Curated Recommendations
Tons of links to, and recommendations about, excursions, lodging, sights, museums, restaurants, buses, trains, gear, books, ferries and ships as we travel all the world’s seven continents. Nothing is on the list unless we personally recommend it. Ongoing updates. Select your preference below …
Scandic Neptun Hotel
“Welcome to Scandic Neptun and our popular restaurant Pascal Mat & Vin. This hotel offers one of Bergen's largest collections of art and a wide selection of entertainment and show packages.
Centrally located in Bergen, two minutes from Torgalmenningen. Walking distance to popular attractions such as Bryggen, and the Hansa area, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Say hello to penguins, seals and fish in the Aquarium, or take the popular Fløibanen, which is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Ole Bull Stage, Den Nationale Stage and Hordaland Theater are also within walking distance. The airport is 25 km away, and the train station is within 1 km. Two minutes' walk to the Airport bus.”
Bryggen Quay
“Bryggen is a historic harbour district in Bergen, one of North Europe’s oldest port cities on the west coast of Norway which was established as a centre for trade by the 12th century. In 1350 the Hanseatic League established a “Hanseatic Office” in Bergen. They gradually acquired ownership of Bryggen and controlled the trade in stockfish from Northern Norway through privileges granted by the Crown. The Hanseatic League established a total of four overseas Hanseatic Offices, Bryggen being the only one preserved today.” - UNESCO
Thon Hotel Terminus
“Thon Hotel Terminus is situated in the very heart of downtown Oslo, mere steps away from Oslo City shopping centre, Oslo Spektrum arena, and Oslo Central Train Station. The city’s largest public transport hub is just outside your door, and many of the best restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife that Oslo has to offer are all within an easy stroll.”
Akershus Fortress
A visit to Akershus Castle is like a walk through Norwegian history from the 14th Century until the present day.
Originally Akershus Castle was built as a medieval fortress in around 1300AD under the reign of King Håkon V.
During the first half of the 17th Century, the Danish/Norwegian King Christian IV decided to modernise and rebuild it into a renaissance castle.
In the 19th Century, the castle fell into disrepair and was close to demolition. Fortunately, Akershus Castle was rescued and restored during the first half of the 20th Century after Norway regained its independence in 1905.
Today, the castle's splendid halls are home to the Norwegian government's official functions.
Olivia’s on Karl Jahan’s Gate
“In 2006, the first Olivia restaurant opened at Aker Brygge in Oslo. But our history goes back even further; until Anne Koppang, Gry Holm and Kristin Gjelseth, or "the three ladies" as we like to call them, wanted an Italian in the family - preferably an Aunt Olivia from Piedmont. And since neither of them had Italian family before, they found that the next best thing was to open an Italian restaurant... which later turned out to be exactly what they wanted in the first place: Italian family.
Since 2006, a lot of exciting things have happened in Olivia. We have opened several restaurants in Norway, Sweden and Finland. All our restaurants have distinctive touches and unique qualities, inspired by our favorite cities in Italy; Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Portofino, Florence, Palermo, Parma and Bologna. But no matter where you visit us, the experience should be the same: authentic Italian food in cozy surroundings, with candles and burning fireplaces. With attentive and knowledgeable waiters and chefs with one clear common vision: to serve the best pizza outside of Italy.”
Munch Museet
“- Edvard Munch is about not accepting conventional rules, about fighting against opposition, about never giving up. The building is there, it has a powerful presence, and it is part of the city. It says, ‘Okay, here I am. I hold the legacy of the most important artist in Norway’s history, and I gaze entranced at Oslo and the fjord because it is the city and its collective dreams that have built me.’
These words were spoken by Juan Herreros, founding partner of the Spanish architecture practice Estudio Herreros. Together with his partner Jens Richter he has designed MUNCH in Bjørvika. The foundation stone for the new museum was laid autumn 2016, after a long and heated debate on both design and location – not unlike that which preceded the building of the original museum at Toyen.
Viking Museum
“Here you will get to meet the Vikings and explore the Viking Age with all senses. The adventure ride brings you even closer to the world of the Vikings.
The ride, Ragnfrid’s Saga, takes you on an exciting adventure where you get to follow the Viking Harald on a journey through 10th century Europe. The story begins at Frösala farm, where Ragnfrid and Harald live together with their daughter Sigrid. Harald has wasted all of the family’s money and has to go out on a Viking Raid in order to win back their fortune and honor.”
