Norway ~ A place to fall in love with

Norway is something beyond riveting winter scenes and fjords. With its ideal temperatures and unlimited dusks, Oslo in the summer is difficult to beat. There are plenty of activities when the sun sparkles in the city, from swimming in the fjord to getting a charge out of exceptional open air occasions.

The moment one steps into Qatar’s Hammad International Airport in Doha, it is a wonderful experience to see people from different parts of the world. If you are solely in transit through Doha you do not need a visa. If you wish to enter Qatar then you will need a visa. Certain nationalities can get this on arrival. The Oryx lounge can be pre-booked or availed by paying on arrival. It is worth the additional fee as the airport is very small and there is not much to do.

After seven hours of flight from Doha, I finally landed at Oslo Airport. The minute I ventured out of the airport terminal, an extraordinary feeling of expectation and about what would meet my eyes and energize my faculties engulfed me. Wandering in the city, discovering something new at every step I wound up savoring the sights and sounds. I first attended a fashion show ‘Colors of Pakistan’ in which six top-notch Pakistani designers showcased their stunning collections at Kanon Hallen Peter Mollers. After resting for a while in a hotel, I went out to discover the beautiful places of Oslo. Following are the conspicuous sites of the capital city of Norway which I visited and found beauty, architecture, food, travelling, friendly attitude and respect for humanity from Norwegians.

A wide ranging and effective transport system is available within the region, offering interconnected modes of transport easily accessible, particularly within the city of Oslo. Public transport in Oslo and surrounding areas use the same ticketing system provided by the company Ruter. It is based on electronic travel cards. If you intend to use public transport regularly, it is recommended to purchase a monthly pass. Cards can be purchased at travel service centers, main rail, bus stations and kiosks.

Mellomstasjonen is the national museum of Oslo which offers a variety of unique items you won’t find just anywhere. Let yourself be inspired by art, architecture and design, finding unique and personal gifts for both yourself and others at the shops inside the museum. This place explores contemporary and historical themes. The building itself is a juxtaposition of classism and modernist architecture.

Part of the Sentrum area, Aker Brygge is known for its pier where eateries serve upscale Nordic, French cuisine, burgers and steaks. The architecture is distinctive, with its combination of old, venerable shipyard and modern style. Norbygata is a real nice place with lots of cafes, bars, pubs and good restaurants. There is also a lot of independent stores and supermarkets in this area.

Situated by the shores of the Oslo Fjord, beautiful Tonsberg is a pure harbor town southwest of Oslo. An energetic social scene and nightlife attract thousands of tourists amidst the brilliant summer months. In summer, Tonsberg is bathed in permanent daylight and a picnic overlooking the city at midnight is delightful.

If you are a culture lover, you’ll find a treasure trove of activities in Oslo. From museum and art exhibitions to shopping handicrafts and from live music to magnificent architectural style of the buildings, the city has it all. The Radisson Blu ‘Sky Bar’ is huge, providing a great place for an afternoon cappuccino and transforming into one of the hottest nightspots when the sun sets. You can see the whole of Oslo city from the rooftop of this hotel.

Oslo City Shopping Centre is Norway’s most visited shopping center which has over 150 shops catering to your every need, giving you a shopping experience like no other. The Norwegian parliament building ‘Stortinget’ is really memorable because of its unique architecture. It is a three-Part building with a semicircular central part. There is a Small park in front of it, where tourists can catch just the light angle for a perfect picture. The Norwegian Parliament has 169 seats for deputies.

Tjuvholmen area is characterized by an architectural diversity and amazing outdoor areas. It plays host to several galleries and art installations, including the Astrup Fearnley museum flanked by a sculpture park and a beach. Stortorver is a square located on west of Oslo Cathedral. The square has become an important hub for public transportation with the introduction of the tramway. The place is still served by a station on the Oslo Tramway as well as buses.

The last leg of sightseeing was Kanonhallen an old industrial building from the 19405, an undiscovered treasure in Oslo. It is a functional recording location for music, movies, TV or Photos. The capacity of the hall is 700 standing spectators.