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Norway : Oslo - January 2009 Country Code: Dial ++47 for Norway
January in Oslo is the perfect
occasion to explore the great
outdoors on skis before
snuggling up in a cosy café by a
warm fi re – and still have time to
catch an art show. For instance,
try the fascinating photo
exhibition on the cities of the
21st century at the Nobel Peace
Centre, says Gwladys Fouché
Getting around
Gardermoen Airport is 48km north of the city centre.
Bus: A shuttle bus
leaves the airport
every 20 minutes,
taking about 40
minutes to reach
central Oslo. A
single ticket costs
€15/NOK 120. Train: The Flytoget
express train leaves
Gardermoen airport
every 10 minutes
and takes about 20
minutes to reach the
city. A single ticket
is €20/NOK 160. Taxi: A journey to
the city centre costs
approximately €70/
NOK 560 and takes
about 45 minutes. Tourist information: The main office is
near Central Station
in the Trafikanten
Service Center,
1 Jernbanetorget
(tel. 815 30 555,
visitoslo.com).
NORDMARKA
Locals go skiing in the Norwegian
capital’s green belt, a paradise of hills
covered with pine woods and
interspersed with frozen lakes.
Sleep soundly – Straight out of Hänsel
and Gretel, the Holmenkollen Park
Hotel Rica enjoys fantastic views, as it is
perched 350 metres above Oslo.
Culture vultures – Take tube line 1
towards Frognerseteren and watch in
awe as the train zigzags up the hill,
offering beautiful panoramic views of
Oslo. Within 20 minutes you will be in
the heart of Nordmarka. Rent skis at the
chalet at Voksenkollen tube. You can also
rent sledges for the Korketrekkeren
(Frognerseteren tube), a popular sledge
track. For downhill skiing, head to
Tryvann (Frognerseteren tube).
Must eat – Frognerseteren (200
Holmenkollveien, tel. 2292 4040) serves
classic dishes such as open sandwiches
and baked salmon steaks.
CITY CENTRE
Oslo’s compact city centre is easily
explored in a day or two.
Culture vultures – The Bat, the opera
by Johan Strauss, will play on various
dates throughout January at the new
Opera House (1 Kirsten Flagstads Plass,
operaen.no), a marvel of contemporary,
community-friendly architecture.
Must drink – Go socialist at
Internasjonalen (2 Youngstorget), in the
towering headquarters of the Norwegian
Labour Party. Otherwise, there’s nearby
People’s (1 Arbeidersamfunnets Plass).
Dance the night away – Rockefeller
(16 Torggate) is Oslo’s premiere live rock
venue. Try its sister clubs John Dee (also
at 16 Torggate) and Sentrum Scene (1
Arbeidersamfunnets Plass) too.
Shop til you drop – Steen & Strøm
(8 Nedre Slottsgate) is a high-end
department store – try Nordic favourites
Philippa K for womenswear, Polarn O
Pyret for baby clothes or Norway
Designs for design interiors.
AKER BRYGGE
This former docklands area has
unbeatable views over the Akershus
fortress and the Oslo fjord.
Sleep soundly – The businessoriented
Rica Victoria Hotel is a stone’s
throw from Aker Brygge.
Culture vultures – The Nobel
Peace Centre (Rådhus
Plassen) is staging
The Places We Live,
a moving exhibition
by Magnum
photographer Jonas Bendiksen, throughout January. It
focuses on the lives of families living in
four of the world’s slums, set up as if you
were entering their homes.
Must eat – Enjoy tasty Italian fare at
moderate prices (for Oslo) at Eataly (18
Bryggetorget, tel. 2283 1300). The newly
opened Flukt (1 Olav Selvaags Plass, tel.
2283 9290) is winning over local food
critics with original dishes, such as warm
oysters with lemon zabaglione.
Must drink – Test your palate at the
Druen winebar (3a Stranden).
GRÜNERLØKKA
This charming area to the north-east
of the city centre is one of the best
places to go out in Oslo.
Must eat – Tuck into an excellent tajine
at the Moroccan-style Mogador Cafe (41
Toftesgate, tel. 2235 1032), or a yummy
goat curry at the Caribbean restaurant
Carib (16 Helgesens Gate, tel. 2237 1038).
Must drink – The tiny Sound of Mu
(58 Markveien) hosts regular art shows
and DJ nights. Down a Fussy Country
Girl at Tørst cocktail bar (6 Thorvald
Meyers Gate).
Dance the night away – Parkteatret
(11 Olaf Ryes Plass) hosts eclectic
live acts ranging from world
music to soul and pop.
The excellent Blå (9c
Brenneriveien) plays a
mix of electronica,
soul, jazz and R’n’B.
Shop til you drop – For minimalist
home accessories, head to Granit (55
Thorvald Meyers Gate). Pick up the
latest in Nordic design at Norway Says
(15 Thorvald Meyers Gate). Find
gorgeous baby clothes at Den Kule
Mage (55 Markveien).
Compiled by
Previous issues for Oslo
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