I wasn't sure of what to expect from Oslo during its dark, cold and rainy season. Rick Steves' description of Oslo as the "smallest and least earthshaking of the Scandinavian capitals" made me a little nervous. The fact that Norway is one of Europe's most expensive destinations had me apprehensive as well. Paying for tap water and more for a burger than you normally would for a nice steak, can be a little aggravating. All that aside, Norway was a pleasant surprise that showed us that sometimes good things come in small packages. Before we even bid Norway "farvel", we were already excitedly planning a return trip.
So how do you get your money's worth in one of Europe's most expensive cities? First of all, we loved our hotel, The Clarion Royal Christiana. Finding the right accommodation can be priceless, especially when you are traveling with children. First of all, location is key. We stayed next to the train station and in the heart of Oslo. Oslo's efficient public transportation was literally at our doorstep. My kids also loved the indoor pool which is a rare treat for them.
My first stop in Oslo was the tourist information office. Most major European cities have one. There I purchased the Oslo Pass. This handy card gave us unlimited use of public transportation and free admission to museums. Major cities all have a pass similar to this one, but this is the first time I have actually bought one. You have to do your math and figure how many places you will visit and then determine if there is a savings in buying it. We definitely got our money's worth out of this card. I can not praise Oslo enough for its EXCELLENT museums and public transportation. We effortlessly breezed through 5 great museums in about as many hours. I have learned there is something to be desired in a small and thoughtful museum. The human brain best digests information in small chunks. So, although a museum like the Louvre is massive, your brain can really only digest a room or two before you are overwhelmed. Believe it or not, my kids did not complain one time of being bored, and like I said, we went to 5 museums back to back and three on the following day. Every single one of these museums was worthwhile. Had I not bought the Oslo Pass, we would not have gone to as many and we would have missed out on a unique learning experience. (It was also nice to pay the fee up front and not feel the constant strain on the wallet to remind you how much you are spending.)
To give you a peek into what a trip to Oslo might be like for you, I thought I would list the sights and what we liked most about each.
Fram Museum: We loved the simulated polar boat experience.
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Kon Tiki: Fun museum! Unbelievable this "paper" boat sailed across the Pacific Ocean. The Easter Island exhibit and statues were pretty cool too!
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Viking Ship Museum: A pint-size Viking adventure! Although this museum was much smaller than we thought it would be, it was still great fun to see these infamous ships and the loot!
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| Pictures of three patriots who resisted the Nazis and were executed right outside The Norwegian Resistance Museum by a Nazi firing squad. |
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| Not sure, but I think this represents how Norway was broken during its Nazi occupation. In visiting these museums, I got the distinct sense that most Norwegians are very contrite about their involvement with the Nazis and are sincere when they say "Never Again" |
Norwegian Holocaust Center & Norwegian Resistance Museum: These are actually two different museums located entirely across town from one another. Norway has a fascinating history when it comes to WWII. Exhibits show how racism and the rise of anti-Semitism led to 760 Norwegian Jews being willingly surrendered to and subsequently murdered by the Nazis. It is inspiring to learn of the patriots who resisted the Nazis and made the ultimate sacrifice themselves for the liberties of others.
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| Stave Church Unfortunately, in the off season, renovations are common. Hey, it is either strangers in your pictures or stray scaffolding. |
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| Interior of the stave church. This picture doesn't do it justice, but picture peeking into a small window in the door (see picture above). The only light is from the two candles on the altar, much like it must have been in the 13th century when it was built. Having a tranquil peek, made it more mystical, and is an image I won't soon forget. |
Norwegian Folk Museum: This is an open air museum where historic buildings from around Norway were transplanted. So rather than driving around the country to see these buildings, the building come to you in the center of Oslo! Although it was off season, we enjoyed having the run of the place.
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| The Ski Simulator was a thrill! |
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| Holmenkollen Ski Jump Yep, it's really high! |
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Frogner Park: This park, in the center of Oslo, had a great vibe. I don't know if it was just us, but we couldn't help but snicker at all that naked humanity. Your time in Oslo wouldn't be complete without a frolic through this eccentric park featuring the life work of Norway's famed sculptor, Gustav Vigeland.
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| "The Scream" Edvard Munch |
The National Gallery: This art museum is a joy, even if you are not an art aficionado. It was so impressive to see Picasso, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh and many more packed tidily into this bite size and easy to digest museum. Although I knew of "The Scream", I did not know the artist, Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch. "The Scream" is his most recognizable, but his other works were thought provoking and interesting to see.
So, as you can see, we packed a lot of sight-seeing into two days. Although, a trip to Norway is not a budget trip, in the two full days we were there, we felt we got our money's worth. There are enough value packed sights in Norway that I don't think you will be crying into your $15 beer! We want to return in the spring for the famed Norway in a Nutshell tour. Stay posted...
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