But that is where the confusion ends! Oslo has much to offer to any traveler willing to brave one of Europe’s most northern countries.

1. The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is the official home of the King and Queen of Norway and is one of the most famous buildings in Norway. The Palace is open to the public every summer and guided tours happen every 20 minutes and last about an hour. The Royal Palace was completely refurbished in 1999 and the tour takes in many of the most impressive rooms in the Palace, including the Council Chamber, the distinctive Bird Room and the splendid Great Hall (also known as the Ballroom).

2. The Ibsen Museum

The Ibsen Museum is located close to the Royal Palace and is worth popping into if you are at a loose end after your Palace tour. The Museum is the last home of the famous playwright Henrik Johan Ibsen, who is widely regarded as the “father of Modern Drama.” The Museum is divided into two major parts, one featuring Ibsen’s life and works and the other featuring a very authentic recreation of the playwright’s living quarters.

3. Vigeland Sculpture Park

The Vigeland Sculpture Park is located just outside the city centre in Frogner Park and is the home of 212 bronze and granite sculptures. The famous Norwegian sculptor, Gustav Vigeland created all of the works featured in the park and the remarkable contribution came about after Vigeland promised to donate all his artworks to the city in exchange for a studio. The most famous sculpture is The Monolith and is well worth a look. The Children’s Playground, the Bridge and the Main Gate are just some of the other sculptures that are worth seeing if you are in the neighborhood.

4. The Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum is part of the Museum of Cultural History. The Museum houses the chief prehistoric and medieval archaeological collections in Norway including the Classical Antiquities Collection, the Ethnographic Collection and the wonderful Egyptian Mummies Collection. However, the most popular collection by far is the Viking Ship Museum. You can wander through the Museum and view the magnificent Oseberg Ship, the focal point of the Museum. It is recommended that you visit the public gallery that is located above the Oseberg Ship for a unique vantage point.

5. The Adventure Parxs Theme Park

The Adventure Parxs is located only 10 minutes from Oslo city centre. It is a fun day out for anyone who wants to experience a very different kind of city break. The Adventure Parxs offers events as diverse as camping to paintball. It is becoming quite popular with stag parties and the Park promises any daring adventurer a very enjoyable break from the usual holiday fare.

Top 5 Popular Oslo Hotels on Venere.com:

• Best Western Anker Hotel – 3-star Hotel – Double from €87
• Best Western Bondeheimen Hotel – 3-star Hotel – Double from €111
• Clarion Hotel Oslo Airport – 4-star Hotel – Double Room  €152
• Clarion Hotel Christiania – 4-star Hotel – Double Room €222
• Anker Hostel – Double Room from €63

Originally a Viking region, Scandinavia slowly converted to Christianity around 1000 AD. With Christianity came the celebration of Christmas. Christmas is the time for celebration and prayer, for being thankful for God’s love. But beyond all religious and noble concerns it is also the time for decorating the house and the giving of gifts. Over years the colorful boxes under the sparkling Christmas tree has become the favorite Christmas tradition of most. Gifts mean shopping and shopping needs markets!

Scandinavia’s Christmas markets are some of the most beautiful and extensive Christmas markets anywhere in Europe. The Tivoli Garden in Copenhagen, Esplanade Park in Helsinki, the annual Christmas Markets in Oslo, the numerous Christmas markets in Stockholm and Santa Claus Village in Lapland are just a few examples.

1. Tivoli Garden in Copenhagen

Christmas in Tivoli is not a one day affair. It starts off in the beginning to mid November and continues until the thirtieth of December. This winter fairytale comes alive amidst more than five thousand meters of Christmas lights. Even the wind and snow nipping at the body under layers of coats cannot stop tourists and locals from flocking to the Tivoli Gardens where the annual Christmas celebration has become a family tradition. The Christmas tree stands high in front of the concert hall like the sparkling garnet on the necklace of lights around Tivoli Lake. More than seventy vendors set up stalls here during the Christmas festival, offering everything from decorations and gifts to food and drink. This year during Christmas there will be new rides like the Swing Carousel and Chinese lantern on offer at the Tivoli Garden. The Crazy Christmas Cabaret puts on a daily evening show at the Glass Hall. Almost a million shoppers make a beeline for the Christmas market in Tivoli every year. Though the market in Tivoli garden is the most famous in Denmark, the several other Christmas markets in the country give the tourist a flavor of the authentic Danish Christmas traditions. The Hans Christian Anderson Fair that is held in the city of Odense forces every visitor to take a trip back into childhood.

