 (#21), 14:46–15:00 (#20), 14:51–15:05 (#32), and 14:56–15:10 (#21).
 
All trips will depart from the tourist info building in the city centre. Buses 20 and 21 stop at the Wito stop, just across from F1 (on map), and bus 32 stops at Torgcenteret, near Havnegata H1/H2 (on map).
 

Fishing trips

Two chartered fishing trips have been organized, both lasting three hours, from either 15:15 or 18:45. You will go out on board the M/S Caroline Mathilde from the city centre for a salt-water fishing trip in the waters nearby.  In addition to the opportunity to catch a fresh meal, there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy the views—Norwegian waters are generally surrounded by Norwegian mountains.  Cod and pollack are common catches in the area, but in early June it may also be possible to catch the less common seawolf (Atlantic wolffish).  Fishing equipment and advice is provided, and lucky participants can take their fish with them or prepare it on board.
 
A creamy fish soup will be served on board and the boat is also licensed to sell beer and wine.
 
While the boat has a nicely heated interior, you will hopefully want to spend time on deck, so please bring appropriate warm, waterproof, layered clothing and shoes that are good on a wet deck.
 
For the 15:15 trip, please meet outside the tourist info building at 15:10.
For the 18:45 trip, please meet outside the tourist info building at 18:30.
 

Hiking trips

Four guided hiking trips have been arranged, two will go on a moderate route and two on a more difficult route. The exact routes will be determined by the guides on short notice, depending on weather and terrain (snowcover, slide/flood danger) conditions.
 
Participants will be given a sandwich and a bottle of water.
 
It is very important to wear sturdy footwear and to wear or bring warm and waterproof clothing. Remember that the hikes will likely go up to higher terrain where it may be windier or colder than in the city.
 
For all hiking trips, please meet outside the tourist info building at 15:30.
 

Lyngen Alps round trip

This trip begins with a trip by bus and ferry from Tromsø, across the Lyngen Peninsula, to the nearby village of Skjervøy, lasting about 3.5 hours, with two ferry rides. You then board one of the Hurtigruten coastal steamers for a 4 hour ride back to Tromsø, docking back at the city centre at 23:45, under the midnight sun.
 
Participants will be given a sandwich and a bottle of water. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on the ferries. The Hurtigruten ship has a cafe where snacks, meals, and drinks can be purchased, a restaurant that serves a nicer, more formal meal (casual dress is alright), and a couple of bars serving drinks. If you wish to eat dinner in the restaurant, let us know on Tuesday so we can reserve seats for you. Dinner in the restaurant costs kr 345 per person when booked in advance (plus drinks); they serve a set menu each night, and we will try to find out what that will be by Tuesday.
 
This trip will not require being outside much, but you may wish to spend time on the decks of the ferries or the ship, so we suggest bringing warm/waterproof clothes. The ship has two hot tubs on an outside deck, so you may also wish to bring a swim suit.
 
For the Lyngen Alps round trip, please meet outside the tourist info building at 15:30.
 

Symposium dinner (Thursday 18:00–23:00, Sommarøy—Buses from campus and city centre)

The symposium dinner will be held on Thursday evening in Sommarøy, a beautiful village on an island about 1 hour from Tromsø. The drive there and back, by two different routes, provides a great view of northern Norwegian scenery; the dinner is at a restaurant by the beach and will be a barbecue focused on local foods. The meal will be served buffet style, and can be enjoyed inside or outside, depending on the weather.
 
We recommend wearing warm, informal, layered clothing. It is often windier on Sommarøy than in Tromsø, and you may wish to spend time on or walk along the beaches in the area.
 
Buses will leave from the symposium venue at 18:00 and stop outside the tourist info office in the city centre at 18:15. Returning from Sommarøy, buses will leave around 22:30 and 23:30, depending on people's wishes.
 

A view from Sommarøy, the location of the symposium dinner  

Other activities in Tromsø

The activities below are some other suggestions of what you might do while in town. More tourist information is available at www.destinasjontromso.no.
 

Fjellheisen cable car

Cable car up the mountain just across the sound from the city centre. It takes you up to 421 m above the sound, offering a fantastic view of the city. There is a cafe/restaurant at the top. It is also a gret place from which to start short or long hikes. Open every day from 10:00 until 01:00, allowing trips up for the midnight sun. Round trip kr 99. www.fjellheisen.no
 

Arctic Cathedral

One of the most recognizable pieces of archticture in the city, the Arctic Cathedral was built in 1965, reflecting northern Norwegian nature, culture and faith, with a monumental stained glass window. Entrance kr 30. For opening times, and concert times and prices, see www.ishavskatedralen.no.
 

Museums

The Polar Museum (www.polarmuseum.no) has a collection of exhibits about Norway's polar history, ranging from trapping to the famous expeditions. Open 11:00–17:00, entrance kr 50.
 
The University Museum (www2.uit.no) displays the natural and human history of northern Norway, including exhibits about the Sami people and the northern lights. Open 09:00–18:00 (shorter hours before 1 June), entrance kr 30.
 
The Art Museum of Northern Norway (www.museumsnett.no/nordnorsk-kunstmuseum) displays permanent and temporary exhibits of art and crafts related to northern Norway, from the early 19th century to the present day. Open 10:00–17:00 Tuesday to Friday and 12:00–17:00 weekends, free admission.
 
Perspektivet Museum (www.perspektivet.no), in a house in the city centre built in 1838, displays mostly photographic exhibitions about the people and events that have helped characterize Tromsø. Open 11:00–17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, free admission.
 

Ølhallen pub/Mack brewery

Ølhallen (the beer hall, www.olhallen.no) is Tromsø's oldest pub, established in 1928. Here you can sample Mack's beers directly from the worlds northernmost brewery. Open 09:00–18:00 Monday to Saturday; brewery tours Monday to Thursday at 13:00, kr 150 (includes a half litre of your choice afterwards).
 

Shopping, eating, and drinking

Shops in the city centre are generally open between 10:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday and close by about 15:00 on Saturday. Grocery stores are open later, some until 23:00 on weekdays and 20:00 on Saturday. Only smaller convenience stores are open on Sunday. Restaurants and bars—almost all are in the city centre—are open every day. Kitchens generally close around 22:00; bars are open until after midnight every night.
 

One of the Hurtigruten ships between Tromsø and Skjervøy