Oslo Mini Cruise ✓

Another check off my bucket list.

I have been wanting to do a DFDS mini cruise to Oslo for some years now, which is definitely something to do with friends, not alone.
Around Christmas time, there are offers on the tickets, so my work organized a trip, 12 of us, for only 20 DKK! unreal! Jumped on the opportunity right away.

We left CPH at around 16.30, and arrived in Oslo next morning at 9.45. We had 6 hrs to spend in the city. Most of the day we spent a bit out f the city, where the olympic sky jump is, incredible structure and wonderful views from up there. 
In the city we wondered around the Christmas market, and a bit in city centre, then got back on the boat at 16.00. 
Oslo is quite charming, but not as much as CPH architecture style. CPH is nicer, Oslo has more square and boring buildings in the centre, but right outside, the wooden houses are incredible!
But clean and tidy was my impression. I almost spent no money , so cannot say how expensive it is, every one claims it's incredibly pricy , but can't tell. We bought food and drinks from home so none of us really got to drain our accounts before the holidays.

I was surprised at the amount of gipsies, hold on to your wallet!

The ship was also a lot of fun, with lots of restaurants, bars, cocktail lounge, and live music.

I would definitely do it again !

DFDS Terminal CPH

Cabin for 4 , but all for myself

Always and forever

Leaving CPH

Jolly Jumpers

Getting into Oslo

Fjords

Olympic sky jump

Christmas markets

Opera house

Our cruise ship

Leaving Oslo

Entertainment on the ship

Mallorca

Mallorca has never been my top destination, as all I heard about it, it's that it'e very touristy.

But when I read about the fantastic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, I did not hesitate a second to choose Mallorca as our next destination .

We flew into Palma, got our (upgraded) rental car and ventured into the small streets. Palma is very cozy and fascinating, with it's small streets and shops. It was easy to see why tourists go, and not hard to imagine how busy it must be in summer! November was the best season to go.

Looks a bit like buildings in Barcelona.

We decided not to stay in Palma, because it's too busy really. I wanted something quieter, more local and in the mountains. We found a very cute small Air B and B rental in the town of Bunyola, only 20 KM outside Palma, and what a view getting up in the morning.

Bunyola felt a lot like a small Cernobbio or Rovenna, where I grew up. The small town feel it's the same, very friendly and safe. Every one greet one another. Truly a pleasure. And the small narrow streets with cars parked everywhere is also the same! for a moment I did fear for the rental car. It's so busy with cars, they have a free public parking field downtown,  so we had to walk a bit to get in the house. 

Day one we drove off to the port of Soler, to enjoy an overpriced cappuccino and see what the island of Mallorca is all about. We came to the conclusion that they must have a menu for locals, and one for tourists, like they do in many italian cities. I made it a mission to try not get scammed but my spanish is so poor compared to my italian, so I could not pass as a local. If they scam or not I don't know, but I felt the prices where very high.

Driving up north , to the top of the island.

Port de Sa Calobra

Cap De Formentor, top of the island

Feeling rich for a few days was worth the upgrade money, what a beauty and what fun to drive!

Day two, we ventured into a 4 hr hike from Bunyola into a loop a round a mountain. Getting to the summit was a pleasent surprise.

Norwegian airlines had cancelled our flight on day of departure so we had one day less to spend on the island. So we stayed on the west side and did not go see the other side due to lack of time. On the day we were leaving, we went back to Palma, I absolutely want d to see the cathedral in the day light. Due to mass, we could not get in and see it , shame!

This cathedral really impressed me!!

This is more or less the itinerary, different way back.