This was my first visit to Norway, and it was brilliant to explore this crisp and wintry capital city. I enjoyed the viewpoint on the icy roof of the opera house before exploring the grounds of the Skarpenords kruttårn, a fort with fine views over the harbour. I wandered down to the waterfront next, where a few people were swimming in the pristine water. After watching the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, I wandered back to the hotel along Karl Johans Gate (street), taking in the various university, theatre and Parliament buildings on the way.