Oslo Blog Gathering in August will give a compact three days to explore the city and Norway’s history, culture and traditions. Oslo Pass – included in the program fee – gives free travel on all public transport and free admission to museums and sights. This means that participants (coming from all over the world; check guest list so far!), may choose from the top shelf according to personal interest in a compact city by the fjord and mountains.
I often have visitors for business or social matters who are curious to see what I’ve been posting about. This time I take you along on a tour I gave an Italian guest one afternoon a few weeks ago:
Oslo New Opera House:
If you arrive at Oslo Central Station, a must see is the Opera House which is located right across the street. You will love it even if opera is not you’re cup of tea. The construction – designed by the acknowledged Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta – is the largest single cultural-political initiative in contemporary Norway. It took five years to build and the cost was about 500 million Euros. The result is an extraordinary building that rises directly from beneath the fjord like an iceberg. The white marble clad roof cape forms a large public space in the landscape of the city and the fjord – the worlds only Opera where you can walk on the roof:
As soon as my Italian friend saw it from the viewpoint in this photo, he could tell it was marble from his homeland and from which districts.
Vigeland Sculpture Park:
In 15 minutes by street car you are at Oslo’s most famous park. In addition to being a nice green recreational area it covers 80 acres and features 212 bronze and granite sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. He sculpted every figure out of clay and individual craftsmen were contracted to fabricate the pieces into what they are today. These works of art reside along an 850 meter-long axis divided into six sections: The Main Gate, The Bridge, The Children’s Playground, The Wheel of Life with a Fountain and The Monolith Plateau. Here are two examples with me and my Italian friend:
Left: The angry boy on the bridge – Right: At the Monolith Plateau
Btw: If you fancy an outdoor swim, Frognerbadet is situated next to the park with 3 pools, diving towers and a water slide.
Holmenkollen mountain and Ski Jump:
Since we had only a few hours, I had to cut out the next usual stop – up on the mountain, only 15 minutes by metro; Holmenkollen. Here you can enjoy the view of the city and fjord, pick blueberries and/or experience the oldest and one of the worlds most famous ski jump. Read my earlier post about it here: Holmenkollen a cultural high point in Oslo.
A gourmet Adventure at Aker Brygge:
Back to Oslo centre, close to the City Hall on the harbour, we ended up at Aker Brygge: a seaside shopping and nightlife centre with lots of glam and fun. There are plenty of pubs and sidewalk cafes to chose from. I’ll let some photos sum up our evening there when my wife DianeCA joined us too. Click the pics to bigify & enjoy and don’t miss the last photo which was taken at 11PM in the lovely Nordic night:
Left: fried cod in wine sauce with potatoes and asparagus – Right: King Crab legs
Left: Us at a charming outdoor Restaurant – Right: Light evenings at 11PM
OsloBG offers it all:
This is just an example of a day with RennyBA at the OsloBG. I am thinking of offering this precise tour to bloggers from all over the world when I team up with my special helpers to offer unique personal guided tours by locally known residents. Mostly Expats like my wife DianeCA and Beaver Bush, or real Vikings like me and TorAa. So click to see The Program and hop on before it’s too late – this is an experience of a lifetime you know ;-)
You are really getting the hang of these personal tours, you have done them a lot of time and you learn a little each time. You can soon make a living on the side as a tourist guide if I spend too much money hehehe. It was really a pleasure to join you and our Italian friend. I am so looking forward to meeting everyone at OsloBG.
I’ll write about OsloBG at social media that I participate. This oportunity will be very important between foreigners bloggers and the brazilians ones need to foreknow through our divulgation too.
I really hope that Oslo appreciates all this fantastic work you have done for the city.
I didn’t think that Oslo is so beautiful. The Monolith Plateau is very impressive. All cities are in there own way beautiful.
Mmmm…that dish is mouth watering. You guys know how to decorate a plate…
I had already seen “angry boy” at the top of your page, but I didn’t know it was on a bridge…interesting.
You shall hear from me soon…
Cheers
Come world…come and see the wonderful sights of Oslo!
There is so many wonderful places and it will be a wonderful time!
Look forward to meeting bloggers from around the world and taking them to our many jewels in the Oslo crown!
You can be downright proud of your country and city, Renny. I sure am!
Mouth watering! Interesting and fun post as always Renny.
I have read your posts and you make everything sound so interesting in Oslo. I am sure everyone will have a great time. Thanks for all your efforts.
As always a fascinating post – with my favourite food CRAB yummy. I too had wondered about the angry boy at the top of the page – now my queries are answered.
Wow, Oslo is something very special.
I can tell, since beeing 3rd generation in the City.
And somedays ago I did receive from a childhood friend the story behind what changed the North European History – even for Norwegian unknown.
I will guide all that want to know about it to “Paradise Bay” in Oslo on Friday August 20. Bring your preffered food and beverages for a grill and a Sunset you will never forget. Promise;-)
I bet OsloBG will be an awesome event! Btw, I chose the picture of the Opera House as the background of your new theme. Sorry if it took a bit of time since I am still deciding which layout is best for your blog.
I love it when you get to play tourist in your own city. Wishing I would be doing vacations this year but with job changes, I did not get so lucky…. I’ll have to make it up next year!
Great photos, and see you are talking to everyone’s heart with all of that amazing looking food!
You are such a great coordinator and guide Renny…I read as if I’ve seen them all :) Wishing you a success and that everyone will have a great time :D
Interesting that he could tell which marble. Yes, walking the roof is a major attraction for sure! I’m looking forward to it!