Bergen Tourist Board (05) 31 38 60; Slottsgt. 1, N-5000 Bergen, Norway
Buskerud Tourist Board (067)23 655; Storgt. 13 III, N-3500 Hoenefoss, Norway
Finnmark Tourist Board (084) 35 040; Postboks 223, N-9501 Alta, Norway
Hedmark Tourist Board (065) 27 000; St. Olavsgt. 61, N-2300, Hamar, Norway
More og Romsdal Tourist Board (073) 73-977; Postdboks 467, N-6501 Kristiansund N., Norway
Nordland Tourist Board (081) 24 406; Postboks 434, N-8001, Bodo, Norway
Nord-Trondelag Tourist Board (077) 64 222; P.O. Box 186, N-7701 Steinkjer, Norway
Oppland Tourist Board (062) 55 700; Kirkegt. 74, N-2600, Lillehammer, Norway
Oslo Tourist Board (02) 42 71 70; Radhusgt. 19, N-0158 Oslo 1, Norway
Ostfold Tourist Board (031) 82-487; Box N-1751 Halden, Norway
Rogaland Tourist Board (04) 53 48 34; Ovre Holmegt. 24, N-4000 Stavanger, Norway
Sor-Trondelag Tourist Board (07) 52 15 31; Erling Skakkes gt. 3, N-7000 Trondheim, Norway
Sogn og Fjordane Tourist Board (056) 72-300; Parkvn. 2, N-5800 Sogndal, Norway
Stavanger Tourist Board (04) 52 84 37; Postboks 410, N-4001 Stavanger, Norway
Telemark Tourist Board (035) 21 279; Postboks 743-Hjellen, N-3701 Skien, Norway
Troms Tourist Board (083) 82 169; Postboks 1077, N-9001 Tromso, Norway
Trondheim Tourist Board (07) 51 14 66; Postboks 2102, N-7001 Trondheim, Norway
Vest Agder Tourist Borad (042) 26 065; Postboks 592, N-4601 Kristiansand S., Norway
Vestfold Tourist Board (033) 16 100; Storgt. 55, N-3100, Tonsberg, Norway
West Norway Tourist Board (05) 31 66 00; Slottsgt. 1, N-5000 Bergen, Norway
Norwegian Tourist Board, 655 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017

The following tourist information offices in Telemark can provide you with useful information about events, activities, accommodation and transportation within the county of Telemark:

BREVIK
Brevik Nøringsutvalg,
Torvbakken 2,
3950 BREVIK, Norway
Tel: (035) 70 200

BØ
Bø Turistinformasjon
3800 BØ, Norway
Tel: (036) 60 400

FYRESDAL
Fyresdal Turisthotell
3870 FYRESDAL, Norway
Tel: (036) 41 255

HAUKELIGREND
Ragnvald Christenson
3895 EDLAND, Norway
Tel: (036) 70 305

KRAGERØ
Kragerø Turistkontor
3770 KRAGERØ, Norway
Tel: (036) 82 330 & 81 661

LANGESUND
Bamble Turistkontor, Brygga
3770 LANGESUND, Norway
Tel: (035) 73 606

NISSEDAL
Nisser-Kroa
4860 TREUNGEN, Norway
Tel: (036) 45 262

NOTODDEN
Notodden Turistkontor
Storgt. 39
3670 NOTODDEN, Norway
Tel: (036) 12 022

PORSGRUNN
Svanstrøm Tours
Rødhusplassen
3900 PORSGRUNN, Norway
Tel: (035) 51 096

RAULAND
Rauland-Kroa
3864 RAULAND, Norway
Tel: (036) 73 315

RJUKAN/TINN
Rjukan Turistkontor
3660 RJUKAN
Tel: (036) 91 290

SILJAN
Siljan Turistheim og Camping
3710 SILJAN, Norway
Tel: (035) 41 158

SKIEN
Skien Turistkontor/Reiselivslag
Kverndalen 8, 3700 SKIEN, Norway
Tel: (035) 28 227

TOKKE/DALEN
Bandak Hotell
3880 DALEN, Norway
Tel: (036) 77 118

ULEFOSS (NOME)
Ulefoss Touristinformation
3730 ULEFOSS, Norway
Tel: (035) 85 460

YTRE VINJE
Vinje Turisthotell
3890 YTRE VINJE, Norway
Tel: (036) 71 300

================================================================

The following is a general guide to the places of interest in Telemark, arranged according to parish. Each parish includes general information, a mention of most of the towns, sights to see, the local authority office, and a list of hotels. The starred hotels are those that appear in a general tourist guide, those with complete addresses and telephone numbers appear in brochures from Telemark Tourist Boards. While we have tried to be as accurate as possible please remember that hotels and campgrounds frequently change and check to be sure that they are still in business before planning to stay there. Many of the churches listed are open to the tourist but a key must be obtained, usually from a neighboring farmer or business. The local authority offices are similar to a city hall.

This information is from the Telemark Reiselivstråd, Skien, Telemark. A current publication is available from them each year.

TELEMARK
Pop. 162,000; Area: 15,322 sq.km. (5900 sq. mi.)

Telemark lies in the central part of southern Norway. The landscape varies from sea-swept rocky shores to open farmlands, vast forests, narrow valleys, steep mountains, moors, lakes, and rivers. Telemark contains a variety of minerals including iron, copper, molybdenum, nickel, lead, and gold making it particularly interesting from a geological point of view. It is also the birthplace of modern skiing. The border between the original Telemark and Grenland follows an east-west line at about Gvarv, in eastern Telemark. The areas were named after the ancient tribes of Teles and Grans. This border marks a sharp division between dialects, traditions in dress, and building styles. Skien, Porsgrunn, and Siljan are in the Grenland area.

The tourist industry began in 1892 with the opening of the Telemark Canal. Today it is a popular vacation area. There are many travel guides available which contain travel routes with mileage and tourist sites.

TELEMARK CANAL SYSTEM: The Telemark Canal system is the only one in Norway with direct access from the open sea. 18 locks in 8 lock systems lift boats a total of 72 meters up to Flåvatn. The Norsjø-Skien Canal was opened on May 1, 1861; it has been rebuilt and modernized. It joins the Skagerak and the Skien Fjord with the lake Norsjø. The canal has locks in Skien and at Løveid. The harbor basin in Skien, Hjesllevannet, was dammed and the water level raised as part of the construction. The Bandak-Norsjø Canal was opened on July 1, 1892, and looks almost the same today as it did then. It links the lakes of western Telemark with the Norsjø. There are 14 locks on the 17 kilometer stretch between Ulefoss and Strengen and an elevation difference of 57 meters. Vrangfoss is the most impressive of the systems. All the locks are manually operated. Authentic canal buildings in traditional style are set in lovely parks and along winding paths. The motorboats "Victoria" and "Villanden" have a regular summer route between Skien and Dalen. You may also explore the canals in your own boat, or travel alongside by car or on bicycles.

LOCAL AUTHORITY OFFICE:
Postboks 257, 3701 Skien; Tel. (035) 27 020/28 274
Fylkeskommunen, Fylkeshuset, 3701 Skien; Tel. (035) 21 560