Oslo accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “The Tiger City”. Known for its fjords, bunad attire, Viking heritage, modern architecture, medieval structures, museums, parks, ski jumping, beaches, sea baths and seafood, Oslo is located in southeastern Norway, on the Oslofjord inlet. Nestled comfortably upstream from the Skagerrak strait and Inner Oslofjord, Oslo is about 200 miles northward of Gothenburg, Sweden. An incredible scenic experience, Geirangerfjord is a nearly 10-mile-long fjord located in the Sunnmøre region of Møre og Romsdal county, about 330 miles northwest of Oslo.
Part of the Norwegian First Division, or OBO S-ligaen, Vålerenga Fotball is Oslo’s professional football team that plays at Intility Arena on the city’s far eastern side. When visiting Oslo, keep in mind that tipping in restaurants is not expected, though of course is appreciated. Many Norwegians speak English and, although generally a private people, can be friendly if choosing to warm up to you. The Tiger City is a relatively safe city to behold. Currency is the Norwegian krone, cars travel on the right-hand side and the drinking age is 18 years old for beer and wine, and 20 years old for spirits. Keep in mind also that drinking in public is illegal in Norway. Museum entry and public transport is more convenient via the Oslo Pass. Apart from the Oslo Metro subway tram system, Uber rideshare is also a fine mode of transportation. Oslo’s main airport is Oslo Airport, which is about 30 miles northeast of the city. A cruise ship destination providing outstanding access to Norway’s fjords, Oslo is serviced by cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Viking Ocean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Holland America Line, which dock near Akershus Fortress. Oslo accommodations are some of Scandinavia’s best. Before we get to Oslo accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Recent archaeological findings suggest that a Christian settlement may have existed in the Oslo area prior to 1000 AD. Founded by Harald Sigurdsson as a Viking Age settlement in around 1050 AD, Oslo, from its inception, has been a center for trade, and a capital since around 1300 AD. In 1174, Hovedøya Abbey was built, with churches and abbeys owning large tracts of land and playing an important role in economic development. From the 12th through 15th centuries, Hanseatic League traders from Rostock moved into the city and dominated trade. Oslo was attacked by Sverre Sigurdsson, King of Norway, on July 25, 1197. The first king to reside permanently in the city was Haakon V of Norway, who built the Akershus Fortress and the Oslo Kongsgård. In 1349, Oslo was ravaged by the Black Death. which both diminished the churches’ holdings, and strengthened the Hanseatic League’s stranglehold as foreign traders. By around 1400, Oslo had been reduced to a provincial administrative center due to Norway’s personal union with Denmark, and the Denmark-Norway monarchy’s headquarters being positioned at Copenhagen. Like with many early cities constructed with timber, significant parts of Oslo were destroyed by fire during the early 17th century. In 1624, following the fourteenth fire calamity, Christian IV of Denmark, renaming it in his honor as “Christiania”, rebuilt the city on the other side of the bay in Akershagen near Akershus Castle. The Great Northern War of 1700-1721, caused largely by Sweden’s depravation of Russia’s direct access to the Baltic Sea, resulted in an anti-Swedish coalition victory, with the Tsardom of Russia becoming the Russian Empire, and declines in both the Swedish Empire and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Following the Great Northern War, Oslo, having been aligned with Russia, experienced a boom in both shipbuilding and trade. The Royal Frederick University, presently the University of Oslo, was founded in 1811. In 1814, Norway’s union with Denmark was dissolved and replaced by a personal union with Sweden, which resulted in Christiania becoming the independent Kingdom of Norway’s capital. From 1814 into the latter part of the 19th century, Oslo’s population grew and a number of important buildings were constructed, such as the Royal Palace, the Bank of Norway, the Storting, the National Theatre and the Oslo Stock Exchange. During this time, the famous writers Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun lived in Oslo. Incorporated between 1839-1878, developing areas near Aker municipality accounted for a further uptick in population and building. In 1877, the city was renamed Kristiania, but was resorted in 1925 to Oslo, which had remained a poor suburb outside Christiania’s border since the calamitous 1624 fire. Between 1877 and 1925, while Kristiania, new areas such as Ullevål garden city and Torshov were developed. Subsequently, then having been restored to Oslo, City Hall was founded circa 1931 in the former Vika slum area. On April 9, 1940, Germany invaded Norway, with Oslo being occupied until Germany’s capitulation in 1945. Aker municipality was incorporated into Oslo circa 1948. The years following the World Wars saw to expansions in areas such as Bjørvika, Hasle, Helsfyr, Nydalen and Sinsen.