Nobel Prize Museum
“The Nobel Prize shows that ideas can change the world. The courage, creativity and perseverance of the Nobel Laureates inspire us and give us hope for the future.
Based on the Nobel Prize’s unique combination of fields – natural sciences, literature and peace – we at Nobel Prize Museum invite you to exhibitions, school programmes, lectures and dialogues about the great issues of our time.
We are a small museum with vast content. With the help of videos, donated artifacts and in-depth guided tours you meet freedom fighters, writers and scientists who all contributed to the greatest benefit to humankind.
Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) had a clear vision about the prize he created. In his will, he wrote that he wanted to reward those who had “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”. The Nobel Prize and the stories of the Nobel Laureates are the basis for a broad range of public outreach activities that show how we can learn from history in order to understand our present-day world and influence our future.”
Vasa Museet
“The Vasa Museum is one of Scandinavia's most visited museums. It is here that you will find in all its glory, the unique and well preserved warship Vasa from 1628, embellished with hundreds of wooden sculptures.
Around 1 million visitors every year enjoy the exhibitions in the museum, which describe the warship Vasa's history and life at the time; how, after 333 years at the bottom of Stockholm harbour, the ship was rediscovered and salvaged; and the research which is now underway to preserve Vasa. The Vasa Museum lies in the royal parkland, Djurgården, in Stockholm.
The Vasa Museum is a part of the agency the Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museums (SMTM), together with the National Maritime Museum and Vrak – Museum of Wrecks in Stockholm, the Naval Museum in Karlskrona and the Railway Museum in Gävle.
The agency's mission is to preserve and develop the maritime and transport history cultural heritage and to increase people's knowledge about it. The government decides which direction our work should take, and we receive our instructions and directives from the Ministry of Culture.”
Recommendations from our Fellow Vagabonds Around the World
One of the great pleasures of travel, but slow travel in particular, is the chance to meet and speak with so many different people along the way. What has been surprising, yet not so surprising, is how many fellow Vagabonds we are meeting - equally ambitious world travelers with different agendas and experiences, and many stories of their own. They become our friends, and frequently, our tour guides, referrals, and inspirations. Here, we would love to share with you some of their personal recommendations and travel suggestions, separate from our own.
Hotel Duran
Celler de Ca la Teta was the foundation for what Duran Hotel & Restaurant is today: a family-run hotel is true to its roots. This history, the stories that have accumulated over the years, the visitors and the decorative pieces they’ve given the establishment are what make Duran what it is now: a hotel, a restaurant and a little museum of the history of Figueres.
Duran Hotel & Restaurant is the most emblematic hotel in the area, with a long history and renowned prestige, it is also the perfect choice to enjoy a stay in Figueres: in the old town and shopping area, just steps from important buildings like the Museum Dalí and Museu del Joguet de Catalunya.”
Mediodia Hotel
Nestled amidst the vibrant energy and cultural tapestry of Madrid, the Mediodía Hotel stands as a beacon of comfort and captivating hospitality. With its exceptional location on the bustling Calle de Atocha, this charming retreat offers an ideal base to immerse oneself in the various flavors of Spain's vibrant capital city.
Restourant Tipico o Fado
“Located in a centennial building, the Typical Restaurant o Fado preserves all the inherent uniqueness of this kind of houses, where there is a predominance of stone walls and a careful decoration, which sends us back to the beginning of the XX century.
With a family management, Artur Almeida, its current owner along with his wife Manuela, in charge of the kitchen, and their son André, are the guarantee of a quality service which prolongs itself in time, making this Restaurant a reference amongst the Fado houses in Oporto, that every night except on Sundays, gladly receives National and Foreign costumers, providing them with a well spent night, savoring exquisite traditional Portuguese cuisine, while listening to Fado through the voices of some of its best performers.”
My Story Hotel (Rossio)
“Inaugurated in March 2015, My Story Hotel Rossio combines comfort with an excellent location. Located in one of the most emblematic squares in Lisbon – D. Pedro IV Square, known worldwide as Rossio -, we have the privilege of sharing a part of Lisbon’s 18th-century history in this four-storey building rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Today it has been fully adapted to the demands of our time, so you can find modernity, comfort, well-being and elegance combined with a decoration that takes us on a journey through time.”
