Oslo, the Capital of Norway, surrounded by magnificent scenery from the fjord to the forested hills, has a mild and pleasant climate in the summer, more pleasant than its latitude would indicate, due to the favourable influence from the Gulf Stream, that brings warm waters across the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico. Already at the turn of the 10th century a settlement was built at the end of the Oslo fjord and during the 11th century this settlement grew into the medieval city of Oslo, an important royal stronghold, ecclesiastical centre and commercial centre, making Oslo one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia, and the only Scandinavian capital with an urban settlement dating back to the Viking Ages. 

Many historical remThe excited buzz of Oslo's compact city centre, Karl Johans gate (Karl Johans Street) Rådhusplassen (The City Hall Square), Christiania Torg (Christiania Market Square), Stortorget (Great Market Square) and Jernbanetorget (Railway Square) - and all in walking distance from most city centre hotels. Go down to Grünerløkka and you find yourself in Oslos "Latin Quarter". Here you'll find small bars, jazz clubs, exciting restaurants and pulsating life. Perhaps you feel like going to a discotheque or a pub that stays open into the small hours of the morning. You can experience everything from an Arabic belly dance to a Greek "Zorba" in the narrow alleyways and sidestreets. Its easy to forget just what latitude you're in.nants and ruins from ancient Oslo can be found in the Memorial Park.

Many who visit Oslo for the first time are surprised by the number of places to eat and things to do in the capital. Oslo teems with restaurants, smaller eating places and bars. Moreover, most of them are situated within the same central city area, so there is really only walking distance between them. 

Variety is the operative word - in Oslo you have everything from old-style basic Norwegian fare to food from the furthest corners of the globe. Between such extremes as lamb´s head and a plate of genuine birds nest soup, you can find everything that your palate desires. However, it is not only the variety which is fascinating about the restaurant scene. Oslo is also considered Scandinavia's gourmet city. This is the result, among other things, of Norwegian cooks featuring so prominently among the prizewinners of international cooking competitions. 

Early every morning at the covered fish market in Oslo a wide selection of fresh ocean delicacies is always on offer. Most of the seafood is flown down from the fishing ports in the north, while some of the more exotic varieties come from the warmer regions down south. And fresh as if straight from the sea it always ends up on Oslos restaurant tables, where the ocean's delicacies are becoming more and more sought after. In Oslo you can always eat well, whether you prefer fish, meat or game. Game and reindeer come from the purity and the freshness of nature's own larder.