NORWAY - WORLDWIDE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Posted May 10th, 2012
LATEST WORLDWIDE TRAVEL NEWS
NORWAY
Information and photos provided by Cruise Norway AS
Update May 2012
News from Telemark –new cruise port and member of Cruise Norway
BREVIK, LANGESUND AND KRAGERØ - LIVING HISTORY AND MAGIC SCENERY
The Telemark region, with the cruise ports of Grenland - Brevik and Langesund - and also the port of Kragerø, is a new port of call area, situated on the coast of southern Norway between Oslo and Kristiansand. With only a few kilometers’ sailing distance to the open seas of Skagerak, all of the coastal towns of Telemark have long maritime traditions and were some of Norway’s most important shipping centers. Langesund became a customs point in 1570 and was the largest export port for timber in Norway in the 1580s.
Kragerø and Brevik are also maritime ports with proud traditions related to shipbuilding, ice exporting and shipping. Brevik is regarded as one of the best preserved towns in Norway from the sailing ship era. Kragerø has always been especially attractive to painters, and is today one of the most popular summer resorts in Norway. Today these idyllic port towns, with their unique location in a magnificent archipelago, offer a gateway to an ideal experience of the essence of Norway through the living history and magic scenery of the Telemark region.
SOME OF THE HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS CLOSE TO THE PORTS OF TELEMARK
Langesund Lighthouse
Porsgrunn Town Museum, built in 1784 as a vicarage. The museum shows the town’s history and houses a fine collection of Porsgrund Porselænsfabrik (china factory). There is a maritime museum in the old customs house. A new maritime museum will open in 2013.
The Telemark Canal
(Photo: Kåre S. Pedersen)
Experience the old cultural history along the Telemark Canal, the bustling crowds and see small and big boats going through some of the 18 locks lifting them through the landscape from 0 to 72 meters above sea level, by help of lock keepers and ropes, the same way it was done 150 years ago.
The Telemark Canal was an essential instrument for the industrial revolution and also for welfare in Norway today.
Heddal Stave Church, Notodden
(Photo: Toril Hegna)
(Photo: Toril Hegna)
Heddal Stave Church is the largest and best preserved stave church in Norway, built in the 1200s and still in use.
You will see impressive wood constructions and decorative painting from the 1600s, as well as the “bishop’s chair” and incense vessels from medieval times.
Henrik Ibsen Museum, Skien
(Photo: Christer L. Sørensen)
(Photo: Christer L. Sørensen)
Experience a journey back to the childhood of the world famous writer Henrik Ibsen who grew up on the farm Venstøp. Here he was inspired to write several of his greatest works, such as “The Wild Duck” and “Eyolf”, which are still performed and discussed all around the world today. His childhood home is now a modern museum devoted to the writer, and the surrounding gardens have been restored to their original state.
CULTURE IN TELEMARK
The region of Telemark has centuries of traditions of coming together to tell stories, play music, drink and eat. Cruising to Telemark in the summer, the chances are that you will coincide with one of the season’s many festivals and exciting events; the Baccalao festival in Brevik, the theater festival in Porsgrunn, the song and poetry festival or the harbor festival in Kragerø, the fishing festival and the shanty festival in Langesund – these are just some of the annual events.
SCENIC EXCURSIONS
Traveling through the Telemark region to visit some of the many attractions, you will find a shifting landscape from the typical coastal geology, through the urban shopping areas of Grenland, on through the mild fruit districts of mid-Telemark and the scenic lake, forest and mountainous environments of western Telemark. At the end of the Telemark Canal you enter a fjord-like landscape, and if you take a longer overland tour, you cross to more dramatic mountain terrain leading up to Europe’s largest national park, the Hardanger Mountain Plateau, where a trip to the highest mountain in southern Norway, Gaustatoppen, gives you a view of 1/6 of Norway on a clear day.
News from Stavanger
25 NEW GUIDES IN STAVANGER
Stavanger has increased its authorized guides substantially this year, with 25 new authorized guides. They bring the total number of guides in this popular Norwegian destination to well over 140, capable of guiding in 25 different languages. The 25 new recruits received their diplomas recently at the Canning Museum. The guide course started in October and ended with an exam at the end of March.
The candidates learned about the different attractions in the region, the history of Stavanger and Norway, presentation technique, first aid, microphone training, geology and nature in Norway and they have written several papers on different topics, including a manuscript for Stavanger’s bestselling bus tour.
