Nordic track

GETTING THERE:

From LAX, Air France, British, Continental, KLM and Lufthansa have connecting service (change of plane) to Oslo. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $556.

TELEPHONES:

To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 47 (the country code) and the local eight-digit number.

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotel Bristol, 7 Kristian IV Gate; 22-82-60-00, vwww.bristol.no. Well-located 1920s hotel with old-world elegance. Inviting book-lined lobby bar serves light fare — a nice option in pricey Oslo. Doubles from $296.

Thon Hotel Cecil, 8 Stortingsgata; 23-31-48-00, www.thonhotels.com/cecil. Business hotel near parliament hides behind an unimposing exterior. Cheerful rooms, many opening onto an eight-story atrium-restaurant. Doubles from $160.

Rica Hotel Bygdoy Alle, 53 Bygdoy Alle; 23-08-58-00, www.rica.no. Intimate traditional hotel in renovated historic building in suburban Frogner, a pedestrian-friendly area with good shops and restaurants. Doubles from $160.

WHERE TO EAT:

Theater Café, Hotel Continental, 24-26 Stortingsgata; 22-82-40-50, vwww.hotel-continental.com. A must-see, the restored century-old room has dark woods, potted palms, an air of opulence. Live music at dinner. Main courses $36-$49. (Light fare served after 9:30 p.m.)

Café Elise, 22 Elisenbergveien, Frogner; 22-44-25-11. Small, inviting neighborhood restaurant with French flair. Main courses $18-$32.

Lofoten, 75 Stranden; 22-83-08-08, www.lofotenfiskerestaurant.no. A stylish, contemporary seafood restaurant on the waterfront at Aker Brygge pedestrian area. Main courses $38-$45.

TO LEARN MORE:

Visit Oslo, vwww.visitoslo.com.

Scandinavian Tourist Board, (212) 885-9700, vwww.norway.org.

— Beverly Beyette