Mum’s going to Oslo

The Thief, Oslo. Photo courtesy of  hotel website.

I knew it wouldn’t be too long before Scandinavia would lure me back to its shores. It was that short break in Copenhagen a few years ago which ignited my passion, coupled with an overwhelming urge to get my hands on Sarah Lund’s sweater.

Sweden followed in 2012, a full two weeks of travelling around the country from Stockholm to Ystad via the stunning lakes and beaches.

Now it’s Norway’s turn. I have been here before as a child when we took a family trip to Ulvik, on the Hardangerfjord. The short break was organised by our local newspaper, the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, taking advantage of new local flights to Bergen. It was a fantastic little holiday with organised tours to a typical Norwegian home and a hydro-electric power station plus hotel-based cookery lessons. I still have very strong memories of the beauty of the country and the hospitality of our Norwegian hosts.

This time my own little family and I are planning a short three-night stay in the capital, Oslo. We have been keen to visit ever since we heard last year about the opening of the Design Hotel, The Thief, which is located in the Tjuvholmen district of the city, on the peninsula looking out onto the Oslofjord.

Dougie and I have been lusting after this hotel for a good few months now so we decided, since we weren’t having parties for our 50th birthdays this year, we could afford to splash out on a little luxury. Rory is coming with us too, of course – an extra 18th birthday present for him.

Now that flights and accommodation are booked, I need your help with ideas of what to do when we are there. If anyone has some good suggestions, please let me know. I’m sure most of you are aware, it’s not always the usual tourist fare that grabs our attention: finding the unusual and quirky attractions is just as fun. You came up trumps with ideas for Sweden: let’s see how you get on with Norway.