The 25 new guides come from Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, US, Norway, Finland, China, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
HIKING TO PULPIT ROCK
Pulpit Rock
(Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic Life/Region Stavanger)
Stavanger from above.
(Photo: Odd Bjørn Bekkehe)
For the 5th year in a row, Stavanger will beat its own records this year, both when it comes to the number of cruise calls and guest numbers. When the last cruise ship leaves in December, Stavanger will have hosted 165 calls, with a guest capacity of 333,000. In 2011 the actual numbers were 130 and 215,000.
News from Oslo
NEW OSLO APP
The free Oslo - Official City App is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The app can be used even when data roaming is turned off. The new app includes information about attractions, sightseeing, restaurants, shopping, transportation, accommodation and much more. It also features visitoslo.com's popular what's on calendar.
Oslo - Official City App is available in Norwegian, English and German, and sets automatically to the same language as your phone or tablet. If the phone is set to a language other than these three, the app will be in English.
TWO MICHELIN STARS FOR MAAEMO
The famous restaurant guide also gives one star to Bagatelle, and Statholdergaarden and Restaurant Oscarsgate still have one star each.
"Maaemo is the first Nordic restaurantto enter the guide with two stars on the first try", said Lotta Wrangler, press manager for Michelin in the Nordic countries. Two stars means the restaurant offers "exceptional cuisine, worth a detour." When it opened at Grønland in Oslo in late 2010, Maaemo was the first restaurant in Norway where all the food is made from only organic and natural ingredients. Visit http://maaemo.no for more information
The one star given to Bagatelle, Statholdergaarden and Restaurant Oscarsgate means that they offer "very good cuisine in their category," according to the Guide Michelin.
The guide also has a list called Bib Gourmand, which lists restaurants with "good food at a low price." The latest Oslo restaurant to make this list is Lille B, while Restaurant Eik andOro Bar & Grill retain their places.
Oslo is the only Norwegian city with restaurants in the guide, so it is safe to say that Oslo is still the country's definite gourmet capital!
WHICH CITIES SHAPE OUR MUSICAL TASTES? ATLANTA, MONTREAL AND … OSLO
There’s a rough consensus on which cities are the fashion capitals of the Western world: London, Milan, New York and Paris. Fashion trends start there and slowly diffuse out to the rest of the globe. But what about music? Which cities are trend-setters for our listening habits?
A new paper by two Irish network scientists, Conrad Lee and Pádraig Cunningham of the Clique Research Cluster, tries to answer the question by analyzing listening habits onLast.fm, a popular music Web site that pinpoints users by geography. The researchers found that, in North America, Atlanta tends to propel trends in hip-hop music, while Montreal leads listening habits for indie music. Over in Europe, meanwhile, Oslo is the big trend-setter.
(Posted by Brad Plumer at 12:10 PM ET, 04/18/2012TheWashingtonPost)
News from Geiranger
NEW activities you can take part in Geiranger 2012 include a“HOP ON HOP OFF Bus Geiranger” our new sightseeing/shuttle bus for individual visitors that can be booked online or at the ticket office. Six daily departures to take you on a round trip from Geiranger – Norsk Fjordsenter/UNESCO – Flydalsjuvet viewpoint – Eagelbend viewpoint Geiranger. You can stay on the bus all the time or go out to catch the next bus back. You also can combine it with a visit to the Norsk Fjordsenter or a hike to a waterfall.
Bus tour to Mt. Dalsnibba: This 2-hour guided tour to a stunning viewpoint can be booked online or at the ticket office. Back down at the harbor, set out on a guided fishing tour, and return with a trophy catch or a tale about the one that got away. Tours can cater for up to 6 people. Activities that you can book with us online before you arrive include: shuttle bus, bus/boat tours, car/bike rental.
News from Røros – Port of Trondheim
DESTINATION RØROS WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Destination Røros, Norway won yet another prestigious award when they received the Tourism for Tomorrow Award for Destination Stewardship at the World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTC) Awards celebration in Tokyo today.
Every year the industry leader World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recognizes the very best in sustainable tourism with the globally renowned Tourism for Tomorrow Awards which are among of the very highest accolades in the global travel & tourism industry.
The Awards aim to give international recognition to shining best practice examples of sustainable tourism in action.
The jury says that Destination Røros (DR) has shown dedication to multi-stakeholder engagement and success in maintaining a program of sustainable tourism management, incorporating social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects.
