1. OSLO — City Life
Norway’s capital is ripe with designer shopping outlets, and a vibrant café culture thrives but don’t miss the stunning Italian marble Opera House. Or the new Ekebergpark Sculpture Park to see Eva by Auguste Rodin and Louise Bourgeois’ famous sculpture The Couple. There’s even a piece by Andy Warhol in the Ekberg restaurant.
A few minutes drive away is the town of Akershus named after its fortress that was built to protect Oslo. Elsewhere is the historic Oscarsborg fortress that sits along the coast is Oslofjord and the Hennie-Onstad art museum. This was founded in 1968 by the World Olympic champion figure skater Sonja Kenie who was a passionate art lover.
A worthwhile detour is to the north of the city where in two hours you could be exploring Hamar. It’s home to just 25,000 people yet sits alongside Norway’s largest lake Mjsa. It’s an opportunity to spend time in the marinas and waterside cafes and visit the Cathedral ruins.
2. NORWEGIAN FJORDS — Natural Beauty
The Fjords in Western Norway are naturally stunning and made of a series of water canals that stretch from the coast and deep into the mountain wilderness. The mountains reach hundreds of metres into the ocean and form the Norwegian Fjords.
It sounds remote but actually they are incredibly easy to access and get around. The public transport system is first class and comprises the bus, train and expressboat. Fjord Tours make it easy to hop on and off. Fly into Bergen and fly out from Stavanger. This way you will see so much more and get close to nature in a way you never thought possible.
Copyright © 2014 by The Travel Magazine. This article was written by Sharron Livingston and originally published at The Travel Magazine
