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Magical Norway
By Mike Stock
When people think of visiting Norway, one the first things that
invariably springs to mind is to take a cruise along the fjords that are
found on the west coast. But first of all let's take a look at Oslo,
the capital which is located at the Northern most end of the Oslo fjord.
Whether this is a stop on a cruise or a city break, Oslo is well worth a
visit.
Oslo
As
a city destination, Oslo has much to offer. The best time to visit is
in the late spring or summer when the days hardly end and nightime is
but a slight darkening of the sky. Indeed darkness does not come to Oslo
at the height of summer even though the city is located in the south of
the country.
Karl Johan's Gate is the capitals main street. It leads from the castle
and on down to the parliament buildings which are called the StorTing,
literally translated as The Big Thing. On a warm summers night it's
well worth taking a stroll here to experience the feeling of being in a
major northern European city. Many of the locals can be found at the
cafes and bars that spill out onto the streets, making the most of this
time of year after a long and dark winter.
For those looking for good food and a place to go to soak up the
atmosphere, why not pop down to Aker Brygge. Until the mid 1980s this
was a shipyard, but now is the place to relax and eat. Here you can sit
outside and enjoy the view of the harbour and the old fortress which has
guarded the city through the centuries. There are plenty of bars and
restaurants where you can sample the delights of traditional Norwegian
cuisine, such as Gravlax, Lutefisk or possibly Reindeer Steak, as well
as your usual international fare. Just make sure that your wallet can
take the strain as it's not without reason that Norway is known to be
one of the most expensive countries in the world.
If you do have some money burning a hole in your pocket, then Oslo has
everything and more that the shopaholic could desire, from the latest
fashion and designer clothes, to the most up-to-date gadgets. Not
forgetting that this is a city where everything is within walking
distance or a short tram or bus ride.
Culture & Art
Norway has a rich cultural heritage and at the Norsk Folkemuseum you
find it in abundance. Located at Bygdøy, a 10 minute bus ride from the
centre, this is one of the oldest open air museums in the world. Here
they have gathered together buildings and artefacts from all over the
country to bring to life different periods of Norwegian culture from the
12th century onwards.
Just around the corner, can be found, the Viking Ship Museum which
houses three of the best preserved Viking ships ever unearthed. Not far
away from this is the Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki Museum where you can see
several of the ships from his explorations.
If
art is your thing, then a trip to the Edvard Munch museum is a must.
Edvard Munch left all his remaining painting upon his death to the city
of Oslo This museum was purpose built to house his work. Here you can
see two of his most famous paintings, Scream and Madonna (no, not the
singer).
Cruising
To see more of this rugged and beautiful country, why not take a cruise.
There are basically two options. If spending several days or longer on a
ship is not your cup of tea, then you can take a cruise of a specific
fjord. Why not take a day trip through the Sognefjord, which stretches
more than 200 kilometres inland to the Jotunheimen Mountains. This
trip also includes a train journey on the Flåm Railway. The scenery here
is truly spectacular and well worth the visit.
Of course if you really want to see Norwegian fjords and coastline in
all their splendour, a cruise up to North Cape is absolutely essential.
In the summer you can experience the midnight sun and in winter the
Northern Lights. Trips vary in length depending on where you alight and
can be from 2 to 8 days.
For a holiday to remember, whether you seek the bustle of a city or the serenity of nature, Norway has it all.
Factbox
Travel
Getting to Norway is easy, whether you want or fly or travel by sea, but
by far the cheapest if you plan ahead is to book with Ryanair. Prices
have been as low as £1.00 which can leave you more money to spend on the
finer things. Another option is Norway's own budget airline Norwegian
who also have great deals. The flight time is about 1 hour and 40
minutes. If you prefer to go by sea, then ferries go from Newcastle to
various Norwegian cities and can take from 12 hours upwards.
Hotels
If
you plan to stay in style in Oslo, then the Grand Hotel is for you.
Located in the heart of the city this is the most famous and exclusive
hotel in town and the choice of Heads of State and Nobel Laureates.
For a room with a view, you will find that at the Radisson Blu Plaza
Hotel is a good choice. This is the biggest hotel in Norway and has
spectacular views over the city. And for those on a budget, there are
plenty of choices from small hotels to hostels.
Nightlife
Norway has a vibrant nightlife so, if you are planning a night on the
town, Smuget which is one of the largest clubs and is located near the
Nasjonalteateret (National Theatre) is a good choice. With three stages,
seven bars, cafe/restaurant and disco, here is a place that can cater
for most needs.
Getting around
Buying an Oslo Pass is a good idea and soon pays for itself if you are
planning on visiting the sights. This card gives you free admission to
more than 30 attractions, free public transport including local ferries
and discounts on dining and shopping at certain locations. Prices depend
on the duration of the pass but start at around £20 per day.
To find out about opening times and prices of attractions as wells as
cruises and travel around Norway, go to www.visitnorway.com and
www.visitoslo.com
Issue 6