DR has worked with an extensive knowledge-and-service educational program, sustainable waste handling, environmental policy and environmental certification. The organization works according to a sustainability policy and also offers a sustainable business development program to its members.
Representatives from DR were present in Tokyo to accept the prestigious award which was presented by Gordon Wilson, President and CEO of Travelport. The awards ceremony was held at the Global Summit in Tokyo where 1000 leaders from the international travel and tourism industry are gathered this week. A total of 150 applications from 60 countries were received for this year’s awards, narrowed down to 12 finalists across 4 categories. Only five months ago, Destination Røros was awarded the Best Destination in the Responsible Tourism Awards category.
News from Bergen
Males can reach 2.4 meters and 390 kg, while females are slightly smaller. Initially, the new exhibit will house three sea lions, but it can accommodate a group of 6-7 animals, so there is scope for expansion.
CYCLE TAXI AND VELOTAXI GUIDING
Bergen Bicycle Taxi is a new and innovative company in Bergen that offers a green bicycle shuttle service and velotaxi guiding in the center of this Hanseatic city. The company uses waterproof, modern rickshaws with an electric support engine. They cruise the city in a flexible and comfortable way, and have a top speed of 25 km per hour. The company was established in the fall of 2011, and the young entrepreneurs behind it are looking forward to enriching the Bergen experience for tourists visiting the city this summer. We will shuttle tourists between the main attractions in the city, such as Bryggen and the Aquarium. ‘We already provide services for individual guests, but we are looking forward to collaborating with tour operators and cruise operators seeking extraordinary and green experiences for groups or individual customers,’ says founder Jørgen Christophersen.
News from Flåm
THE WORLD’S BEST DESTINATION
And a spectacular train journey. The National Geographic Traveler Magazine has ranked the Norwegian fjords the world’s best destination to visit and the Flåm Railway one of Europe’s Top Ten train journeys.
Flåm is perhaps best known as the starting point for the famous Flåm Railway. The train journey between Flåm beside the fjord and the mountain station of Myrdal attracts people from all over the world, because it offers panoramic views of some of the wildest and most striking Norwegian fjord and mountain scenery.
In less than an hour, this train ascends 865 meters, passing through 20 small tunnels and making up to eight stops. The steep gradient (at 1 to 18, it is about as steep as a normal gauge train can get) makes for an exciting ride as the views of deep ravines, raging rivers and wild mountain scenery shift from one side to the other. The most dramatic of the stops is a photo stop at the mighty Kjosfoss Waterfall, with a free fall of 93 meters.
News from Narvik
It is with great pleasure that Cruise Narvik can inform the market that from the 2013 season we will have a charter train in service for our cruise passengers. A charter train gives us great flexibility and the ability to combine multiple products, as well as develop our own concepts. With this great product we will be able pick up the passengers on the quayside. We will have the capacity to run more excursions per port of call and can offer a much more customized product for our guests. Product descriptions will be ready during the summer of 2012. Cruise Narvik is looking forward to welcoming you all to Narvik.
News from Kristiansand
STRONG GROWTH IN CRUISE CALLS AND A NEW CRUISE NETWORK IN THE SOUTH OF NORWAY!
Sorlandet (the South of Norway) and Kristiansand have become a popular cruise destination. In the statistics of cruise calls to the most popular destinations in Norway, Kristiansand had an increase of 71% from 2010 to 2011 (see statistics below). By launching the newly established cruise network, Cruise Sorlandet, representing the whole southern region of Norway, we want to continue the positive development the region has had, as reflected in increasing cruise calls– Cruise Sorlandet.
For several years, the port of Kristiansand has had a continuous presence in theinternational cruise marked. Through this work, the port of Kristiansand has secured itself a place on the map of desirable destinations to visit for the cruise lines. This initiative, together with the joint efforts of the national and international cruise networks Cruise Norway, Cruise Europe and Cruise Baltic, has ensured that the cruise traffic has increased in southern Norway in the last few years.
News from Skjolden
SEAWALK FLOATING PIER SYSTEM
Skjolden will be the first port in the world to acquire the SeaWalk floating pier system. Developed by Norway’s Cruise Ventures, installation is planned for this summer with a christening ceremony scheduled for August. With SeaWalk, Skjolden will accommodate 2 cruise ships without having to tender passengers ashore.
Skjolden’s 2012 season starts May 16th with the maiden call of P&O’s Ventura.
News from Hardanger
FAGERHEIM FJELLSTUGU’S HUSKY FARM
Inger-Marie talks about sled dogs, and her victory in the 1,000 km Finnmark Race, where she was the first woman to win Europe’s longest sled dog race. Hear about working with sled dogs, see the husky pack of 20 dogs let loose to run in the big yard, and if you wish you can enter the dog yard. See dog sledding, sleds and other equipment demonstrated. Visit the puppy farm and become familiar with the soft and cuddly baby puppies, pat little Icelandic horses or see our pigs “Fat” and “Fiin” dig in the soil.
Combine your visit with a lunch / dinner or coffee / waffle served in the “Stable” or in the dining room. Our “Stable” is a very nice, very special, crudely decorated dining room with rough pine logs and thick long tables where you sit on woolen blankets and reindeer skins. If the weather is good, we turn the double doors aside and have a dazzling view of the Hardangerjøkulen glacier.
HARDANGER ACTIVE
Hardanger Active has a range of activities for all ages.
Nordic Walking: introduction lessons and Nordic Walking hikes in the Hardanger region (booking in advance)
Geocaching hike (a treasure hunt game with GPS) for children and teenagers.
Photography hike: hiking with a photographer in Eidfjord or on the Hardanger Mountain Plateau (booking in advance)
EIDFJORD ACTIVE
Eidfjord Active offers activities in the fall, winter and spring, such as horse and carriage rides in the center, sleigh rides and snowshoe walks in the mountains, Tipi tent with food. Visit in the bakery basement where you can bake your own traditional cake and get it served with homemade accessories and coffee & tea.
GUIDED WALK IN EIDFJORD
Stuart Whatley is English and has lived in Eidfjord for 12 years. He offers the following guided walks: Eidfjord village centre – Eidfjord Old Church – Lægreid - Eidfjord village centre. Frequency: On the hour, every hour (I.e. 10am, 11am, etc.) Duration: 50 minutes approximately(minimum of six people per walk)
Meet up at the market stall in the village centre
News from Hardanger and Haugesund
HARDANGERFJORD LAUNCHES A FUEL-SAVING ITINERARY
Hardangerfjord has joined forces with the new cruise port of Haugesund to market an itinerary which is both spectacular and fuel-saving.
The idea is to sail an itinerary including the ports of Haugesund and Bergen, and in addition up to four ports in Hardangerfjord. All this within about 200 nautical miles along the Western European coastline. If the cruise lines prefer day trips to or from Haugesund-Hardangerfjord the passengers could stay overnight in, for example, Eidfjord or Haugesund.
They would then catch up with the ship the following day, having passed, for example, the Langfoss Waterfall, voted one of the ten most beautiful waterfalls in the world by CNN.
Haugesund is a relative newcomer to cruise activities, but it expects 5 calls next year, while Hardangerfjord now has 90 booked.
Update February 2012
News from Haugesund
Haugesund is a new cruise port of call, situated between Stavanger and Bergen and surrounded by the Norwegian Fjords. The town centre, with a wide range of shopping possibilities, is just a short walk from the quay.
Haugesund is a young and vibrant town but with its roots dating back to Viking times. The Viking, Harald Fairhair, united Norway as a kingdom here. The Haugesund region is called the “Homeland of the Viking Kings, Norway´s birthplace”.
Haugesund offers a great range of tours that are based on history, culture and wild landscape.
HISTORY
Avaldsnes - called Norway’s oldest throne because King Harald Fairhair made this town his main residence after he had unified Norway into one kingdom around 870 AD. At Avaldsnes you can experience The Viking Farm, St Olav´s Church from the Middle Ages, and the Nordvegen History Center.
Vigsnes Mining Museum - Did you know that the copper used in the Statue of Liberty in New York came from Karmøy? Information about this and the history of the mining community, which consisted of about 3000 inhabitants in the 1800s, can be obtained at the Mining Museum in Visnes.
The charming town of Skudeneshavn - The “old town” is a idyllic place, consisting of 130 well preserved white wooden houses, originating from the 1800s.
CULTURE
The cultural program includes events such as the Sildajazz Festival, Iron Man, the Norwegian Film Festival, Harbour Days in Skudesneshavn and Haugesund, the World’s Longest Herring Table, the Salty Seas Race Weekend and one of Norway´s biggest Christmas Markets.
