Product manual 2017/18 VESTERÅLEN sami culture Over 150 marked hiking trails local food adventures midnight sun northern lights accommodation • activities • restaurants • packages DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM OSLO GARDERMOEN – NORWAY’S MAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WELCOME TO VESTERÅLEN Winter is the new summer, and Vesterålen is an ideal place to observe the Northern Light. Located right within the Aurora oval, leading research into the phenomenon happens here. There are also varied winter activities on offer in Vesterålen. At the same time, Vesterålen is also experiencing a growth in tourism during the summer season. Nature-based activ- ities are much sought after with whale safaris being most popular. The Arctic Race of Norway came to Vesterålen in 2013 and was a great success. Cycle tourism in the region is growing exponentially, and Vesterålen has become an attractive cycle destination. Early May to late August in Vesterålen is paradise for birdwatchers. Eagles can be seen all over the region throughout the year. Vesterålen consists of many islands that are ideal for boat- ing, kayaking and diving. Vesterålen is also famous for spectacular hikes, including Dronningruta (The Queen’s Route) between Stø and Nyksund and the trip to Møysalen, the highest mountain in the region. For detailed information about culture, climate, shopping etc in Vesterålen, see: www.visitvesteralen.com TRANSPORT: It is easy to travel to Vesterålen by air. SAS/Widerøe offer several flights daily from Bodø and Tromsø to the local airports at Andenes and Stokmarknes with connecting routes from cities including Oslo. The airport at Evenes is situated a couple of hours away and the Airport Express Bus makes it easy to travel in to the region. Norwe- gian and SAS offer cheap fares year-round. All the airports have several companies offering car hire. Check www.norwegian.no and www.wideroe.no ROUTE INFORMATION Bus, Ferry & Express Boat: www.177nordland.no – +47 75 77 24 10 YOUR OWN CAR: E6 through Norway, via Riksgrensen E10 from Sweden. Ferries: www.177.no Traffic and road information: www.vegvesen.no/Trafikkinformasjon/Reiseinformasjon/Trafikkmeldinger BY PLANE: Oslo/Bergen/Stavanger/Trondheim to Harstad-Narvik Evenes Airport: www.sas.no or www.norwegian.com Bus from Evenes to Sortland: www.flybussen.no/sortland/ Oslo – Andenes: www.norwegian.com Oslo – Bodø – Stokmarknes – Tromsø / Oslo – Bodø – Andenes – Tromsø: www.wideroe.no Bus from Sortland to Skagen: www.boreal.no TRAIN: Oslo – Fauske: www.nsb.no, bus Fauske – Sortland: www.177nordland.no Train through Sweden to Narvik: www.sj.se Bus Narvik – Sortland: www.177nordland.no COASTAL EXPRESS: Bergen – Kirkenes, calls at Stokmarknes, Sortland and Risøyhamn. www.hurtigruten.no CONTACTS FOR TOUR OPERATORS AND MEDIA: Astrid Berthinussen, director of tourism: [email protected] PUBLISHED BY: Visit Vesterålen - Kjøpmannsgt. 2 - 8400 Sortland, Norway (+47) 76 11 14 80 – [email protected] – www.visitvesteralen.com PRODUCTION • Project manager/layout: Astrid Berthinussen, Visit Vesterålen • Printing: K. Nordahls Trykkeri AS • Cover photos: Marten Bril, askr.no, Magnus Ström / www.nordnorge.com, Aurora Addicts, Bjørn Eide, Tore Olsen_nordnorge.com 2 DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM OSLO GARDERMOEN – NORWAY’S MAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONTENTS USEFUL INFO 1 Welcome to Vesterålen .........................................................................................................................................................................................2 Travel information ..................................................................................................................................................................................................2 Contents .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Car rental / Climate with recommended winter clothing ........................................................................................................................4 Detailed map of Vesterålen ................................................................................................................................................................................5 ACCOMMODATION-PRODUCTS 2 Sortland Hotel ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Husky Andøy .............................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Vesterålen Apartment ...........................................................................................................................................................................................8 Holmvik Brygge .......................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Andøy Friluftssenter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................10 Vesterålen Kysthotell .........................................................................................................................................................................................11 Myre Kysthotell .....................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Skagakaia ................................................................................................................................................................................................................13 Huset på Yttersiden ............................................................................................................................................................................................14 Melbu Hotell ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................15 Offersøy Feriesenter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................16 Hotell Marena ........................................................................................................................................................................................................17 Vesterålen Charter ..............................................................................................................................................................................................18 Andrikken Hotell, Grønnbua Rorbu Hotel and Lankanholmen Sea Cabins ....................................................................................19 ACTIVITIES-PRODUCTS 3 Discover Vesterålen ............................................................................................................................................................................................20 Aquaculture in Vesterålen ................................................................................................................................................................................21 Outdoor Event .......................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Husky Andøy ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................23 Spaceship Aurora .................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Puffin Safari ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Whalesafari Andenes .........................................................................................................................................................................................29 Adventure4Life .....................................................................................................................................................................................................30 Inga Sámi Siida ......................................................................................................................................................................................................31 Museum Nord ........................................................................................................................................................................................................32 Hildreland ................................................................................................................................................................................................................39