cities. It is not merely by chance that Norway's biggest cultural event - the Bergen International Festival, is held here each year, or that the town has been elected to be one of the European Cities of Culture in the year 2000. The Fjord Capital has a wide variety of activities ranging from high culture to lively football matches at Brann Stadium.

Perhaps you have an appreciation for the old- style painters such as J. C. Dahl or more modern ones like Munch or Picasso. Perhaps you're interested in architecture or history, technical skills or maritime matters. Bergen has something to offer to you. The old parts of the town are the living history, and the museums and galleries keep both art and the ancestral heritage alive. The Hanseastic wharf Bryggen, the Fish Market, composer Edward Grieg's home at Troldhaugen, Rasmus Meyer's art collection, the Aquarium and Old Bergen - just to mention a few. Here are plenty of attractions worth your while!

The Bergen Card gives you value for money! It entitles you to a free admission or a discounted admission to museums and attractions, sightseeing, bus journeys, parking and much more. The Bergen Card can be purchased at the Tourist Information in Bergen. Or you may order the "Bergen Package", including both a hotel accommodation and the Bergen Card.

Every year cruise ships carry 160.000 passengers generating turnovers of 23 million USD for Copenhagen. In addition, the cruise liners spend approximately 22

million USD on provisions, fuel, harbour taxes, pilots and pilot boats. Including bed- nights, flights and trade to Copenhagen Airport, the cruise ships contribute a considerable part of the overall airport turnover of more than 36 million USD. The total turnover for the cruise industry worldwide is approximately 9 billion USD.

Optimism for Copenhagen's cruise industry
The future looks bright for cruise ship destination Copenhagen with hopes for a record breaking season in the year 2000. One reason for such an optimism is that from next year the American shipping company, Orient Lines, has decided to make Copenhagen the home port for its Baltic cruises. The financial implications of this decision are considerable, with an increased turnover of 3 million USD expected for the city. Orient Lines' classic cruise ship, Marco Polo, will call at Copenhagen 11 times next season bringing 850 passengers each time, who will start and end their journeys here. Passengers will have a bed- night included in one of the city's hotels. This gives the city approximately 9.000 extra bed- nights next year. On their stay in Copenhagen the passengers will also go on sightseeing trips and excursions.

New city cruise terminal
As a result of an new plan by Wonderful Copenhagen, next year's cruise tourists arriving in Copenhagen will be able  to sign on for their cruise liner as soon as they

arrive at the hotel. Instead of building a terminal on the quay where the ships berth, Wonderful Copenhagen has suggested that the terminal should be situated where the guests are. Typically, the passengers have flown in to Copenhagen the day before their ship arrives, allowing a day for final preparations on board the liners before they receive their guests. As passengers are to spend a night in one of the city's hotels, it is much more convenient for them to check in there, rather than having to travel by coach to a special terminal. This solution gives the cruise guests more time for shopping and visiting sights in the city, instead of spending their waiting hours in a terminal.

	GATEWAY TO THE FJORDS

Bergen, known as the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, has always something to offer regardless the season. Bergen is an international town with a small- town charm and friendly atmosphere. Its 220.000 inhabitants take pride in their beautiful city and its shipping, trading and cultural traditions. The city is a spectacular amphitheatre climbing up the mountain slopes, overlooking the sea, embracing you. You can roam through the living history in this modern city, the gateway to the wildest and loveliest fjords of Norway. The tradition, initiative and ambition have made Bergen one of Norway's most vigorous cultural