Due-north of the Oslofjord and surrounded by scenic green hills and mountains to the north, east and west, Oslo is Norway’s capital city. Over 700,000 “Oslovians” inhabit The Tiger City, which boasts first place in terms of quality of life (although also one of the world’s highest in regard to cost of living) among Europe’s large cities. Norway’s economic and governmental center, as well as a beta global city, Oslo is involved heavily in the maritime business sector. Local cruise lines are Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages. Diverse architectural styles ranging from Neoclassicism to Neo-Gothic to Functionalist can be observed throughout the city. Painter of The Scream, Edvard Munch resided in Oslo for two decades and died therein. Home to warm summers and cold winters, Olso summer July high temperatures average around 73 degrees Fahrenheit, while January winters average around freezing. Additional points of interest include Victoria Terrasse (WWII Gestapo headquarters), Munch Museum, Uranienborg Church, Frogner Park, Holmenkollen (ski jump), Aker Brygge, Oslo Harbour, Oslo Central Station, Storting (Parliament of Norway), Oslo City Hall, Barcode Project, University of Oslo, Nobel Peace Center, Bislett Stadium and Tjuvholmen. Local foods include fårikål (lamb), fenalår (cured leg of lamb), salmon, cod, prawns, herring, pulled fried mackerel, open sandwiches, veal, frikadelle (meatballs), sausage, raspeball (a type of potato dumpling), lefse (Norwegian flat bread), brunost (a type of cheese) and waffles, while drinks are akvavit (a distilled spirit), craft beer, wine, apple juice, cider and hot chocolate. With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Oslo accommodations that will help make for an unforgettable experience.
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet, continental or gluten-free breakfast, terraces, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safety deposit boxes, desks, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space
Hotel amenities:restaurant, bar, lounge, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, hairdryers, tour desk, luggage storage
Hotel amenities: restaurant, lounge with a fireplace, wine cellar, mountain views, summer terrace, large garden, indoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, desks, free private parking, art exhibitions, live music events, wine-tasting
So there they are, Oslo accommodations that will help make for an unforgettable trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most importantly, that you enjoy your time in Norway!
Prague accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “Golden City”. Known for its castles, palaces, cathedrals, medieval squares, bridges, parks, gardens, riverways, art galleries, cobblestone streets, beer spas, shopping malls, salons and nightlife, Prague is located in central Czechia (Czech Republic). A Central-European focal point, Prague is encompassed largely by Berlin (217 miles northward), Krakow (333 miles eastward), Vienna (207 miles southeasterly) and Munich (236 miles southwesterly). Bisecting Prague’s Old and New Towns, the Vltava River is the Czech Republic’s longest river. Prague streets (some cobblestone) are lined with historic buildings. Architectural styles vary and include Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Rococo. Prague’s high-end luxury shopping street is Parizska (Paris) Street, located on the border of Old Town Square and Josefov (former Jewish ghetto), while its most affluent neighborhood is Vinohrady.
Prague’s professional football clubs are AC Sparta Praha, SK Slavia Prague, FK Dukla Prague, Bohemians 1905, FK Viktoria Žižkov and FC Slavoj Vyšehrad. The city’s professional hockey team is HC Sparta Praha. When in Prague, be aware of misleading currency exchanges that claim to have zero commissions but, in reality and in small print, charge high exchange rates. Prague generally is considered safe. Pickpocketing is known to occur, however. Matryoshka dolls, which are found in souvenir stores, are actually Russian and not Czechian. Be advised that Czechs tend to be unfriendly sometimes, with a relative majority outside of tourist areas speaking little English. Although brothels are prohibited, prostitution is technically legal in the Czech Republic, so enforcement is typically lax. It’s best to exchange your currency for Czech Crowns. Tipping is customary in restaurants, where one should use Czech Crowns rather than Euros / Dollars to avoid paying excessive exchange rates. Prague’s currency is the Czech Koruny (Crown), cars travel on the right-hand side and the drinking age is 18 years old. Prague accommodations are some of Central Europe’s best. Before we get to Prague accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Settled as early as the Paleolithic age, modern Prague developed from a settlement at Prague Castle, which expanded southward to the area around Vyšehrad fort. Celts established a presence in the area sometime around the 5th or 4th century BC. Closer to anno Domini, Germanic tribes drove out the Celts. Roman geographer Ptolemaios, on a 2nd century AD map, depicted a Germanic city named Casurgis where present-day Prague stands. Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the great “Migration Period” of the late 5th century AD, also known as the Barbarian Invasions, saw Bohemian Germanic tribes move westward, and Slavic tribes settle in the Central Bohemian Region. Thereafter, West Slavic Czech tribes built relatively prominent fortified settlements in Butovice, the Šárka valley and Levý Hradec in and around Prague. Legendary duchess and prophetess Libuše, along with her husband Přemysl “the Ploughman”, founder of the Přemyslid dynasty, are attributed as Prague’s founders circa the 8th century. Prague Castle, expanding from an 800 AD fortified settlement, began construction at the end of the 9th century. Just 70 years later, Vyšehrad fort was founded. In 973, under Duke of Bohemia Boleslaus II “the Pious”, Prague became a bishopric ruled by a bishop. The Archbishopric of Mainz, one of the Holy Roman Empire’s most prestigious and influential states, ruled the area until 1344, when Prague was elevated to its own archbishopric status, and the Gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral began construction under John of Bohemia.. Once home to a prominent slave market, Prague was an important trading seat for many Jewish merchants, who had settled in the area from across Europe. Still standing, the Old New Synagogue was built in 1270. Today’s Charles Bridge, originally built in 1170 as “Judith Bridge”, was named after King Vladislaus I’s wife Judith of Thuringia. Judith Bridge was destroyed by flood in 1342. Under King Ottokar II, the “Iron and Golden King”, Malá Strana, or “Lesser Quarter”, was founded for German people, who had the right to administer the law autonomously pursuant to Magdeburg rights, or town privileges. Just across the river from Lesser Town stood Staré Město, or “Old Town”, which, having borough status, was bordered by walls and fortifications. Under Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, Prague flourished during the 14th century. Adjacent to Old Town, Nové Město, or “New Town”, was designed by Charles IV himself. Central Europe’s oldest university, Charles University was founded in 1347. A center of trade for German and Italian bankers and merchants, Prague had its own mint (an industrial facility where coins are manufactured), which undoubtedly set precedent for today’s Czech Koruna. Prague took a turn for the worse due to internal conflicts within craftsmen’s guilds, increasing numbers of poor and a famine in the 1360s. In 1378, Charles IV died. His son, King Wenceslaus IV, saw a period of intense turmoil. During Easter 1389, when Prague clergy members announced that Jews had desecrated the Eucharistic wafer, mobs were encouraged to take retaliatory measures against the Jewish quarter. Around 3,000 Jews were murdered. Inspired by John Wycliffe, theologian and rector Jan Hus spoke out against radical reforms of a corrupt Church in his sermons at Old Town’s Bethlehem Chapel. Consequently, in 1415, Hus was burned at the stake for heresy by the Council of Constance. Hus’ execution spurred Prague’s first defenestration (people thrown out of windows) along with the Hussite Wars between proto-Protestant Hussites and Crusaders / Catholic loyalists, which resulted in a moderate Hussite victory, compromise between themselves and the Catholic church, and a radical Hussite defeat along with their rites being forbidden. Following the Hussite Wars, Prague strengthened its position as a merchant city, and Gothic buildings, along with Vladislav Hall in Prague Castle, were constructed. In 1526, Prague’s House of Habsburg era began by way of Ferdinand I. Habsburg Catholicism brought them into conflict with Prague Protestantism, which was gaining popularity. Rudolf II, elected King of Bohemia in 1576, chose Prague as his home and lived in Prague Castle, where he invited astrologers, magicians, scientists, musicians and artists during a relatively prosperous period. The Thirty Years’ War, one of Europe’s longest and most destructive conflicts, was provoked by Prague’s second defenestration in 1618. Ferdinand II of Habsburg was deposed by Frederick V, Elector Palatine, whose army, in turn, was defeated at the Battle of White Mountain (an early and significant Thirty Years’ War battle) near Prague. Following the white mountain battle, 27 Czech Protestant leaders were executed in Old Town Square, and Prague, followed by the rest of Czech lands, was forcibly converted back to Roman Catholicism. The Thirty Years’ War came full circle in 1648, when the Swedish Empire sought to pillage the city one final time during The Battle of Prague (the war’s final action). A great fire devastated Prague in 1689, followed by plague in 1713. Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded Bohemia in 1744, around which time he besieged and overtook Prague. Jews were expelled from Prague by Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa in 1745. In 1757, Frederick the Great was defeated and forced to retreat from Bohemia. Prague’s economy improved during the 18th century, a time when Baroque styles were introduced. New factories, coal mines and ironworks developed during the Industrial Revolution. The Czech National Revival during the 18th and 19th centuries aimed to revive the Czech language, culture and national identity. Following World War I and the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s defeat, Czechoslovakia was created, with Prague chosen as its capital. Between the World Wars, the city’s population increased markedly to 850,000 by 1930. On March 15, 1939, Hitler ordered the German Army to enter Prague and, from Prague Castle, Hitler proclaimed Bohemia and Moravia to be a German protectorate. High-ranking German SS and police official Reinhard Heydrich was assassinated in Prague during the 1941 Operation Anthropoid. Several air raids in February 1945, carried out by US Army Air Forces, resulted in 701 deaths and over 1,000 injuries, though damages to buildings were slight compared to other cities Two days before Germany capitulated on May 5, 1945, bloody street fighting ensued throughout Prague, with many atrocities occurring on both sides. On May 9, 1945, the Red Army’s 3rd Shock Army took the city nearly unopposed. The Beneš decrees in the war’s aftermath saw to any remaining Germans’ expulsion from the city. Following World War II, Prague disappeared behind the Iron Curtain, remaining under Soviet Union control throughout the Cold War. The world’s largest Stalin Monument (later destroyed) was unveiled on Letná hill in 1955. Czechoslovakia’s occupation by the Red Army lasted until 1991. Two years prior to that time, the Velvet Revolution took form as a non-violent protest against the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia’s one-party government. The dissolution of Czechoslovakia, known as the 1993 Velvet Divorce, resulted in Prague becoming the capital city of the new Czech Republic.
