Norway has got to be one of the most expensive countries in the world…oh and along with Iceland perhaps and maybe Switzerland.
Here are a few examples of prices we paid:
Small Bowl of Pho (soup) at a hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant: nearly $20 US dollars!
Two chicken drumsticks, a small cup of rice/veggies and a fruit drink (non alcoholic): nearly $30 dollars!
Aside from the high prices there is plenty to do in Oslo under the cloudy skies. The Opera house was finished in 2008 and seamlessly blends sky, water and land into its design. We walked all over it – literally. Its roof is meant for walking on – and nearly all of it! During the winter its marble slopes blend in with the snow and frozen fjord and the rest of the time it blends in well with the grey skies. Tours are given daily by appointment.
The Thor Heyerdahl Museum is well worth visiting; it looks back at Thor’s International life and his unique sailing trips. The Kon Tiki boat (made from Peruvian jungle materials) which was used to sail from Peru to the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific is on display. The nearby Viking Ship museum contains restored and semi restored ancient Viking ships.
The National Gallery is free on Sundays and has a good collection of Impressionism artists as well as a room dedicated to Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch. Similar to how Michelangelo’s Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris attracts crowds so does Munch’s painting titled, “The Scream”.
Other must visits include the Nobel Peace Center and a quick trip to the outskirts of town to see the massive Holmenkollbakken ski jump facility.
Up next……. Krakow, Poland!
Author looking grim and glum under the grey skies and oh so ready for the sunshine:
I’m going to Oslo for the May Bank Holiday weekend. I think I got overexcited when I booked my flights for £40 return. Sounds like I’m going to be spending that much on a pint of beer judging by the horror stories everyone keeps telling me. Have to take an emergency snack pack with me I think…
£40 – thats a very good price which I assume is RT from London to Oslo? Wizz air, ryan air easy jet? Yea not necessarily the best destination for budget travel but there are some nice hostels and or you could couch surf. Have a great trip!!