King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain were greeted in regal style yesterday as they arrived in the Norwegian capital for a three-day state visit. Oslo had rolled out the red carpet and decked the main boulevard with red and gold banners, from the Parliament building to the Royal Palace as King Harald and Queen Sonja welcomed their guests. The two kings donned military outfits for the occasion, while their wives were elegant in suits. Sonja's daughter-in-law, Princess Mette-Marit, looked summery in a pale blue ensemble. The long-awaited trip comes 11 years after the Norwegian royal couple made a state visit to Spain in 1995 and coincides with Norway's Navy taking delivery of its first frigates built at a Spanish shipyard.
While Juan Carlos and Harald, who share a love of sailing, were due to inspect one of the impressive ships, the queens were taking in the cultural sights of one of Europe's smallest capitals.
It's easy to step back in time in Oslo. The open-air Norwegian Folk Museum contains traditional costumes and more than 150 buildings of architectural interest from around the country, while the Viking Ship Museum displays the historical vessels in which Viking kings and queens were once buried.
There is plenty for the more modern-minded visitor to see, too. The Edvard Munch museum is home to the famous Norwegian artist's best known works including The Scream, Madonna and Vampire. Also worth dropping by is the Vigeland Sculpture Park and Museum, which has an extensive collection of granite and bronze artworks.
After all that sight-seeing, the capital's fantastic seafood eateries should restore flagging feet. The Lofoten Fish Restaurant on the quayside is the perfect summer location to savour fresh shellfish al fresco while enjoying the stunning views across the Oslo fjord.
The Spanish couple are making the most of their short trip by also taking in the country's second largest city, Bergen, on Norway's west coast. Known as the gateway to the Norwegian fjords, it is a picturesque location best appreciated by taking the funicular railway from the city centre to the top of Mount Floyen. Alternatively the many day trips on offer, such as the 'Norway in a Nutshell' boat tour through the beautiful waterways, give visitors a chance to discover the area's awesome vistas up close.
Photo: Rex
Photo: AFP
