ÅSGÅRDSTRAND

Åsgårdstrand

Åsgårdstrand is an idyllic small coastal communities. Just to stroll around this small town and see all the manicured gardens provide a lovely ambience in the body. Beautiful and white painted snugly settlement in Åsgårdstrand, with a population of about 3,000 residents.

Overnight at the wharf in Åsgårdstrand ->

Munch's vacation paradise

Especially in summer, this city has much to offer. Åsgårdstrand is a wonderful mix of boats, galleries, cyclists and swimmers. One can swim almost all along the shoreline in the city center, and the shoreline is good about space. Åsgårdstrand is very popular among summer visitors by boat and cabin area. The port is however not so great, and it may be wise to bring in the sails before entering the harbor. The port is expanded with two new pools and it has thus become better accommodate visiting boats. Cobblestones give quay a special touch. In 2007 Åsgårdstrand classified as tourist because the number of tourists and visitors are so high in relation to permanent residents. Summer visitors are largely involved in shaping the atmosphere of the city.

The White City by the Oslo fjord - Åsgårdstrand

Åsgårdstrand is Horten Municipality smallest and oldest city, and was founded about 450 years ago on the basis of timber and shipbuilding. But not until the mid-1800s began passenger boats between Oslo and Vestfold towns to visit Åsgårdstrand, which made the city a popular bathing and holiday resort. Åsgårdstrand eventually became known as the center for artists because of the unique light here.

Ride on the coastal path from Horten to Åsgårdstrand? Read more ->

There is no doubt that Edward Munch enjoyed staying in Åsgårdstrand, and was inspired as an artist. In 1889, he spent his first of many summers in Åsgårdstrand, and bought a few years later a simple fisherman's house from the 1700s. In this house decorated his living room to serve as bedrooms, study and dining room. Today owned house of Horten Municipality, and it serves as a museum where everything is preserved as it was when Edward Munch lived there. The museum is open every day during the summer months of June, July and August, except Mondays.

The light of the Oslo Fjord and the beaches of Åsgårdstrand fascinates as much today as in Edvard Munch's time.

Edward Munch painted many of the most famous paintings in Åsgårdstrand res, including "Girls on the Bridge" in 1902. There have been many famous artists in Åsgårdstrand, and primarily painters. The place became known as the center for artists and since 1880 a number of artists painted in Åsgårdstrand, among them world names like Christian Krogh and Hans Heyerdahl as well as Edvard Munch, as already mentioned. In the center we find several galleries, and many artists have sommeratelierene its here. The place is known for its distinctive light that is reminiscent of the unique light at Skagen. Artists went to either Skagen or Åsgårdstrand to paint this special light.

Charming café life in Åsgårdstrand streets

In Åsgårdstrand we find a number of inviting restaurants and cafes. If you go up the steep hill from the harbor next to the hotel and turn left at the top, you are moving into a typical Åsgårdstrand-coat with picket fences and whitewashed houses. Here is Frantz Confectionery with backyard cafe next door to the cozy Munch's Café. Here you can sample the local traditional favorite crab wonder. A crab lure is a round donut baking, reminiscent donut. The cafe is a cross between patisserie and restaurant. The chowder here can heartily recommend. And in Åsgårdstrand only pub boathouse has been life for many years. Come and savor the local atmosphere.
 

Bike ride to art and donuts at
Åsgård Beach

Would you like to have culture, nature, and history without uphill slops this summer? Join the short ride between Horten and Åsgårdstrand, or Åsgård Beach. A bike ride without lots of effort but nonetheless beautiful stretches of coastal path. 

You need not be a bike enthusiast to enjoy cycling from Horten to Åsgårdstrand. You just have to know how to ride a bicycle. The ride is safe for kids, too. The path is clearly marked, and running mostly through forests and hills. It's not far. Uphill conspicuous by its absence, and there is much to see along the way. Don’t have a bicycle? At the tourist office on the pier in Horten, you can rent one for 35 kroner. Then you have the bike and helmet for three days, if you’d like. From Horten, you must ride through some lovely residential areas before going to the forest.

After a few kilometers through the forest, we arrive at Borre, Scandinavia's largest collection of graves from the Viking era. The nine large mounds still reign over the majestic landscape. You can have a picnic under an oak tree, or grab a cup of coffee and watch the show at Midgard Historical Centre. Now comes the final treat of the ride: The last part of the way through Fjugstad nature reserve, with Scandinavia's largest ash forest. The trail is sun speckled, with ash trees closing around us and buttercups growing in the grass. All we hear are birds chirping.

- I'm sitting in the only nice house I have lived in – the house in Åsgårdstrand, wrote Edvard Munch to his friend Sigurd Autumn. If you follow the road straight ahead when entering Åsgårdstrand, you’ll reach Munch's house. The house was bought by Åsgårdstrand municipality in 1944 and is a museum today. Everything here is preserved as it was when the painter lived there. His suit hangs on the wall, collars in the closet, inkwell and pen splits on the table. Munch bought the house in 1897 for 900 kroner. At the time, this was the poor district of Åsgårdstrand.  Fishermen here lived in small houses with their large families. But Munch enjoyed living here. He sought the real and original. Munch came here when he was very young, and was looking for his expression, which was largely shaped here in Åsgårdstrand. Here he met his great love, Mille Thaulow, which he never forgot. She was married, so they faced each other off in bird song, which is the forest we just rode through. Munch’s motives are everywhere in Åsgårdstrand. Portions of Munch iconography, moon pillar, and the shoreline are taken from this area.

Åsgårdstrand offers a variety of galleries, studios, restaurants and nice little shops. Munch Café has been the area’s confectionery since 1914. Back then, the painter often ate krabbelurer, or “crab wonders,” here, which is a kind of roll with donut dough. It’s normal to buy a krabbelurer and take it down to the pier where Munch painted girls on the bridge, sit down on a bench and recharge the return trip: The forty-five minute bike ride on a sunny trail along the lake.

TØNSBERG

Tønsberg

In the heart of Vestfold, you’ll find Tønsberg, the charming town that grows each and every summer. Tønsberg offers everything from fantastic beaches to shopping and visiting the wharf – in addition to cultural activities such as summer shows, art exhibitions, and music festivals.

From hibernation to vibrant life

Tønsberg is like a bear that hibernates every winter. Not before the ice melts and a horse hoof trots along the grass, Vestfold’s main city comes back to life. But in turn keeps the city as vibrant and full of desire until the autumn darkness once again arrives.

Tønsberg folk who have been wearing black throughout winter sitting down on the wet asphalt and taking a taxi to get away from the cold and other people, now get to use their spring clothes, hop on a bike, and buy rosé at one of the wharf’s outdoor seating areas. Suddenly, you’ll understand the joke of the locals.

Bustling Summer Life

Summer is finally here and glistens from dawn till dusk from the canal which runs through Norway’s oldest town. We celebrate the joy of winter’s bitter winds by traveling out to the nearby archipelagos. Here we can relax, enjoy the warmth of the tide pools, bathe in crystal-clear lakes, maybe even fish. Hum along with Tønsberg-born Jahn Teigens old melody. Breathe. After a refreshing swim and boat ride, we look for the exciting and historically interesting town with festivals, theater, revues, and concerts. Or simply wander the streets with an ice cream cone in hand. We are able to get our shopping “scavenger hunt” done in the beautiful market and the surrounding cozy quarters of the town's alleyways and historic surroundings.

The wharf in Tønsberg has become the town’s outdoor venue, a magnet for visitors. Could you think of something more pleasant than a summer evening along the wharfs of Tønsberg? The countless restaurants on the wharf offer a wonderful view of the canal and pier. Here we sit and enjoy a long evening dinner with good drinks. From the restaurant table we admire the boats of varieties and sizes that sit anchored one after another along the entire pier.

