VisitOSLO and Oslo Municipality invited all to a free “Tourist for a Day” to explore the city. The Purpose; getting acquainted with the many exciting museums and attractions of the Oslo area, but also experiencing how it is to get around using public transportation. My wife DianeCA and I took the opportunity as part of planning for the Oslo Blog Gathering (OsloBG) in August and we gladly take you along:
The Oslo Pass:
Everyone who showed up at Oslo City Hall got a free Oslo Pass for free entrance to museums, attractions and public transportation and in addition a discount on a number of restaurants and shops.
A drawing contest for children:
As part of the event, all primary school children in Oslo were invited and the winners were announced today in the Oslo City Hall (click to bigify and enjoy!):
VisitOSLO’s CEO and the Vice Mayor awarding the prize in the City Hall
Like I said, my wife and I participated as part of preparing for the Oslo Blog Gathering (OsloBG – read more at the end of this post) and took the chance for a chat with this CEO and the Vice Mayor to tell how much we appreciated their support- and we got the time for a picture too:
From Left: Tore Sannerud, RennyBA, Aud Kvalbein and DianeCA
Information stands:
Many local tourist services presented opportunities to try their products. Here you see DianeCA at Oslo Guideservice who offered a free walking tour which we participated in with great interest (see my report below):
A rebus puzzle:
As a complementation, the Oslo Guidebureau invited to a six question puzzle within walking distance from City Hall. Here are some examples of the posts:
Left: The Nobel Peace Center – Right: Inside, the peace garden.
Left: Ice Bar Oslo – Right: Meeting Henrik Ibsen at the Parliament.
A walking tour of centre Oslo:
Like I’ve said, Oslo Guideservice invited to a two hour walk with one of their guides and here is a look at some of the spots on the tour (click to bigify):
Left: Statue of Peter W. Tordenskjold (1691 – 1720, a naval officer) at Akershus Fortress –
Right: Aker Warf (shopping, finance and amusement centre).
Left: Ruins of the old town – Right: Oslo’s oldest building (1626)
The National Theatre:
Opened in 1899, it’s a home to the dramatic Norway arts and use of the language on stage. The desire to establish a theatre for Norwegian dramatists and stage artists constituted a natural part of the country’s national development and its separation from Sweden around the beginning of the last century. The statues of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson still take a place of honour in front along with Ludvig Holberg and as you can see, they are engraved on the front of the building.
Oslo Blog Gathering 2010 (OsloBG):
This “Tourist in your own city” program gave a lot more options to Oslo’s major cultural institutions of course: A way to familiarizing with one of Europe’s leading networks of public transportation above and below ground – and on the stunningly beautiful Oslo Fjord, free entrance to all other museums, attractions as well as discount on a number of restaurants and coffee bars.
However, it’s impossible to cover it all in one post. The VisitOSLO CEO told me that about 7,000 participated last year. At the Oslo Blog Gathering, the principle is the same and then you even have three days to explore the city and surroundings. Go check out the Official Program site and book the program fee (Oslo Pass is included) to join bloggers from all over the world!
Click for my wife DianeCA’s post from today’s adventures: Always in new and other prospectives!
That looks absolutely fantastic Renny, but I’m going to have to miss the Blog Gathering. I’ll send you an email explaining why.
Good tour of Oslo. Nice to get know of unknown places.
Oslo is a relatively small city and parking is at a premium so a car is a bit of a liability. Fortunately there is an extensive and superbly efficient public transport system involving buses, trams, subway, trains and ferries, operated by Oslo Sporveier.
The city is served by 50 bus lines and eight tram routes, all starting from Jerbanetorvet at Oslo S Station. The subway is called the Oslo T Bane and there are five underground lines covering the city.
Hello Renny!
What a nice weather is now in Oslo: shinny blue sky… uau!
Kisses
Hello Renny! That’s nice to see this whole organization. I want a shirt. I really like to see photos of Oslo. Until May 14 was not sure if I can go. I’m looking forward.
A big hug for you and Diane.
Maria
As I said to Diane in her post, Pierre and me we want a t.shirt OBG 2010! I think we will have a lot to visit in august! All my work girlfriends teachers at school know now I’ll be in Oslo!!! And each time I visit you and Diane I dream and imagine all the lovely places we will discover and the good time we will have all together again!
Very nice job on your post. Glad it finally got done last night ;-) It is a very good ‘teaser’ for the blog gathering. Especially with this super hot model you have posing in the Oslo Blog Gathering T-shirts! What a catch! You are a lucky man, babe!
What fun! I’d love to visit Oslo again.. it was a long time ago since I was last there.
Lovely pictures, Renny, especially those of you and Diane. I’m so looking forward to meeting everyone in August and having fun seeing the sights with you all.
Dear friend, what a tempting event and place to be.
All what you show here is less than 3 minutes walk from the City Hall. And if taken the Ferry, just outside the City Hall, your are brought to all the famous museums at Bygdöy peninsula (KonTiki, Vikingships, Polarships etc besides the large outdoor Folklore Museum and the Romantic Royal Summer Palace and the Holocaust Memorial….Forests, Farmland and Beaches..)
I have tagged both yours and DianCA’s post in my last entry – from to days big weather surprise here in Oslo.
btw. Ingelin, Leander and Sölvi came safe and sound to Düsseldorf, after a dramatic driving, due to both Railway and Roadtunnels were closed last weekend.
What a great job & planning there Renny but I am so sorry I will have to catch all the highlights from your blog when all bloggers visit your lovely country :D
Ok Ok no excuse Oslo isn’t far from London and it does look so beautiful. I will get over there one of these days. Probably a last second where shall I buy a flight too oh I know…
oh ! i like osho Picture , i think this is my dream city..
the traveling business of this city is very high in the world level…
That is an awesome way to get people to use and understand public transportation along with getting the community back into the cultural arts and local venues. If you think about it, when family or friends come into town these people who took advantage of this opportunity will most likely take them out to do the same and show them their town. More towns should do this.
Like I told Diane when I read her post (she was faster than you this time!), I believe it’s a great idea. We should all see our cities as tourists from time to time… it’s a great way to appreciate the beauty of cities.
Aha! A sneak peek! And a lovely one too :-)
I’m really looking forward to see you and all the sights again!!! It feels great to have something after our summer paradise time to look forward to!
Hey Renny,
One of these days you will think about a change in your career: you are very good in this event organisation field (I am impressed).
Love the T-shirts….
Cheers
You can be very proud of your city (and country), Renny. You are one of its biggest ambassadors!
I will get over there one of these days.