Your First Trip to Norway - By: Elmo Populous

Norway may be considered a pricey destination by some, but its breathtaking sights definitely make the squeeze on your wallet seem reasonable. Norway is a perfect mixture of interesting cities and sprawling wilderness. The capital, Oslo, is the obvious starting point from which to explore this beautiful country.

Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capital cities and is a wonderful place to amble around with picturesque views of mountains and fjords and a cosmopolitan character. The Royal Palace’s stunning grounds are open to the public. Guided tours of the palace run every 20 minutes during the summer. Another key attraction is the City Hall, the Rädhus. Hidden inside this massive building are some beautiful carved-wood depictions of Norse myths and an enormous hall decorated with a mural by several important Norwegian artists. For a fascinating glimpse at Norwegian history, visit the Vikingskipshuset which displays three ninth-century Viking ships, which were retrieved from ritual burial mounds in southern Norway, each embalmed in clay. The Folk Museum is also of interest to history enthusiasts featuring indoor exhibits of medieval clothes, china and silverware as well as open-air display of accurately recreated buildings from various periods of Norwegian history.

Oslo is also a fantastic destination for art lovers due to the famous Munch Museum, located just outside of the centre. Edvard Munch is Norway’s most illustrious painter. His signature works of the 1890s are on display here as well as earlier paintings, lithographs and woodcuts. The star attraction is predictably the museum’s copy of The Scream, which was mysteriously returned after being stolen in 2004.

Staying in the capital doesn’t mean you have to forgo getting close to nature. The islands of the inner Oslofjord are perfect to visit in the summertime. The nearest island, Hovedøya, is a captivating place to visit. The ruins of a twelth-century Cistercian monastery on the island sit astride the island, which is covered in farmland and deciduous woods. The most southerly island Langøyene is also worth a visit due to its pretty beaches.

Planning your visit

A key stage in planning your holiday is organising travel insurance. Make sure you get the best deal by comparing providers online. Getting to Oslo is relatively straightforward. The main low-cost carriers are Ryanair and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Norway’s long coastline is served by a number of ferry companies, most notably DFDS Seaways and Color Line. Oslo airport has excellent links to local transport, with direct buses or trains to the city centre.

Norway may be considered a pricey destination by some, but its breathtaking sights definitely make the squeeze on your wallet seem reasonable.

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