Cruising Northern Europe: Our Day in Oslo

Continuing on our Northern European cruise, we enjoyed a classic cruise day in Oslo. Our cruise ship docked right in Oslo’s harbor, and we popped off the ship to see the city before “all aboard” at the port. Photos by Trish Feaster, see her blog at The Travelphile.com.

When I was a 14-year-old kid, traveling through Europe with my parents, one of my best memories was sleeping on the ship from Copenhagen to Oslo and waking up to the pristine Oslofjord. Sitting on the deck and enjoying the Norwegian scenery — the land of my grandparents — for the first time was a delight. So, forty-plus years later, sailing down this same fjord was a wonderful travel déjà vu. That evening, sailing south, the fjord scenery was just as beautiful.
When I was a 14-year-old kid, traveling through Europe with my parents, one of my best memories was sleeping on the ship from Copenhagen to Oslo and waking up to the pristine Oslofjord. Sitting on the deck and enjoying the Norwegian scenery — the land of my grandparents — for the first time was a delight. So, forty-plus years later, sailing down this same fjord was a wonderful travel déjà vu. That evening, sailing south, the fjord scenery was just as beautiful.
Oslo is a relatively small city, and seeing the sights is easy. Facing the harbor is the City Hall. Built with Norwegian materials and Norwegian talent, it’s the pride of the city.
Oslo is a relatively small city, and seeing the sights is easy. Facing the harbor is the City Hall. Built with Norwegian materials and Norwegian talent, it’s the pride of the city.
Throughout Europe, heavy industry is moving away from the costly city-center real estate, and industrial harborfronts are being dug up and turned into people-friendly parklands. If there’s an industrial wasteland where a great European city hits the harbor — Oslo, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Antwerp, Barcelona, Cardiff, you name it — it’s slated for a major work-over. In a few years, Oslo’s waterfront will be a five-mile-long strolling and biking promenade — with nearly all the noisy traffic zipping through the city in underground tunnels.
Throughout Europe, heavy industry is moving away from the costly city-center real estate, and industrial harborfronts are being dug up and turned into people-friendly parklands. If there’s an industrial wasteland where a great European city hits the harbor — Oslo, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Antwerp, Barcelona, Cardiff, you name it — it’s slated for a major work-over. In a few years, Oslo’s waterfront will be a five-mile-long strolling and biking promenade — with nearly all the noisy traffic zipping through the city in underground tunnels.
Each morning, a giant cruise ship ties up just next to the sparkling new Oslo Opera House. As thousands of visitors pour out of the ship and into the city, many explore this striking new icon on the skyline of Oslo. We happened in just as the fine, hour-long English tour was departing. Sure, it costs money — but how do you put a price on bringing high culture to an entire city? Artisans were sewing costumes and making stage sets, musicians were practicing, children were at ballet lessons, schools were attending matinées performances...the place was a hive of activity.
Each morning, a giant cruise ship ties up just next to the sparkling new Oslo Opera House. As thousands of visitors pour out of the ship and into the city, many explore this striking new icon on the skyline of Oslo. We happened in just as the fine, hour-long English tour was departing. Sure, it costs money — but how do you put a price on bringing high culture to an entire city? Artisans were sewing costumes and making stage sets, musicians were practicing, children were at ballet lessons, schools were attending matinées performances…the place was a hive of activity.
In Oslo's main train station, I was impressed by the modern departure boards and how people-friendly the place was. This was just a 10-minute walk from our cruise ship.
In Oslo’s main train station, I was impressed by the modern departure boards and how people-friendly the place was. This was just a 10-minute walk from our cruise ship.
Oslo gathers around its main street, Karl Johans Gate, which runs from its royal palace on the hilltop to the main train station. Oslo is so expensive that people share their drinks and munch sandwiches on park benches. It seems you chew slower and order smaller quantities here in Norway. Still, there’s lots of fun and color in the streets to enjoy. And the best museums and sights (such as City Hall, the National Gallery, and Frogner Park with Vigeland's evocative sculptures) are free. These yogis who levitate their partner gather crowds all over Europe. People ask, “How do they do it?” (The stunt is made possible by a steel frame that the lower guy sits upon; the frame goes up his arm, and then around to support his partner up in the air.)
Oslo gathers around its main street, Karl Johans Gate, which runs from its royal palace on the hilltop to the main train station. Oslo is so expensive that people share their drinks and munch sandwiches on park benches. It seems you chew slower and order smaller quantities here in Norway. Still, there’s lots of fun and color in the streets to enjoy. And the best museums and sights (such as City Hall, the National Gallery, and Frogner Park with Vigeland’s evocative sculptures) are free. These yogis who levitate their partner gather crowds all over Europe. People ask, “How do they do it?” (The stunt is made possible by a steel frame that the lower guy sits upon; the frame goes up his arm, and then around to support his partner up in the air.)
Comments

6 Replies to “Cruising Northern Europe: Our Day in Oslo”

  1. After 40 some odd years you are back again. My husband and I never think that we will stop going back to some very favorite cities. Hope we can keep going until we are very old!

  2. No other travel writer gives us so much useful information about EU.

    Cheers,

    doppelganger
    WEDU Tampa

  3. Oslo- my favorite European capital. Clean, well-organized, busy but not too bustling, manageable size, stylish but not ostentasious and situated in a beautiful natural setting.

  4. Live you life and forget your age! – Norman Vincent Peale

    Sofar , I’ve seen only one capital: Copenhagen (DK) the city with a heart. I’m looking forward to visit Stockholm and
    Oslo. Muenich, the capital of Bavaria, is “Gemuetlich”. The “Baverian National Museum” is a must see. Awesome!
    Bolzano/Italy is a quaint town, about a 3 hrs drive from Muenich through breathtaking country side, castles right and
    left after Kufstein. The drive leads you directly into the heart of the Dolomites, the sunny side of the Alps. At Bolzano’s
    market place is an impressive monument of the minstrel Walther von der Vogelweide (1170 – ca. 1230), one of the
    most important minstrels with roots in South Tirol. The South Tirol Museum of Archaeolog in Bolzano is well worth a
    visit. It houses “5,000 yrs old Oetzi, the Ice Man”. More info in Rick Steves’ ” Europe through the Back Door 2012″,
    section Offbeat Europe.

  5. Really so nice blog. This articles everybody help us for travel advice.
    Great collection here….thank you!

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