The Cruise Experience

Island Experiences: Excursion to the Islands of Kinn and Svanøy

Join us on this fantastic trip and visit two very different islands – Kinn and Svanøy. Right out in the sea lies the green, grass covered island of Kinn. The legendary Kinn church is built in the Roman building style, and has been in use since the 12th Century. It is believed that the church was built by Celts fl eeing religious persecution. One of the few inhabitants on the island will guide you through fascinating stories and myths connected to the church. Also being a musician, she will play some music in the church. This is not only a guided tour but an experience! The mountain cliff behind the church rises steeply, and the overwhelming cleft of Kinn is its nearest neighbour.

The second island we will visit on this tour is Svanøy. Also known as “The jewel of Sunnfjord”, the most fertile island in the municipality of Flora. Here the locals have protected their cultural and natural treasures and produced a destination that combines the best of both worlds. “Svanøy Hovedgård” was in the 17th century one of the best-developed estate farms in the west of Norway.

We will visit the Norwegian Deer Centre. This is the national centre for spreading knowledge and developing competence in association with wild deer and deer breed on farms. You can take pictures and get close to those wonderful animals while feeding them.

• Tour by boat, (bus on the island of Svanøy) (ca. 6 ½ hours)

  If you choose only one of the islands: Kinn (3 hours), Svanøy (3 ½ hours)

• 20 min. walk on Kinn from pier to church, easy terrain

• Minimal walking on Svanøy

• Lunch included

• Attractions: Kinn Church, legendary Kinn Cleft, Svanøy Estate Farm, Svanøy Deer Centre

www.kinnguide.no • www.svanoy.com • www.hjortesenteret.no 

Vis Island Experiences: Excursions to the Islands of Kinn and Svanøy i et større kart

Kinn:

Svanøy:

The 360 Summit: Florø and Surroundings

  Starting from the pier we take you through the charming town of Florø. Learn how Florø became an important port along the western coast of Norway, forming a main stop on journeys along the rugged coast to and from Bergen.

The first stop will be at the Coastal Museum. This museum was established in 1980 and is constantly expanding its collection, safeguarding the history and heritage of the coastal villages. The exhibition includes cultural and historical collections, displaying everything from kitchen utensils and furnitures to boats, fi shing and hunting equipment. A separate exhibition demonstrates oil extraction and processing in the North Sea. On this exhibit the room itself is unique, having been designed in a converted pillar of an actual oil-rig.

The tour continues with a drive to Brandsøyåsen Viewpoint. This is a popular recreational area for the local inhabitants. At 293 m above sea level you can enjoy a fantastic 360 degree view of Florø and the surrounding landscape.

On our return to Florø we will visit Fjord Base. Set along the sea at the foot of Brandsøyåsen, this is the regions largest supply base for oil rigs, and one of the principal industries of Florø. The tour wraps up with a drive through the historic town centre to the pier. Florø is a modern town in many ways, yet it is the oldest one in the county. Although Florø has gone through many changes, the original charm has remained.

• Tour by bus (ca. 2 ½ hours)

• Minimal walking required

• Attractions: Coastal Museum, Brandsøyåsen viewpoint

www.fjordkysten.no • www.kyst.museum.no   

Vis The 360 Summit: Florø and Surroundings i et større kart

Coastal Museum:

Brandsøyåsen Viewpoint:

Florø:

FjordBase:

Coastal Life and Ancient History: Kalvåg and Vingen

We offer you a great trip by boat from Florø to Kalvåg. The fi shing community of Kalvåg is situated far out to sea, with the cape of Stadt as its neighbour in the north and the open North Sea to the west. Here you can explore one of the best preserved fi shing villages in Western Norway. Around the bay sea houses are clustered together, full of atmosphere. You can visit the old herring salting houses, go for a walk along the open air art exhibition or just enjoy the atmosphere.

The Liset Salting House formerly housed a copper smiths, a carpenter’s shop, salt herring and cod liver oil production and a base for the fi shery. Today the tools and equipment lie about, creating an authentic impression that the workers are absent for a fi ve minute break in the early post-war years. Visit the local galleries, and have a look at the art and crafts of Kalvåg. Kalvåg is also famous for its excellent seafood, and there is no better place to enjoy it than Knutholmen Restaurant, where we stop for lunch. Set right by the sea, the architecture, decor and cuisine of this village gathering point all proudly refl ect the vibrant coastal heritage of Kalvåg.

On our journey back to Florø we could make a detour to the ancient rock carvings of Vingen if desired. A guide will be there to explain the over 3000 year old carvings.

• Tour by boat without Vingen: ca. 4 hours, with Vingen: 5 hours

• A little bit of walking required

• Lunch included

• Attractions: Kalvåg, Liset Salting House, Vingen Rock Carvings

 
Vis Coastal Life and Ancient History: Kalvåg and Vingen i et større kart

Kalvåg and Vingen:

Coastal Contrasts: A great blend of Sunnfjord

This tour starts with a short sightseeing in Florø and its surroundings. We continue with a wonderful scenic drive to the village of Naustdal, following the fjord before crossing the mountain of Ramsdalsheia. There will be stops for photo shoots at a sea farm along the way and at the rushing salmon river of Nausta.

