Getting There -- Trains run every hour or two from Oslo to Skien, taking 2 3/4 hours and costing 269NOK ($41/£22) one-way. Call tel. 81-50-08-88 for schedules or visit the NSB website. Motorists take the E18 south from Oslo to Larvik until the signposted turnoff (Rte. 36) heading northwest into Skien. You can also fly to the small Sandefjord Airport (tel. 33-42-70-00), lying near Skien. Even though it's small, it is the country's second-busiest international airport. From the airport, buses run into the center of Skien.

Visitor Information -- For information, go to the Skien Tourist Office, Nedre Hjellegate 18 (tel. 35-90-55-20), which is open during July and August every Monday to Friday 8:30am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 11am to 4pm. The rest of the year, it's open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.