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.

Please note: This excursion involves moderate activity of 500 meters of walking (plus optional walking), with some stairs to negotiate, making some portions of the tour unsuitable for wheelchairs. However, guests in a wheelchair must be able to transfer from their chair, as the brewery is otherwise suitable for wheelchairs. Guests must be able to board the coach with limited assistance. If guests with limited mobility can manage this much walking and a few steps with a travel companion, then the tour may be suitable for them. This tour is not suitable for children. Guests are recommended to comfortable clothing and shoes. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Please note: This excursion involves extensive physical activity, with strength required to operate an oar and stay balanced on a very active river. This tour is not suitable for individuals with mobility limitations. There is a weight limit of 120 kg (265 pounds) and the age minimum to participate is 12 years old (children must be accompanied by a guardian). Waterproof gear is provided, but guests are recommended to comfortable clothing. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Discover the coastal splendour and villages of southern Norway during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Coastal Drive and Lillesand

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Lillesand. En route, take in splendid panoramic views along the coastal road and highway. Upon arrival in Lillesand, begin your guided walking tour of the village. Local sights include the Lillesand Church, and Town-and-Maritime Museum. Afterward, some free time is made available to explore your surrounds at your leisure.

Grimstad

Next, re-board your coach and continue along the coastal road to Grimstad. This little maritime town is nestled amidst many small islands, and features a harbour, long pedestrian shopping street, small market square, church, and museum dedicated to the early life of Henrik Ibsen. After a short photo stop here, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier via the coastal road.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 750 yards (about 686 metres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. Walking in Lillesand is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible nor 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.

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.

Please note: This excursion involves moderate activity of 800 meters of walking (plus optional walking), with approximately 10 stairs to negotiate, making this tour unsuitable for wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility. Guests must be able to board the coach with limited assistance. Guests are recommended to comfortable clothing and shoes. Space on this tour is limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.