Silversea Expedition Cruises A Kristiansund

Enjoy this quaint town by the sea, much of which was rebuilt after World War II when extensive damage was caused to many of the buildings. The growth of the town has come from the production of klippfisk - dried and salted cod that is exported to the Mediterranean.

Kirklandet Church

Board a coach for a short picturesque drive to the Kirklandet Church. Inaugurated in 1964, the church is described as 'quartz among roses' by its architect Odd Østby. The choir wall is 98 feet (30-metres) high and has 320 panes of stained glass which gradually changes from dark earthy colours at the bottom to bright colours representing eternal light at the top.

Klippfish Museum

Next visit visit Norway's Klippfish Museum at Milnbrygga. The museum is situated in a warehouse on the waterfront dating from 1749 and here you can see an exhibition about how klippfish is produced and taste some bacalao.

Board the coach for a 1 hour panoramic drive through Kristiansund back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking and there is but there is a steep gravel incline and narrow staircase at the Klippfish Museum and 20 steps (with no handrail) to negotiate at the church. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility who can get on/off the coach with minimal assistance; however it is not wheelchair accessible. Local currency is required for restroom facilities. Local vehicles are utilised; coaches may not be equipped with air-conditioned cooling.

Experience the seaside beauty of Kristiansund during this picturesque half-day sightseeing excursion along the Atlantic Coast Road, and a visit to the historic Kvernes Stave Church.

Kvernes Stave Church

Depart the pier for the scenic, 45-minute drive to Averøy; one of the many islands protecting the coastline. Upon arrival, visit the old Kvernes Stave Church. Originally built around 1300 and decorated with painted scenes from the Old and New Testament. The ceiling and walls in the nave, rediscovered during a recent restoration, are painted with floral ornaments. It was due to be demolished after a new church was built on 1893 but the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments saved it from that fate.

Atlantic Ocean Road

Next, proceed for the drive to the Atlantic Ocean Road via the Krifast Tunnel, with photo stops made en route. Voted the 'Construction of the Century' by Norwegians, the spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road was constructed across small, uninhabited islands. It is linked by bridges and causeways zigzagging from island to island right out to where the mainland ends and the great ocean begins. The overwhelming majesty of the ocean is quite unforgettable.

Your tour concludes scenic return drive to the pier in Kristiansund via a recently-constructed, 3.1-mile-long (five-kilometre-long) tunnel, and a 3,937-foot-long (1,200-metre-long) bridge.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking, with steps and an incline to negotiate at the entrance to the church. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, however it is not wheelchair accessible. Local currency is required for restroom facilities. Local vehicles are utilised; coaches may not be equipped with air-conditioned cooling.

This half-day excursion offers you the magnificent Atlantic Ocean Road, and also a visit to Håholmen, a charming little fishing-village.

Islands and Atlantic Coast Road

Board the coach in Kristiansund and enjoy a panoramic introduction to the city. After a scenic 45 minute drive you will arrive into where you will board the Viking ship to Håholmen.

Viking Ship Ride to Håholmen

From Geitøya Island, a 15-minute crossing on board a true Viking-ship, the owner of the island, Ragnar Thorseth, will show you an interesting film about his voyages with three self-built Viking ships If the weather is calm you sail in a true copy of the Viking ship Saga Siglar with which Ragnar Thorseth, who more or less owns Håholmen, went around the world together with his crew. In inclement weather the more ordinary boats may be used.

Håholmen

Håholmen has been meeting place, home and working site for fishermen, seamen and traders through centuries. Together with his wife, Ragnar Thorseth has restored the buildings. Relax for typical Norwegian refreshment before having a quick look round this picturesque fishing-village before you return to Geitøya and the awaiting coach.

Atlantic Coast Road

Driving along the shore of the Kvernesfjord and Kornstadfjord, reach the coast and the impressive Atlantic Ocean road, which has been built across islets and skerries, linked by bridges from island to island. A photo stop is made before returning back to the ship.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, with some uneven terrain and unguarded holes at Håholmen, and steps to negotiate to embark/disembark the boat. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. In the event of inclement weather, an ordinary boat is used for the ride from Geitøya Island to Håholmen. The tour sequence may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to favourable weather and sea conditions. Local currency is required for restroom facilities. Local vehicles are utilised; coaches may not be equipped with air-conditioned cooling.

Explore Gripe on this walking excursion through the tiny, desolate island is dotted with brightly painted timber houses and a little red stave church, and was once home to 400 people.

Grip

Board the boat for a 30-minute refreshing boat ride to Gripe a small fishing community with a dramatic history. Today, Grip has no permanent residents except in summer when holiday-makers stay on the island. With its many boathouses and jetties, and with the old stave church in the middle of the island, Grip looks like a small town floating on the sea.

Medieval Church

Floods and storms have devastated Grip over the centuries and villagers used to take refuge in the church.

Enjoy a tour of this medieval church of worship, dating from 1470, and afterwards spend approximately one and a half hours of free time exploring more of the island and its fishing heritage at your leisure.

At the allotted time meet back up with the guide for the boat ride back to Kristiansund.

Please note: This tour required minimal to moderate amount of walking mostly at the guest's discretion on the Island of Gripe. Guests must negotiate the steps on and off the boat. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests who utalise a wheelchair accessible. Local currency is required for restroom facilities.

Boasting a dynamic view of the bustling city centre and serene Oslo Fjord, the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo is ideally located in the heart of this Norwegian city near the Royal Palace. Within walking distance from major attractions like City Hall, Karl Johans Gate, Vigeland Sculpture Park and Aker Brygge, this Oslo hotel creates the perfect hub for exploring the rich cultural tapestry of the city centre. Indulge in Mediterranean dining at the in-house ENZO Bar & Restaurant or unwind with a refreshing swim in the pool at Lagoon, the hotel's health and fitness facility.

The Grand Hotel in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, is perhaps its most venerable and elegant deluxe hotel, forming a striking landmark on the city's grandest street, Karl Johans Gate.

The Grand Hotel is a mix of tradition and new styles - timelessly classic, yet offering today's celebrities, world leaders, and you too, all the luxury, quality and comfort you have the right to expect from a modern first-class international hotel.

The Grand first opened its doors in 1874. For more than 130 years, the name has been synonymous with quality and atmosphere. World-famous Norwegians such as Henrik Ibsen and Fridtjof Nansen made the Grand their second home. Today, they are proud host to Nobel Peace Prize laureates, celebrities and heads of state. Their guest book is a valuable historical document. And there is space for your name, too!

The Grand Hotel in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, is perhaps its most venerable and elegant deluxe hotel, forming a striking landmark on the city's grandest street, Karl Johans Gate.

The Grand Hotel is a mix of tradition and new styles - timelessly classic, yet offering today's celebrities, world leaders, and you too, all the luxury, quality and comfort you have the right to expect from a modern first-class international hotel.

The Grand first opened its doors in 1874. For more than 130 years, the name has been synonymous with quality and atmosphere. World-famous Norwegians such as Henrik Ibsen and Fridtjof Nansen made the Grand their second home. Today, they are proud host to Nobel Peace Prize laureates, celebrities and heads of state. Their guest book is a valuable historical document. And there is space for your name, too!