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10 Most Beautiful Amalfi Coast Towns -
The Amalfi Coast is candy for the eyes with villages crawling from the Mediterranean Sea up mountains in southwestern Italy. The scenery is incredibly stunning and inspirational for composers, artists and moviemakers, and just about anyone else. The setting is so incredibly stunning that National Geographic considers the drive one of its ultimate road trips. The drive along the Amalfi Coast towns can be made in about two hours, with a few stops, but why would anyone want to rush through one of nature’s treats. Take time to stop and smell the lemon blossoms, tour an ancient church, buy the colorful ceramics the region is famous for or just plain chill out.

Furore is a little-known destination on the Amalfi Coast, between the towns of Amalfi and Positano. The village has a population of around 800, spread out over a vertical stretch of hillside high above the sparkling Mediterranean. The main tourist attraction is the dramatic Fiordo or fjord, where a cluster of old fishermen’s houses cling to the side of the rocky gorge. The Fiordo is bypassed by an arch bridge over which a road passes. The 30 meters (100 feet) high bridge is also the location where every summer the International Diving Championship is held.
Vietri sul Mare, which translates as “Vietri of the Sea,” is the starting (or ending) place for the drive along the Amalfi Coast. Because of this, locals refer to it as “the first pearl of the Amalfi.” Located at the foot of Monte San Liberatore, Vietri sul Mare is known for making the dishes and other ceramic pieces that can be found in hotels and restaurants along this section of the Italian coast, which makes it a good place to buy colorful ceramic items. The famous majolica tiles are visible from miles away on the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist.
Like other Amalfi Coast towns, Minori is steeped in history and legends, and their historical sites. One such is the Basilica de Santa Trofimemo, a martyr whose ashes were placed in an urn and tossed out to sea. It was washed up on the beach of Minori, with townspeople building a church in her honor. Another top site is the old ruins at Roman Maritime Archeological Villa, built around the first century BC. It’s noted for the remains of frescoes and tunnel vaults. Minori is a good place to sample hand-made pastas and limoncello, a popular liqueur made from lemons in this area of southern Italy.
Travelers who like seafood will want to sample the foods of Cetara, home to one of the biggest tuna fishing fleets in the Mediterranean. Try the tuna topped with colatura di Alici, a sauce made from anchovies, salt and water. Cetara has good swimming beaches, though some are reachable only by boat. Visitors especially like the Spiaggia Lannino, a sandy beach near the town’s entrance. Travelers seeking a romantic wedding in Italy can tie the knot at the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, a popular spot for weddings. The town also celebrates St. Peter’s day with a festival and fireworks in the summer.
The Romans discovered the beauty of Maiori centuries ago, and the tourists haven’t stopped coming. This pretty little town was a favorite movie locale for Roberto Rossellini, who is honored every November with a film festival. Maiori has the longest stretch of unbroken beach on the Amalfi Coast, set against a backdrop of traditional houses climbing up the hillside. A top site is the Church of Santa Maria a Mare, known for its majolica tile dome that looks like a crown and September procession that winds around the city. The ruins of a Benedictine abbey above the town provide great views.
Praiano was a summer tourist destination as early as the 10th century when it was the summer home for the doges from the Duchy of Amalfi. Located between Amalfi and Positano, the town is located on the side of a steep cliff. Praiano is a good place to relax, perhaps with a glass of wine at an outdoor café or taking a class in Italian cooking. It has several churches worth seeing, including the Chiesa di San Giovanni, with the pipe organ; the Chiesa SS Annunziata, which is located on a beach; and the Chiesa S Maria ad Castra, with its stunning views.
Visitors seeking la dolce vita are likely to find it in Atrani, the tiniest town in southern Italy with less than a thousand souls. Because it’s so beautiful, the town is featured in many commercials, including the 2012 Fiat commercial, which is ironic since Atrani is pretty much a pedestrian zone. The Church of San Salvatore de’ Birecto dates back to the 10th century; at one time, it served as a palace chapel where rulers were crowned. The bronze doors depicting religious scenes are a must-see. Other top attractions include a small beach and the 15th century Torre della Ziro, a fortress that sits on a hill overlooking the community.
Amalfi was an important trading center from the mid-9th to the 13th century. It was the capital of the Duchy of Amalfi. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists seeking stunning beauty set amidst historic charm. Amalfi is known for its outstanding medieval architecture, including the 11th century Cathedral of Sant’ Andrea, notable, too, for the four large ceiling paintings and the statue of St. Andrew that was sculpted by Michelangelo. The Arab-style Chiostro del Paradisio today is an open-air museum, though it was once the cemetery where Amalfi nobility was buried. Since Amalfi was once known for papermaking, a visit to the Museum of Handmade Paper is a must.
Ravello was once a safe harbor from barbarian invaders; then it became an important trading cente. Today, this charming city with its cobblestone streets is a magnet for tourists who come for the scenery and breathtaking views, the best in the world according to former resident Gore Vidal, and certainly the best on the coast. The great composer Richard Wagner found inspiration here, so much so that the city celebrates the Ravello Festival every summer in his honor. Top attractions include the Villa Cimbrone with its spectacular gardens and bust-filled Terrace of Infinity, and the Duomo de Ravello, deemed a must-see by Ravello visitors because of the beauty in its simplicity.
Positano was an important city in the Middle Ages, but over the following centuries declined as many residents immigrated to North America. By the early 20th century it was just a poor fishing village, but its fortunes changed when tourists discovered this picturesque town that sites on a hillside overlooking the sea. A must-see for visitors is Santa Maria Asunta, a church that features a dome made of majolica tiles and a black Madonna. Positano’s stunning beauty is an inspiration for artists, including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards who wrote “Midnight Rambler” here. Positano was also featured in the 1994 movie, Only You.
10 Most Beautiful Amalfi Coast Towns10 Most Beautiful Amalfi Coast Towns

