THE WHITE HAVEN BY THE SEA HOMELAND NORWAY´S OF THE VIKING BIRTHPLACE KINGS SHORE EXCURSIONS PORT OF HAUGESUND NORWAY WATERFALL AND FJORDS HIKING GLACIER CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY NORDVEGEN HISTORY CENTRE tells the story about how Avaldsnes became The First Royal Throne of Norway. HOMELAND OF THE VIKING KINGS, FROM The Viking Farm. NORWAY´S BIRTHPLACE In Norway, and at the heart of Fjord Norway, you will find the Haugesund region. This is the Homeland of the Viking Kings – Norway’s birthplace. Here you can discover the island of Karmøy, where Avaldsnes is situated – Norway’s oldest throne. PRIOR TO the Viking Age, Avaldsnes was a seat of Avaldsnes is therefore a key point in understanding power. This is where the Vikings ruled the route the fundamental importance of voyage by sea in that gave its name to Norway – the way north. terms of Norway’s earliest history. The foundation Around 870 AD, King Harald the Fairhaired made stone of modern Norway was laid in 1814, but the Avaldsnes his main royal estate, which was country’s historical foundation is located at Avaldsnes. to become Norway’s oldest throne. Today, one can visit St. Olav’s church at Avaldsnes, From the time the first seafaring vessels were built as well as Nordvegen History Center, and the in the late Stone Age and up to the Middle Ages, Viking Farm. These are all places of importance the seat of power of the reigning princes and kings for the Vikings and the history of Norway. has been located at Avaldsnes. Such power-continuity does not exist anywhere else in Scandinavia. 2 3 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY 1 ON MAP: NO. HAUGESUND In the heart of Norway´s south-western cruise region. Experience the best of what Norway has to Offer: fjords, waterfalls, coastal and city culture, the unique Viking history, a glacier, mountains, and idyllic islands are among what you will find. The region offers a wealth of natural wonders just waiting for you to explore! 4 5 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY HAUGESUND CITY CENTRE JAZZ FESTIVAL 6 7 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY SHORE EXCURSIONS INHALE THE VIKING SPIRIT Viking boat, as shown in the image, is not available for excursions WELCOME TO EXCITING ADVENTURES ON HISTORIC GROUND! 8 9 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS IN HAUGESUND ON MAP: NO. Experience the heart of Haugesund and get a good introduction to this small but vibrant city. AMONG THE THINGS YOU WILL SEE ARE: TOUR FACTS - The City Hall, which is considered - Haraldshaugen - the place in Snorre’s Sagas - Duration: 2 h Norway’s most beautiful city hall where the Harald Fairhaired is buried. - Roundtrip: 24 km/15 miles - The upmarket area at Salhus Road where all - Steinsfjellet Mountain view point - admire the view - Means of transport: bus the wealthy ship owners lived in the 1800’s of the mighty North Sea from this vantage point. - Activity level: 1 (easy) TOUR FACTS - Duration: 1 h - Means of transport: boat - Activity level: 1 (easy) NO. ON MAP: MAP: ON 1. HAUGESUND THE BOATS GO THROUGH Smedasundet Sound and between the islands of Risøy, Hasseløy and Vibrandsøy. On Hasseløy the boats make a short stop for a taste of BY BOAT herring delicacies at the herring factory. You can go Experience Haugesund from charming wooden boats. ashore at Vibrandsøy and experience the cultural landscape where refreshments can be ordered. 10 11 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY NO. ON MAP: MAP: ON 2 AVALDSNES Travel back in time to experience Avaldsnes, the first ice-free location in Norway. The site is also home to the first king of Norway – Harald the Fairhaired. AT THE NORDVEGEN HISTORY CENTER we Norwegian Kingdom completed by King will be introduced to the history of Norway Håkon Håkonsson. We make a visit inside to using modern technology, where the senses hear more about this important Church. are stimulated to enhance the overall experi- ence. With audio, lighting, images, and film An upright stone is located behind the – Harald the Fairhaired himself will guide us Church. This is known as the Virgin Mary’s on a journey through 3,500 years. sewing needle and is the only one remaining of several monumental stones which once Outside the history centre lies St. Olav’s stood around the church. The stone leans in TOUR FACTS Church, built by King Håkon Håkonsson towards the church wall and a saga tells that - Duration: 2-3 h around 1250 AD. Norway’s power was then at Judgment Day will arrive when the stone - Distance from cruise pier: 15 min its