There is a crowded and relaxing atmosphere on the pier now being covered in the warm orange color of the evening sunshine. From the crowds of vacationers on the pier sums of the voices that both have their origin in Europe and other continents, plus a great mix of Norway's many dialects. It is cheerful mood here now. Some come from cinema, some are on the way home at a leisurely pace, some hurry to arrive before the last food serving, and others have just started the evening and will participate in the festivities until dawn. Ignore the worries of tomorrow; everything seems at least carefree now.

When we leave the restaurant, the sun is at peace having disappeared behind the Stokkes hills to the west. Tønsberg will apparently have gone by the name “The party town Tønsberg” by the numerous events in the town. The locals are known to be in a good mood and go clubbing in the summer nights. On the Tønsberg Wharf and on Nedre Langgata Street you’ll find nightlife lined up in a row.

Tønsberg is the summer town with the liveliest nightlife and it can get very impetuous and hot. Even under the under the darkest hours of the night, we jump into the water to wash the sweat off from the dancing at a packed nightclub off of Nedre Langgate street.

Archipelago life and island hopping

The islands outside of Tønsberg are abundant and diverse. The seaplanes navigate Vestvold’s archipelago well and know where the treasures amongst the island lay. The seaplanes based in Husvik take you island hopping out amongst the archipelago and is one of the great experiences in the area. Also, the seaplanes take route over the fjords in Oslo to Østfold.

Art and culture

Tønsberg has a vibrant arts and cultural life that is worth seeing it. We'll treat you to a weekend in Tønsberg and check out a real Viking ship, the largest Blue Whale, and Vestfold's whaling history at the Slottsfjell Museum which sits in a beautiful setting at the foot of Castle Rock. The museum and surrounding area is a part of the cultural heritage of the city's long history, and close by the Slottsfjell plateau shows the remains of one of the largest medieval castles. On Tallak, the plateau between Slottsfjellet and the main museum by Farmannsveien, is the museum's air department. Vestfold courtyard house contains several transferred homes, including Vestfold's oldest: a medieval loft dated 1407.

Art is displayed in the impressing brick building that houses the Hauger Vestfold Kustmuseum. The museum is located by the early Seaman’s school in the middle of Tønsberg town center. The location is beautiful and historic, with the museum sitting in a park between the antique Haugating and a few even older burial mounds.

Known artists from all over the world visit the popular Slottsfjell festival every summer. In addition to the festival, you can pick and choose among small and large music events in all genres. The Tønsberg medieval festival on the first weekend of June is the largest of Norge. It is an enormous celebration of Tønsberg’s rich middle age history that attracts craftsmen and artists from all over Europe.

Tønsberg is among Norway’s most important show-towns and has proud traditions from the 60s with Dizzie Tunes, Wesenlund, and many others. Today, the Slottsfjell festival, the Thespian Theater in Thaulowhullet, and the celebrity show on the wharf are some of the many annual events that are worth making a trip to in the summer. 

The History

Tønsberg is Norway’s oldest town, founded in the time of the Vikings. The biggest piece of evidence from the time is the world-famous Osebergskip that was found just north of the center of Tønsberg. In the middle ages, Tønsberg was a power center. The houses, churches, monasteries, and graveyards of Tønsberg have characterized the town. Up until 1671 it was the only town of Vestfold. As well as being a trade and maritime town since the Vikings, Tønsberg is known as a whaling and hanseatic town.

According to Snorre, Tønsberg city had already existed when Harald Fairhair was passing through on the way to his decisive blow upon Hafrsfjord. The year of the battle has been stated to be in 872, but evidence for such an advanced age is not yet available. What’s for certain is that, in 1871, the city celebrated its grand anniversary in 1000 and a hundred years later, celebrated a no less magnificent 1,100-year anniversary.

Historical source criticism of the Snorre is necessary because he wrote his records of history several hundred years after the Battle of Hafrsfjord. Perhaps it will be necessary to revise the city's founding story, as Oslo has had to do.

It has been suggested that around the year 1100 could be the correct year in which Tønsberg was founded.  Tønsberg must have been nonetheless founded before 1130 because in that year, Tønsberg was first mentioned in resources of the same time. It will continuously be discussed whether Tønsberg has connections back to the time before Christ, but the town’s old age is still solidly documented. The Oseberg ship that was found in Tønsberg in 1903 was first built in the south west of Norway as early as 820.

Slottsfjell is a little mountain in Tønsberg in Vestfold with an elevation of 63 meters (about 206 feet). There you’ll find the ruins of a church and the Tønsberg fortress of the Middle Ages, as well as the Slottsfjell tower, the town’s landmark. 

In the 1300s, Tønsberg was the most central place in the country. Many historical events took place on Slottsfjell which is why it is the largest group of ruins in the North. The heyday came to an end once Norway and Denmark created the union, and Copenhagen became the power’s center.  

The castle atop Slottsfjell. The Tønsberg fortress (Castrum Tunsbergis) on top of the mountain has most likely dominated the town and the surrounding land area before the 1100s when the Baglers (a faction participating in the Norwegian Civil Wars) fortified themselves there under siege of King Sverre and the Birkebeiners. The fortress went through a large-scale development under Håkan Håkansson’s and Magnus Lagabøte’s reign in the 1200s. Up until 1503, the fortress was occupied, but then it was burnt down and never built back up. Today the foundation ruins still stand on the mountain.

The Slottsfjell tower was erected in 1888 on a private initiative as a memorial of the thousand year anniversary of Tønsberg. The 17 meter high tower is built of stone and a simple, round-arched new renaissance style that relates back to the Donjon of the Middle Ages. The façade is decorated with a quote from Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, inscription “871-1871 Maa Byen som paa Tunet staar, faa blomstre nye Tusind-aar” (The town standing in the yard, the flowers will live another thousand years) and the signatures of Kings “Haakon R August 1st, 1906,” “Olav R July 1st, 1958,”and “Harald R. March 9th, 1992.” The stone tower replaced a tower of three that stood on the on the mountain from 1856 to 1874, then it burned down. The Slottsfjell tower was in use as the Tønsberg museum from 1894 to 1930.

Maritime History. Tønsberg is a historic seafaring town. Maritime has always characterized Tønsberg since Viking times. In the old, newly restored customs house on the Tønsberg pier, you’ll find Tønsberg Maritime History Center, a center crammed with maritime history from the time Tønsberg was one of the greatest seafaring towns up to today.

One of the people who put the greatest impact on Norway's whaling history was Svend Foyn. The modern industrial whaling was developed by Svend Foyn of Tønsberg in 1860. He had lots of experience of seal hunting in northern waters and in 1864, he ran experimental whaling in Finnmark in northern Norway. He combined three factors: a harpoon and grenade were combined into a modern grenade harpoon and placed in a steamboat. In 1863 he developed the world's first grenade harpoon which in 1864 was installed at the world's first steam-powered whaling ship, "Spes & Fides". Foyn helped greatly with the financial support of the local population in Tønsberg in the form of houses of worship, schools and orphanages.

Tjøme

Tjøme´s archipelago paradise 

Out by the sea, south of Tønsberg and the island Nøtterøy, you´ll find the holiday paradise and island of summer, Tjøme. That´s where the sun is shining, the waves are coming in, and the people enjoy life. It is one of Norway´s cities with most hours of sun, combined with great sandy beaches and warm rocky shores which has made Tjøme´s islands to an attractive destination and a place for artist, nature enthusiasts and boaters. Tjøme, the next to largest city in Vestfold offers varying nature, summer life, hotels of top notch, music and shows, relaxation and a wonderful boat life.

