38 | CRUISE TO: OSLO, THE CAPITAL OF COOL HURTIGRUTEN


www.nitravelnews.com Expeditions,


has


announced a partnership with German upcycling endeavor BRACENET. The cruise line will start upcycling old fishing nets and other marine waste to create lanyards,


bracelets and keychains for guests and crew.


The Scenic Group Add Starlink Internet Access To All Yachts in 2023


SCENIC Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours and Emerald Cruises, has announced their plans to add Starlink – high-speed Internet from SpaceX – to their ocean-going fleets to ensure faster, more reliable internet connections for guests no matter where their ships sail. Beginning with fitting their newest ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, with Starlink prior to its christening on June 3, Scenic Group will add Starlink to its 100-guest luxury yacht Emerald Azzurra before the end of June. They also plan to include Starlink on their second luxury


yacht, Emerald Sakara, which is scheduled to launch in August. And finally, Scenic Eclipse will see it by the end of 2023.


Brand New River Nile Cruise and New Charter for 2024


TUI River Cruises has announced a brand-new River Nile cruise set


These upgrades will offer guests the ability to easily communicate with their friends and family back home – sharing their holiday experiences through social media, and with photos and videos – almost as they happen. SpaceX’s Starlink provides internet services for


residences and businesses, but also transportation providers such as RVs, aviation, and the marine industries, with its first foray into the cruise industry sector in 2022. Its 3,500 satellites (with plans for upwards of 42,000)


provide cruise ships with internet access speeds of up to 70 times faster than standard satellites and offers more reliable Internet service. Service currently spans many of Scenic’s destinations and cruising routes – whether it is the ports of Europe or the most remote of places such as Antarctica.


to commence in Winter 2024 with exclusive TUI charter flights to Luxor from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports. Two flights per week will


operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor; a city which


encompasses a mesmerizing blend


of history, architecture,


and culture. The new route is exclusive to TUI, The flight will operate weekly on a Thursday from 7th November 2024 until 24th April 2025.


effortlessly cool


Oslo has it all: nature on your doorstep, museums, architectural gems, urban beaches, parks, and – of course – all things Viking


BY NATASHA WARCHOLAK


LOCATED at the northernmost tip of Oslofjord, Oslo shares its latitude with the Shetlands, and in May, June and July the city is swathed in mysterious twilight. Microbreweries, mouth-watering street food, and Michelin-star restaurants add to the overall experience.


Why go


‘Why Oslo? Because it’s not jam-packed with tourists,’ says Adrian from Galway, in Oslo on a city break. Although considered


a pricey


SeaDream Yacht Club Unveil Details of 2026 Caribbean Season


SEADREAM Yacht Club has


of its 2026 Caribbean season which will sail to the most secluded destinations, small,


revealed details


harbours ideal for their 56-stateroom luxury twin yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II.


visiting intimate


destination, Adrian does not see it as an obstacle. ‘Oslo is expensive but not as expensive as I thought. It’s about the same as Dublin prices [for alcohol]. That’s why more Irish people should come here – to stay away from getting drunk all the time on holidays. There is so much more to do than just spending all day in the pub.’ Another appeal is the absence of cars in the city centre. Oslo has successfully reduced traffic, and prioritised pedestrians and cyclists over cars. ‘As a forward-thinking city, Oslo is always looking for ways to plan which emphasize people and quality of life. Part of that approach is the ambitious project of bilfritt byliv, or “car- free city living”’, says Curtis Rojak, Owner and Managing Director at Viking Biking & Hiking AS. ‘The results have been astounding, with impressive reductions in pollution and noise, leading to surprising peace and quiet.’


To see and do


One of the top must-sees is the new Munch Museum - one of the largest single-artist museums in the world – with its 13 floors and over 26,000 artefacts, including three versions of The Scream. Next to it is the new Deichman library sitting atop of a former shipyard and offering stunning views over the fjord. And then there is The Oslo Opera House, a truly magnificent


building inspired by Norway’s dramatic coastline and icebergs. While in the area, try the nearby urban beaches and floating saunas. Both modern and cosy, they are very popular with locals and visitors alike.


