Oslo is the biggest city in Norway, and has been the country's capital since 1814. The Goverment and Parliament are located here, and at the end of Oslo's main street, Karl Johans gate, you find the Royal Palace.
Oslo has a great location at the head of the Oslo Fjord, surrounded by forested hills. The city is a great destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities.
Even in the city centre, the nearest park is never more than a few blocks away. A ten-minute boat ride from the centre takes you to lovely beaches on the Oslo Fjord islands. In the winter Oslo has hundreds of kilometers of cross-country trails within the city boundries, in addition to eight ski centres.

Stavanger is located on the south-western coast of Norway. This city of approximately 115,000 inhabitants is one of the most prosperous cities in the country and, at the same time, still holds on to its Old World charm. The topography of this region consists mainly of small islands, deep fjords and sandy beaches.

Bergen is located on the south-western coast of Norway. This city of approximately 245,000 inhabitants is the largest Norwegian port and also one of the largest ports in Europe. The topography of the region is quite varied with some of the most beautiful fjords in the country on one side, and on the other side, the city is flanked by seven hills.

The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the national opera theatre in Norway operate through the Oslo Opera House. All their musical dramas, ballets and operas are played out here. The structure stands right in the centre of Oslo in Bjørvika. The total area of the Opera House is 38,500 m² with includes 1,100 rooms. The main auditorium can accommodate up to 1364 people at a time. King Harald V of Norway inaugurated it in April 12, 2008, which was attended by all national leaders, and other Royal people like Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Stay safe overseas – know before you go

Whatever your reason for travelling abroad, you’re sure to want a trouble free trip. Many of the things that often go wrong for travellers can be prevented or made less stressful by taking a few simple precautions. So it makes sense to spend a little time getting prepared before you travel – you could save yourself a lot of problems later on.

With this in mind, we are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to help British nationals stay safe abroad. The FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) offers straightforward travel advice, top tips and up to date country information to help you plan your holiday.

Tips include:

• Make sure you have valid travel insurance, even if you’re only planning a short trip.
• Visit your GP at least 6 weeks before you travel to get any vaccinations you might need.
• Read up on your destination, including local laws and customs.
• Make photocopies of your passport, visas and insurance details and leave a copy with a relative or friend at home.
• Register with the FCO’s LOCATE service to tell them where you’re travelling to so the embassy and crisis staff can provide better assistance in an emergency such as a tsunami or terrorist attack.

You can also find handy checklists to use before you set off and whilst you’re away. Plus it’s worth reading up on what the local British Consulate can do to help you if you run into problems abroad – and what they can’t do.

For all this and more information, visit the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk/travel. Or if you prefer, call the 24 hour FCO travel advice line on 0845 850 2829