Tjøme, the island kingdom
In addition to the main islands Tjøme, Brøtso and Hvasser, the county consists of about 500 smaller islands, islets, and skerries. The three main islands has permanent settlement and a bridge connection. Some of the other islands has been inhabited earlier, like Sandø (or Sandøy), the vacation colony island Hudøy (Hudø or Hui) and Ildverket. Furthest out towards the Oslo fjord lies Leistein which shows the sailors the direction of Vrengsundet. Furthest south lies the Tristein islands and Færder lighthouse. This is considered the Oslo fjord´s most southern point.

Tjøme lies on old sea floor which the old clay deposits in valleys and singings clearly shoes. When the last ice age started to withdrawal about 200 000 years ago, Tjøme was under the surface of the sea. About 4000 years ago, the contours of today´s Tjøme started to take shape.

Naturally, Tjøme is most known as a holiday paradise because of the beautiful nature. You cannot find more holiday houses anywhere else in Norway.  There are 2800 of them in the county. In the month of July, the population rises from about 4 500 to 50 000. The largest proportion of the holiday guests are the cabin people. The recent years, more and more hotel guests, camping guests and one-day guests have found their way to this summer paradise. In addition to this, the boaters visit the guest docks. Tjøme´s city center, originally called Kirkely is the county center. There are about 800 jobs in Tjøme.

Unique Nature

Green forest trails leads to polished rock formations almost wherever you go. Tjøme has great hiking areas that are great for the whole family. It is often surprising how many great forest trails you can find out on this island by the ocean. At Rød, straight south for the Town Hall, you can find a small golf court, and westbound, by the coast, is Øvre Rød Natural reserve. The archipelago around Tjøme, Brøtsø, and Hvasser can offer many islands and islets with thick vegetation, polished rocks, fine-grained sandy beaches and many sheltered boat places. At the very south of Tjøme, the walk is short to the islands most famous places, The World´s End and Moutmarka.
The coastal landscape in the southern part of Tjøme with Moutmarka and The World´s End has always pulled a large audience. This is because of the location with a great view of the sea, but also the special nature with thick vegetation between naked mountain crags.

The World´s End
At the World´s End, it is easy to gaze at the horizon towards the ocean and the sky that meet at infinity. If you look eastbound, you can see the neighbors in Østfold, or maybe even Sweden.

Bring a lunch basket and enjoy it on one of the outermost islands you can get to. Polished rocks honed by the ice age, and salty water through thousands of years seems special designed to sit and lie down on. In these surroundings, you´ll find hundreds of places to have nice conversations with family and friends, sunbathing, read a book, or just gaze at the archipelago life with music from seagulls, waves and kids bathing.

The area called The World´s End was originally called Helgerødtangen. The name The World´s End was given by travelers at the beginning of the 19th century. Earlier, the area was most knows as a fishing harbor and a lookout spot for sailors looking for missions.

The nature is dominated by rocky shores formed by glaciers over 10.000 years ago. Strandnelliken is one of the few plan species which lives in the cracks of the rocks facing the sea. In the north and south facing mountain hills are bushes and trees sheltered from the wind. The birds species are common gulls, herring gulls, black-backed gulls, eiders, and oystercatchers. South of the restaurant lives the nightingale. If you´re lucky, you might spot the seals laying on the outermost rocks.

The restuarant, the lighthouse and the old aquarium was built in 1932-35. The lighthouse has no historic background in the Tjøme area, but was built in the end of the 30s as a tourist attraction as well as the restaurant. Pebbles for these building was picked up from the pebble beaches of Moutmarka, among other places. The recreation area of The World´s End is especially adapted for disabled, with a bathing platform and a fishing ramp, among other things. The aquarium was closed in 1974. The harbor with the pier was constructed in 1946 as a fishing harbor and emergency harbor. Today, the harbor is also used as a guest harbor for hobby boats, with a service building, water and electricity for the boats. A new fishing harbor with boathouses for the fishermen was constructed in 2002. The restaurant and kiosk are open in summer.

Moutmarka
On the west side along the archipelago is a natural area called Moutmarka. This is a great recreation area where you can walk all the way down to the water. Moutmarka has a great collection of large rock ridges which you can only see a few places in the coast of Vestfold. It´s tempting to just look at the view, but if you look down to the water, you might find some small orange snail houses which kids in many generations have been making jewelries from or collection into mason jars. Remember, when you´re on vacation, you have the time to just stop and enjoy summer.

Moutmarka used to be a shared pasture for many farms in the area. Most of the animal business ended in the 50s and 60s, and therefore also the pasturing. This resulted in the open fields being overgrown by blackthorn, juniper, rose hip bushes, and other bushes. Large parts of the Mouthmarka is therefore not easily available, but there are three different marked trails that will take you through the area.

The beach trail is marked with blue and heads south along the sea. The landscape will go from grey rocks, pebble beaches and open fields. Normal plant species in this area are gulmaure, yarrow, blue button, Geranium, bluebell, tiriltunge and many more. In the spring, different kinds of orchids will flourish in Moutmarka.

Hvasser
Hvasser is the nest to largest island in Tjøme county. The road leading to Hvasser crosses the Vrengen bridge from Nøtterøy to Tjøme, then to Ormelet and across the Røssesundbroa to Brøtsø. A bridge will lead to Hvasser from here. Hvasser has a unique contact with the archipelago and the sea.

Few places has such a significant maritime atmosphere like Sandøsund, which is considered Hvasse´s center. Krukehavn, or Sandøsund like most people call it nowadays, is an old fishing harbor with a fish store that sells shellfish and the fish of the season.

It is one of the most used harbors around. This is also where the rescue company´s coastal patrol is stationed, ready for escort services across the Oslo Fjord tip Hvaler. Sandøsund also has a harbor for small boats and guests.

In 1882, our great artist Christian Krogh creates his well known painting «Hardt le.» The painting is showcased at the National Gallery. A funny thing about this is that Krogh used the sailor Julius Pedersen Grepan from Hvasser as the model.The island Hvasser in Tjøme county was at that time - and still is - the most important pilot station in Vestfold. Already in Magnus Lagabøter´s law from 1276, the provision of piloting was embodied, but in 1561 a pilot obligation for ships was introduced.

Sandøsund has through all times been the place for both small and big events. The vikings has sailed here, Tordenskjold´s naval vessels stayed here in 1718 as a shelter from the storm, Norwegian canon boats were stationed here during the Napoleon War of 1807. Intense smuggling of spirits during the prohibition also took place here. From 1858-70s ocean postal expedition had its own stamp from Sandøsund postal office of post between Norway and United Kingdom. But also the passenger traffic to Denmark, Germany and England had its headquarters in Sandøsund. If you´re visiting Sandøsund, we recommend visiting the Coastal Museum, which is about Tjøme´s maritime history and the sailor business here.

At the pier, there is a grocery store and the cozy coastal restaurant «The Blue Pier». On the other side of the harbor, you´ll find the «trattoria» of the area, The Sunny Side, where Giuseppe Sapienza offers great Italian dishes for both dinner and lunch. Giuseppe is also responsible for the most popular take away among the vacationers. Many also visits the restaurant´s ice cream and coffee bar. They also have an outside restaurant where you can enjoy the view of the teeming life of the harbor. Hvasser Guesthouse is the last addition to the restaurants in Sandøsund which opened its doors in 2011. This restaurant also lies in the harbor and has a great view of the ocean and harbor.

You´ll also find the Gudem Gallery in the harbor which opened in 2011. A place for sale and showcasing of contemporary art; pictures and crafts. On the «strip» leading away from the harbor are several specialized stores like interior stores, boat equipment and clothing, ceramic workshop, antiques and the venerable Hvasser Motel. Slightly outside of Sandøsund, you can visit the popular Kilen Gallery to get inspiration from art and crafts of high standard.