10 Top Attractions in Yosemite National Park -
A monument to the power of nature and a shrine to conservation, Yosemite is one of America’s grandest and most popular national parks. Carved by ancient glaciers, the park features massive granite rock formations, roaring waterfalls, meandering rivers, lushly forested valleys and grassy meadows. Located around 0 miles (320 km) east of San Francisco, the wilderness area was first protected in 1864, thanks to the tireless efforts of Scottish-American naturalist John Muir.
Today, nearly 4 million people come to Yosemite each year to explore the majestic park. Although many of the best-known attractions in Yosemite can be viewed from Yosemite Valley, walks and hikes on the more than 800 miles (1,300 km) of park trails reward visitors with scenes of breathtaking beauty, from high-country meadows to ancient sequoia forests.


The region around Yosemite features landscapes of great diversity, including the high plateau of Tuolumne Meadows. Located around an hour’s drive northeast of Yosemite Valley, Tuolomne’s flat basin is surrounded by steep granite rock formations and domes. An ideal destination for family vacations, Tuolumne Meadows is a favorite spot for camping, fishing and swimming in the Tuolumne River. Easy hikes to the Soda Springs natural springs and along the John Muir Trail are popular pastimes. Day trips to the region’s beautiful lakes are can’t-miss activities as well.
Bridalveil Falls is one of the first things people see when entering Yosemite from the west. Standing more than 60 stories high, the falls are most impressive in the spring when snowmelt swells the flow into a thundering roar. Bridalveil Falls is subject to the wind in any season, and the way the falls blow from side to side is part of what makes this water feature so distinctive. A 20-minute walk from the Bridalveil Fall parking area brings visitors to the base of the falls. Despite a steep ascent at the end of the trail, it’s one of the easiest hikes in the park.
Located on the southern side of Yosemite Valley, Sentinel Dome is best known for a photograph Ansel Adams took of the summit in 1940, which featured a wind-swept pine tree seemingly growing out of the rock. Although the 400-year-old tree toppled in 03, the rocky peak remains a popular hiking destination. An hour-long trek takes visitors over the northeast granite slope of the dome to the top to enjoy picture-perfect views of the park. During the winter, the dome can be reach via ski tours from Badger Pass.
One of the most famous sights in Yosemite National Park, the granite monolith El Capitan rises almost 910 meter (3,000 foot) vertically from Yosemite Valey. It is is a favorite challenge among expert rock climbers. In 1958, Warren J. Harding, Wayne Merry and George Whitmore were the first to climb the Nose of El Capitan using ropes, pitons and expansion bolts. This famous Yosemite attraction is best seen from the roads in western Yosemite Valley, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall area, and El Capitan Meadow.
Located in the southernmost part of Yosemite National Park, the Mariposa Grove is a protected forest of giant sequoias, some of which have been growing for more than 2,000 years. Star sequoia specimens include the Washington tree, the grove’s largest, and the California Tunnel tree, which was cut in the 1800s to allow horse-drawn carriages to pass through. Toppled giants like the Fallen Monarch are notable as well. Open-air trams offer engaging tours of Mariposa Grove, and visitors can hop on and off the tram to walk around the mammoth trees.