Also known as Praha, Prague today is home to nearly 1.4 million “Praguers”. The Czech Republic’s capital and largest city, Prague has a total metro area of 4,411 square miles The city’s motto in Latin is “Praga Caput Rei publicae”, or “Prague, Head of the Republic”, while its colors are yellow and red. In 2017, Prague received over 8.5 million international visitors. The city’s historic Old Town has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Also nicknamed “City of a Hundred Spires”, Prague is home to a temperate climate, with warm summer highs averaging in the mid-70s degrees Fahrenheit, and cold winters averaging in the mid-20s. During winter, Ski Resort Chotouň, a mere half-hour drive south of Prague, is a small, 1,000-foot ski slope with 2 chair lifts, while Old Town Square becomes home to Prague’s Christmas market. Additional points of interest include Petřín funicular, Chairlift in Prague Zoo, Mirror Maze on Petřín Hill, DinoPark Prague, Strahov Monastery, Church of St. Ludmila, Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, Vyšehrad Cemetery, U Medvídků Brewery, Old Town City Hall, National Monument on Vítkov Hill and Monument to František Palacký, Prague foods include vepřo knedlo zelo (pork roast, knedliky-dumplings, and sauerkraut), oblozene chlebíčky (open sandwich), svíčková (beef tenderloin with cream sauce and dumplings), pork knuckle. pork schnitzel, goulash, duck with cabbage and dumplings, cabbage pancakes, potato soup served in bread, fried cheese, vetrnik (cream puffs) and trdelník (a cinnamon pastry). Popular drinks are Czech Pilsner beer, dark beer, Becherovka (Czech national spirit), Zelená (mint liquor) and wine. One of Prague’s best places to enjoy absinthe is Hemingway Bar. With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Prague accommodations that will help make for an unforgettable experience.
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet, continental or Full English/Irish breakfast, city views, terrace, garden, free Wi-Fi, desks, safety deposit boxes, 24-hour front desk, private parking, airport transportation
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet breakfast, garden, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, 24-hour front desk, ATM, business center, free bike rentals
Hotel amenities: restaurant, rooftop gym, Art Deco design, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, safety deposit boxes, hairdryers, 24-hour front desk, garage parking
Hotel amenities: fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kitchens (select rooms), coffee machines, mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, hairdryers, buffet breakfast, 24-hour front desk with Czech, German, English and Russian-speaking staff, private parking, paid airport shuttle service
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet / American breakfast, city views, terraces, garden, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, electric tea pots, mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, desks, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, free bike rentals
Hotel amenities: air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, tea / coffee-making facilities, mini-bars, bathrobes, bathroom cosmetics, free bottle of mineral water upon arrival, free nearby parking / paid private parking at the property
Nearby restaurants:Puglia Bistrot (Italian restaurant), Snack Time Pizza, The Eatery (restaurant), Express Döner Kebab
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, buffet, continental or Full English/Irish breakfast, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kitchens, coffee machines, electric tea pots, safety deposit boxes, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, luggage storage space, private parking, airport transportation
Historical Building of the National Museum of Prague
Hotel amenities: restaurant with an atrium, bar with international TV channels, Art sauna, whirlpool, Nouveau-style, soundproofing, air conditioning, hairdryers
Nearby restaurants:Café Imperial (Czech restaurant), Next Door by Imperial (Czech restaurant), Siam Orchid (Thai restaurant), Ali Baba Kebap (kebab shop)
Hotel amenities: city views, terraces, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, electric tea pots, desks, buffet, continental or vegetarian breakfast, 24-hour front desk, airport transportation
Nearby restaurants / bars:Vinograf (restaurant), Bistro Italiano 61 (pizza restaurant), Hoffa bar
So there they are, Prague accommodations that will help make for an outstanding trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most importantly, that you enjoy your time in the Czech Republic!
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