But Hvasser is much more than a harbor and a base for the coastal patrol and sailors. The people who lives there or owns a summer house, would call Hvasser a summer paradise. Hvasser offers rocky shores and nice beaches, forests, hills, and mountains, sheltered bays, islets and reefs. At the northern part of the island lies Lilleskagen. This place is idyllic and has a nature of great flowers. The name Lilleksagen (Little skagen) is a new name, and comes from the flat landscape of sand which can remind some of Skagen, north in Jylland, in Denmark. This 350 acre recreational area lies next to cabin areas in both north and south. The area has both hills and plains, forests and rocks.

Rocks polished by the ice made of monzonite are nicknamed whale-carcasses mountain     s.  There are several potholes by the shore, and one is below the small lantern. The area has two great beaches with a lot of people on sunny days. The area is also used for hiking. Parking spaces can be found close to the Hvasser Chapel. Paths lead to Lilleskagen from there. South of Krukehavn is Mellombakken with the Fyn beach - another name that comes from the similarity of Danish nature. This 40 acres space is a great recreational area.

Rich and unique fauna and flora
If you keep traveling south of Krukehavn, you´ll end up in the natural reserve of Storemyr-Fagervarn Conservation Area. This area has a large selection of noble woodlands. Half dry areas are dominated by hazel and pine trees with some aspen in the southern parts. You can also find a few cherry trees. The more humid swamp areas are dominated by black alder. There are also some ash and elm here.

There are colorful flowers in this natural reserve during the spring and summer. There are white anemones, blue anemones, golden stars, Solomon´s seal, early purple orchids and Lesser celandines. On the dry fields, especially at Fagerbakke, the special and poisonous Small Pasque Flower blooms. Small Pasque Flower grows only in this area and few places along the Oslo Fjord. The most northern part a Small Pasque Flower has been found is Hovedøya in Oslo.

The birdlife is especially rich in the conservation area. You´ll find a lot of nests for robins, blackbirds, thrush, redwing, chaffinches, monks, gardensingers, willow warblers, great tits, blue tits, Nuthatch, great spotter woodpeckers, woodcocks, and more. The loud singing of the nightingale can also be heard here, and in May, the Cuckoo is crowing. The forest has a rich insect fauna, and you can also meet predators like foxes, badgers and deers. In some ponds inside the protected area lives the small salamander, and the rare moor frog, but it seems like the most normal frog is absent in Hvasser. Several red listed dragonfly species has been observed in Hvasser. Remember that the adder is preserved!

After the hike through the lush forest, the landscape will open up to nice fields and rocky shores. There is also a great view of the Færder lighthouse from here.

Sandø
Sandøsund separates Sandø from Hvasser in the west. Sandø is something special. In the northern part, there is a big, beautiful beahc, Furustrand, which is very much known and used, but has no harbor. The waters here are shallow, so the boats has to stay pretty far away from the beach. South in Sandø, the terrain is more varied. There are lots of cabins, around 50 of them, but most of the cabins in Sandø are located along the Sandøsundet in the west, towards Hvasser. Along this strait, are some old, well tended and small farms. The sailors, the master pilots and the ship owner who lived out there.

Boat trip in Røssesundet
Røssesund is the strait between Hvasser and Brøstso in the east, and the island of Tjøme in the west. Røssesundet goes all the way from Engø in the north and the World´s End in the south, and contains many small islands. If you travel by boat, the Røssesund is a fun, tight and crooket, and of course crumble, sheltered from all the islands facing the sea.

Several types of cabins has national price records.

Rich Culture
Tjøme is not only nature, the island also has a rich culture. Tjøme, and the islands of Brøtsø and Hvasser can offer a rich culture life with art galleries which presents everything from ceramics to paintings and photographies. The concert stage at the Old Ormelet has a lot of traditions, and a sunrise concert at The World´s End is recommended. Outdoors concerts with well known artists can also be experienced in the garden of Engø Farm. The many artists at Tjøme got their inspiration from the landscape and the beautiful and special lighting. If you take some time off after a long day at the beach to visit one of the galleries, you might return home with a piece of one of the local artists, a memory for life.

SANDEFJORD

«During our morning coffee, we were pondering on the big questions in life: Which beach should we choose today? It feels like the sun is always shining in Sandefjord, and life is just one long summers day. Later that day we went on a bike ride out to the sandy beach, Tallakshavn at Østerøya.»

Paradise
Why travel to the south? Strandvika at Østerøya.

Skjellvika is one of Østfold´s best family beaches.

The many rocky shores, beaches and sheltered bays offers great possibilities for recreation. Sandefjord has a total of 116 islands and islets. The motive comes from the group of islands, Stauper, which is out in the Tønsberg Fjord between Sandefjord and Tjøme.

The island of Natholmen, or Knattholmen (a newer name that many use) is a small coastal paradise in Sandefjord. This place is idyllic, with only one road that winds between white and red wooden houses. A beautiful bridge in a nice coastal environment will lead you to the main land and to the island. Natholmen is to many a hidden and secret treasure - yes, even many of the residents in Sanefjord have never been here!
The island is relatively small, but you´ll find two bathing spots and forrest trails + the beautiful archipelago that surrounds the island. And it is not hard to find your wait to Natholmen. There are parking spots right next to the bridge that leads to the island, and there is a bus (route 163) that goes from Sandefjord that´ll take you to the same parking lot. There are 9 km between Sandefjord center and Natholmen, and this route is great for biking, if you like to use bicycles as your way of transport.

Midtåsen used to be the home of the famous shipowner Anders Jahre, and his wife Bess Jahre. The house was built in 1933 by Arnstein Arneberg. Today, Sandefjord county is responsible for maintaining the park area. 

The house is surrounded by a 60 acres park which makes up the perfect place for outdoors events in summertime. You have a great view of the city and fjord from the garden.

Delicate tables are set to any event with 1800s candelabra and flowers of your own choice. 

Indoors out in the nature. Midtåsen sculpture pavilion and park in Sandefjord makes up the frame of a selection from the artist Knut Steen´s sculptures in marble and bronze. Twelve marble sculptures is places within the pavillion, and four bronze sculptures are placed in the landscape outdoors.

The pavilion is made of light concrete, and the art is surrounded by exposed light concrete in both the walls and floor. A fancy roof construction of glass beams and glass plates let the sunlight in.

Sandefjord is a city and a county within Vestfold. The center of Sandefjord lies by the Sandefjordsfjord. Together with the half islands of Østerøya and Vesterøya, the county has a coast line of 146 km, which together with this beaches, and the cabin and camping tourists makes Sandefjord to a summer city.

The Whaleingship «Southern Actor» is a floating museum.

You get a nice view when almost a thousand boats meets at the Sandefjordsfjord at midsummer´s eve.

The Whaling museum in Sandefjord is Europa´s only special museum for whales and whaling. The museum is located in the center of the city.

The beach pearl of Vesterøya. The Langeby beach is one of Sandefjor´s most popular beaches. A long, shallow beach, 150 meters long. Many nice facilities at the Langeby beach like stores, toilets and a shower at the camping ground. A sand volleyball court, footbal court, and playground. You can easily spot the beach, as it is right next to the main road, to the right when you´re driving across Vesterøya.

The sea mark, Tønsberg barrel. 

Magical Midsummer. Sandefjord is the perfect place for celebrating the midsummer´s eve. At the sandy beach by Vøra Camping.

Sandefjord, the summer city.

Sandefjord by night. Summertime in the whaling city is full of life and activities both day and night.

