Aer Lingus Norway FAM, Day 3: Onward to Oslo!

Our 3rd and final full day took us to Oslo.

The adventure began with a short 50 minute train ride from Hamar into Oslo. The scenery started to change from countryside to urban an and it wasn't long until we reached the capital, ready to explore her in full. 

One of our first stops of the day was to the magnificent Oslo Opera House. Set in Bjørvika, the building is an attraction in its own right. Its distinctive architecture makes it stand out and we were lucky enough to have a quick view of an opera in production and a backstage tour before being brought to the roof top for stunning and impressive views over the city.

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After the tour, we were treated to a magnificent lunch of sea trout with the most delicious potatoes I’ve honestly ever tasted. The setting of this restaurant is stunning and worth a visit, even if it’s just for the views. (operaen.no) 

After lunch we took a Ferry across the Fyord to the Oslofjord, rather than simply travelling by bus, the crossing added to the outing and the fresh air and views were spectacular. 

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The Bygdøy ferry operates from Rådhuskaien during the April-to-October season, with the Bygdøynes stop only around 200 metres from the famous Kon-Tiki Museum, which was our first stop. Here you can learn all about the Norwegian explorer ‘Thor Heyerdahl’. Seeing the original raft was fascinating, mainly because you couldn’t believe this was how they travelled. His legendary 1947 expedition across the Pacific is remarkable, and standing in front of the actual vessel makes the achievement even more impressive.

We then visited the Norwegian Maritime Museum, also at Bygdøynes. Together, the museums offer an insight into Norway’s shipping and maritime life. A combined ticket is available for the Kon-Tiki, Maritime and Fram museums, making it a good option for a full day out at Bygdøy. (marmuseum.no)

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After a quick freshen up, we went off to catch our dining venue for the evening, which was onboard The Brim Explorer. An electric ship that is simply perfection. 

Without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip was the fjord sailing with them. We were treated to an 3 course onboard dining option, which made the evening feel especially special. There was something luxurious about dining to the sound of a piano playing while gliding past Oslo’s landmarks and islands. It offered a peaceful contrast to exploring the city on foot.

Brim Explorer’s electric boat provides a quiet, smooth ride, allowing you to enjoy the scenery without the noise and vibration of a conventional vessel. (Brim Explorer).

Upon docking, we disembarked to take a short walk to the castle to pay respects to the late King Harold V. It was a unique experience to be among Norwegians as they mourned and celebrated the life of their late King. This was definitely a core memory. 

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Afterwards we strolled the pedestrianised streets until we reached a cocktail bar called Amerikalino, one which was recommended by the Visit Oslo team, who treated us for a cocktail of choice in the large airy bar. It wasn’t long before we all headed to bed, it was a long day, full of learning and laughs.

Our final morning today started with a short stroll to the Fjord, where many of the group jumped in, and then followed the swim with a traditional Norwegian Sauna. A Simply perfect way to start any day. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and so it was off to the airport with us for our seamless Aer Lingus flight back to Dublin.

I’d like to thank our host Jenny Rafter from Aer Lingus,  Sten from IntoNorway and Visit Oslo, along with the 3 hotels we stayed in. Alsjemollen and Breiseth in Lillehammer, the  Hotel Scandic in Hamar, and finally Hotel Clarion, The Hub.