Arctic Adventures: Exploring Oslo and Tromso, Norway

Arriving in Oslo, Norway in the morning, we were transported by car service to Hotell Bondeheimen, where our room awaited us. After settling in, we took a leisurely stroll down Karl Johans gate towards the Royal Palace, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the city. Despite battling jet lag, we wandered around the area, eventually finding ourselves at Olivia's for a delightful dinner, savoring the flavors of Italian cuisine in Oslo's charming streets.

Our Oslo adventure continued with a visit to the National Museum, where we immersed ourselves in Norway's cultural heritage, including Edvard Munch's iconic "The Scream." Afterward, we explored the lively waterfront district of Aker Brygge, enjoying the bustling atmosphere and scenic views of the Oslo Fjord. As evening approached, we headed to Hovedbanen Spiseri for a satisfying dinner, savoring delicious Norwegian cuisine in a cozy setting, capping off a day of exploration in the capital city.

Embark on a comprehensive exploration of Oslo's most iconic landmarks and picturesque landscapes with the Oslo Combo Tour: Grand City Tour, Oslo Fjord Cruise, and Museum Visits. Begin your journey with a guided Grand City Tour, where you'll hop aboard a comfortable coach to discover Oslo's highlights, including the Royal Palace, Parliament, Akershus Fortress, Holmenkollen Ski Jump, and Vigeland Sculpture Park. Delve into the city's rich history and vibrant culture as your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating insights along the way. This tour also includes admission to two museums - the Norsk Folkemuseum and the Fram Museum. The Norsk Folkmuseum was my favorite since it showed actual homes from the early days.

Following the city tour, step aboard an electric boat for a leisurely Oslo Fjord Cruise, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline, idyllic islands, and lush coastal landscapes. Glide past charming coastal villages and historical landmarks, while enjoying informative commentary about Oslo's maritime heritage. With convenient transportation, expert guides, and unforgettable sights, this combo tour provides a comprehensive and memorable exploration of Oslo's diverse attractions. We ended our day with some shopping then dinner at Cafe Cathedral.

After bidding farewell to Oslo, we embarked on a journey north to Tromso, eager to explore its Arctic wonders. Following a smooth flight, we arrived at the Clarion Collection Hotel With and enjoyed a delicious dinner at its restaurant, which is included with your stay! Energized, we embarked on a Northern Lights chase, guided by locals through the Arctic landscapes. Unfortunately, the lights were not active on this night but we still had a great time with hot chocolate and cookies provided by our guides.

In Tromso, we joined a tour to a reindeer farm, eager to experience the traditions of the Sami people. At the farm, we fed the gentle reindeer and enjoyed a scenic sleigh ride through the snowy landscape. The Sami people shared insights into their culture, providing a glimpse into their way of life. For lunch, we indulged in authentic Sami food, savoring the flavors of the Arctic in a memorable and immersive experience. After this half-day excursion, we walked around downtown Tromso. For dinner, we went to Brewyard Brewpub in a brand new area of town. This had amazing views of the Arctic Cathedral.

On the last full day, we explored local shops, like Rein Love, before stopping by the most northern McDonald's. Later, we experienced the unique ambiance of the Magic Ice Bar. For dinner, we wandered into The Skarven Inn which is home to five different restaurants. We ate at Biffhuset, the steakhouse. As night fell, we found ourselves on the pier outside our hotel, where we were treated to a mesmerizing display of the Northern Lights illuminating the wintry landscape.