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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I’ve messed up with the holiday I’ve booked

286 replies

SoEasyToFallInLove · 15/10/2025 07:24

I had a week of annual leave to use before April. I did some research and booked a week to be split between Oslo and Copenhagen at the end of February/beginning of March. Everything I had found said that temperatures at this time were around -5° to 2°C. I figured I could cope with that.

I’ve now found a lot of discussion online that says that last year it was regularly -30° in Oslo in February. It’s a bit luck of the draw but apparently it can stay below freezing until the end of March.

What do I do? I’ve paid for everything and it’s non refundable but if it’s that cold I’ll literally just be sat in a hotel room all day. Do I go and hope for the best or just cancel and use my leave another way?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 15/10/2025 20:25

SoEasyToFallInLove · 15/10/2025 20:22

I guess to some they think travelling only exists in terms of £5,000 holidays.

Oh I see. I hope you have a nice trip, try not to weather panic, at the end of the day you’ll probably do museums, coffee shops so will be in and out all day.

notacooldad · 15/10/2025 20:27

Because for some reason they think im lying about how much I’ve paid!

Its not that I thought you were lying. Its just that you said you had such a tight budget and cant afford a £20 quid coat from vinted or ebay.

It doesn't make sense going from one expensive country and flying to another expensive country if you are money short.

I also cant understand why you are so against paying £20 or less for a coat from Vinted to make your trip more pleasant you will be spending similar on burger and chips.
You were then going on about not affording £900 in ski wear, when you are not going skiing and don't need specialised sports equipment to go round d a capital city.

You have been refusing to take advice.
Hell, if im watching my pounds that much I'd wear the purple puffa and not care that I look a bit big along as I am warm. You are never going to see the people over there again and they won't care what you look like!

SoEasyToFallInLove · 15/10/2025 20:29

notacooldad · 15/10/2025 20:27

Because for some reason they think im lying about how much I’ve paid!

Its not that I thought you were lying. Its just that you said you had such a tight budget and cant afford a £20 quid coat from vinted or ebay.

It doesn't make sense going from one expensive country and flying to another expensive country if you are money short.

I also cant understand why you are so against paying £20 or less for a coat from Vinted to make your trip more pleasant you will be spending similar on burger and chips.
You were then going on about not affording £900 in ski wear, when you are not going skiing and don't need specialised sports equipment to go round d a capital city.

You have been refusing to take advice.
Hell, if im watching my pounds that much I'd wear the purple puffa and not care that I look a bit big along as I am warm. You are never going to see the people over there again and they won't care what you look like!

Find a plus size coat that’s not bulky but will actually keep me warm and dry for £20! You can’t!

OP posts:
notacooldad · 15/10/2025 20:33

I guess to some they think travelling only exists in terms of £5,000 holidays

Absolutely not. I am the queen of interesting but budget holidays, ive been doing it for nearly 30 years and long ago mastered skyscanner to get the optimum flights at the best cost ( eg go out and return on randomly days rather than say Friday to Friday. ) I had to I didnt have much money when the kids were small and couldn't afford places like Orlando.

I usually pay around £30 return to oslo but one year if paid £48, that crushed me ( only joking,)
The main point of this thread was you freaking out believing shit about it being minus30 and what to wear and then ignoring everyone"s advice.
That's whats weird!

notacooldad · 15/10/2025 20:38

Find a plus size coat that’s not bulky but will actually keep me warm and dry for £20! You can’t!
Its a duvet coat, its not too bulky but if you are plus size nothing is going to make you look slim but it will keep you warm and not break the bank.

This is just an example i found on a 5 second search. I obviously do t know your size.

I’ve messed up with the holiday I’ve booked
notacooldad · 15/10/2025 20:39

There's loads more. Honestly give it a go.

MaplePumpkin · 15/10/2025 21:05

notacooldad · 15/10/2025 20:38

Find a plus size coat that’s not bulky but will actually keep me warm and dry for £20! You can’t!
Its a duvet coat, its not too bulky but if you are plus size nothing is going to make you look slim but it will keep you warm and not break the bank.

This is just an example i found on a 5 second search. I obviously do t know your size.

