Saturday, August 31, 2013

Scandic Bergen Airport




Written by Matt Rosenfeld We stayed at the Scandic Bergen Airport for the night before an early flight out of the Bergen Airport.  With the airport being under a 5 minute drive away, it was an excellent location for us.  The hotel had plenty of parking available when we arrived and the front desk staff was very friendly.  The room itself was clean and comfortable.  However, there was some paneling torn off the bathroom doorway and housekeeping left an empty shampoo/body wash in the shower for our arrival.  If you're staying here before a flight out of the Bergen Airport, it is an ideal spot (and much cheaper than the hotel attached to the airport).  However, this hotel is far from Bergen itself, so it would not be a good place to stay to explore the city for a few days.

Address: Kokstadflaten 2, 5863 Kokstad, Norway
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: Yes
Bar/Lounge: No
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Breakfast: Free

In-room safe: No

Friday, August 30, 2013

Munch Museet


Norway's most famous painter, Edvard Munch, has his own museum in Oslo, the Munch Museet.  Only 1 train strop away from Oslo Sentralstasjon, these easily accessible museum is free for any holders of the Oslo Pass.  This was the museum that about a decade ago had its most famous painting, "The Scream" stolen from it.

Today, the painting has been returned and security to get in is taken much more seriously.  If you're a fan of Edvard Munch, then this is definitely a must-visit museum.  Even if you're not, it's still worth a visit.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Viking Ship Museum


When one thinks of the history of Norway, most people's first gut reaction is to think of Vikings.  The legends of Vikings are known all over the world.  When visiting the Viking Ship museum, you'll learn about the truth of their boats, as well as what they did to contribute to various cultures on Earth.

Original Viking ships are on display in all their glory here in the Bygdøy section of Oslo.  About a 5 minute walk from the pier that the ferry will drop you off at, this museum is not to be missed, and it is free to enter with the Oslo Pass.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Oslo Opera House



The Oslo Opera House, located on the Oslofjord near the Oslo Sentralstajon, has two ways to enjoy the city's newest building.

During the day, enjoy a walk around and up to the roof of the opera house to get a panoramic view over the Oslofjord and around the city. It's free to walk to the roof on a small incline to the top and stairs on both sides of the building. In the front of the building is also a small display of the history of the Oslo opera and ballet company.

In the afternoons, the building is also open on the inside to see the architecture of the two concert halls.

In the evenings, ballets, operas and performances are open to the general public with tickets sold online and at the box office throughout the day.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Norway Royal Palace Tour


Located in the middle of Oslo, the Royal Palace, which is still actively used by the Royal Family, is an excellent tour for visitors to come experience.  Even if you know nothing of the Norwegian Royal Family, you'll learn a lot about their history on this tour, which lasts about an hour.

You should note that you can pre-purchase tickets online or at local Oslo convenience stores, which is advisable.  Otherwise, you may have a long line to wait on and might not even be able to get into the Palace that day.  We'd definitely advise pre-planning this visit to save you time.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Akershus Fortress


Located right next to the main pier in Oslo, the imposing famous castle Akershus, is an ideal spot to spend around an hour.  Disney World has even made a replica of this castle as a restaurant in EPCOT.

Visitors get a great view of the harbor from here, as well as getting to see soldiers walk around in their classic uniforms.  It is free to walk around the grounds here.  If you have the Oslo Pass, it is also free to enter the castle itself as well as the other museums on the grounds such as the World War II Resistance museum, which we'd highly recommend as well.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri



About two blocks off Karl Johans Gate is Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri, which was filled inside and outside with friends meeting for drinks and for dinner. Seating indoor and outdoors, with long tables outside for big groups and inside, the restaurant felt very much like an English pub.

We ordered the bangers and mash and the fish and chips for dinner. The sausages were clearly homemade, a perfect texture and nicely seasoned served with silky smooth mashed potatoes and surrounded by a deeply delicious gravy and topped with sautéed onions. An awesome meal in itself.

The fish and chips was amazing. A nice crispy breading on the fish which was on the sweeter side (think a very crispy funnel cake hugging a moist and flaky fish). The dish was served with french fries that tasted like they were hand cut and an obviously homemade tartar sauce (which was creamy and tangy and delicious).

Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri also brews their own beer on the premises and has a full bar if you are looking for something very unique to Oslo.