Romantic City Breaks – Oslo and Copenhagen
By Anna Maria Espsäter
There’s no getting away from it – snow is romantic. It’s cosy, it’s fluffy and it makes snuggling up all the more of an inviting prospect.
A romantic winter break in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, often offers an abundance of the white stuff and there’s a whole host of exciting things to see and do here as well. The centre of Oslo is nicely compact and stroller-friendly, with most of the sights within easy reach of each other; the main thoroughfare of Karl Johans Gate, partly pedestrianised and full of shops, bars and restaurants; the curvaceous parliamentary building, Stortinget; the National Theatre complete with nearby outdoor ice rink; and finally the sleek features of the Norwegian Royal Palace. All this and more can be taken in during a none-too-ambitious morning amble – holding hands optional.
Getting out in Oslo
From the Royal Palace it’s only a short walk down to the City Hall and harbour. This is an area that’s seen much positive change and rebuilding in recent years. Aker brygge, a former shipping yard that was closed down in 1982, is now one of the best places to shop and grab a bite in all of Oslo. Its 70 shops and boutiques are perfect for romantic gifts, such as Arctic jewellery and the latest in Norwegian design, or make a stop for lunch for two at one of the 40 eateries – Lofoten fish restaurant is one of the best in the city. And if you want to get even closer to the fish, you can hop on a winter cruise; an old wooden tall ship which takes you by the brand new, state-of-the-art opera house, as well as Bygdøy island, housing some of Norway’s finest museums, including the Maritime and Viking Museums. Spending time on deck can get a bit nippy, so it may be best to retreat to the interior which is well-equipped with warm blankets, reindeer pelts and of course schnapps – only to be sampled with caution…
And getting outside Oslo
Warming tipples of another kind are de rigour in Frognerseteren, a half-hour train ride north of Oslo. Get on the tiny red train in the centre of town and ride to the very last stop of line 1. A short wade through the snow will take you to the large wooden ski hut that serves simply the best hot chocolate ever. Settle down to warm up hands and feet by the open fire, try some traditional Norwegian fare, such as smoked salmon open sandwiches, piled high with the pink stuff. You can also hire skis and try out some of the 2,600 km (1,600 miles) of made-up cross country ski tracks surrounding Oslo, 90 km of which are floodlit until 10.00 pm.
Strolling in Copenhagen’s fairytale settings
South a bit across the water the Danish capital Copenhagen has a well and truly laidback feel any time of year, always scoring high in the romance stakes. As we all know, there’s something undeniably seductive about castles, as featured in all those magical fairytales of princes and princesses and occasionally frogs. In and around Copenhagen there are all of six to choose from, with some, such as Amalienborg and Rosenborg Palaces, right in the heart of town. With castles come an abundance of gorgeous gardens and parks, giving the city some of its many green spaces, perfect for leisurely walks. If even walking seems too strenuous it’s possible to take a horse-drawn carriage in parks such as Dyrehaven, or alternatively, for the more energetic, renting bikes is a great option – Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most cycle-friendly cities – just make sure to wrap up warm.
Pampering yourself and your loved one
Strøget is the place to go for shopping, whether walking or cycling and there are plenty of quirky and off-beat little shops and boutiques in the side streets as well. Shopping, even for fun and funky fashion, can take a lot out of you, so for the ultimate treat, try some wellness treatments at one of Copenhagen’s many spas, or go the whole way and turn the city break into a spa stay. There are some six different spa hotels in and around town, offering everything from yoga and meditation, to salt water pool swimming and a wide choice of massage and beauty treatments.
Once pampered and refreshed, it’s surely time to start corrupting the body again with some indulgent decadence. Tuck into some top-notch Danish nosh and sample excellent wines at one of the city’s many gourmet restaurants – Michelin-starred Noma specialises in fish and seafood, while Restaurant Koefoed uses fresh produce from the small Baltic island of Bornholm. Save some room for popcorn later on and settle into one of Copenhagen’s three cinemas with “love seats” – cosy seats for two, or at a squeeze you could fit in three for a romance with an added twist.
For further information about Oslo and Copenhagen:
Mon, Dec 7, 2009
Travel