Deep in the heart of Europe, sits a place so exotic even the angels in the heavens above look down in awe and wonderment. Oslo, a city synonymous with peace and tranquility, is a hidden jewel of lush green landscapes and dazzling fjords just the sight of which, leave you breathless.

Stay at The Grand Hotel, where rockstars Iron Maiden often stop-in for a night stop or two (and if you’re lucky, you’ll more than likely run into them) right opposite the Parliament house, Stortinget . A central location a mere a five-minute walk away from the city’s renowned Old Cathedral.

After a hearty smorbrod breakfast, an open sandwich with hard-boiled eggs and cod roe caviar, take a sultry walk downtown to the Oslo fountains, also home to the National Theater. The harbor front too adds to the city’s overall aesthetics, complete with wooden ships, amazing elaborate piers and dancing fountains. It is home to a string of pansies, flowerbeds and snapdragons.

If you find the Norwegian capital to be a little too tranquil, hop aboard a short cruise to Kiel in Germany or Copenhagen in neighboring Denmark for a refreshing retreat just a short distance away. Complete with indoor pools, rooftop bars, five-star restaurants and even a High Street overlooking the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, cruises from Oslo are rated among the best in the world.

And while the city may be small, (like half the size of Lahore small) we are reminded of an old adage; Great things come in small packages!