Restourant Carmo
“Restaurant and Tapas Bar located in Carmo Square, with a front view above the Santa Justa elevator and Saint George castle, with a warm and intimate atmosphere.
The aromas and flavors remind for a familiar concept of matriarchal cuisine were a diverse menu of Portuguese, Iberian tapas and snacks are offered to be enjoyed also on the terrace.”
Taberna da Baixa Restourante
“Taberna da Baixa, located on one of the busiest streets in Lisbon, offers the best of traditional Portuguese cuisine in an authentically rustic environment. The menu features, for example, a considerable variety of Portuguese snacks and a DOC selection of national cheeses and sausages. To accompany it, you can choose from more than 50 different wine labels, also produced in Portugal. An excellent form of gastronomic tasting where you have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of textures and flavors that are 100% Portuguese. Enjoy!”
Ponant’s L’Austral to Lisbon
“At PONANT, transatlantic voyages will take you back in time when only a ship could connect the old world to the new. Discover the pleasure of large-scale travel while taking time out to switch off and unwind during serene days at sea.
More than just a method of transport, your ship is the epitome of luxury and the experience on board is enhanced by the peacefulness of this type of cruise. Moments of introspection and endless breath-taking surroundings provide a true maritime discovery and adventure on the ocean. Throughout your journey, the iconic stopovers you'll visit on transatlantic crossings are made for those with a passion for discovery.”
Cafe Marzano
“At Caffè di Marzano, we believe that the most precious gift is time: the wonderful minutes that quickly will become hours, time to stop and grab a much-deserved drink or a delicious bite to eat, a coffee or a late lunch, a late afternoon aperitivo or a delicate wine with a truffled ravioli to finish an elegante evening. This window-gap into mediterranean-latin culture doesn’t necessarily just fit the definition of a bar or café. It only promises the experience, rich in flavour and history, where every day of the week and at all hours of the day are valid, so that casually you can enjoy and have time to eat or drink of quality.
In this little corner, the dishes change from sunrise to sunset, thanks to a subtle change of menu options during the day, different but equally tasty: a morning selection of especially coffees, juices, smoothies, pancakes, eggs benedict and freshly oven-baked panini’s, following up with lunch dishes for a good brunch setting; ending the day with delightful small plates of ravioli, risotto, gnocchi, small pizzettas, cheese boards and charcuterie; accompanied with a great choice of aperitifs, spritzs, vermouths, sustainable natural wines; and finally, some classic negronis and elegant cocktails.
Caffè di Marzano reminds us of the coffee shops in urban New York and inspired in the vermuterias vinotecas in the streets of Italian cities, revealing an old-school, bohemian and glamorous atmosphere in Chiado, in the heart of Lisbon.”
World’s Best Travel Experiences - by National Geographic
Popular actor and award-winning travel writer Andrew McCarthy writes the foreword to this lavish book, offering 400 awe-inspiring destinations chosen by National Geographic's family of globe-trotting contributors; dozens of fun, "Best of the World" themed lists; illuminating sidebars, several by travel and literary luminaries such as Anna Quindlen, Bill Bryson, Gore Vidal, and Pico Iyer; and hundreds of dazzling, oversized, full-color images to bring to life a wide variety of location categories--from entire countries to mountaintop villages to pristine lakes to ancient wonders. This broad, general interest travel title will appeal to active travelers looking for the next great trip as well as to the many readers who simply love dreaming of visiting far-flung, idyllic destinations, and for those who love to be "in the know" of the next travel trend. Five years after Journeys of a Lifetime hit the stores, fans are eager for the next great set of can't-miss travel hits revealed in this beautiful 2012 gift book.
Hotel Regis Orho
“Since 1945. Located in the mythical and traditional corner of the Lavalle and Esmeralda pedestrian streets, a few meters from Florida Street and Corrientes Avenue, where you can enjoy cinemas, restaurants, shoppings and where the city’s financial and banking activity lives.
The Regis Hotel offers a harmonious combination of attention, comfort and service. With its Spanish colonial style and red brick imprint, it is a minute walk from Lavalle metro station, a 7 minute walk from Colon Theater and 10 minutes walk from the historic Café Tortoni .”