The summer city of Sandefjord lies by the edge of the Sandefjordsfjord. Sandefjord is a city of maritime and culture traditions. Sandefjord has a lot to offer to those interested in history, culture, outdoor activities and those who love the good life. The vikings left important traces here. Some great international people has visited the city´s spas, and the whalers had their golden age. The former whaling city can offer its own whaling museum and a bustling summer life. 

The Whaling Monument in Sandefjord.

The golden water drops will remind you of sputtering, running gold, and is a symbol of Sandefjord´s growth and prosperity throughout the city´s whaling history.

Sandefjord

Sandefjord is the city that comes to life in summer. The otherwise calm and quiet city comes to life when all the vacationers come to enjoy the long awaited summer days here. A big selection of shops and nice clubs, combines by rocky shores, many outdoor areas and long, shallow beaches, makes this places to a popular destination. We will give you a list of the things Sandefjord has to offer today, and what it once was. 
Sandefjord has a lot to offer for those interested in history, culture, the outdoors, and for those who like the good life.

Sandefjord by Sea
Sandefjord is a maritime city with many traditions. Today, the Sandefjordsfjord is the main road for those visiting Sandefjord by boat. The pair of long, characteristic half islands east of the city center, the islands of Vesterøya and Østerøya, used to be two islands. In that way, the vikings could go straight from the place Sandefjord is located today and out to the Tønsbergfjord without having to sail the long way around the southern part of Østerøys, Holteskjær and Tønsberg Barrel. They removed the inner path of water in the 1600s.
Vestfold´s most populated county is a nice harbor to visit by boat, both if you´re planning on staying on one of the islets, or if you´re visiting the city. By the seafront, below the Rika Park Hotel, there is a great harbor for smaller boats with marked guest spaces. You can easily walk from the seafront to the city. The green and shallow waterpark is the nearest neighbor of the seafront, a natural place to wander through before you get to the more urban part of Sandefjord with all kinds of shops and eateries both inside and outside. You´ll find great restaurants both in the city and down by the dock. What about ending the night with a delicious whale beef dinner at one of the restaurants, or visiting the world champion in cooking, Geir Skeie´s restaurant in the inner dock, Harbor 11. From the harbor area, you´ll have a great view of the beautiful fjord, and you´ll often see the two competing ferry company´s ferries that goes from Strømstad to Sweden. Both of the companies has daily departures from Sandefjord.

Outdoor Paradise
For those interested in the outdoors, Sandefjord´s natural area is a paradise, and you don´t have to travel far from the city center to get to the beautiful nature. Sandefjord is lucky in that they have three close hills and outdoor areas like Preståsen, Mokollen and Virikskogen surrounding the city. Several parks close to the city center melts the green with the harmonic city life. In geographical sizing, Sandefjord is a relatively small county, but it has a great archipelago where the three fjords, the Sandefjordsfjord, the Mefjord and the Tønsbergfjord makes 146 kilometers of coastline. 
In 2009, Sandefjord county was elected the outdoors county of the year in Norway. The award was given because of the long-term work in trying to save and show cultural memories and outdoor areas for the city´s population and visitors. The city has registered 2800 cultural memories that are accessible for everyone.

Tønsberg Barrel
The southern tip of Østerøya in Sandefjord is the best of the archipelago in Vestfold. Yxney is today used as the name of the outermost part of Østerøya. The area consists of a natural reserve and Tønsberg Barrel. The Tønsberg Barrel is a beacon that you easily see when entering the Tønsbergfjord. As a beacon, this is a very old one, most likely the country´s oldest. This old beacon was mentioned as early as in the Sverre saga from the 1200s.  The beacon may have been a barrel on a pole back then. The beacon has been replaced by a large stone painted black and white.

The waters outside of the Tønsberg Barrel are tough, even when there is not much wind. Many ships have gone down here, the last one in 1960 (the transport vessel Bjørgvin). The German transport vessel, Völkenburg, sunk in 1944. These two ships are very well preserved 20 meters under the surface. 

If you use the parking lot by the beach in Trubervika, it is about a 30 minute walk out to the Barrel. The last bit of the walk up to the viewpoint is pretty rough, but with a little bit of patience, you´ll make it. You´ll pass two nice beaches on the way there. We recommend visiting in fall or spring, as the insects can be annoying during the mid summer.  There are traces from the Second World War in the area, and they are well preserved. It is beautiful with all the flowers in spring time. 
On the cape where the Tønsberg Barrel there is a barrack built into a ravine, and four observation/machine gun positions built into the mountain rocks. The fairway next to the Barrel was controlled from here. There are three machine gun positions built into the steep mountain, these were used as «swallow´s nests». A gorge goes across with a bridge above it, and down in the gorge is a soldier barrack. On the side of the mountain to the west are steps carved into the wall to help the soldiers easier get to their lookout point. From this post, you can see the open sea, the Vesterøya to the right, and Torås/The World´s End to the left. This post covered the inlet between Tjøme and the mainland. This probably was an important listening and observation post, as it is located far up and on its own. It is also very hard to get there, as there are steep gorges around the cape. In the mountain side to the west, there are stairs of steel inserter into the wall. Steady shoes and some courage is needed to get to this post. If you visit a calm summers day, or a stormy day in fall, you´ll get an amazing experience and a view from one of the German posts.

Idyllic White painted wooden houses
The streets of Bjerggat and Thaulowsgata is located in the old part of Sandefjord city. A short trip to this place is recommended. Only a few minutes walk from the center will lead you to white painted wooden houses from the beginning of the 1800s. The quiet and idyllic area is one of Sandefjord´s best preserved residential areas. 

A popular health spa
There was not as much happening in Sandefjord before the place was made a health spa. There was some timber floating down from Kodal to the land, but much of the inner part of the fjord was uninhabited. But in 1837, dr. Heinrich A. Thaulow established a health spa. He had lived in the city since 1833. Short after, he discovered a sulfuric source that was used in the treatment. He also introduced the use of jellyfish. The so called thaulowsky method was a combination cure that led to the spas growth in popularity.
Even though being in the spa was a social thing, the spa was a medical institution that treated rheumatic disorders as its main focus. The cures included sulfur water by the sulfur well every morning. 
Both the royal family, prime minister and cultural personalities came to visit the spa. It was still swampy in the area, and to get from the great Swiss villa to the buildings with the small pools, you had to walk across bars to get across the swamp. Pavillions for music was built in several places to entertain the people crossing the bars on the way to their refreshment. It is believed that about 50.000 people visited the spa between 1837 to 1939. The majority of the guests were Norwegians, but Danes, Swedes, Germans, Brits, Americans, and Russians also visited. They organized direct boats from Germany past Sweden that ended up in the fjord. The spa´s reputation made the whole district a popular destination.

Rich whaling history
Already in 1850, a good amount of ships were conducting sealing and whaling in the Arctic Ocean and the coast of Finnmark. But this was a a small business; the Norwegian whaling in the north was more than employment for the people living on the west coast. But, in 1905, the pelagic whaling began; Chr. Christensen sent the first whaling expedition from Sandefjord to the Southern Ocean. In the years between 1905 and 1914, 25 whaling companies was founded in Sandefjord. The city experienced a great upturn in its economy. By the end of the 1920s, Sandefjord had a fleet of 15 factories and 90 whaling ships. When the industry was on its peak in the 1950s, the harbor was a busy place during the summer when the whole fleet was home. In addition to mechanical workshops and production companies, the whole business community earned well form the returned whalers. Over  2800 men were hired in the whaling industry in 1954. 
From mid 1950, the whaling industry was down-titrated. The whale occurrences at the Antarctic had dramatically decreased, and the conservation interests grew. A gradual transition to tankers suggested that even the industry itself knew that the whaling fairytale was coming to an end. During the 1960s the amount of expiditions to the south decreased, and the season of 1967/68 was the last for Sandefjord.
Today, the memory of this important period for the city´s history is kept alive through the whaling museum and the restored whaling ship, the «Southern Actor» at the museum´s dock.