2. Esplanade Park in Helsinki

The St Thomas Christmas Market is held from the eighth of December until the twenty first every year at Esplanade Park in Helsinki. Being so close to the North Pole makes Helsinki look like a town straight out of the Christmas stories and fairy tales. Add to that the more than hundred and twenty stalls selling traditional Finnish Christmas treats and other gifts and handicrafts. Everything needed to put up a grand Christmas feeling at one’s own home is also available here. Among traditional Finnish foods to be found in the market are cream pastries and fried herrings. While the latter might be somewhat of an acquired taste, the cream pastries are going to fill the mouths and hearts of every one who eats them, with pure joy. Bigger items like skis and ice skates and great hats are also available at the St Thomas Market.

3. Oslo Christmas Markets

Like most of the Christian world, Oslo decks itself up in its best in December to celebrate the birth of Christ and to welcome the greatest gift giver of them all- Santa Claus. Numerous markets all over this capital city of Norway set the mood for the festivities. The City Hall Square holds an annual Christmas Market that is perfect for an evening out for both adults and children. Arts and crafts, presents, traditional Norwegian Christmas delicacies, and even drinks are all on offer here. The tents are beautifully lit giving the whole square a carnival-like atmosphere. The largest of these events is the Annual Christmas Fair held at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. This fair not only has numerous buying options it gives a glimpse into the history of Christmas celebration traditions in Norway. Another interesting market is the Designers’ Christmas market where Norwegian designers from all over the country come together to sell their creations. Everything from clothes and accessories to home decorations are available here.

4. Christmas markets in Stockholm

The Gröna Lund Christmas Market is widely considered to be Stockholm’s Tivoli Garden. Along with shops that sell everything Christmassy, are great rides, fun carousels, and an ice skating rink. The Street Designs and Handicrafts Christmas Market is the place to go to for quirky and imaginative Christmas gifts and food delicacies that come directly from the farmers market. The Drottningholm Palace Christmas Market is a short drive west of Central Stockholm and is held just outside the residence of the Swedish Royal Family. There is also an annual Christmas market at Stockholm’s most central park, the Kungsträdgården Christmas market.

5. Santa Claus Village in Lapland

If all of the best Scandinavian Christmas Markets do not infuse you with the Christmas spirit take a visit to the Santa Claus Village in Finland. Just eight kilometers from the Rovaniemi International airport at the crossing of the magical Arctic Circle lies Santa’s little village. Though there is no official Christmas market here the whole village is like a little shop of dreams. Other than buying Christmas merchandise a tourist can go on reindeer sleigh rides or try his hand at reindeer lassoing. The local people also invite guests to sample traditional Lapp cuisine.

So welcome to Scandinavia and happy Christmas shopping to you!

Photo of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland originally posted by Vivi___

Unfortunately, the traveler’s tale/urban myth of the $20 Oslo hot dog reflects the high cost of dining out here.

In Norway’s cities especially, a traveler’s budget can be reduced simply by eating smart and cheaper.

Here are three “eat cheaper in Norway” tips:

• Take time for a big, hotel breakfast.

The typical Scandinavian hotel breakfast is an unlimited, smorgasbord-style buffet breakfast. Larger hotels have a wide selection of hot and cold breakfast items such scrambled eggs, cereals, cheese and and breads. If you take time out for a big breakfast, you likely won’t be hungry again until dinner and save money on lunch out.

• Browse local markets, grocery stores and bakery cafes.

Most larger cities feature farmers and fish markets where you can browse seasonal fresh, local produce and catches-of-the-day. At Bergen’s Fish Market, you can buy fresh tasty, classic shrimp-and-cucumber on baguette sandwiches.

Visit the local grocery stores which are smaller and abundant in cities. They sell takeaway dishes, snack foods like fruit, yogurt and chocolate, and cold cuts and bread for sandwiches, usually much cheaper. Some local bakery cafes offer simple sandwiches and dishes for less than prices at neighboring restaurants.

• Avoid food at newspaper kiosks and gas stations.

Stay away from buying sandwiches, drinks and snacks from newspaper kiosks and gas stations. While they are convenient, you will likely pay more than for the same cheaper grocery store prices.

Photo of Norwegian sandwich originally posted by tuey