22 – 25 May 2015
After I finished work – at around 5.30pm – on the Friday before the May Bank Holiday weekend, I arrived at the Heathrow Terminal 2, ahead of my 7.30pm flight to Oslo. The Flatmate met me there and we spent the time before boarding grabbing some dinner (meatballs from Leon) and stocking up on bags of sweets for the flight (Wine Gums and Starburst to be precise).
As far as I’m concerned, you just cannot beat a good stew. Not only can it taste insanely good, if done right, but it’s filling and comforting. All in all, it’s basically the perfect meal. Thankfully, many countries seem to agree with that conclusion so when I’m out and about in a new place, looking for traditional eats, I can always justify a stew. Continue reading “Seven European countries where you can find a really great stew”
A few days before the first May Bank Holiday, I had the horrible realisation that I didn’t really have any more annual leave from work until the end of September. That meant one thing – no summer holiday this year. It was too late to plan anything for the imminent three day weekend but there was still time to organise something for May Bank Holiday number two. The Flatmate agreed to come with me and we had one main criteria for our holiday destination – it had to be somewhere neither of us had been to. It also had to work money-wise and flight-wise, by which I mean it had to be cheap and the flight times had to be after work on Friday night and we needed to be back Monday afternoon. Continue reading “Eight things to do in Oslo”
One of the best things about Oslo is the sheer range of museums available. Scandinavian countries in general are not cheap but the Oslo Pass is a great way of seeing the city and all it has to offer if you are on the budget. The pass lasts for 24 hours (£28), 48 hours (£41) or 72 hours (£51) and that includes getting the holder free public transport, discounts in restaurants and free entry into around 30 museums. These museums cover a lot of different areas, meaning that there is something for everyone, and, if you are ready to spend hours on end wandering between – and around – museum after museum after museum, there is a lot to learn in Oslo.
During my weekend in the city over the last May Bank Holiday weekend, I picked out just four of the museums to visit in the space of a day and a half. Although I am sure that there was plenty I missed, I think I picked the right four. Continue reading “Four museums to visit in Oslo”
Sampling the local cuisine is something that’s always pretty high on my to do list. You never know what kind of tasty gems you are going to discover when you go to a new place. I had absolutely no idea what Norwegian food was going to consist of but I have to say I was happily surprised. I don’t think I had one bad meal and some of them were simply marvellous- if somewhat expensive, thanks to Scandinavian prices. Continue reading “Four food experiences to have in Oslo”
It’s a great thrill when you’re travelling and stumble across a hidden gem: somewhere off the beaten track which you didn’t expect to find. That thrill is even better when it happens with an entire city. On occasion, for one reason or another, I’ve ended up in places that are far from my bucket list: Dusseldorf for work, Dublin to visit a friend, Brussels because I got a good deal and Oslo because the flights were the most convenient. I’ve gone to these places doubting that I’d be particularly taken with the city but knowing that I’d probably still have fun. I was only half right – and I don’t mean that I didn’t have fun. In fact, I was left wanting to go back.
Continue reading “Four European cities that took me by surprise”
