Cruising the Archipelago
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Port
Mandal (Kristiansand), Norway
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$200.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Your tour starts with a bus transfer to Kristiansand. Here, board your motorboat for a relaxing cruise through Kristiansand's Randesund Archipelago, consisting of 988 islands, islets and reefs.
Set out along Norway's favorite vacation coastline, passing restored coastal dwellings whitewashed by tradition and incredibly charming. You're headed east, sailing out of Byfjord and past Dvergsøya. Norway's Crown Prince Håkon keeps a summer residence on Dvergsøya Island.
On the starboard side, watch for Herøya, first settled by farmers in the 1670s. Herøya has poor soil, as does the rest of the archipelago, so fishing and sailing soon became the predominant occupations in the area.
Calm waters and a warm and friendly landscape characterize the Blindleia area. Here, you will sail past Stokken -- famous for its burial mounds from the Bronze and Iron Ages. On this island, very old roads connect large fields. The stone walls and clearance cairns represent an era when every patch of land was precious.
Your guide will also point out Tømmerstø's well-preserved, architecturally distinctive buildings. Summer cottages, large and small, dot the shoreline, along with some interesting historical sites.
A panoramic drive returns you to Mandal and the ship.
Notes
It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion; outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Wear sturdy, non-skid walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.