Peaceful weekend bolthole between city and fjords

More recently famed as the oil capital of the North Sea, after the discovery of vast gas and oil reserves 50 years ago, Stavanger was previously known for it's fish canning industry (there's even a museum where you can find out more!) Thanks to this, Stavanger's core is built around 18th- and 19th-century wooden houses that are protected and considered part of the city's cultural heritage. So despite the wealth that oil brings, flooding into the region, the city keeps it's small fishing post vibe to a large degree. 

But if you're a traveller, it's not the town that will bring you to Stavanager. It's the incredibly close location to the fjord region that makes this a great jump off point to see some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Europe. 

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Stavanger
Løkkeveien 26, 4002 Stavanger, Norway,  +47 51 76 60 00
We stayed at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel which, as previously mentioned, offers deals well below its 4 star credentials to guests staying over the weekend.

As with the majority of new buildings in Stavanger, the focus is on the functional when it comes to architecture. But the service, the room and particularly the incredible breakfast make this a perfect choice when you're using Stavanger as a base to explore the region.

These marvellous bods will even pack you a delicious picnic for your hike! And lucky you if you're heading there after December 2015 as you'll have a spanking new pool & leisure area to visit. But never mind if you're heading there before. Do like Aesthetic Voyager did, and use the fjord to bathe under the midday sun instead.