OSLO
The capital of Norway, founded in the 11th century, covers almost 11% of the entire country population.
Oslo is mostly a winter destination, because the land seems to be idyllic for winter sports and fun. Snow addicts enjoy Norway more than any other location in the world, due to great skiing possibilities almost 6 months a year! Ski jumping and the cross-country ski are the most popular with foreigners. Skiing is a true culture in this part of the world. Other sports that you may try near Oslo are ice-skating, tobogganing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding etc.
Oslo is the perfect destination for the winter holidays. Millions of families all over the world come here to spend the Christmas holidays and few of them could ever be disappointed!
Christmas can last for a month in Oslo, as the festivities seem never to end, always full of surprises for the newcomers. Except the marvelous skiing opportunities, visitors are offered the chance to witness a real Christmas market in the City Hall Square, Christmas fairs, carol or gospel concerts but also the Festival of Light, which marks the opening of the ice skating ring Narvisen. The event opens with ice ballet continuing with ringing bells in a fantastic Christmas atmosphere.
But whatever season you may choose to come to Oslo, there are plenty of other events like the winter festival in January, the Olso summer festival, and the Olso autumn festival.
On the other side of the story, there is another important aspect of Oslo – its political and historic importance as the city of peace. It is not only because the Nobel Peace Prize is usually awarded in Oslo, at the Olso City Hall (paradoxically a very quiet and peaceful location for such an event), but also for the country’s forever efforts to maintain peace and offer itself as an example of political order and balance.
As for the entertainment opportunities, it is impossible to get bored in Oslo, a place full of various kind of restaurants, bars, night pubs, clubs, live shows, theatres, opera, concerts, music festivals, casinos, etc. Shopping is fun when you are surrounded by so many stores, boutiques and long shopping streets with handicraft.
Rock music seems to have its roots here and the genre is very popular in Oslo, so that many annual events are dedicated to it: the Norwegian Wood Rock Festival, Oslo World Music Festival.
Such a various combination of attractions appeals to any traveler whose desire is to have fun and spend a great time in a terrific city.
50 museums and art galleries are waiting for you in Oslo – the Vigeland Sculpture Park with an incredible selection of indoor and outdoor sculptures and drawings, the Viking Ship Museum – displaying the land’s history and inherited treasures, weapons, tools from the Viking times, the Munch Museum – focused on the life and work of the well-known painter Edvard Munch and many other attractions like Holmenkollen – the famous ski jump arena, the ski paradise, on the outskirts of Oslo, the Nobel Peace Center, the Holocoust Center – located in Villa Grande, the ex Vidkun Quisling home, the Bislet Stadium dedicated to athletics.
To name only some important yearly events in Olso: at the end of October – the Oslo World Music Festival, in November – the Exhibition of gambling machines, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony – in December and not to miss the Christmas concerts and shows.
