Long Layover? Fill It With Art!

Find yourself between flights with more time to spare than you’d like? There’s only so many gift shops you can look at and you can probably only eat lunch or dinner once. What’s a weary traveler to do when getting up and doing something seems more appealing than sitting near your gate and answering endless emails or playing Candy Crush? Try wheeling your bags over to the nearest art exhibit. Many airports now have permanent art installations to show off local artists and expose travelers to a new view that isn’t of fast food restaurants and newsstands.

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Hoping to give travelers a more unique airport experience, San Francisco International Airport features an aquarium, an aviation museum and an arts commission that includes over 60 pieces of art. You can’t possibly be too sad if your plane gets delayed there.

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You can find eight permanent displays, including A Walk Through History of Atlanta, and rotating exhibits at the Atlanta International Airport with their airport art program. From mosaics to sculptures, you can really get lost in the creative pieces throughout each terminal.

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Enjoy a variety of murals, sculptures and installations at Denver International Airport along with half a dozen changing exhibits that can be anything from work by local street artists to sustainable architecture shown through miniatures.

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Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport has one of the biggest airport museums in America. It houses over 600 pieces and is open 24 hours a day. If you find yourself stuck overnight, you may not be able to get a sandwich, but you can wander the huge art collection that features metal works, photos of the Grand Canyon and a permanent exhibit made from pipes in the rental car center.

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If you have time to kill at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, you can wander the sculpture garden or explore the art of over 30 artists throughout the airport terminals and the Skylink stations. There is even an organized walking tour with a guide who will talk about the artists and their pieces.

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Even international airports have amazing exhibits. Heathrow Airport in London has a fine art gallery in Terminal 5. The collections change periodically and the space is so large you would never realize you were in an airport.

You don’t have to spend your layover reading a magazine or doing Sudoku. Make the most of your extra time at the airport by soaking up the culture wherever you can and getting exercise in the process. Stretching your legs will help you re-energize from your previous plane ride and interpreting what the art means to you will stimulate your brain. The best part is that it’s free entertainment!

What are some of your favorite art installations from your travels?

Exploring Oslo’s Fjords Waterfront

As an adult with no children, we kind of take all of our vacations as “romantic getaways”. On Tuesday, I gave you a list of great ideas for free things to do in Oslo and today I’m going to talk about what to do on and along the Oslo Fjord, because we all know that the seaside can be pretty romantic.

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Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t really get modern art, but there are a lot of you that love it, so why not check out this amazing museum housed in a building built to resemble a giant ship with sails that are made of glass. Tickets run a little over $13 per person and for that you can view both permanent and rotating Norwegian exhibits.

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Middelalderparken

Here’s a free and interesting attraction. This medieval park is located in Old Town and is just a 10-minute walk from the Central Station. It holds the ruins of St. Clement’s Church, St. Mary’s Church and the former Royal Estate. It is bordered by Lake Tenerife and several events and festivities happen here throughout the year. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera, because there’s fantastic photo opportunities that make a great backdrop for pictures of the two of you.

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Hanami Japanese Restaurant

For me, the worst thing you can do is visit a seaside destination and ignore all the seafood possibilities. Hanami resides in a very modern building full of windows facing the harbor and serves up sushi and cooked dishes that come from the area, such as black cod (one of my favorites), Norwegian lamb and pan-fried duck. Prices here aren’t cheap, but they aren’t crazy expensive either. It’s well worth the splurge for an afternoon or night out.

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Oslo Opera House

Do you love opera or ballet? If so, then the Oslo Opera House is on the waterfront and a fabulously popular attraction in the city. The outside is angular and covered in marble and granite, making it appear as if it’s a part of the water. If this type of culture is not really your thing, you can still head over and take a tour of the building and its gorgeous architecture.

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Lofoten Fiskerestaurant

Overlook the harbor while enjoying a delicious and local seafood meal. Sundays they offer a two-course dinner for 345 Krone (around $45 US) or you can choose from a lovely – and more affordable – menu the rest of the week. Some of the dishes that jumped out at me were pan-fried skate, king crab ravioli and grilled whale. Why not try something brand new? If you are afraid of some of those, you can also try Greenland shrimp or Norwegian lobster.

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Akershus Slott & Fortress

This medieval castle is full of history and you can learn more about it in my other Oslo post.

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Aker Brygge

Go shopping along the fjord, but even more than that you can learn about shipbuilding and hop on a boat to one of the islands. Aker Brygge is a hotbed of entertainment, unique shopping opportunities and delicious dining all on the seaside. Take a cruise of the Oslo Fjord or spend your whole day exploring the mall, which is like a small city in itself. This is where you can pick up a nice little souvenir from your trip, enjoy the promenade along the fjord or sit down to a romantic meal with a view of the water.

By using Hipmunk, you can also find yourself the perfect little romantic place to stay in the city that'll fit your budget an keep you near the part of Oslo you're most interested in exploring.

Have you been to Oslo? What are your suggestions for romantic days/nights out?

Disclaimer: This post was inspired by my partnership with Hipmunk - a great site to find low hotel rates wherever you travel. #hipmunkcitylove

Infographic: Cell Phone Etiquette Around the World

Did you know that there are places with special cell phone laws? Obviously, smartphones and their owners who are glued to them aren't going anywhere soon, so it's important to know how to use them correctly and what to expect from other users around the world. I like to use apps and the internet as much as anyone else (well, maybe a little less, because I like to actually see where I'm going and not run into a bunch of strangers), but there's a time and place for texting and talking. Here's a handy infographic of cell phone etiquette around the world. 

What have been your experiences with foreigners and cell phone usage?