Brilliant 👏🏼

Idontpostmuch · 15/10/2025 21:09

SoEasyToFallInLove · 15/10/2025 20:00

And yes, accommodation is booked. my hotel in Oslo is NOK2523.96 (or £188 as per my calculation on the day I booked it). Copenhagen is DKK1989 (£232 per that day’s exchange). So it’s £420 for accommodation plus just over £100 all in for flights. I’m travelling hand luggage only to save on costs and because I have an IBIS membership my stay at Heathrow will be £47. My only cost left is the train up to London which I’ll be looking to get at Christmas time when the Trainline sale goes live, or I’ll ask for cash for Christmas to pay for it.

How many nights in each?

Idontpostmuch · 15/10/2025 21:13

What airline?

Chiaseedling · 15/10/2025 21:13

I’ve been to Paris in December and it’s been unbelievably cold - even with thermals it was too much. Maybe if you’re wearing specialist clothing it will be ok but not your common it garden thermals and coat.

stressedinsurrey · 15/10/2025 21:27

We went to Copenhagen in February 2023 and it was fine, cold but not bad. If it snows they will clear the streets. Cold means more excuses for going into cafes for the amazing pastries! We took a bus tour round, so you can get most places on the hop on hop off bus without spending too much time outside.

Lurkingforalaugh · 15/10/2025 22:53

You definitely had a choice of your destination 🤦🏻‍♀️

GiveMeCoffeeandTV · 16/10/2025 06:33

It won’t be -30 degrees Celsius!

Local weather and climate
In winter, the average temperature in Norway is -6.8 degrees Celsius, but the local conditions may vary quite a lot. Around Oslo, snowfall is common and the average winter temperatures are just below zero.

source:
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/seasons-climate/winter/

Winter in Norway

Discover a true winter wonderland!

https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/seasons-climate/winter/

APTPT · 16/10/2025 06:37

I love Northern climes in the winter and used to adore visiting Russia and Ukraine in the winter months. Everything is beautiful in the snow. Hopefully you get proper steady cold and no mini thaw. You should be able to get a good coat from a proper out door shop before you go. If not, once you're there you can upgrade whatever you have

IngenTing · 16/10/2025 07:01

I live here in Norway. You'll be fine in Oslo, it doesn't get that cold in February. Where I live, we have temperatures that can drop to the minus thirties, but only for a few weeks in January and this is mostly at night. I live in the mountains in one of the coldest places here.
A little tip - take decent water proof shoes/ boots. Oslo might have snow, but it's a busy city, the snow will be wet and slushy and often in a big pile where you need to cross the road. The snow ploughs drive it, but you get mounds at the side of the road.

Layers are your friend, it can be cold out. Hat, buff, gloves are a necessity, but you will need to take them on and off if you going in and out of shops etc as everywhere inside is really warm.

Jeans can be actually be very cold, so if you're going to wear them, put an underlays on as well. You really won't need to be walking around in ski gear in Oslo in February though!

Honestly, some good quality jumpers, a few merino vests (they actually might be cheaper to buy here from Cubus) and some cord trousers would be perfect with a coat. Good water proof boots are a must though!

The fjord might be still frozen in February depending on the winter we have, so you might be able to do an an ice bath followed by a sauna.

Bring a good amount of spending money, it's expensive here at the moment, even the cheaper restaurants like Egons will cost you about 1500kr for a dinner for two and maybe two drinks. Egons do however do a pizza buffet for about 175kr an adult.

Feel free to PM me, I've lived here a long time.

SharpFox · 16/10/2025 08:17

You defo could've got a week in canaries in Feb for the same amount you've paid for Oslo! Anyway, I hope u enjoy yourself.

APTPT · 16/10/2025 09:11

Give me Oslo any day over Lanzagrotty.

notacooldad · 16/10/2025 09:58

Give me Oslo any day over Lanzagrotty.

There are plenty of places in Lanzarote that are beautiful and quiet once you get away from the the hub of sports and Irish bars and the English breakfast places, which i have to agree is awful.

Saying that I adore Oslo as well!

MimiGC · 16/10/2025 10:16

My only cold holiday experience was several years ago-St Petersburg in February- and I loved it. You do need to wrap up with several layers and not worry about what you look like. I dressed for warmth, not fashion. My only difficulty was getting the layers off quickly enough when I went inside. It was boiling every where indoors. I wore snow boots with a couple of pairs of thick socks. I still slipped on the ice a lot though and was amazed to see some Russian women wearing stilettos in the snow and ice and they never seemed to fall.