In Naustdal we stop at The Black Friday Museum, established in memory of the biggest dogfi ght fought out in the skies over Norway during World War II. Here we will also have a taste of the local cuisine; the museum is also a dining establishment within the Norwegian Farm Food Association.

The tour continues along the shores of the Førdefjord, before the spectacularly scenic crossing of Heilefjellet. Driving through the villages of Vevring, which has a interesting open air art exhibition, and Stavang we reach the Rock Carvings in Ausevik. Here we have a guided tour through one of the biggest Rock Carving fi elds in Northern Europe, which has been newly renovated.

On our return journey we can stop at Eikefjord village for a coffee at the quirky tie-museum before arriving back in Florø.

• Tour by bus (ca. 6 hours)

• Minimum of walking required, easy terrain

• Lunch included

• Attractions: Black Friday Museum, Rock Carvings of Ausevik, Ramsdalsheia Mountain Road, Eikefjord Tie Museum & Café

www.fjordkysten.no • www.sunnfjord.no • www.naerleiken.no

Vis Coastal Contrasts: A great blend of Sunnfjord i et større kart

Ausevika Rock Carvings:

 Black Friday Museum:

Nærleiken Restaurant: 

 Coastal

Coastal Contrasts - Along the way:

The Heart of Norway: Explore Sunnfjord

This tour starts with a short sightseeing in Florø. We continue with a wonderful scenic drive to the village of Naustdal, following the fjord. There will be stops for photo shoots at a sea farm along the way and at the rushing salmon river of Nausta.

We follow the Førdefjord to Førde. A short drive from Førde we stop at 90-metre high Huldefossen waterfall, one of the most iconic in Fjord Norway. We continue our trip to Skei, where we stop for lunch at one of the local hotels or restaurants. After lunch there will be time to relax or maybe go shopping at one of Norway’s most famous souvenir shops - the Audhild Vikens Vevstove.

After lunch we make our way back towards the coast, stopping at Sunnfjord Museum. The museum is one of four district museums in the County of Sogn & Fjordane. The main feature of this open-air museum is the cluster of buildings that have been transported here from various places in the Sunnfjord district. 25 antiquarian buildings in authentic cultural landscape provide an insight into how life was in Sunnfjord settlements in the mid-1800. The crofter’s holding is on its original site, the interior of the home is as it was at the turn of the 20th century.

On the return to Florø we cross the mountain of Ramsdalsheia to enjoy the wonderful view. The local inhabitants go skiing here in the wintertime and hiking in the summertime. The road is narrow and with many curves – just as one could expect in the western parts of Norway.

We will be back in Florø after approximately 8 hours full of experiences. This tour cuts through the very heart of Norway – past, present, future.

• Tour by bus (ca. 8 hours)

• Minimum of walking required, easy terrain

• Lunch included • Attractions: Huldefossen waterfall, Souvenir shop Audhild Viken, Sunnfjord Museum, Ramsdalsheia Mountain Road

www.fjordkysten.no • www.sunnfjord.no • www.sunnfjord.museum.no • www.audhild-viken.no • www.skeihotel.no

Vis The Heart of Norway: Explore Sunnfjord i et større kart

Sunnfjord Museum and Huldefossen Waterfall:

The Scenery Route: Florø - Bremanger

A memorable roundtrip, in beautiful surroundings packed with historical highlights. The trip starts from Florø with a drive to the town of Svelgen. This has been an industrial town for many years. Surrounded by beautiful mountains Svelgen is also a popular recreational area. The trip continues to Ålfoten, where you might get a glance of the glacier. On our way to Ålfoten we can stop at Myklebustsætra, one of the few traditional summer mountain farms still running in the traditional way. As we continue our tour the impressive Hornelen, Northern Europe’s highest sea cliff, comes in sight. It towers over 850m above sealevel and is an important landmark for ships.

Further we will visit one of the most beautiful churches in the area, Rugsund Kyrkje. The bus also passes other interesting historical areas, such as a medieval graveyard, as we continue to Grotle on the island of Bremanger. The stunning white sand beaches of Grotle are renouned throughout the region.

We continue to the charming seaside village of Kalvåg, where we have lunch at Knutholmen Restaurant which specialises in local seafood. There will also be time to explore the local shops and museums of Kalvåg before heading back to Florø by ferry from Smørhamn to Kjelkenes, continuing our return by bus.

