Oslo, a First-Class Metropolis or the World’s Most Expensive City?

National Theatre, Oslo

Since it’s the holiday season, I thought I’d take you for a picture tour of another amazing Northern European city. Oslo is our destination today.

A couple of years ago, to celebrate our wedding anniversary, we flew to Norway for the first time. Despite its reputation as the world’s most expensive city, we indulged ourselves with a short trip, staying at one of the top hotels in the middle of the famous Karl Johans Gate. The Grand Hotel was a glamourous choice, famed for hosting the annual Nobel Peace Prize banquet every year, as well as accommodating winners of this prestigious prize.

Outside Playwright Ibsen's Suite in Grand Hotel

Situated between the Nowegian Parliament Building and the Royal Palace, it once played host to Roald Dahl as well as Norway’s own literary giant, poet and playwright Henrik Ibsen. Here was I outside Ibsen’s suite within our hotel, and naturally we also treated ourselves with the kind of food which apparently Ibsen loved when he used to grace the Grand Cafe every single day! Would I acquire some of his genius whilst sitting where he used to frequent? I sure hope so! Even though I did not know it at the time, his inspiration was imbued in me, making me write today’s blog two years later

I loved Oslo for its wonderful architecture, both traditional and modern, reflecting the diversity of its culture and the changing times, from the trendy award-winning Oslo Opera House to the more historical National Theatre, Nobel Peace Center, and Storting, the government nerve centre.

Oslo Vigeland Sculpture Park

However, my favourite place in Oslo has to be the Vigeland Sculpture Park inside the Frogner Park, minutes away from the buzzing city centre. It has a very large collection of bronze and granite sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, built on a large green area, adorned with the Bridge, the Fountain, with children and skeletons in the arms of giant trees, indicating life’s full cycle, from life to death and renewal.

The Bridge in Vigeland Park

In order for you to enjoy this fabulous tour in full, I’ve made a short video with a great selection of photos of magnificent Oslo. The music was from Norway’s own musical genius Grieg and played by the young pianist Di Xiao, a friend of ours and a hugely talented artist, based in Birmingham, UK. The lyrical pieces were taken from her recent album The Journey.

Click below for viewing

Oslo, Norwegian Capital, Beta World City