Fri, 11 Oct 2013
What can you see on a canal cruise in Copenhagen?
One of the very reasons why I love Copenhagen is because it?s big enough to always find something ne...
Read moreKarl Johan's Gate, Oslo's main street, has many great shops and excellent restaurants offering both Scandinavian and international dishes- try the famed Grand Cafe on Karl Johan's Gate where the writer Ibsen used to take coffee with his friends. Here also stand the Cathedral, Storting (Parliament), National Theatre, University and Royal Palace.
The picturesque harbour, Aker Brygge, is a popular gathering point with its renovated wharf buildings which have been tastefully converted into restaurants and cafes as well as shops, craft studios, boutiques and luxury city centre apartments. It is also the departure point for many excursions into the Oslo archipelago. Set back a little from the harbour is Oslo’s controversial Rådhus or City Hall. Opened in 1950 the building had few fans being a twin-towered modern building in dark brown brick however over the years opinion has softened and the building is the venue for the presentation of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
Frogner Park lies to the northwest of the city centre and houses the open-air Vigeland Sculpture Park commemorating the modern Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. On a nice day it is definitely worth joining a guided tour of the park to learn a little about the history and meaning behind the sculptures particularly the magnificent central fountain depicting the burden of life and the 20 metre high obelisk depicting the cycle of life.
Other than the city centre the place you are most likely to spend most of your time is the Bygdøy peninsula to the southwest of the city. The peninsula houses 5 of the city’s most popular museums, the Kon-Tiki and Viking Ships museums, the Folk museum, the Fram museum and the Norwegian Maritime museum.
Day 1 - Arrive Oslo
Fly from the UK. Arrive Oslo Airport. Airport bus (included) to hotel.
3 nights OSLO - Comfort Hotel Børsparken *** (BB), Hotel Bristol **** (BB) or Grand Hotel ****(BB)
Day 4 - Depart Oslo
Airport bus (included) to Oslo Airport for return flight to the UK.
Located in the heart of the capital, Comfort Hotel Børsparken is surrounded by beautiful neo rennaissance and art nouveau architecture. This hotel provies perfect location for exploring the wonderful city of Oslo. Only two blocks from the popular shopping street Karl Johan and within walking distance from the central train station and airport shuttle. Free coffee and waffles in the afternoon and an evening snack or light evening meal is available. Rooms are spacious and can be accessed via an elevator, they are also equipped with cable television, wifi and ensuite bathroom.
The Grand Hotel in Oslo is one of the city's most venerable and elegant deluxe hotels, forming a striking landmark on the city's grandest street, Karl Johans Gate. The Grand Hotel is a mixture of traditional and new styles - timelessly classic, yet offering all the luxury, quality and comfort you expect from a modern first-class international hotel. The Grand first opened its doors in 1874, and, for more than 130 years, the name has been synonymous with quality and atmosphere. World-famous Norwegians such as Henrik Ibsen and Fridtjof Nansen made the Grand their second home. The hotel houses two restaurants – Restaurant Julius Fritzner which offers a perfect fine dining experience, and The Palm Court Restaurant which serves light lunches, sandwiches, cakes and wine, so if a fantastic gastronomical experience is on your agenda whilst in Norway, then dining at the Grand should definitely be at the top of your list. Two bars and a café are also available within the Grand Hotel.
The Grand Hotel was awarded Norway’s Leading Spa Resort by World Travel Awards in 2012, so if spa treatment is what you are looking for, then look no further. Artesia Spa Grand Hotel takes pleasure in offering 7 exclusive treatment rooms as well as a swimming pool, steam room and sauna. All treatment rooms have bathtubs for hydrotherapy treatments along with a separate VIP-suite for groups. The spa offers all spa-related treatments; massage, facials, body treatments as well as nail design, pedicure and manicure.
A choice of rooms are offered from standard and superior rooms to junior and grand suites. All rooms are elegantly furnished and have ensuite baths, most with bath tubs, flatscreen televisions, trouser press, free WIFI and minibar. A beautiful buffet breakfast is included in the room rate serving a collection of cereals, hot and cold meats, cheese, freshly baked bread and a choice of fruit juices.
In a world of constant change, Hotel Bristol is dedicated to tradition. As soon as you enter the lobby you will experience the unique style that characterizes the hotel; an air of elegance which has been maintained since the hotel welcomed their first guests in 1920. Centrally situated just off Karl Johan’s Gate, the hotel has 251 rooms (10 of which are suites) all equipped with TV, mini-bar, hairdryer, trouser press and telephone. The hotel has a spa and gym, bar, conference centre, garage, room service and wireless internet access. The hotel also has two restaurants; Bristol Grill, focusing on international and Norwegian dishes using local produce and Hambro’s Cafe, a popular Italian bistro.
Description: Guided tour by coach and boat. Classic fjord sightseeing passing the Opera House to the polar ship Fram, the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Maritime Museum with panorama film, the Norwegian Folk Museum, the Viking Ships, Holmenkollen Ski Jump with museum and the Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Operates: 20 May - 28 Aug.
Departs: 10:30
Duration: 7½ hours.
Price: £75 per adult; £37 per child 4-16; under 4's are free.
Description: Cruise on board a traditional wooden sailing ship, passing through a maze of green islands, the Opera House and the fortress. A Norwegian prawn buffet is included in the price.
Operates: 19 Jun - 5 Sep.
Departs: 1900.
Duration: 3 hours.
Price: £43 per adult; £22 per child 4-16; under 4's are free.
Description: This is the classic guided Oslo Fjord sightseeing which passes the fortress, the Opera House and through a maze of islands with small summer houses. Refreshments sold onboard.
Operates:
Daily, 1 Apr - 20 May & 29 Aug - 25 Sep, 1030, 1300 & 1530.
21 May - 24 Jun, 1030, 1300, 1530 & 1745.
25 Jun - 28 Aug, 1030, 1130, 1300, 1400, 1530, 1630 & 1745.
Duration: 2 hours.
Price: £27 per adult; £14 per child 4-16; children under 4 are free.
To book call 01274 875 199 or Contact us by email