• Tour by bus, ferry included (ca. 7 ½ hours)

• Minimum of walking required, possibility to walk on the beach

• Lunch included

• 40 minutes ferry trip where you can get off the bus and enjoy the view

• Attractions: Ålfoten glacier, Rugsund church, Grotle beach and medieval graveyard, Kalvåg, Myklebustsætra

www.fjordkysten.no • www.knutholmen.no

Vis The Scenery Route: Florø - Bremanger i et større kart

Svelgen:

Rugsund and Davik:

Grotlesanden Beach:

Kalvåg:

Venice of the North: Bulandet and Værlandet

Værlandet and Bulandet are the westernmost inhabited island communities in Norway. They have a unique landscape consisting of sheltered harbours and bays combined with marshland and lakes. A new road, the North Sea portal, connects the islands with 6 bridges along 5,5 km of road, tying them together like pearls on a string. A fantastic tour through landscape.

The most important industries here are fish processing, salmon farming, stone quarries and stone processing, fishing net production and tourism. Bulandet has 365 islands and is referred to as “Venice of the North”. Here you can fi nd a museum with an exhibition about common life and the fishermen’s life back through time.

Sørværet Nature Reserve covers a large part of Værlandet. With extensive marshland it is an important site for bird life and boasts an exceptionally varied fl ora and fauna. In the harbour the fi shermen cabins are protected, dating back to the last half of the 19th century. This is a full day trip with boat and coach.

• Tour by boat and bus (ca. 6 ½ hours)

• Minimum of walking required

• Lunch included

• Attractions: Gallery Havblink, Fishing Museum, old fishing houses and beautiful landscape, roads and bridges combining the islands

www.fjordkysten.no • www.bulandet-grendalag.org

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Bulandet and Værlandet:

Light House Safari - Tour by RIB-boat

Join us on a thrilling and exotic Light House Safari, taking in three of the county’s most westerly light houses and going ashore at one of them for a light lunch.

The history of the light houses in Norway is intriguing. About 150 years ago the first light houses were built along our long and perilous coast. The waters around Florø are dangerous and stormy, and three light houses were built along the seaward approach to the town. On our tour in an open RIB-boat we stop at a seal colony and the nest of a sea eagle and we will hopefully experience these great examples for the fauna in our region. We also pass the island of Kinn and learn about the myths and history of the island. For your safety and comfort we will provide fl oating-suits which will be warm and serve as life vests. This tour takes 3 hours and requires a good physical condition.

• Tour by RIB-boat (ca. 3 hours)

• Requires a good physical condition

• May be cancelled due to weather conditions.

• Small lunch included

• Attractions: Kvanhovden Light House, Ytterøyane Light House, Stabben Light House, the island of Kinn, seals, sea eagle-nest

www.fjordkysten.no

Vis Fyrsafari - Florø i et større kart

Stabben Light House:

Kvanhovden Light House:

Ytterøyane Light House:

Light House Safari - Along the way:

Florø - Town Tour with Guide

Follow our guide through a historical walk in our town, Florø. Learn how Florø became an important city in the western part of Norway. The history will show you how Florø has been a meeting point for ships travelling along the coast. It is possible to include Storeåsen Viewpoint in this tour. After a 10 minute uphill walk you can enjoy the lovely view over Florø and the archipelago around it. An absolute highlight!

• Tour by foot (ca. 2 hours)

• Guided tour through the town centre

• Requires a good physical condition

• Attractions: old fi shing houses, harbour, history of the city, Storeåsen Viewpoint

www.fjordkysten.no

Vis Florø - Town Tour with Guide i et større kart

Florø:

Storeåsen Viewpoint:

The Trail of WWII - get close to history

Join Florø’s History Club on this intriguing 2-hour guided tour through tunnels and bunkers of the Second World War. Florø was then used by the Germans as a base to defend their occupied territories on the European mainland from attacks by the Allied Forces. Learn the Norwegian side of the story as you walk to the bunkers up on the hill “Storeåsen” in the centre of Florø. You can also enjoy the lovely view from there. Continue your journey to canons which are still standing right in the middle of a residential area.

• Tour by foot (ca. 2 hours)

• Guided tour through tunnels and bunkers of the Second World War

• Requires a normal physical condition

• Attractions: Remains of WWII such as tunnels, bunkers and canons

www.fjordkysten.no • www.flora-krigshistorielag.com

Vis The Trail of WWII - get close to history i et større kart

The Trail of WWII:

Storeåsen Viewpoint:

Brandsøyåsen - 2 hours Hiking with Guide

At 293 metres above sea level the mountain of Florø, Brandsøyåsen, is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. From the top you can enjoy a fantastic view over the entire district and the coastal line with its various islands. Experience our great fauna and fl ora or just enjoy the view.

• Tour by foot (ca. 3 hours)

• Hiking trip with guide, often used and good prepared hiking trail

• Bus transfer can be arranged

• Requires a good physical condition

• Attractions: Brandsøyåsen Viewpoint, great view, beautiful landscape

www.fjordkysten.no

Vis Brandsøyåsen Hiking suggestions i et større kart

Brandsøyåsen: