Comedian and author David Baddiel has highlighted a growing trend in travel known as the “coolcation,” a vacation concept centered on visiting colder, northern destinations instead of the traditional warm-weather holidays. Baddiel’s recent experience in Norway exemplifies this shift, driven in part by a changing climate and a desire to rethink the parameters of a summer getaway.

Baddiel’s journey began in Oslo, where he found the weather ideal upon arrival in August, with clear blue skies and temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius. Unlike other Nordic capitals, Oslo is described as a calm, understated city with a population of approximately 724,000. Its location at the head of a fjord, bordered by forests and hills, creates an atmosphere that feels more village-like than metropolitan. This setting, combined with the extended daylight hours typical of northern summers, offers a unique urban relaxation experience.

The city’s cultural offerings include the Munch Museum, home to Edvard Munch’s iconic painting *The Scream*, which draws steady crowds despite attempts to view it through the intermittent obstruction of mobile phones. Baddiel also explored the city’s natural features, such as the Akerselva River, which flows through parks and urban areas and culminates dramatically at the Nedre Voyenfossen waterfall. Accommodation was booked at the newly restored Savoy 1918, a boutique hotel known both for its distinct charm and its connection to Cornelis Vreeswijk, a celebrated figure in Norwegian music.

Oslo also offers historical insight with the Resistance Museum, which Baddiel found particularly compelling for its detailed account of Nazi Germany’s occupation of Norway during World War II. The museum underscores how Nazi forces were heavily committed to Norway, believing Norwegians embodied the Nordic ideal—an obsession that some analysts argue contributed to the broader failure of Nazi Germany in the war.

Following the city stay, Baddiel and his son ventured approximately two hours north to Finnskogen, an area characterized by dense forests and numerous lakes. There, they stayed at the PAN Treetop Cabins, an unconventional lodging option designed as modern interpretations of traditional Norwegian shelters called gapahuks. Elevated eight meters above ground, these triangular cabins blend minimalist architecture with natural surroundings, creating an immersive forest experience. Guests benefit from large triangular windows and warm wood interiors, although space can be limited, especially when sharing accommodations.

Travel in Norway has increasingly embraced electric vehicles, exemplified by Baddiel’s use of an electric car for the journey north, a nod to the country’s environmental initiatives. Nevertheless, the tension between traveling and addressing climate change remains a consideration for many travelers adopting this “coolcation” approach.

Baddiel’s reflections suggest that for some, vacations to colder climates are more than a stylistic choice; they represent an emotional and cultural shift toward reimagining leisure in a warming world.