Looking for a second exchange for summer 2015!

We have arranged for one exchange for summer 2015, to Denmark, but are looking for one more, 10-12 days in the second half of July / early August. This time we are preferably looking for coastal locations in preferably Southern Europe, either with walking distance or very short driving distance to a beach or with private pool and driving distance to the beach. We are also interested in mountain regions, close to lakes with swimming possibilities and preferably with private pool. We need at least 3 bedrooms, if possible 4, stable wifi (due to work) and are interested in non smoking homes only.

We can offer a spacious and modern family home with a private, indoor pool, 4 bedrooms, modern kitchen, secluded garden, sun deck and a stunning view. We have two lovely, indoor cats.

 

 

 

 

 

Oslo

Oslo, capital of Norway, has everything you would expect from a capital city, but at the same time it has a unique small town feel.

There is much to see in Oslo, like the new Opera (below) with its amazing architecture (it resembles an iceberg), the Vigeland sculpture park, the Holmenkollen skijump (within walking distance from our home) etc. In addition, there are numerous museums to see, like the Viking Ship Museum, the Museum of Cultural Heritage, the Munch Museum and many others. There are of course very good opportunities for eating out, shopping and cultural events like concerts, festivals etc.

Oslo has a unique location for a capital city, it's nestled inbetween hills, forest, lakes and the sea; the Oslo fjord. You can get to the forest with numerous possibilities for hiking from anywhere in the city in less than 30 minutes. There are several beaches in and around Oslo as well, some are on small islands in the Oslo fjord, which you can visit by ferry for a daytrip.

There is also much to see around Oslo, charming countryside or small, pittoresque coastal towns like beautiful Drøbak, a 40 minutes drive away. There is also an amusement park, Tusenfryd, about 35 minutes drive away. Oslo has ferry connections to Denmark and Germany and is merely 2,5 hours drive away from the Swedish border.

For more information on Oslo, please take a look here: http://www.visitoslo.no/

Photo: Christopher Hagelund

Our neighbourhood: Holmenkollen

Our neighbourhood, Holmenkollen is an upscale residential area in the Holmenkollen hillside in the western part of Oslo, and also a popular recreation area. This is a great place to live, peaceful, quiet, near nature and with a great view.

The top of Holmenkollen is sometimes called" the roof of Oslo", from here you can enjoy panoramic view over the Oslofjord and Oslo, at least in good weather.

Here you will also find the famous Holmenkollen ski jump and the Ski Museum, among Oslo's and Norway's top tourist attractions, within walking distance from our house. To the north, the area borders to the forest, so the hiking opportunities are excellent.

There are two grocery shops apprx. 10 minutes walk from our house, and several others as well as many other shops and a nice shopping center, CC Vest, a short drive away. A short car or bus ride away, you will find Røa, a residential area with several shops, pharmacy, metro station etc. A little further away by car and also accessible by direct bus or metro connection from our area, you will find Majorstuen, in the western part of central Oslo. This is an urban area with all kind of shops and restaurants, and 5 minutes walk away from Majorstuen metro station, you will find the famous Vigeland sculpture park / Frognerparken and right next to the park there is a large and very popular public outdoor pool, Frognerbadet.

The nearest bus stop is 10 minutes away and the metro (Holmenkollen line) 10-15 minutes walk away. Still, a car exchange is recommended. Car exchange is possible, we offer our 2007 Opel Astra.

There is a large lake, Bogstadvannet, with a sandy beach just 10 minutes walk away, while there are several beaches at the Oslofjord (coast) just a short drive away (20 - 30 minutes).

The Bygdøy peninsula, the "museum island" of Oslo is also just 20 minutes away by car. Here you can find some of Oslo's most famous museums, like the Viking Ship Museum and Norsk Folkemuseum, the open air museum which is Norway's largest museum of cultural history. The Fram Museum with the polar vessel Fram, the Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum, featuring the explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his expeditions, are also located on Bygdøy.

( The photo of the ski jump is taken from http://www.onedollartrip.com/)

Photos: The pool

We have an in-door swimmingpool in our house, size 10x3 meters, depth 1,5 meters. The pool is heated, normal temperature around 26 degrees Celcius.

There is a small bathroom with shower and toilet next to the poolroom. In the poolroom, you will find lots of pool toys and towels, and there is a small table with two chairs and a small garden sofa in the poolroom aswell, where you can relax while your children play in the pool.

Photos: The kitchen

Our kitchen is modern and well equipped. The kitchen contains a side-by-side fridge and freezer, dishwasher, microwave oven, ice cube maker, coffee maker,water cooker and an integrated espresso machine which makes great coffee. The stove has a double oven and gas cooking tops. From the kitchen you have a great view which you can enjoy while cooking!

Photos: The living and dining room

Our living and dinig room is bright and spacious, with access to one small balcony and one large balcony/sun deck, it contains a fireplace, a flat screen television, DVD player and a Wii. The large dining table seats 16 persons. We moved in this spring, so there are no pictures or other kind of decoration on the walls yet, we will get there eventually. :)

Photos: Main bathroom

Here are some photos of the main bathroom, which contains both a shower and a charming "old fashioned" bathtub with lion feet:

More photos to come!