Kristiansund Cruise Port Events: Kristiansund Opera Festival (February), Nordic Light International Festival of Photography (May), Opera-musical “Donna Bacalao” (September) Cruise Season: All year Useful links/cruise information: www.visitkristiansund.com, www.knhavn.no
| www.visitnorway.com | Page 50 The Atlantic Road, The world`s best road trip Photo: Terje Rakke Nordic Life
The world´s best road trip One of Norway´s most distinctive towns The Atlantic Road takes you right out to the ocean’s edge. The road is known as “The world’s best road trip” (by the British newspaper The Guardian) and voted “Norway’s engineering Feat of the Century”. Kristiansund, one of Norway’s most distinctive towns, oozes of charm and bustle. The seaport is in a beautiful setting on four islands with colourful houses that surround the intimate harbour of Kristiansund. The klipfish, a salt matured, dried cod, has for centuries been the main export article of the town, and Kristiansund is world famous for its quality klipfish. Also recognized as Norway’s opera town, Kristiansund stages more than 100 opera performances every year. Renowned for its high quality, the Nordic Light International Festival of Photography is held every spring. Attractions/excursions The Atlantic Road / Håholmen – Viking heritage tour Duration: 4 hrs. Distance 32 km, 40 min by bus. Capacity: 120 The world’s best road trip starts in Kristiansund. Underwater tunnel to the island of Averøy, continue to the famous Atlantic Road. Board a replica Viking ship and head to the island Håholmen, a former fishing village. Film of the Norwegian adventurer Thorseth’s world tour on a Viking ship. Kvernes Stave Church and Averøy island – Norway in miniature Duration 3.5 hrs. Distance: 80-90 min by bus Capacity: Unlimited The island of Averøy is a miniature Norway, with mountains, valleys, farms and fishing villages. Learn about the Stave Church at Kvernes (built around 1300 AD) and the island’s history. Also the rural museum of Kvernes may be visited, along with visits to local food producers.
Grip – a tiny island with a spectacular history Duration 2-3 hrs. Distance: 14 km by boat Capacity: 93 persons per sailing 14 km out in the open sea, Grip was earlier one of the most important fishing villages on the western coast. Today, Grip serves as a summer holiday paradise. Narrow streets, colourful houses and a picturesque Stave Church – you will be charmed by this island! Sundbåten harbour sightseeing in Kristiansund Duration 1 hrs. Distance: 3-6 km by boat. Capacity: 50 per sailing. The Sundbåten harbour ferry has been operating for more than 130 years. A guided tour between the 4 islands of Kristiansund is a great way to learn more of the town history and the economic and cultural growth of Kristiansund with its opera and international photo festival. Recommended combination: visit at the Norwegian Klipfish Museum.
Bergtatt Marble caves – inside the mountain Duration: 4 hours. Distance: 115 km by bus Capacity: Unlimited A short bus ride from the Atlantic Road you can see a new attraction - the Marble Caves of Naas “Bergtatt” (which literally means mesmerized) and visit to the old lime and marble mines, - truly a unique experience. Entering the caves, a beautiful lake takes you on a tranquil boat ride across the crystal clear water. Passing through several hidden halls within these walls on a guided trip the visitors will be told the history of the mountain. Historic Kristiansund - the Norwegian Klipfish Museum Duration: 1-1 ½ hrs. Distance: 10 km by bus or the Sundbåten harbour boat. Capacity: Unlimited Learn the history of the town by the sea and visit the Norwegian Klipfish Museum, located in the unique atmosphere inside the authentic klipfish wharf. You also have an opportunity to sample the famous Kristiansund dish “Bacalao”.