{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Oslo, Norway Part 2 of 2","description":"Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Oslo, Norway, Part 2.  Welcome back to the  Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. A few months ago, I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is from Tabitha, who complained and then asked a question: I don\u2019t want to share a room because I use a sleeping device that makes a lot of noise. How can I save money on my travel without putting someone else out of their sleep?   Answer:  Sharing a room is a blunt instrument for saving money. If your sleep setup creates friction, the more brilliant move is to optimize timing, location, length of stay, and amenities\u2014not to sacrifice privacy.   Here are seven tips for you, Tabitha, and listeners: \u200b\u200b 1. Question where the money is going Before changing lodging, look at the most significant cost drivers: Are you paying for location prestige you don\u2019t actually use? Are you staying more nights than needed? Are you locking yourself into inflexible dates? Often, lodging costs drop sharply one or two transit stops away from tourist cores. 2. Choose private rooms in shared properties Many hostels, guesthouses, and homestays offer private rooms with shared kitchens or bathrooms. You avoid roommates entirely. Prices are often 30\u201350% lower than hotels. Kitchens reduce food costs, which adds up fast. 3. Stay longer, pay less Weekly or monthly rates can dramatically undercut nightly pricing. This works exceptionally well for apartments, apart-hotels, and extended-stay properties. Even adding an extra night can lower the average nightly rate. Ask: Is speed costing me money? 4. Travel slightly off-peak. You don\u2019t need to travel in miserable weather to save money. Shoulder seasons often offer the same experience at lower prices. Midweek stays are consistently cheaper than weekends. Airfare and lodging both benefit from this shift. 5. Rethink room features you don\u2019t need Be skeptical of \u201ccomfort upgrades\u201d: Do you actually need daily housekeeping? A view? A large room when you\u2019re out most of the day? Smaller, simpler rooms are quieter, cheaper, and often better for sleep devices anyway. 6. Use points and cash together If you collect hotel or credit-card points: Use points for expensive nights. Pay cash for cheaper ones. This hybrid approach stretches value without compromising privacy. 7. Pick accommodations built for solo sleepers Some properties quietly cater to solo travelers: Business hotels Capsule-adjacent private rooms Budget chains with excellent soundproofing These are designed around individual sleep needs, not social lodging. Confidence Challenge in Oslo: If you\u2019re new to traveling with accessibility needs, your challenge may be trusting yourself to explore independently. Oslo\u2019s infrastructure is excellent, but navigating it alone in a foreign country can feel intimidating. The confidence builder is this: Norwegians are incredibly respectful and willing to help \u2014 they\u2019ll assist you if you ask, but they\u2019ll never intrude. Trust that combination of independence and quiet support.   If you enjoyed today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into trusting your decisions when traveling solo. Get educated. Learn and do in that order. . You can find the series at the link in the description.    See Book A for addressing this concern. Step 5 travel Find it on the website\u200b\u200b at https:\/\/www.5stepstosolotravel.com\/ or on Amazon. It\u2019s a several-part series. Today\u2019s special destination is Oslo, Norway, Part 2 in more depth.   Oslo, Norway, is a breathtaking city embraced by stunning fjords and vibrant forests. Known as one of Europe\u2019s most welcoming and forward-thinking capitals, it offers a serene, safe, and modern atmosphere that's ideal for solo women travelers over 50, including those who use wheelchairs or mobility aids.   Explore Parks, History, and Nordic Design Kick off your adventure at the magnificent Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of the largest sculpture parks globally created by a single artist. With its wide, smooth paths, it\u2019s easy to explore at your leisure. The park\u2019s tranquil ambiance is just perfect for reflection and appreciation of its artistic beauty.       Visiting the Vigeland statues in the park reminds me of Versailles, France. Took Tram 15 directly there. The park features statues of babies, women, and faces, as well as a lovely rose garden. The park is open every day, all hours, and never closes.  My friend from an earlier trip to Sweden that week, Margaret, and her sister drove to Portebakken and Krikkleiva. Notable landscapes included white birch trees and blue skies with clouds. - Weather: 26-28 degrees Celsius.  We had an incredible experience visiting a museum dedicated to the Oslo tragedy involving homegrown terrorism that occurred in November 2011. Here are some highlights that genuinely stood out during our visit: - Exploring the beautiful moss and unique plants at Sundvolden, an outdoor museum just a short 30-minute drive from Selte, was a delightful experience. https:\/\/www.visitnorway.com\/listings\/sundvolden-hotel\/279615\/   - It was exciting to travel around in a Skoda electric car, showcasing Norway\u2019s commitment to sustainability. https:\/\/www.skoda-auto.com\/emobility\/electrified-models - Interestingly, Norway's independence from the EU economically, thanks to its rich agricultural and fishing resources, allows it to prioritize its own interests without contributing to the EU's financial struggles. Next time to see in Oslo\u2026.. - A trip to the renowned Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, only 45 minutes away, is definitely a must-see.  Explore Cobenhill, an eco-friendly destination featuring a ski slope, lifts, hiking trails, and a climbing wall, located near the waste-to-energy plant.    Check out The Fram Museum, where you can dive into the incredible tales of Norway's polar explorers. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps leading to a replica of the historic polar ship Fram. Just a stone\u2019s throw away, the Kon-Tiki Museum awaits, accessible and showcasing Thor Heyerdahl's remarkable voyages.     For a delightful lunch, mentioned in Part 1 on Oslo, why not try one of the local seafood caf\u00e9s on the scenic Bygd\u00f8y (bug-day) Peninsula? Enjoying outdoor seating with stunning fjord views is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local flavor.   Stroll along Karl Johans Gate, the city\u2019s vibrant main pedestrian street filled with charming shops, cozy caf\u00e9s, and historic architecture. This lovely avenue leads you right to the Royal Palace, surrounded by inviting gardens and easy-to-navigate pathways.   Hop on a tram\u2014most of Oslo\u2019s public transportation is low-floor and incredibly wheelchair-friendly\u2014and soak in the enchanting city lights dancing on the water!       My missteps: Language barriers.   Can't pronounce the names, so just do your best as someone from the USA.  Most people speak English. Can\u2019t speak the language? Use Duolingo for practice, then keep trying. Fake it until you master it, and apologize in the meantime. People will appreciate that you tried. Thanks for listening, and I\u2019ll see you on the next journey.   AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.   Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest onYouTube In the news   ","author_name":"Dr Mary Travelbest Guide","author_url":"https:\/\/drmarytravelbest.com","html":"