With its white-sand beaches and sparkling turquoise seas framed by palm trees, lush greenery and soaring mountains, there could hardly be a more romantic destination than the Caribbean. Whether you want to snorkel with spectacular sea life, indulge in a moonlit dinner á deux, have your cares massaged away or lounge together in a private cabana, the Caribbean offers the ultimate idyllic couples’ escape.
48 hours in Oslo: the perfect Oslo weekend itinerary
21.07.2023 - 07:40 / roughguides.com
Follow Rough Guides writer Lucy Pierce as she embarks on an Oslo city break, experiencing the city's sauna scene, tucking into reindeer sausage and uncovering a Norwegian infatuation with electric cars.
After a couple of years of sticking to UK staycations, my friend and I were keen to celebrate her birthday with a trip overseas. With Copenhagen and Stockholm already ticked off, our gaze turned to Oslo. We didn’t know much about the Nordic capital, making it all the more intriguing. I soon discovered that Oslo is often cited as one of the most livable cities in Europe – perfect.
However, it is one of the most expensive cities in the world as well. As expected, the shops promising Scandi-chic fashion and interiors lured me over, but I didn’t dare enter. I could have easily spent a month's rent on one item.
We arrived on a chilly October morning, and the city felt spacious and easily walkable, a welcome change to London. There was plenty of green space and wide cobbled streets – but do pay attention when crossing the road, as you may not hear the faint purr of electric cars.
Lucy's travel companion checking out Oslo by e-scooter © Lucy Pierce
Oslo has the biggest per capita market for EVs in the world, by miles, and is on track to have electric cars only by 2025. The A-ha moment? The 80’s pop band, famous for their hit single Take on Me, inspired and led the electric car revolution.
After seeing a petrol-converted electric Fiat Panda, they began causing chaos with their first-of-a-kind EV. Driving through tolls, parking illegally and not paying taxes. Why? They claimed sustainable transport should be free from levies.
So, here I was in Oslo, where I saw more Teslas than people.
I’d heard a lot about Norwegian saunas, so my friend and I went to see what all the fuss was about at SALT. A girl in the changing room told me “during lockdown, saunas were one of the few things we could do. So we all started coming here for the sauna dj sessions. Do you have something similar in London?” No, we don’t.
I was baffled at the concept of lounging in my swimsuit, drinking warm cider in a 35 degree sauna and listening to thumping house music, and couldn’t imagine it catching on in Clapham.
The Opera House is a highlight of an Oslo city break © trabantos/Shutterstock
It was three degrees outside and I couldn’t wait to get warm. En route to the sauna, we passed wooden barrels filled with water. Steam was rising from the two burly blokes sitting in them, so I asked if it was warm? They laughed, “yeah, it’s boiling”. I stuck my hand in, it was ice cold. I thought they were mad.
After the pyramid-shaped sauna – inspired by wooden racks for hanging up fish – we wandered over to another room. We found ourselves face-on with
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:53
Win a 4-Night Trip for 4 to Oslo, Norway
Enter the Jarlsberg “Perfect Pairing” sweepstakes by September 12, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a four-night trip for two people to Oslo, Norway, including air and hotel.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:31
Norwegian Air Is Quietly Dominating the Transatlantic Airfare Market
Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air will introduce new direct service from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Copenhagen, Oslo, and London (Gatwick) this May, making it Boston’s largest international airline. Norwegian joins other low-cost carriers like WOW Air in targeting Boston as its gateway to Europe.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:23
The 10 Best Museums in the World (and How to Skip the Lines)
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:13
The World’s 10 Happiest and 5 Unhappiest Countries, Ranked
I don’t suppose that most travelers choose their trip destinations based on a country’s happiness index. On the other hand, if they knew that Country A scored near the top of the happiness index and Country B scored near the bottom, it seems probable they’d be inclined to book their flights to Country A. Who wants to spend their vacation among unhappy people?
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:10
The 10 Best (and Worst) Airports in the World, Ranked
AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:07
How Travel Has Changed in the Past 10 Years
As we head into a new decade, let’s take some time to acknowledge the incredible events and momentous changes in the travel world since 2010.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:04
The Best (and Worst) Countries for Cheap Taxi Rides
With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:01
Messages of Hope Around the World Amid the Pandemic
In this time of isolation, businesses and individuals around the world are sending out messages of hope. Discover, in photos, how we’re keeping our spirits up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 17:57
The Happiest Countries in the World 2023
For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
travelandleisure.com
27.07.2023 / 14:33
This 42-day Cruise Will Sail From Florida to Europe to the Middle East Next Year
Holland America Line will launch a 42-day cruise across the Atlantic Ocean and around Europe and the Middle East from Florida next year, inspired by a journey the cruise line took nearly 100 years ago.