Whaling boat museum
The whaling ship «Souther Actor» was build in 1950 by Smith´s Ltd. in Middlesbrough in England. It was used for whaling in the Southern Ocean until 1962, then it was used along the Norwegian coast and in Spain. Until 1962, it was used for whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, and then it was used for fishing along the Norwegian coast and in Spain. In 1989, the boat was discovered when it was dismantled in northern Spain, and quick action led to the old whale boat later being bought for Sandefjord later that year. By getting "Southern Actor,” Sandefjord got a whaling ship to use aspects a living museum and a tourist attraction. Thanks to grants and donations, not to mention close to 80,000 of voluteer hours conducted by former whalers, the old whaling boat with a lookout tower was excellently restored. "Southern Actor" is now part of the Whaling Museum, and it is located on a private pier museum in Sandefjord Harbour. The boat represents of the type of whale boats that were built mostly between 1945-55 and Sandefjord has been given a unique opportunity to convey important aspects of Vestfold whaling culture. "Southern Actor» is a museum and a whaling veterans iact as a crew that like to talk about "life on board." There are guided tours of the boat in the summer. If you would like to arrange a boat trip, you can rent the boat by appointment.

Midtåsen Mansion
On a hill overlooking the bay is Midtåsen Mansion in Sandefjord. This was the home of shipowner Anders Jahre and his wife Bess Jahre for many years until he died in 1982. Widow Bess continued to live there until her death in summer 2006. After her death, the property was purchased by Sandefjord, Vestfold County and The Anders Jahre Humanitarian foundation through Midtåsen AS. 
The main house of 1,200 square meters was designed by renowned architect Arnstein Arneberg in 1933. The house was finished by the end of the 1950s, after more additions. The architecture can be characterized as subdued functionalism. The house is on a hill along a terraced axis against Sandefjord. On the back of the house, you´ll ´find a stair system with sculptures, ancient oak trees and beautiful plants. The gardens comprise nearly 60 acres of parkland and beautiful scenery, and are open to the public. A unique venue for summer events. The main building and the park are protected. 
The house has been renovated and preserved as it was when the couple Anders and Bess Jahre lived there, except for the kitchen which are refurbished in modern style. The house oozes quality. The rooms are relatively small, as Jahre wanted a homely house. The Jahre offices is still kept just as it was in its day, and perhaps the most famous part of the property. It is said that he burned accounting papers in the fireplace here to withhold them from the IRS. The most impressing room at Midtåsen is Arneberg Hall, which was finished in 1960. It has held celebrity dinners, among other known people such as the Swedish tenor Jussi Björling singer, as well as Norwegian and Swedish royalty. Large tapestries from the early 1700s adorn the walls. These are so old that they cannot be dismantled and cleaned. The trailer also has a number of paintings of Anders Jahre itself, as well as art that the couple collected through time. Glass paintings tell personal stories and wallpapers are specially designed. The beautiful old porcelain in the dining room is still being used. The suites in the house is designed in different colors. Including a room on the first floor called "the Onassis Suite". The room was named after Aristotle Onassis who stayed there. In the basement you can still smell the cigar and the old port wine. The vault is also where it was originally, but now it is empty of any valuables. Part of the house is currently furnished as conference facilities, and buildings to be used for both reception rooms, seminars and concerts. 
In June 2009 Knut Steen opened the pavilion and sculpture park on Midtåsen. Here you´ll find 16 of the artist's works together. Twelve marble sculptures found inside the pavilion, while four bronze sculptures are placed around the landscape.

Wonderful midsummer celebration 

Midsummer-evening´s largest and finest boat processions. Flowers and bonfires. Waves, friends, wine and barbecue. Such evenings are pure luxury for the soul. Few places celebrate Midsummer better than the people of Sandefjord. When night hours ebb away at dawn and the preceding hours seem like a magical dream, Sandefjorders can not go to bed safe in the knowledge that the Sandefjord public holidays are coming. 

The unique Midsummer celebration in Sandefjord Midsummer Day, 24 June, was a general public holiday until 1771. Until recently, June 24th holiday has still been celebrated in some Norwegian municipalities, but now it is just Sandefjord, who cling to tradition. Larvik discontinued it as vestfold´s phenomenon 11 years ago. Since then, most municipalities in Vestfold done as Larvik, and, three years ago, Tønsberg remained closed for the last time. So now Sandefjord Municipality is the only municipality in the country where the offices are closed and employees have a free day. 

Midsummer Eve. Midsummer celebration is particularly strong in Sandefjord. June 24th is the city's birthday. Boat processions from the anniversary year 1994 on the city's 150th birthday, were recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Being free after Midsummer's Eve, the people of Sandfjord celebrate Midsummer on islets and rocks until late in the bright night hours. No wonder that there has been a baby boom around March 24 in the years after the war... 
A long-standing tradition in Sandefjord has been the spectacular boat processions starting in Sandefjord's inner harbor which sail the entire Sandefjord fjord. Almost a thousand boats sail through the fjord. Here you can see all kinds of boats, from great cruisers to self-composed contraptions. Boats are decorated with flags, flowers and birch branches with the green leaves that are quite characteristic of this time period in the late spring. If you do not have the opportunity to experience the  parade of boats from the gunwale, we recommend to watch it from
Thorøya, which is along the west side of the bay (Highway 303 towards Larvik). After Granholm watches the parade, boaters continue the party in their boats or make ashore on a beach or islet. On campgrounds and several public beaches in the archipelago, people like to grill and light a fire. In some places it is also pier dance that lasts into the wee hours. 

Culture and summer show
Sandefjord´s dense cultural program during the summer offers concerts on several stages, three movie theaters, theater, cabaret, shows and dancing. There are many and varied facilities, ranging from theater and shows in backyards to summer shows at the Park Hotel. The Fjord festival has been held in the water park in the middle
August and every year it attracts many famous and beloved performers. It feels like the entire city's population is in concert at the same time. A cultural institution, Sandefjord Jazz, organizes concerts and Jazz Café throughout the year, roughly every 14 days. Definitely worth a visit. 

From the hotel you have this view out to Oslo Fjord ..... 

The Park Spa. Here you can swim in the lovely heated saltwater pool. There is direct access from the bathing area into a relaxing garden with sun loungers and views of the bay. The Spa has a serving of lunch dishes and drinks. 

Culinary experiences 

The artwork in the environment with atmosphere 

Park is well known for food, wine and service. But we are also proud of another element of the hotel experience: art. In our environment, you can become more familiar with old and new art. Lots of artwork has been purchased for the new wing, Parkfløyen. 

Enjoyment
Enjoy the food and the ambiance of our restaurant. 

Reach out to European destinations
Sandefjord Vestfold´s communications hub, located just 10 minutes from the airport. From the airport, you can be, in a short time, out to European destinations and to Norway's main airports. 

RELAX
Take a break and enjoy life as a hotel guest. 

SPA and Wellness 

Everyone needs a little break from a busy day. The Park Spa is many opportunities to enjoy

Welcome to the hotel experiences at Scandic Park Hotel Sandefjord 

Scandic Park Hotel Sandefjord is a hotel with a special atmosphere, rich traditions and pride in the walls. The hotel was established in 1959 and has since stood as a monument in the city. The initiator of the hotel was Sandefjord´s great son and shipowner, Anders Jahre. Drawn by the renowned architect Arnstein Arnberg, the hotel was already then a gem, and the newspapers wrote that the hotel was built of gold and marble. Today, the newly renovated Scandic Park Hotel is known as one of the nation's premier hotels with modern facilities. Comfortable rooms, culinary temptations, exclusive artwork, and amazing theaters. The magnificent halls used for a variety of occasions from weddings to gala and conferences and theater. In April 2013, the park opened the new wing with 118 rooms and the hotel now has a total capacity of 350 rooms and 680 beds. The hotel is now the largest between Oslo and Bergen. 

Sandefjord has been known as a spa town for over a hundred years. At Scandic Park Hotel continues tradition of commitment to the Park Spa, which is open all summer. Here you can swim in the lovely heated saltwater pool. There is direct access from the spa into a relaxing garden with sun loungers and views of the bay. The spa has servings of lunch dishes and drinks. The fitness room is newly renovated with many new gyms. Park Spa can offer steam and dry saunas and solariums. And for many, it is tempting to take advantage of the gorgeous spa and wellness center in the hotel. 

Noble lobby and reception area 

Comfortable business
It is important for us that during your work placement, you may perform work in comfortable surroundings.

South Norway´s course and conference hotel
Rica Park is Norway´s biggest conference hotel between Oslo and Bergen. We have all kinds of facilities that will meet the expectations of everyone, from small meetings to a large congress. The hotel is perfectly made for courses, conferences, seminars, meetings and kick-offs.  Our extensive experience in this market will give you a safety, so you can concentrate about the academics, while we take care of the practical parts.

Cultural experiences
The Park Theatre´s great facilities will make a great frame for a concert or a night of entertainment.

Location
Rica Park Hotel Sandefjord has a great location, next to the Waterpark and the harbor.

Family fun
Park is a family friendly hotel. We put a lot of effort into making all generations have a good time among our facilities.

Good morning!
In addition to having beds that should be nice to wake up in, you´ll enjoy one of the country´s best hotel breakfasts.

Service in Vestfold´s most beautiful outdoor dining
What attracts people to us in summer time is with no doubt the environment, the food, and the service we offer in Parkhaven.

The library is close to the restaurant, and it´s nice if you want a little more suttle pary, or if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere.

Rica Park Hotel Sandefjord is Norway´s largest course and conference hotel between Oslo and Bergen.

Finally done for the day
I think we´ve all felt the fantastic feeling of finally being able to lock ourself in our hotel room after a long day of travelling or working. The room is tidy and pretty, everything you need to be comfortable is there. It´s time to calm down, maybe lay down in the tub and plan out the night, or not plan anything at all, just be yourself and let laziness rule the night.

Everything from national romanticism to contemporary art at the art hotel
Few hotels in Norway can offer as much art as Rica Park Hotel Sandefjord. The hotel is a piece of art itself with its special façade and its many halls and great decorations, paintings and wall hangings. The famous architect, Arnstein Arneberg drew the hotel which has a lot of art, beautiful rooms of gold and marble.

If you have yet to experience Park´s treasures of art, you should visit the hotel this summer. You´ll find unique pieces of art in basically all of the hotel´s environments. There are many treasures painted by the biggest artists throughout the times, large and majestic paintings from the times of the national romanticism to today´s temporary art decorate the hotel´s halls and rooms.

Take some time to wander among the masterpieces of Norwegian and international painters. Examples of all the beautiful art can be seen everywhere in the hotel are for example from Peder Balke, Tidemand and Gude, Christian Krogh, Mac Chagall, Anders Zorn, Jacob Weidemann, Per Krogh, Frans Widerberg, Hålen Bleken and more. There are also expensive tapestries a few places. The sculptur Knut Steens´sculptures can be seen in the wing that connects the old and new part of the hotel.

Rica Park Hotel is located right next to Sandefjord Art Assosiation, and the hotel and the art assosiaten has worked together with shows and events throughout the years.  After last years expansion of the hotel, Rica Park Hotel is now the hotel with the largest art collection in Norway.
 

ULA

Quiet spring evening in Ula. It is one of the first evenings in May and still long until summer guests begin mingling around Ula´s waterfront. The fishing boats rock, resting before the next day's dawn to join his skipper in Skagerrak.

Skagerrak. From the beaches of Ula, it is a wonderful sight right out in Skagerrak

Scandinavia swamp forests. In coastal forests along the coast of Larvik, the black alder form some of the country's richest and most major growing populations. Here, the living conditions for a vibrant life of micro-organisms and birds. The trees develop high tufts of roots, almost tropical mangroves. With reason, these instances have been given the name 'Scandinavia swamp forests. "The picture shows the jungle that separates Herfell and Ula.

Late Summer Evening in Ula.

Svaberg Paradise. The colorful rocks in Ula stand as a nice contrast to the gray sands and blue sea. Here from the largest sandy beach in Ula.

Ulabrand. At an altitude of Ula towers as the monument of Ulabrand.

Ula

Hiking in such a beautiful landscape brings tears to the eyes.  Sandy beaches more beautiful that you have ever seen before. Picturesque villas blend with the fishing harbor environment. Which fills the air with the lovely scent of lilac!

Charming Ula

Ula is probably Vestfold´s most distinctive beach, with atmosphere of an old fishing harbor.  By the harbor, there are old wooden houses from the last century preserved and cared for. Increasingly more residents have been finding their new homes out on these archipelago pearls, and vacation guests from far and wide come over land and sea to their favorite summer spot.

Ula sits just a short drive from the towns Larvik and Sandefjord. From highway 303, the drive quickly guides you down to the harbor in Ula. Once you arive in Ula,it will be difficult not to be captivated by the charming harbor. This place is by the port to Skagerrak is one of our most famous small harbors in these parts.

Ula´s great son

The place grew up on fish and the activities of marine pilots in the second half of the 1700s. Here lived the famous navigator hero Ulabrand, Anders Jacob Johansen. Over Norway, navigation history is enough for Ulabrand to become the most famed navigator of all. Ulabrand became a symbol of good seamanship and the important service navigators made or safety at sea. Ulabrand served as a navigator in Ula from 1850 until he died at sea with his son during an autumn storm in 1881 by reefs just off Rauer (archipelago of polished rocks slightly outside the entrance to Ula). The Ulabrand monument was built on Ula knoll, the old viewpoint east of the buildings in Ula and just above Ulabrand´s own little house from 1837.

The Great Beaches

In sailing times, Ula was a crucial exporter of ice blocks. Ulaseilskutetiden var Ula en viktig utskipningshavn for isblokker. Ula is still fishing, but the summer is dominated instead by a large number of cottage dwellers, campers and day visitors who are attracted by the environment, the marina and the two stunning beaches with a total sandy stretch of over 350 m. These beaches are undoubtedly the podium for the country best sandy beaches.

Recreation and Idyllic Tours

The first tourists rented themselves places here at turn of the century, and later became the first houses sold and used as summer residences. Around the harbor are cottages with rich floral gardens. The small and cozy gravel roads between summer houses allows for a quiet walk in the evening when the air has been cooler. There are many great hiking trails that run in all directions out of Ula. The paths can lead you to deep forests, and of course the orange rocks and mountain peaks above the sea where you have breathtaking views of Svenner Lighthouse and Skagerrak.

By the sandy beaches, there is a café / kiosk and outdoor seating. Here it’s so great to be so far from civilization. In the port of Ula, there is a small grocery shop which is open during the summer season.

Unique Geology

The Ula region is known for its many potholes and extraordinary delicate rock formations. Some of the finest you will find are at the inlet between the Ryggen and Foksund.

In Ula we find a particular mineral deposit; a "moonstone". The deposits of moonstone are great in Ula. The name was given by the professor and university president WC Brogger (1851-1940) because of the bluish-white color. The color is reminiscent of the light of the moon, and going by fusion of the two elements, alkali-feldspar and albite-feldspar. The formations give a special array of light. Moon Stone of Ula is called kryptoperthitt for the technical term. Mineral deposit has been regularly frequented by researchers and stone collectors since the late 1800s. Moonstone is also found elsewhere in southern Vestfold.