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 16/10/2025 10:18

MimiGC · 16/10/2025 10:16

My only cold holiday experience was several years ago-St Petersburg in February- and I loved it. You do need to wrap up with several layers and not worry about what you look like. I dressed for warmth, not fashion. My only difficulty was getting the layers off quickly enough when I went inside. It was boiling every where indoors. I wore snow boots with a couple of pairs of thick socks. I still slipped on the ice a lot though and was amazed to see some Russian women wearing stilettos in the snow and ice and they never seemed to fall.

St Petersburg in February sounds amazing, I went one August and remember thinking I’d love to see it with snow.

Idontpostmuch · 16/10/2025 10:31

IngenTing · 16/10/2025 07:01

I live here in Norway. You'll be fine in Oslo, it doesn't get that cold in February. Where I live, we have temperatures that can drop to the minus thirties, but only for a few weeks in January and this is mostly at night. I live in the mountains in one of the coldest places here.
A little tip - take decent water proof shoes/ boots. Oslo might have snow, but it's a busy city, the snow will be wet and slushy and often in a big pile where you need to cross the road. The snow ploughs drive it, but you get mounds at the side of the road.

Layers are your friend, it can be cold out. Hat, buff, gloves are a necessity, but you will need to take them on and off if you going in and out of shops etc as everywhere inside is really warm.

Jeans can be actually be very cold, so if you're going to wear them, put an underlays on as well. You really won't need to be walking around in ski gear in Oslo in February though!

Honestly, some good quality jumpers, a few merino vests (they actually might be cheaper to buy here from Cubus) and some cord trousers would be perfect with a coat. Good water proof boots are a must though!

The fjord might be still frozen in February depending on the winter we have, so you might be able to do an an ice bath followed by a sauna.

Bring a good amount of spending money, it's expensive here at the moment, even the cheaper restaurants like Egons will cost you about 1500kr for a dinner for two and maybe two drinks. Egons do however do a pizza buffet for about 175kr an adult.

Feel free to PM me, I've lived here a long time.

I smiled at your ski gear remark. I'm Scottish, and some yrs ago was on a train heading north, and sitting next to an English tourist. It was 10 degrees in Glasgow, where she was headed. She informed me that she'd packed full ski gear. Confused, I pointed out that there was no skiing yet at any of the Scottish ski centres, on account of there having been no snow. She told me it was just to keep warm. From time to time I come across someone who thinks they'll be in the arctic as soon as they cross the border. In reality, in the west, you'll just be washed away.

Idontpostmuch · 16/10/2025 10:36

OP we're getting away from your original question - cancel or stick to plan. It must now be obvious that we think you should stick with it. Now make your own decision. Constantly arguing about clothes won't help.

notacooldad · 16/10/2025 11:27

OP we're getting away from your original question - cancel or stick to plan.
The original question has been answered so many times, there's nothing more to add.
In summary the answers were:
1 Its not going to be -30°C in the city
2 You don't need to spend £900 on ski wear
3 You don't need ski wear
4 wear your purple puffer jacket, it doesn't matter if it makes you look big.
5 ok you dont want to wear that, have a look on Vinted
6 Buy a coat on Vinted and resell it
7 Buy a coat from Vinted
8 Have a look on Vinted for a warm coat
9 Here is a coat on Vinted
10, Layers, you will get too hot once in a building
11 Have a look on Vinted.

MzHz · 16/10/2025 12:50

I’ve been to Oslo a few times for work in February, once it was -19c which I’m not going to pretend wasn’t brutally cold

like Tourette’s level cold when the hotel doors open.

otherwise it’s just cold, but manageable - you need a decent coat, hat, gloves and scarf. Decent boots with a tread as there still could be ice and snow about

HandmadeNanna · 16/10/2025 18:03

SoEasyToFallInLove · 15/10/2025 07:24

I had a week of annual leave to use before April. I did some research and booked a week to be split between Oslo and Copenhagen at the end of February/beginning of March. Everything I had found said that temperatures at this time were around -5° to 2°C. I figured I could cope with that.

I’ve now found a lot of discussion online that says that last year it was regularly -30° in Oslo in February. It’s a bit luck of the draw but apparently it can stay below freezing until the end of March.

What do I do? I’ve paid for everything and it’s non refundable but if it’s that cold I’ll literally just be sat in a hotel room all day. Do I go and hope for the best or just cancel and use my leave another way?

I had a holiday in Oslo same time of year. It is cold, but not the sort that creeps through you. Just make sure you have thermals and a good pair of walking boots which you can wear with an extra pair of socks during the day. No ballet pumps or trainers. Be comfortable and warm. Don't be daft about "looking good".