Oslo, a place of many dichotomies, is a small capital; it is an ancient city with modern attributes; it is a city with a lot of history and many fjords. But perhaps, most importantly, Oslo is a place perfectly adapted for the exploration of Norway’s landscapes. There’s a whole variety of forested areas, lakes, as well as historic cities to visit — all this is less than an hour’s drive away from the borders of the city. Regardless of whether one is interested in a peaceful hike in the countryside, or to see some of the history of Norway, or even a combo of the two, there is plenty out there for a traveller.
Only a few kilometres South of Oslo, you’ll find the lovely seaside town of Drøbak, which has always been a favourite of people seeking to escape the hustles and bustles of city life. It is more than just the picturesque coastal village, as it is the home to Oscarsborg Fortress. Situated on a small island in the Oslo fjord it dates back to the 19th century and during World War II it served as a strong defensive force for Norway. Around the fortress one can only guess what kind of atmosphere reigned in this point of strategic interest.
At least the town does all it can to provide more than enough of wooden houses, homely cafés and bizarrely, Christmas. It is, indeed, as Drøbak is known as Norway’s ‘Christmas Town,’ which hosts a year-round Christmas House known as the Julehuset. If you are surrounded by cheerfulness (If not the Seafood, the local seafood) why not take a stroll around the harbour. Of course, if you’re not one for holiday indulgence, there is something rather liberating about somewhere like that existing. Perhaps, pre-booking your Oslo airport transfer AtoB might just be the one that would save your head from a looming headache should you end up with a bag full of Christmas souvenirs.
Fredrikstad: The Best-Preserved Fortress Town of Norway
For a taste of old-world military might, Fredrikstad is the right place to be. It was built in the 16th century, and it still has many remnants of the fortifications, such as ramparts, moats, and a specific layout which has remained practically the same even to the present day. Entering its premises, one gets the feeling of being transported to another time. There are several widening cobblestone roads leading to small groups of colonial structures.
If you’re the kind of individual that would stand in front of a wall and contemplate how many dozens of soldiers you could use to defend it (or how many in real life friends you have that you could gather on that wall), then the walls of Fredrikstad will fulfil that historical fantasy. It is very peculiar to feel that here people traded strikes in the olden days, where the children playing now were not even born, let alone could they know what was going on here ages ago. You would almost feel as if glamour has been done away with until it is time to go back home.
Kistefos: Art Meets Industry
There is an interesting symbiosis of art and industrial past some 60 km north of the Norwegian capital. The first and original factory of Kistefos was a pulp mill which has now been turned into a sculpture park and a new museum. It is a conflict of two different realities that seem to be from two different worlds; industry and contemporary art with all the roughness and softness that come with it. This is seen by the mill as a structure of the early industrial revolution before the lush beautiful sculptures of contemporary art that occupy the surrounding area.
The crown jewel of them all is “The Twist”, which is more of a bridge with a twist which doubles up as a gallery. Located over the stream which once supplied power to the mill, it leaves most of the visitors in a state of moderate bewilderment. How can an object, which is so geometrically unconventional, be positioned in such a natural environment? Hence, that discrepancy is half the charm.
TusenFryd: It’s Always Fun for the Entire Family
A little deviation from the historical monuments and the serene nature of the country, TusenFryd is the largest amusement park in Norway. Children will be fascinated by the different games, roller coasters, water rides and the amazing dizzying world, while the adults would try to pretend like nothing has changed, everything just moves a tad faster. If you ever sit on the irrelevant rollercoaster of a continuing activity wondering whether such a decision was wise – do not despair.
For everybody who got tired of cultural and historical sights, TusenFryd is an easy target, where the sound of children's joyful screams, and the noise of the roller coasters provide quite a different atmosphere compared to the one in Oslo’s museums and galleries.
A Final Thought
Whether it’s exploring ancient forts or finding peace by the sea, the areas surrounding Oslo offer plenty of contrast to the city's busy streets. After all, what’s a day trip without that sense of escape? And while it’s tempting to throw caution to the wind, it’s always worth ensuring your transfer is sorted before you go, just in case you’ve filled the boot with antiques, goats, or questionable souvenirs.