Fine arts lovers should head for the newly opened National Museum with works by Norwegian and European painters. Close by is the Astrup Fearnley Museum, with one of Europe’s most comprehensive collections of contemporary art.


Viking


enthusiasts will be attracted by the Viking Exhibition at the Natural History Museum, the digital Viking Planet, or The Viking Garden located in the Botanical Garden. Those interested in polar expeditions will love the FRAM Museum, and those wanting to know more about the explorer Thor Heyerdahl explorers


– the Kon-Tiki Museum. No trip to Oslo would be


complete without a visit to the City Hall. Completed in 1950 in a distinct Brutalist style,


it is home to The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremonies and banquets. It is free to visit during office hours.


And then there is the Oslo Fjord island- hopping. Large parts of the islands are nature reserves with hundreds of rare plants – all within 20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the capital.


Island


hopping is also a way of getting acquainted with Norway’s cabin culture. about about


your batteries, and


about engaging with Mother Nature,’ says Anna from Belfast, a frequent visitor to Norway. ‘Oslo Fjord is over 100 km, and this is why Norway has one of the longest coastlines in the world. And because of the Gulf Stream, the water in the


24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours. Alternatively, a 24- hour public transport-only pass allows unlimited travel on all forms of public transport in the city, including the boats to the nearby islands in the Oslo Fjord.


‘It is all retreating, recharging


fjord is around 18 Celsius, which is very warm for northern Europe. What’s not to like?’


Cool ‘hoods


Oslo’s former industrial area, Grünerløkka, is a thriving borough on the east side of the Akerselva River. It has a bohemian vibe with great bars, flea markets and vintage shops. Bjørvika, on the other hand, is Oslo’s new neighbourhood, formerly known as a busy container port. Bjørvika has emerged as a world-class architecture hub boasting the aforesaid Oslo Opera, The Munch Museum,


Deichman Library,


buildings known as Barcode. Green space


Oslo likes to mix its parks with art. The Ekeberg Park has stunning views over Oslo, and on display are thought-provoking sculptures by over 40 international and Norwegian artists. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is home to over 200 statues by Gustav Vigeland. The somewhat controversial statues are inspired by humanity’s lifecycle and relationship with nature. And then there is the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park — an outdoor gallery next to the Tjuvholmen beach. The cool Grünerløkka has no fewer than three parks that lend themselves to picnics and events. The Botanical Garden invites to explore over 5,500 local and international plant species. Ski enthusiasts should head for Holmenkollen to visit the Ski Museum and Tower. The Holmenkollen area is a gateway to Nordmarka – great for hiking, biking and swimming.


To eat and drink


While there is no shortage of sushi, kebab, or burger places, the classic Norwegian fare - e.g. Raspeball (potato dumplings),


or Kjøttkaker


(meatballs), or steamed salmon, is relatively difficult to come by in the Oslo city centre. If lost or undecided, Oslo’s food courts – e.g. The Mathallen Oslo or Vippa will offer an unmatched culinary experience.


Getting around


In the spirit of bilfritt byliv, the best way to explore the city is either on foot or by bike. ‘Oslo has an amazingly relaxed vibe that is perfect to discover by bike,’ says Viking Biking & Hiking’s Curtis Rojak. ‘It is not one must-see site, but instead a “feeling” that needs to be explored at street level, preferably on two wheels.’ Viking Biking & Hiking offers year-round private and public bike tours and nature walks. Another way of getting around is with the Oslo Pass (known locally as Oslopasset). The pass gives you free entry to 30 museums and attractions in the city, free transport in Oslo and the surroundings (but excluding the airports), and discounts to a number of restaurants. The pass can be bought for


and residential


September/October 2023


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