Silversea Luxury Cruises To ARENDAL

Discover two places connected by famous playwright Henrik Ibsen: a brewery and a charming, picturesque town. Enjoy a pleasant half-day excursion spent exploring the town of Grimstad and taking a tour of the well-loved Nøgne Ø microbrewery, enjoying a tasting of superb beers.

Tour and Taste at Nøgne Ø Brewery

Depart the pier and drive 30 minutes to "Nøgne Ø" brewery. Dedicated to creating "fantastic full-bodied, hand-crafted beers," Nøgne Ø is the largest craft beer producer in Norway. Interestingly, the brewery is also the first maker of sake - a fermented rice wine originally from Japan - in all of Europe. The name Nøgne Ø means "naked island," in reference to the famous playwright Henrik Ibsen's description of the many rock outcroppings nearby off the southern Norwegian coast.

Nøgne Ø was founded by two men passionate about home-brewing and bringing uncompromising quality beers to the public. Enjoy a tour of this unique brewery and learn more about its history. And of course there is the chance to taste a sampling of Nøgne Ø's signature beers, which have become internationally renowned for their well-crafted flavour.

Grimstad Village City Walk

Next, transfer 15 minutes via coach to explore Grimstad, with its lovely white-painted wooden buildings, quaint cobblestone alleyways and bustling waterfront. Upon arriving in town, take a brief walk with your guide before having time to explore on your own. Stop at the local fish market to see the fresh catch of the day. Discover the pedestrian-only streets near the waterfront that are begging for a photographer's eye.

There are some interesting facts of which Grimstad can boast: it was the home of the playwright Henrik Ibsen, and is also the sunniest municipality in the country, with 266 hours of sunshine per month in the summer. Discover this cheery place for yourself for an hour or so, and then it is time to return to Arendal along a scenic coastal road.

Experience the splendid beauty of the southern Norwegian coast and its charming local villages during this scenic sightseeing excursion.

Coastal Drive and Tvedestrand

Depart the pier for the scenic drive to lovely Tvedestrand, which features a white-painted town centre and irregular streets climbing steep hills around the harbour. The municipality's natural beauty and numerous islands make it a popular tourism and boating destination. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach for the approximately 20-minute drive to the village of Lillesand

Lillesand

Next, re-board your coach and continue on to lovely Lillesand Village. This attractive and clean settlement has street lined with typical Norwegian wooden houses, and shops, restaurant, cafes and art galleries attract visitors during the summer months. Lillesand is considered one of the best-preserved white painted towns in Norway and you may join your guide for a short walk here if you wish.

Grimstad

Continue next along the coastal road to Grimstad, a small seafaring town set among a group of islands. Grimstad was already a flourishing port back on 1622 and by 1747 it was a popular haven for smugglers. After making a short stop here for photos, you continue along the costal road back to Arendal

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking, This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a collapsible wheelchair, but is not suitable for guests suffering from a fear of tunnels. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, raingear, and a sweater or light jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary.

Scenic Drive

An adventurous day is in store for you on this rafting tour of the River Otra in the scenic Sedestal Valley. Travel through picturesque rural terrain for 80 minutes by coach, past small family farms, thick forests and glassy, tree-lined lakes to arrive at the Troll Aktiv Rafting Centre in Evje.

Meet your rafting guides and get set up with rafting gear: don your wetsuit, helmet, wetsuit boots, windproof jacket and swim vest. After a safety briefing it is time to push off; receive a basic lesson in rafting and paddling on calm water before embarking down the Otra River.

Otra River

The lovely Otra River is 152 miles long (making it the 8^th longest river in all of Norway), and feeds into many beautiful lakes. It has powerful rapids (some of which you get to discover on your adventure), allowing it to be the energy source for 12 hydroelectric power plants that power much of Southern Norway!

Rafting Experience

On your 2.5-your rafting experience you are accompanied by a guide and another 4 to 7 passengers beside yourself. Expect whitewater classified as Class III and IV, which provide a fun challenge for experienced rafters and a doable rafting experience for novices.

Rustic Lunch

Enjoy a well-earned a rustic lunch after your journey is complete. Make the return 80-minute drive back to Arendal and return to the ship.

Connect with the ancient heart of Norway's southern coast on this fascinating tour of Jærnes and Tvedestrand. Discover a well-preserved iron shop at the Næs Ironworks Museum and see some of Norway's oldest churches in Tvedestrand, dating as far back as the 12^th century.

Næs Iron Work Museum

Board your coach and drive from the city of Arendal to idyllic Jærnes along the central road to visit the Næs Ironworks Museum. This museum is a truly unique place, consisting of one of the country's most well-preserved ironworks that is nearly 100% intact. Tour the buildings, machinery and equipment that date as far back as the 17^th century.

When it was operational, the iron works was famous for producing wrought iron, particularly at its height of popularity when it was making elegant stoves in the early 19^th century. Interestingly, the iron works (the second largest in the country) was also a major refinery, processing its own raw materials to a significant extent. On the campus were foundries, a forge, steel mills, and factories making horse shoes and other products needed at that time.

After your guided tour, enjoy a coffee and local pastry called munke, before transferring to your next destination.

Tvedestrand Walking Tour

Drive just 15 minutes to Tvedestrand centre for a guided walking tour through this quirky and picturesque village. Tvedestrand is known for its irregularly-shaped streets, which created opportunities for interesting architecture, including Norway's narrowest house, surely one of the most photographed buildings in the town.

The charm of the white-painted buildings and the beauty of Tvedestrand's natural surroundings that frame the harbour make this town a popular destination for tourists. Tvedestrand is particularly popular in summer, when its population doubles for the high season. Walk past the lovely black and white Dypvåg Church, built in approximately 1200, and the Holt Parish Church, built even earlier, in 1100.

When it is time to make the return trip to Arendal, enjoy panoramic coastal views along the North Sea route. Return to the ship.