Yosemite’s most recognized geological feature, Half Dome’s near-vertical northern face has enticed rock climbers for more than a century, but intrepid visitors can also reach the top by way of a long and arduous trail from the floor of Yosemite Valley. The last section of the trail has two cable handrails that offer support for the steep ascent. Visitors who don’t find the idea of a day-long trek up Half Dome appealing can enjoy beautiful views of the park’s most famous landmark from dozens of valley locations and viewpoints in the park.
Situated in the eastern section of Yosemite Valley, the 317-foot (97-meter) high Vernal Falls flows into the Merced River all year, even when other waterfalls in the park go dry. Climbing the more than 500 granite steps to the top of the falls is one of the park’s most popular hikes. Mist from the falls make the trail slick, and hikers can expert to get wet along the way, but the vistas offered from the summit are truly spectacular. For less adventurous visitors, a footbridge located around halfway up the climb provides scenic views of the falls and the valley.
The tallest waterfall in the United States, Yosemite Falls pours down a cliff side in three cascades and provides picturesque views from multiple locations within Yosemite National Park in California. A challenging all-day hike takes visitors to the summit for panoramic vistas of the majestic park and the towering Sierra Mountains beyond. The falls vary in water flow, however, and sometimes disappear entirely during drought conditions. The best time to enjoy the splashing water and thunderous roar of the falls is in the spring after the winter thaw.
Located in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central eastern California, Tunnel View is an overlook where visitors can enjoy amazing views of El Capital, Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome and the gorgeous Yosemite Valley. The overlook, which was first built in 1993, was renovated in 08. Tunnel View is very popular with park visitors, and it attracts between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors a day during the tourist high season. Travelers can find Tunnel View at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel off of Wawona Road.
An overlook that offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point is accessible by foot, car or bus during the long warm-weather season and by cross-country skiing in winter. Because the four-mile trek to the point is steep and arduous, most visitors prefer to drive or take a tour bus on Wawona Road. It takes around one hour to drive the winding road to the summit. Glacier Point not only commands panoramic views of the valley but brings visitors eye level with the park’s iconic Half Dome as well.
10 Top Attractions in Yosemite National Park10 Top Attractions in Yosemite National Park

10 Most Popular Attractions in Bruges -
One of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe, Bruges (Brugge in Dutch) is a magical mix of medieval architecture, cobbled streets and postcard-perfect squares, all crisscrossed by broad and serene canals. With its collection of impressive museums, historic breweries, world-class chocolatiers and tasty eateries, it’s no wonder that the city is the most popular destination in Belgium. Gliding down a canal in an open-air boat is a can’t-miss activity in “The Venice of the North”. Whether shopping for the perfect piece of handmade lace or gazing at the artwork of a 15th-century Flemish painter, the attractions in Bruges offer memorable experiences for every traveler.

Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam

As a complement to the many chocolate shops in Bruges, the Choco-Story museum provides visitors with a wealth of information about the delicacy, including a look at the history of the cocoa bean’s transformation into the tasty treat. Exhibits at this popular Bruges attraction chronicle the discovery of cocoa in the Americas and examine how the new food gained popularity in Europe. The art of chocolate making is on display too, with live demonstrations that offer visitors opportunities to sample the results on the spot. The family-friendly museum also includes chocolate hunts for children.
Art lovers will find a treasure trove of Flemish masterpieces in the highly regarded Groeninge Museum. Collections include paintings by Jan van Eyck, who spent his final years living and working in the city. With its attention to detail and high degree of realism, his painting of the Madonna and Child illustrates the contribution this skilled artist made towards the development of oil painting. Exhibits feature paintings from Belgium’s modern artists as well, notably the surrealistic “Serenity” by Paul Delvaux. Other painters represented in this must-see museum include Hieronymus Bosch, Hugo Van Der Goes and Hans Memling.
The canals of Bruges are known for their gentle flow, and there’s no more better place to enjoy the beauty of the city reflected on the tranquil waters that on the shore of the Minnewater, a wide canal known as the Lake of Love. The nickname comes from a story of a girl name Minna who died trying to escape from an arranged marriage into the arms of her lover Stromberg. Local legend says that lovers who cross the lake’s bridge will experience eternal love. Once a dock where ships and barges moored, the rectangular lake is now part of Minnewaterpark, a public green space that also includes remnants of castle ruins.
The tallest structure in Bruges and one of the most visually striking, the Church of Our Lady is a medieval edifice with a central brick spire that towers over the city. Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk is best known for the white marble Madonna and Child statue, the only work by Michelangelo to leave Italy during the artist’s lifetime. The impressive sculpture is situated on an altarpiece in the chapel’s southern aisle. The apse of the church is the final resting place of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy. Bronze effigies of the last Valois Duke of Burgundy his daughter adorn the marble tombs.
Founded in 1245, the “Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde,” commonly called the Begijnhof, is the last surviving beguinage in Bruges. Although the quiet complex is no longer home to beguines, it stands as a serene reminder of the religious-minded women who once lived here without taking vows. Today, Ten Wijngaerde is a Benedictine convent where visitors are allowed to wander among the white-washed structures, central green space and 13th-century church. A small beguinage museum offers a glimpse of what life was like for the women who retired from the world and made the beguinage their home.
A 45-minute tour of De Halve Maan Brewery museum offers visitors an inside look of the brewing techniques that have made Belgium one of the best beer-producing countries in the world. Of the nation’s 180 breweries, the Half Moon is one of the oldest. Six generations have operated the family-owned establishment since 1856. A nominal entry fee includes a free bottle of either the blonde beer Bruges Zot or the high-alcohol-content Straffe Hendrik. Visitors can sample other varieties at the brewery’s bar or restaurant.
The main draw at the 12th-century Heilig-Bloedbasiliek located in Burg Square is a fragment of cloth believed to be stained with the blood of Christ. Legend has it that the relic was obtained during the Second Crusade in Jerusalem. Encased in a crystal vial housed in a gold-adorned cylinder, it is displayed every Friday in a silver tabernacle in the heavily renovated chapel upstairs, which is adorned with wall murals and stain-glass windows. With its spare design and serene atmosphere, the well-preserved lower chapel is a beautiful example of the Romanesque architectural style.
This medieval bell tower dates back to 1240, built at a time when Bruges was a major player in the cloth industry. It was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire 40 years later, with other fires occurring in the centuries following. Bells still chime out from the tower today. Climbing the 366 step to the belfry’s clock rewards visitors with a panoramic city view.
Few European plazas boast as many sidewalk cafés, shops and architectural treasures as the main square in Bruges. Since 958, this oversized square has been the city’s primary marketplace and administrative center. While most of the structures standing today date to the 19th century, the 13th-century bell tower known as the Belfort still rings out the hours. Many of the gabled buildings that line west and north sides of the square are reconstructions of traditional guildhalls. Horse-drawn carriages rides are available at the Markt for half-hour tours.
Because of its canals Bruges is often called ‘The Venice of the North’. In the Middle Ages the ‘Reie’ river had been turned into a network of canals that enabled the traders to bring their products to the large Water Halls at the Market. Nowadays a boat ride on these famous canals provide a great way to see some of Bruges most beautiful sites. Of all the canals, the Groenerei (the ‘green canal’) is the most romantic. It is best seen from Peerdebrug (Horse Bridge); looking towards the Meebrug, the canal is lined with trees and creepers, elegant 17th-century mansions and almshouses and topped by the cathedral tower.
10 Most Popular Attractions in Bruges10 Most Popular Attractions in Bruges

10 Most Popular Attractions in The Hague -
Filled with wonderful old buildings, The Hague, known as Den Haag in Dutch, fits many visitors’ pre-conceived notions of how a city in the Netherlands should look. Though not the capital, it is the seat of the Dutch government and is referred to as the International City of Peace and Justice because so many organizations such as the World Court devoted to world peace can be found here. This bustling city of old-world charm is home to numerous museums that house some of the world’s greatest art collections, The Hague also is known for its seaside atmosphere, with great beaches to be found at Kijkduin and Scheveningen, a fishing village in an earlier life.

Clingendael Park is considered the most impressive park in The Hague, a place that is home to many beautiful gardens. But this four centuries old garden is best known for its Japanese Garden, created in the 20th century by a baroness who brought back items, such as sculptures and bridges, from her many trips to Japan. The garden contains lush vegetation, including mosses, an island with turtles and a stone crane – the turtle and crane are symbols of long life. The Japanese Garden is a popular The Hague attractions because it’s the only one from this time period in the Netherlands.
The Hague is known as the International City of Peace and Justice. Nothing says this more than the iconic Peace Palace, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie funded the building of the Peace Palace, and it remains the property of the Carnegie Foundation today. This Hague landmark houses several important international organizations, including the World Court, Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Peace Palace Library. Guided tours of the facility are available on weekends. A visitor center, with information available in seven languages, is open every day, however.
Gemeentemuseum Den Haag is a multi-faceted museum that includes exhibitions not only by well-known artists but also exhibitions on fashion, ceramics and music, among others. Considered one of the most beautiful museums in the Netherlands, the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag’s contemporary arts division has the largest collection of Mondrians, including Victory Boogie Woogie, in the world. Visitors say the Art Deco building that houses the museum also is worth a closer inspection. The museum, also known as the Municipal Museum, is outside the city center, but easily accessible by bus.
After looking at masterpieces on canvas, visitors may want to look at another type of masterpiece: antique and classic cars. The Louwman Museum contains more than 250 antique and classic autos, including vehicles dating back to 1886 as well as early motorcycles. Top cars include a Jaguar XKD 606 that won Le Mans in 1957 and a Laconda that won in 1935. The entire collection is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful private collections of classic cars in the world. The museum also has a collection of automobile related art, such as posters.
Maurits Cornelis Escher is considered one of the world’s greatest graphic artists, though he died in 1922. He was a master at drawing optical illusions. Escher’s masterpieces include Air and Water, in which birds become fish, and Waterfall, with water flowing upwards. The gallery of his art works is housed in the Palace Museum, which was once a winter residence for Dutch queens. The permanent exhibition includes a virtual reality display that allows visitors to more fully experience his unique artworks.
The smallest city in the Netherlands, Madurodam is a 1:25 scale model of a Dutch city. It features traditional Dutch buildings and famous landmarks from around the country. Buildings, markets, canals, windmills, Schiphol Airport, the Port of Rotterdam, Dam Square, the Delta works are all perfectly replicated to the smallest detail. Instead of being a static miniature city, Madurodam is actually full of life. The windmills turn, airplanes land at the airport, trains run through the park and the boats are floating. Popular with both young and old, it is one of the most visited attractions in the Hague.
Panorama Mesdag definitely has lots of wow! factor. It’s a gigantic circular mural that is 14 meters (46 feet) high and more than 0 meters (280 feet) in circumference. It is a painting of the sea, dunes and the village of Scheveningen as it was in 1881. It was pained by Hendrik Wilhelm Mesdag, one of the most important painters from The Hague School. The mural is so huge, a special building was constructed to house it. Panorama Mesdag is the oldest 19th century mural that is still on the site it was built on.
Mauritshuis Museum provides an amazing opportunity to view some of the finest paintings from the Dutch Golden Age of Painting. It is home to 841 works by great artists such as Hans Holbein the Young, Frans Hals, Rubens (Night Scene), Rembrandt (Self-Portrait) and Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring). The museum is housed in a 17th century Dutch Classicist house that belonged to a nobleman. This little known museum (outside the Netherlands, that is) attracts about a quarter million visitors a year.
Scheveningen Boulevard is a wide boulevard that runs along the beach at Scheveningen, once a sleepy fishing village and now a seaside resort. One top attraction is the Scheveningen Pier, a promenade that dates back to the early 20th century; today, it is an entertainment and shopping complex. The Kurhaus also is a must-see; it’s a large hotel that started out as a bathhouse in the 19th century, and has since played host to famous people from Churchill to Bon Jovi. The Sculptures by the Sea focuses on international sculpture works. It is notable because it’s built underground instead of atop the sand dunes.
Binnenhof is a 13th century castle that makes a mighty impressive home for the top government offices in the Netherlands. It’s where both houses of Parliament meet and houses the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Dutch prime minister. Once a series of buildings that were joined together, Binnenhof is famous as the oldest house of parliament in the world still in use today. The gothic structure is located in The Hague’s city center next to the Hofvijver pond. In the center stands the Ridderzaal or Knight’s Hall, the centerpiece of the castle, today used for ceremonial purposes. The Knight’s Hall is accessible in guided tours.
10 Most Popular Attractions in The Hague10 Most Popular Attractions in The Hague

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Oslo -

Oslo is situated in a fjord extending over an inlet of the Skaggerak strait, surrounded by green hills and mountains. The beauty of Oslo represents Mother Nature at her finest. Popular outdoor activities here include skiing in the winter and cruising through picturesque Oslofjord in the summer. And when visitors are ready for some indoor entertainment, the capital of Norway offers world-class museums and art galleries. Indoors or outdoors, there is an Oslo attraction for everyone.

