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Norway : Oslo - January 2009

Country Code: Dial 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. , 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. ) 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. ). The newly opened Flukt (1 Olav Selvaags Plass, tel. ) 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. ), or a yummy goat curry at the Caribbean restaurant Carib (16 Helgesens Gate, tel. ).

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).

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