Adventure, great natural frontiers of the world, daring physical feats, Norse Gods, and captivating wilderness culture, are images that reflect Oslo, Norway. The steep glacier mountains, jagged fjords, salmon-filled rivers, and meadows denote a life of ongoing exploration. Norway is also known for the shimmering aurora borealis, often referred to as the northern lights, observed during the winter before giving way to the midnight sun of summer.
Norwegians have been seafarers since the dawn of history. The majestic scenery has also formed the Norwegians' vision of themselves as inspired inheritors' of some of the world's most incredible landscape and scenery. The landscape has inspired the paintings of Edvard Munch and many noted musicians as well.
The country is rich in natural resources and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices through its exports. In the 1990s Oslo grew to be one of the impressive cities of Europe with desired restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, and shopping complexes to serve the cities and travelers.
Accommodations The Golden Tulip Rainbow Opera has views of either the fjord or the city. The Bristol Hotel is located in a shopping area, and is close to the train station or harbor.
Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel is a high-rise Convention Hotel and is located next to the Royal Palace, and conveniently near the central shopping and business area. The Hotel Continental is a graceful Victorian hotel reflecting the late 19th century. Old-world ambience is in the city center and the hotel overlooks Palace Park.
Restaurants The cafe at Grand Hotel, the Grand Cafe, has the reputation of being a favorite of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, as well as playwright Henrik Ibsen.
Le Canard Restaurant is noted as one of Oslo's most elegant restaurants. The exclusive place in Frogner is decorated with antiques, chandeliers and Baroque paintings, and is housed in a looming Gothic-style brick mansion with spires. The establishment was built at the turn of the last century.
Beach Club Restaurant displays itself as a combination of an outdoor cafe and a dress up tie place, as well as a synergized nightspot.
The Clodion‘s appearance, with a bright blue façade embodied with frescoes of the sun, moon and stars, ornaments the entrance to this trendy, crowded spot. The colorful decor, people watching and the changing art gallery make the restaurant an intriguing place to dine.
Shopping
Oslo's exclusive shopping centre, Paleet, is a place for quality and plush surroundings. The centre has several floors with a glass lift going up and down through the open atrium, while a piano is played in the background. An original Munch painting adorns the wall, while green plants invite a tour around the centre where there are 45 shops and 12 restaurants.
European fashion and known as a trendsetter, Lille Vinkel Sko is the happening place - a warehouse where sportswear, furniture and more are available for lower prices than in a normal shop.
Major Attractions At the Viking Ship Museum, highly saluted Norwegian architect Arnstein Arneberg is where his significant works of production can be viewed. In addition, are the Oslo City Hall and the home of the Norwegian royal family at Skaugum. The Viking Ship Museum is one of the two buildings comprising the Museum of Cultural History. In the Viking Ship Museum there are also grave finds from Tune, Gokstad, Oseberg and Borre.
The Norwegian Folk Museum is an excellent way to see Norway in a day. As one of the largest open-air museums in Europe, one can see the stoic stave church, to farmers' houses made of sod, and the old buildings that span Norway's history throughout the ages and the regions.
The Kon-Tiki Museum is an intriguing journey into a unparalleled event on the oceans. The balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki was built as a copy of a prehistoric South American vessel. Constructed of nine balsa logs collected from Equator, a crew of six men sailed the raft from Callao in Peru the 28th of April 1947 and landed on the island of Raroia in Polynesia after 101 days. This successful voyage of 4300 miles proved that the islands in Polynesia were within the range of this type of prehistoric South American vessel.
A documentary of the voyage won an Oscar in 1951 and the book about the expedition has been translated into no fewer than 66 languages. The private foundation houses a range of boats and artifacts from Thor Heyerdahl´s amazing expeditions.
At the Museum the original Kon-Tiki raft from 1947, has a 30 foot whale shark underneath. Also for viewing are statues and a secret family cave from Easter Island. An stirring collection of archaeological finds from Easter Island, East Polynesia, Galapagos and Peru brings the past alive.
Written by: Karen J. Lee