WILD LANDSCAPE
Åkrafjord and Langfoss Waterfall which, in March 2011, was voted one of the ten most beautiful waterfalls in the world by CNN. With its 612 metre drop (2008 feet), Langfoss is the fifth largest waterfall in Norway.
News from North Cape
Nordkapphallen (North Cape Hall) is open all year round and is a tourist centre for visitors to the North Cape. The centre offers a host of facilities. The Supervideograph wide-screen system shows a film by Ivo Caprino about the four seasons at the North Cape. There are exhibitions in the underground tunnel about the North Cape's long history as a destination for travellers. St Johannes Kapell is the world's northernmost ecumenical chapel and, when combined with the "Nord Cape Suite", it is a popular venue for weddings. There is also a vast selection of items to choose from in the exciting souvenir and gift shop.
The Compass restaurant provides good food and a fantastic view of the Arctic Ocean. The restaurant seats 250, which is good capacity for functions and banquets. The Grotten Bar is like a vast cave, hewn into the North Cape cliff. The Grotten can seat 350, which means that it can be used for conferences, concerts and similar events. The coffee house is a nice place to enjoy a good cup of coffee and freshly baked waffles.
News from Røros
Røros in winter: The mining and farming activities within the town boundaries have created a unique mountain settlement which has earned Røros a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Røros is one of Europe’s oldest preserved wooden towns with around 100 protected buildings.
The town center hosts a thriving handicraft community, workshop outlets, quaint little boutiques and good cafés and restaurants. Make a point of sampling the delicious locally produced food which is served in virtually every restaurant in Røros. This is one of Norway’s leading regions for locally produced food.
There are certain things you can depend on –like how abundant the snow is in Røros during winter. A snow-clad Røros appears, if possible, even more exotic.
The sparkling white winter is magical and you cannot leave Røros without having seen it from a torch-lit convoy of sleigh-pulling horses through Røros’ narrow, snow-covered streets. You sit snugly under a sheepskin rug as the sound of sleigh bells echoes around the houses.
The guided walk provides you with a basic introduction to how the old mining community has developed and in the old smelter building at Malmplassen in Røros town centre you can learn more about the history of Røros and about Røros Copperworks.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announces that Destination Røros, Norway is one of three finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Stewardship Award. Every year the industry leader World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recognises the very best in sustainable tourism with the globally renowned Tourism for Tomorrow Awards which are among the very highest accolades in the global travel & tourism industry.
Destination Røros is a finalist in the category Destination Stewardship, and has received this prestigious recognition for the destination’s outstanding work with a sustainable tourism programme which incorporates social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits, as well as managing a multi-stakeholder engagement. The other finalists are Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia and Tanabe City, Japan.
This year’s winners and finalists will be honored at the awards ceremony in Tokyo, Japan in mid-April. This is one of the most distinguished and notable awards within the global travel and tourism industry, says Linda M. Ramberg, Director of Tourism. The local tourism and travel industry should be proud – and celebrate, she says. - This is immense recognition not only of the efforts made in recent years, but also of the inherited culture in the Røros region and the sustainability of an entire community. Four years ago, stakeholders in the destination company participated in an extensive strategic process to identify our strengths and opportunities. Sustainability became one of the focal points of our work and we are proud to see the enthusiasm among the local businesses involved in this work that has led us to yet another global acknowledgement.
News from Oslo
THE WORLD WINTER CAPITAL
Oslo - host of the Winter Olympics in 1952 and four Nordic Ski World Championships - have now hosted another exciting event, the World Snowboarding Championships.
Oslo Winterpark was the venue where the international competitors rode in February. The competitions were the halfpipe, quarterpipe and slopestyle and took place in Oslo Winterpark and in the Holmenkollen Ski Jump.
ASTRUP FEARNLEY MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
In September 2012 Astrup Fearnley Museum will move into a new building at Tjuvholmen designed by world renowned architect Renzo Piano. Located in a park along the waterfront of Oslo it will embody the collection of the museum, temporary exhibitions as well as a shop and cafe.
The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art is a privately owned museum in Oslo which collects and presents contemporary international art. The Museum was opened in 1993, but the Collection has a history that dates back to the 1960s. Over the last decade, the Museum has concentrated intensively on American contemporary artists – Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Cindy Sherman, Matthew Barney and younger artists like Paul Chan, Frank Benson, Nate Lowman and Dan Colen, to name just a few.The new Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art at Tjuvholmen will be one of Oslo’s most exciting attractions.
