The capital of Norway is called "The Green Capital" because of all the beautiful parks. Oslo is situated beside a fjord and surrounded by forest-covered mountains. Around the 14th century it had a population of 3,000 and was the home of King Håkon V - famous for his Akershus Castle and Fortress. In 1624, Oslo was destroyed in a large fire. Denmark's King Christian IV rebuilt it, but renamed the city Christiania.
In 1925, the name was changed back to Oslo. In the 19th century, Oslo experienced many of the same changes as other large cities across Europe, as the Industrial Revolution made its mark and the city grew rapidly. The central parts of Oslo, around the Karl Johans Gate Boulevard and the Royal Palace, are simply referred to as Centrum - the centre. Popular sights in this area are the Stortinget Parliament building and Oslo Cathedral. Akershus castle and fortress are located in the heart of the city right next to the Oslo fjord.
On this remarkable adventure we explore Norway and Swedish Lapland, journeying north far into the Arctic Circle where we seek out the magical Northern Lights, all whilst travelling on some of Scandinavia's most scenic railways.
… see more11 days from £2,495 pp
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Majestic mountains and heavenly fjords in Norway combine with the tranquil landscapes of Sweden on an epic journey that includes every great Scandinavian rail experience. On this exciting 16-day tour you'll visit the fascinating cities Oslo and Stockholm and travel beyond the Arctic Circle to the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.'
… see more16 days from £3,795 pp
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With their towering cliff faces, rugged rocky ledges and waterfalls that drop straight into the sea, the awe-inspiring Norwegian fjords really have to be seen to appreciate their beauty and majesty. On this fantastic tour we visit these natural wonders and cross spellbinding landscapes to visit Norway's magnificent cities.
… see more7 days from £1,645 pp
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Explore Denmark, Sweden and Norway on this truly spectacular overland rail adventure. We visit the region's three magnificent and lively capital cities, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, Norway's awe-inspiring fjords and the wild landscapes north of the Arctic Circle in the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.'
… see more21 days from £5,685 pp
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The holiday met our expectations although we enjoyed the Norway section the most. Our tour Manager was very efficient and ensured everything ran smoothly.
Another big tourist attraction is Aker Brygge, right across the water from Akershus fortress. Here you can find restaurants, shopping malls, cosy promenade areas and the terminal for the Nesodden boats.
One of the most popular places to visit in Oslo is Bygdøy, a peninsula not far from the Frogner district. Here are many popular museums, including the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, The HL Center (Holocaust Center), The Marine Museum and the Norwegian Folklore Museum. During the summer many people also head to Bygdøy for its beach.
Edvard Munch has a unique position in the history of art, as one of the Expressionist movement's early pioneers. The Munch Museum hosts a unique collection of more than 1,100 of Munch's paintings, including his most famous work, The Scream. The Viking Ship Museum presents great Viking ship discoveries from Gokstad, Oseberg and Tune, as well as other finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord including the world's two best-preserved wooden Viking ships built in the 9th century.
By Sukie Chapman
29 November 2018
The idea of travelling aboard a night train holds an almost mysterious allure, conjuring images of moustachioed Hercule Poirot aboard the Orient Express or stepping into the high heels of Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis as they bunk down with Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot.
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By Sukie Chapman
26 March 2018
Happiness seems like it's in short supply sometimes, which is why this week's annual announcement of the World Happiness Report may seem like a nice reminder that there are plenty of wonderful places all across the globe.
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By Sukie Chapman
17 November 2017
The world is a weird place. It’s not something we always appreciate as we go about our day-to-day lives, but every so often you learn something about this planet of ours, suspended in a potentially infinite cosmos, that makes you stop and pause for thought.
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By Peter Liney
25 August 2017
Welcome to the land of the midnight sun – where it really never does get dark in mid-summer. If you wait up late enough you can watch the sun graze the horizon, a blazing ball of orange, before it immediately starts to rise again.
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Very well organised throughout and excellent value for money. Our tour guide, Ray Ellis, could not be faulted; he was extremely conscientious and worked very hard to ensure that everything went smoothly, down to the last detail.