Open sandwiches, meatballs and gravad lax, coffee, lots of coffee and bread. Join us when we visit London’s Best Scandinavian Restaurants, Cafes and Bakeries!
Continue reading → London’s Best Scandinavian Restaurants, Cafes and Bakeries
Category: Travel
Room with a view in Oslo – book with Airbnb
At the very top of Oslo towers the new Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the world’s most modern ski jump. It is an imposing architectural monument of steel and concrete, and one of the first designer ski jumps ever to be built. And as of recently, the Ski Jump hooked up with Airbnb to offer you a rather quaint and unusual accommodation on your next visit to the capital of Scandi cool, Oslo.
Continue reading → Room with a view in Oslo – book with Airbnb
Autumn in Finland
Summer ends with a bang, with an explosion of colour in the forests. This is the season known as ‘ruska’, when the autumnal reds, browns and yellows are especially beautiful on the moors of Lapland. Autumn is a to enjoy crisp and sunny days after a frosty night.
Norway Winter Wonderland is culture, heritage and amazing nature
In Norway skiing is a way of living. Come November and most Norwegians will head off to the mountains as soon as it’s Friday. There are several large ski resorts, many which are located close to the capital Oslo. But there’s more to do than than skiing. Choose from dog sledging, snowmobile safari, ice fishing, horse back riding and sleigh rides. That is if you have time after being busy in the SPA or enjoying long lunches, sampling specialities from the Nordic cuisine in the restaurant or just lounged in front of a crackling fireplace with a good book.
If you’re planning on visiting and considering Skiing in Norway -then ask us! We’d me more than happy to share our knowledge and experience. The image above is from Desitination Beitostølen, a small and cozy resort on the edge of the Jotunheimen National Park and Mountain Area. With ski slopes, endless of cross country ski tracks and only a short car journey away from great shopping facilities in Lillehammer. There’s something for everyone.
Herangtunet Boutique Hotel, a hidden gem in the deep forest
Herangtunet Boutique Hotel, a hidden gem in the deep forest of Norway, is a family-run design hotel only 2 hours and 45 min drive from Oslo Airport. Herangtunet is surrounded by picturesque forests and lakes, that guests may enjoy, having the stunning wilderness and changes of each season on your doorstep. When you need to retreat from your Norwegian adventure, the stylish hotel, surprisingly boldly decorated, offers a luxurious accommodation.
The traditional Norwegian timber house has been decorated in a most contemporary style. Each room is designed in a unique style inspired by various cities and countries from around the world.
With a popular and cosy hotel restaurant with a wood-burning stove, serving Nordic fusion cuisine, you are set for a unforgettable stay. Oh… Did I mention they have a Finish sauna and a hot tub? Other active you may try includes fishing, hiking and canoeing. Or just read a book and enjoy the fresh air.
See more (like the less exciting bits like room rates etc…) at herangtunet.com
SPA, skiing and relaxation at Norefjell SPA and Resort Norway
As the winter season in Norway is at its peak, with lots of snow combined with glorious sunshine, I’m off for the weekend.
Located only 1h 30m from Oslo, Norefjell offers a ski circus of 13 lifts and 24 slopes for all levels. Norefjell SPA and Resort is a Ski in Ski out hotel, situated in the sunny part of the mountain. The hotel serves food and drink in the lobby, in the pizzeria and in the a’la carte restaurant. Of activities, when not enjoying the stunning nature, the hotel has a gym, swimming pool and a 16 meter tall climbing wall.
There’s also a SPA, where you may book a treatment or simply enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi -with a glass of prosecco in hand.
Norwegian airlines with prices from £39 one way. Prices and booking at norefjellsparesort.no
Winter Weekend in Fashionable Florence
One weekend, one couple, one Fiat 500, one hotel room, one city and lots to experience! We are heading to Florence this weekend and I’m very much looking forward to tasting some fantastic Tuscan foods, having some great espresso, enjoying the cobbled streets of Florence, exploring the surrounding areas -and just in general having a fabulous time. That’s what City Breaks are all about, no? Wishing you a wonderful weekend too -and see you on Monday! Arividerchi!
Norwegian Air Shuttle Flying High with the new Boeing 737Max
Did you know that Europe’s largest ever aircraft order comes from a carrier few outside the Nordic countries have heard of? Norwegian Air Shuttle (trading as Norwegian) has ordered 222 single-aisle Boeing and Airbuses. This is a breakthrough deal for Boeing, being the second order for its 737, known as the 737Max.
Norwegian, based in Oslo, is the second-largest airline in Scandinavia and has a route portfolio that spans across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East. They are a company in growth thanks to reasonable air fares, great service and modern airplanes. Among other they introduced the comfortable 737 Boeing Sky Interior featuring new, modern-sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, larger stow bins and more headroom around the aisle seats. Other features include a quieter cabin, intuitive placement of switches and call buttons, improved sound quality and different interior lighting schemes. This is in adddition to a FREE use of WiFi on board. In other words a slice of heaven for any traveller.
Check out their schedule at norwegian.com
See the Northern Lights from the Igloo Village in Lapland
The Hotel Kakslauttanen is a village of igloos, log cabins, farmer log house, restaurants and saunas. Magically set in the midst of Lapland of the Urho Kekkonen National Park, this is the ultimate holiday destination for anyone seeking the Nordic nature.
Only open in winter, there’s traditional snow igloo or a unique futuristic glass igloo, where you can admire the northern lights under the glass ceiling in the comfort of indoor cozy room temperature. Igloo Village is also home to a snow chapel and an ice bar both built every winter. The Igloo Village is open from December/January and until the end of April. Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible from late August to late April. kakslauttanen.fi
Other activities include husky safaris, snowmobile treks, reindeer rides and ice-fishing trips, downhill skiing as well as guided cross country ski tours. The Hotel Kakslauttanen is located only a short bus transfer from the Ivalo Airport.
Winter holiday? Rent a cabin in the Norwegian mountains
When all you’re longing for is the simple life; Unspoiled nature, fresh mountain air and a cozy cabin to take shelter in.
© Photo: Sverre F. Hjørnevik Photography
Norway has deep dark fjords surrounded by white mountain peaks stretching up to the light green northern lights flickering over the dark winter skye. I’s snow storms, it’s arctic wind and freezing temperatures followed by amazing sunshine. It’s nature and it’s the sort of nature that makes you feel alive.
Where to stay? Here’s a quick guide on websites, offering cabins for rent in Norway
visitnorway.com
fjordnorway.com
finn.no
Norwegian adoration of nature is a vital ingredient in the country’s national identity. Over half of the population have ready access to a cabin, the schools arrange annual obligatory ski days, and most postcards produced by the tourist industry depict nature scenes rather than cultural attractions. See the full article about Norwegians and Nature here.