greatest and the church can therefore be comes into contact with the church wall. - Means of transport: bus or boat. seen as a symbol of the unification of the Can be combined with bus and boat. - Activity level: 1 (easy) 2 (medium) 12 13 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY 2 4 ON MAP: NO. 3.ON MAP: NO. 5. PANORAMIC WALKING WHITE TOUR CRUISE SANDY PIER DUNES By the North Sea VIKING RAID TO AVALDSNES FROM LIVE YOUR LIFE as a Viking for a few hours. Try out activities such as spear throwing and bow and arrow, HIKE THE HILLS of Haugesund with a panoramic view of the or you can take it easy and relax at the seaside. KARMØY TO North Sea, the islands, the city, and the municipalities of the Experience Vikings close up. NEW YORK region. Enjoy a walk through a tiny forest and an open landscape before THIS IS A GREAT HIKE TOUR FACTS along the nature and heritage trail that runs from you end up at Kringsjå – a mountain farm with wild sheep. The - Duration: 3,5 h the village of Åkra to the village of Ferkingstad. Cultural and historical DID YOU KNOW that the copper used in the Statue of Liberty in view from the cabin, and the mountain farm, is beautiful. Coffee - Distance from cruise pier: Departure monuments lie in abundance between Åkra and the boathouse ruins at New York came from Karmøy? At the Mining Museum of Visnes and waffles are served in front of the fireplace in the cabin, or from cruise pier Hop. The hike starts at the north end of the beach at Åkra. From here you you can learn about the history of the mining community, which outdoors with a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape - Means of transport: boat or bus. Can can enjoy the view of the white beaches stretching along the shore. The consisted of about 3000 inhabitants in the 1800s. Take a stroll in of Haugesund. be combined with bus and boat. hike follows a natural path, and along the way you can see and sense a Director Charles de Franse’s elegant garden and view the - Activity level: 1/2 rich fauna and birdlife. At the south end of the beach the tour continues remains of the old melting works out by the sea. This is an over to a historical area dating back to the Viking Age. Here, you will see adventure for the children too - the mining playground is very TOUR FACTS stone monuments symbolizing the two daughters of King Augvald, one of popular. The Visnes Natural History Collection contains birds - Duration: 2,5-3 h our Viking kings. The tour continues to Ferkingstad Beach, where you can and animal species native to Karmøy. You can also study the - Distance from cruise pier: 15 min have a break and a snack. Afterwards, you can walk to the charming boat fauna and flora of the area. - Means of transport: bus harbour, built in the 1960’s. The tour finishes at the Fisherman’s Memorial, - Activity level: 2 (medium) a monument symbolizing local fishermen who lost their lives at sea. TOUR FACTS - Duration: 2 h TOUR FACTS - Distance from cruise pier: 15 min - Duration: 4 h - Means of transport: bus - Distance from cruise pier: 40 min - Activity level: 1 (easy) - Means of transport: bus - Activity level: 2 (medium) 14 15 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY 6 ON MAP: NO. SKUDENESHAVN - THE WHITE HAVEN BY THE SEA Old Skudeneshavn is one of the most well-kept old wooden house towns of Europe and a quiet harbour for tall ships and small boats alike. With its narrow streets, the idyllic harbour and the old white wooden houses may charm you to stay for longer than you have planned to. OLD SKUDENESHAVN - 130 white wooden At a local restaurant we enjoy home made fish TOUR FACTS houses originating from the 1800’s, when the soup, after the meal there will be free time to - Duration: Half day tour herring-fishing industry was at its peak. In walk around in the town, before returning - Distance from cruise pier: 50 min Skudeneshavn we take a stroll through the back to Haugesund by bus. - Means of transport: bus streets and our guide will share stories - Activity level: 1 (easy) about the locals that once lived here. 16 17 CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY CRUISE DESTINATION HAUGESUND, NORWAY ON MAP: NO. 7 ON MAP: NO.8. ARQUEBUS MUSEUM 10. MAP ON BOAT TOURS ISLAND SAFARI BY RIB BOAT RYVARDEN LIGHT- THE PEOPLE who hail from Norway’s birthplace 9 have always lived from the sea; from the time of the Vikings up to our modern age of petroleum. Join in a HOUSE thrilling maritime experience in Haugesund. The tour provides you with an exciting close-at-hand AT RYVARDEN LIGHTHOUSE, the forces of nature will experience of the sea.