MUNCH 2013
2013 will be the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edvard Munch.
By way of national celebration, the artist's work and significance will be honored, and knowledge of Munch, his life and work will be promoted nationally and internationally with the aim of creating further interest in and appreciation of the artist known as the "Father of Expressionism". Events to commemorate the anniversary will take place throughout 2013, and we will update you with details on when and where as they are publicized.
HADELAND GLASSWORKS
Hadeland Glassverk is celebrating its 250th anniversary
Throughout 2012 we will be holding a number of exiting events for the general public. Together with the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association, Hadeland Glassworks is inviting visitors to a sales exhibition, Traditional Arts and Crafts, which will be held in the Art Gallery in the period 4- 26 February. The exhibition will focus on Norwegian arts and crafts and decorative arts and more than 40 exhibitors from all over the country will be displaying their products. They will include hide rug makers, knife makers, jewellery designers, potters and textile designers to mention just a few.
SPRING’S MOST BEAUTITUL ADVENTURE
Hadeland Glassworks is inviting visitors to “Princess for a Day” – an exhibition of bridal gowns from the last 250 years to be held from 10 March to 29 April.
The exhibits will include the spectacular gown Gunhild Anker Stordalen wore when she married financier Petter Stordalen in Morocco in 2010. The gown was specially designed for the bride by Donatella Versace.
The Hennes & Mauritz clothes chain has carried one bridal gown in its history. This will also be displayed here. It was designed by Victor & Rolf, Amsterdam, in 2006 as part of the chain’s tradition of inviting world famous designers to create collections for the “average customer”.
We will be exhibiting the leading bridal trends from 1762 till today, 2012.
Wedding and gift tables will be decorated as a source of inspiration for anyone getting married in 2012. Gifts given by or produced at Hadeland Glassverk for the Royal Palace on the occasion of weddings and other major events will also be displayed.
An exhibition called DUET is running parallel to all over events! This is a beautiful exhibition of costumes from Lise Sjåk Bræk and paintings from Anne Langsholt Apaydinli. The artists called the exhibition “DUET” because the two of them are “singing to the same tune’.
News from Bergen
TOURIST INFORMATION MOVES TO NEW PREMISES AT THE FISH MARKET
The information center for tourism, culture and experiences for the whole Bergen region will move into new premises at the Fish Market in March/April. The famous fish market in Bergen is going through major upgrades and will this season welcome all tourists with a new and fresh look.
At the Tourist Information centre you will have a panoramic view of the harbour and the Wharf. You will find exhibitions and presentations of what to see and do in Bergen and Fjord Norway. In addition to free help and advice, you can also buy a range of products and services. You can change most currencies and buy products and services using foreign currency.
BERGEN ART MUSEUM
Bergen has several valuable and impressive art collections, housed in a string of galleries facing the central Lille Lungegårdsvann lake. The galleries display international paintings and art treasures ranging from the classical to the contemporary.
In three separate buildings, Bergen Art Museum presents masterpieces ranging from the 15th century to present day. All buildings are accessible for physically disabled persons. Parts of the museum are available for receptions. For guided tours, please contact the museum.
”Lysverket” presents Norwegian and international art from the 15th century to contemporary art. Main works from the Stenersen Collection are now on display at Lysverket. Also on the premises are a museum shop and the restaurant Bølgen & Moi. ”The Rasmus Meyer Collection” presents Norwegian masterpieces from the 18th century to 1915 as well as a unique collection of Edvard Munch’s paintings along with works by notable Norwegian painters such as J.C.Dahl, Adolph Tidemand, Harriet Backer, Christian Krohg and Nikolai Astrup. ”Stenersen” is the location of temporary exhibitions and a museum shop. Smakverket, the museum café, is open during opening hours.
BERGEN KUNSTHALL - BERGEN CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER
Bergen Kunsthall is one of Norway´s largest institutions for contemporary art. Founded in 1838, it is now located in beautiful surroundings at the Lille Lungegårdsvann lake in a modernistic building from 1935 by the architect Ole Landmark. The institution consists of three showrooms: Kunsthallen, the main exhibition area with four spaces, the sales gallery NO.5, and Landmark, a screening room for multimedia, video-art, theater, electronic music and concerts. Bergen Kunsthall´s main ambition is to play a leading role in both the production and presentation of challenging exhibitions and art projects.
WEST NORWAY MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ART
William Singer, American painter and art collector. His art collection in the impressive, exclusive green room, creates an extraordinary opportunity to make your visit unforgettable. The Art of China collection has an exceptional atmosphere with Chinese art and History. Available for occasions such as conferences, company gatherings or receptions. The museum also includes art and design spanning 500 years. Nordic design furniture and clothes, modern art jewellery, Bergen silverware and also Ole Bull’s famous violin made by Gasparo de Salo in 1562.
News from Olden - Nordfjord
(Photo: Ernst Riha)
VIA FERRATA LOEN – NEW ITINERARY
Tours from Port of Olden – Nordfjord for 2012 will offer a wide range of itineraries. Among the itineraries you can experience the beautiful mountains and the spectacular scenery of Loen from the Via Ferrata to Mt. Hoven (1010 m.a.s). An experience for all who seek a little extra excitement. We will also offer a picturesque resort, Yrineset, on the banks of Lake Olden. Here you can catch your own fish for your barbeque.
News from Harstad
(Photo: Øyvind Arvola)
WINTER CRUISES
Harstad is aiming to attract cruise ships during the winter and has enlisted the help of others to provide new winter experiences for our visitors.
Northern Lights trips - at sea or in the mountains, sleigh rides with horses, sleigh rides with dogs, fishing trips, and a variety of winter activities such as; walks with snow shoes, visit to a lavvo (Sami tent), skiing, steerable sledge games in the snow, snow scooters and much more.
In addition, we have attractions that are open all year offering experiences in time and history. Harstad is renowned for its competent guides who help to make your experience unique.
NUPEN
Voted Norway's most romantic place to see the midnight sun.
Nupen - a cultural stopping place, is situated at the border of Harstad and Kvæfjord, it is a popular place to visit, famous for the view to Andfjord and the midnight sun during the season. (from 20th May to 20th July). Nupen has been voted Norway's most romantic place to view the midnight sun by a well known travel magazine, and it is a great place to stop to take some photos.
Your visit can be included in a trip to various other attractions such as Hemmestad Wharf, the Trastad Collection and Røkenes Farm and Guesthouse.
The area also attracts many visitors outside the summer season and is well worth a visit even when the weather is not at its best.
During the winter there is no light pollution here so you have a clear view of the swaying Northern Lights or the fantastic clear starry sky.
News from Kristiansund
(Photo: Terje Rakke)
Once every spring for the last six years the picturesque Norwegian coastal town of Kristiansund has been turned in to a photographer's paradise, with the world's top photographers meeting up to share their work, their experiences or simply to share a glass of wine and a pleasant conversation at the Nordic Light International Festival of Photography, a photographic festival unlike any other.
Built upon four islands surrounding a lively harbor, with majestic mountains on one side and the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other, the colorful and exotic community that is Kristiansund provides the perfect setting for the Nordic Light International Festival of Photography, an event certain to make a long lasting impression on its guests.
“Joining Nordic Light is a great way to recharge your brain. The festival is a delicacy for photography lovers, whether you just like photography or are a hard-core enthusiast”, says Artistic Director Morten Krogvold. "We want to be a festival for everyone who is interested in people, for those who want to develop themselves by listening to other people's stories and to catch a glimpse of the world through others’ lenses. Our festival is not yet the biggest, but it is still the very best. Welcome!" The festival dates are April 24-28, 2012
News from Hardanger
The ports of Hardangerfjord have an image of peace and harmony, with no congestion or stress for the passengers. This is why the Hardangerfjord ports – as the only Norwegian ports – are Partners of the Cruise Gateway project, under the slogan “Towards sustainable growth of cruise shipping in the North Sea region”.
With the huge growth of cruise ship calls, the ports of Hardangerfjord is aware of the danger of damaging the image. This year the fjord is expecting 117,000 passengers, up from 85,000 in 2011. And passenger bookings for next year already amount to 144,000 passengers. Some days in 2013 have therefore been blocked for additional bookings as the number of passengers exceeds 4,000 per day. In this way they can take care of the passengers in an acceptable way, and the pressure on some of the attractions will not be excessive.
2012 will see many cruise highlights in Hardangerfjord; the maiden cruise of AIDAmar, the 3-day call by Saga Sapphire and the Holland America Line’s first calls at Hardangerfjord.