While many Norwegian explorers battled polar elements, Thor Heyerdahl took on the Pacific Ocean in 1947, crossing 8,000 km (5,000 miles) on Kon Tiki, a handmade balsawood raft. This voyage proved that people from South America could have reached out to Polynesia via sea travel. The Kon Tiki Museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about Heyerdahl and his other sea adventures, including to Easter Island and the Galapagos. Other crafts he sailed on his adventures are on display at the museum. The museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Easter Island artifacts outside that island.

Akershus Fortress is a great place to learn about the history of Oslo. The medieval castle was built in the late 13th century to defend Oslo from invaders, something it did very well. Located at a strategic position on the headland of Oslofjord, a later Norse king had it modernized and converted into a Renaissance castle and royal residence. Though no longer a royal residence, it is much used today for concerts, ceremonies and holiday celebrations.

Travelers definitely will want comfortable walking shoes when they tour the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History). Located in Bygdøy, the museum has two parts: museum buildings that house the country’s largest cultural heritage collections and a large open air museum made up of more than 150 relocated houses and other buildings, including a 13th century church, found throughout Norway. Artifacts in some collections date back to the 1500s. The museum also offers traditional music and folk dancing performances.

Visitors ready for a day in the outdoors won’t want to miss Oslofjord, which contains a highly scenic collection of islands in southeast Norway. Island hopping by ferry is a popular summer activity, giving travelers an opportunity to sample each island’s uniqueness. Some islands offer great swimming, but all offer the perfect spot to eat a picnic lunch, all within minutes from Oslo. Oslofjord also is a good place to go canoeing, sail ring, kayaking, camping or fishing. Visiting Oslofjord offers a relaxing day and the chance to gaze upon the fjord’s deep blue water that is punctuated with the occasional lighthouse.

Norway is a country that is known for producing world-class skiers, both downhill and cross country. What better place to learn about skiing than the Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower. Visitors can learn about 4,000 years of skiing at this unique museum, located inside the Olympic ski jump. They can ride to the top of the ski jump tower for stunning views of Oslo. The ski jump is used for competitions every winter, but non-racers will have to settle for a simulator to experience whizzing down the modern ski jump.

The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design is the national museum of Norway. As such, it contains an astounding collection of art, ranging from architecture in comics to the influence of Japan on Nordic art and design. It actually is several museums under the aegis of the national museum but all promote various art forms, from traditional to contemporary, in this Scandinavian country. Among its collection are some of Edvard Munchs most famous pictures, including one of the versions of The Scream.

Norway is home to some famous polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen, Fridfjøf Nansen and Otto Sverdrup, so it is fitting for the Arctic nation to celebrate them and their efforts. The Fram Museum concentrates on Norway’s contribution to polar exploration. It is home to the Fram, Norway’s first vessel used in polar exploration, and the Gjøa, the first ship to sail through the Northwest Passage. The museum is located at Oslo’s Bygdøy peninsula near other maritime museums. Visitors can board the Fram where a northern lights show takes place every 20 minutes. The museum is multilingual, with signage in 10 languages.

The design and setting of the Oslo Opera House are nothing short of spectacular, just as are the performances of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Built of white granite and white carrara marble, with lots of high windows, the building seems to rise from the waters of Oslofjord; a white pedestrian plaza leads up to the opera house. With 1,100 rooms, the opera house is the largest cultural building erected in Norway since 1300. Anyone who views this magnificent building will say it was certainly worth the wait!

Vigeland Park is a stunning collection of more than 0 sculptures, all created by one artist, Gustav Vigeland, who created these pieces in wrought iron, bronze and granite. It is the world’s largest collection of sculptures created by one artist, who, in this case, also designed the mid-20th century park. The statues are lifelike portrayals of nude people in various poses, some of them of a sexual nature. Most of the sculptures are divided into five parts: Wheel of Life, Fountain, main gate, Monolith plateau and bridge with children’s playground. Vigeland Park is one of the most popular attractions in Oslo.

Many centuries ago, the Vikings sailed the northern seas, striking fear in the hearts of the region these fierce warriors were about to invade. Today, visitors can view, unafraid, some of these terror-causing vessels as the Viking Ship Museum showcases some of these great 9th century ships. The list includes ships from Gokstad, Oseberg and Tune. The Oseberg ship is the best preserved and was found in a burial mound on a farm near Oseberg. The museum also displays textiles, tools and household items as well as items found in Viking tombs.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Oslo10 Top Tourist Attractions in Oslo