It is said that a moon rock is exhibited in York, England. This stone is believed to have come from Ula. The crown jewels of Denmark are said to contain a piece of moon rock from Ula. The incidence of moonstone in Ula has suffered badly under numerous geological expeditions that have made ignificant removals of this rare stone. Included, a German expedition during WW2 dug out and removed a lot of the rocks. They also took out all the crystals of the mountains of Ula. It was partly based on the many expeditions of this kind that Ula has well ensured the preservation of the whole moon stone source in 1980, later named an Ula Natural Monument.

Beautiful words about Ula

Here the sea grabs with all its variability and all the nuances in the day´s and night's light, while the rocks are just as yellow and pale pink as they want them. The sea as clean and crisp as it entices even the smaller sea lovers out in the nature. The lush vegetation on the forest floor draws nature lovers to them - she and he enjoy life.

Wild honeysuckle winds its long arms up the slopes and fills the air with fragrance. Wild apples, ditto currants and gooseberries grow just as in the Garden of Eden. The peacefulness goes around the beach house and cottages, a protected place on earth. Even on a crowded campground feels quiet.

These beautiful words are taken for the book: Ula - From the harbor to the bathing places.

KJERRINGVIK

Kjerringvik and the delightful surroundings

A narrow and winding road leads through to Kjerringvik, beach spot which is the most northeasterly and smallest of the old ports in Larvik Coast. Here in the changing nature between forests, beaches, rocky shores and mountain views, the Vestfold idyll couldn’t be more apparent. Let the rocks warm your feet, the wind dance through your hair and cool off in the clean, clear waters of some of the many swimming spots.

Idyllic Vacation

Kjerringvik is sheltered by steep hills and knolls, although the place is totally out at sea.

It’s probably not too surprising that this place was known as smuggling port in the first quarter of the 1900s. Kjerringvik is an idyllic place where old architectural building styles are mixed with the new. White, wooden houses with manicured gardens surrounded by a picket fence are a common sight in Kjerringvik. There are no restaurants or shops in Kjerringvik but a summertime kiosk has the most necessary goods. Kjerringvik is a part of the northern-most part of the Eftang peninsula and pretty close to Sandefjord, but within Larvik country lines.

Boating and Bathing

Kjerringvik has two great children-friendly beaches, Northern Harbor and Southern Harbor, located on either side of the pier out to the island of Fornet. The two sandy beaches are frequented by sun lovers. Residents of the pleasant village and visitors come often to the beaches. In addition, there are excellent places to swim from the rocks in areas outside of Kjerringvik and the islands south of the harbor.

Martaholm, the southern of the two Kjerring islands south of Kjerringvik, is a popular place to swim throughout the summer season. People come from far and wide to the islands. Both guests who own cabins in the area or are here on vacation love the place and those who take boats along the coast are welcomed to Martaholm, a lovely port with shelter from the weather. Although toilet and waste amenities are unavailable at Martaholm, but what the island lacks the facilities, it makes up in beautiful archipelago nature. Here, high cliffs plunge straight into the sea, while the center of the island is smooth and flat and goes by the name "The Dancehall". There is a wonderful grass area suitable for a camping trip, and the bay to the north has shallow beach for swimming. The beach is closed off by buoys for protection against boat traffic. Martaholm is blessed with beautiful evening sun and great fishing around the whole island.

Maritime aktivity since the 1400s

Kjerringvik has a rather long and turbulent history. Already in the 1400s, Kjerringvik was a fishing port for the surrounding farms. Under the lumber trade era the town was a famous place to anchor. Mooring rings on the rocks outside Kjerringvik are evidence of this. The first inhabitants settled here in the 1720s. There were fishermen and navigators. In the latter half of the 1700s, Kjerringvik had a shipyard, and from the 1850s to the 1950s, there was a toll station on site.

War drama in Kjerringvik

On May seventh, 1808, nine brave men from Tjølling chased English sailors at sea in Kjerringvik and rescued a vital cargo of grain from falling into enemy hands. Having sunk or captured nearly the entire Danish-Norwegian fleet at the Battle of Copenhagen, the English naval vessels formed an effective blockade around Skagerrak in order to starve Norway. They were effective enough to cause people to starve because of the shortage of grain.

The drama in Kjerringvik started when a Norwegian brig loaded with grain was discovered by the English frigates "Tartarus" and "Daphne". In an attempt to escape, they set course towards Kjerringvik. The crew then jumped ashore and ran into the woods to escape the English. From the frigates came the English, planning to claim land and take the cargo, which they assumed would be easy prey.

Kjerringvik’s chairman of coastal protection, Anders Hovland, realized early what was about to happen. Before the English had reached land, Anders Hovland managed to find eight men (7 from the coast guard and 1 navigator). They posted themselves up in the mountains by the port. When the English tried to enter the grain ship, the small defense opened fire against the English. An English officer shook mockingly with his sword against the small group of defenders, but fell just after being hit in the first skirmishes. Shortly after, enough of the Englishmen dropped to give a Norwegian lead. Then another two soldiers were hit and the English took to flight and rowed hastily back to their frigates, which sat out at sea.

Anders Hovland, who spearheaded the small force that drove back 30 soldiers under military management, was recognized and awarded with the Order of Dannebrog. In the rock wall at the pier in Kjerringvik is an inscription commemorating the event.

Loss in Kjerringvik’s waters

Martaholm, which we referred to as a bathing paradise earlier in the article, is named after a windjammer from Tjøme, "Martha," which was wrecked by Martahølet, the creek to the south, in an accident in 1875 after the rudder jammed in a powerful storm, and "Martha" was thrown into a ravine with a steep rock wall and shattered. Of the crew of ten, five perished on the ship, which was put on the water outside Rauer. The ship remained on the island for a while, but was broken down by the sea.

Another ship, "Hanna", wrecked in the same place in 1891. It encountered Rauer (a group of islands, southeast of Kjerringvik), got a leak, and the crew abandoned ship, which drifted into Martahølet. One of the crew had become entangled in the rope was taken with the ship. The remains of the two vessels still lay at the bottom.

Surrounding Delights

First and foremost, Kjerringvik and the close surrounding areas Karto, Håkavika, Svinvika, and Kjerringfjellet are great holiday and cabin paradise with a beautifully stunning location. The area is like the coastline along Eftang Peninsula - wild and beautiful with massive height differences, with its high mountain that ascends up dramatically from the white sandy beaches. The great hilly terrain alternates between woodlands through open pastures to the archipelago scenery, cliffs, and beaches.

The coastline of Eftang offers perhaps the most spectacular scenery along the coast of Vestfold. Those who have cabins in the area are well acquainted with the natural qualities here, and once you have gotten your cabin here, you’ll find quite extraordinary reasons for a cabin. The relatively pristine, idyllic nature here also provides a peaceful contrast to the teeming human life, which unfolds at campsites and beaches in the area.

Håkavika

Håkavika, located at the very north of the Eftang Peninsula and southwest of the Sandefjord fjord, and is one of the many places you can check out while driving the Eftang Peninsula. In the area around Håkavika there are numerous forest trails and wide gravel roads.

The area is a recreational area that is well protected from traffic in the Sandefjord fjord. You can find a great jetty and some mooring bolts in the bay. Both around the pier facility and in the cove are lovely beaches of golden rocks and fine-grained sand beaches. The rocks to the south are well suited for angling, and the fish bite often. If you love to pick blueberries, then the woodlands at Håkavika are pure paradise at the end of July and the first half of August.

Look out for trolls

To the west of the journey of Håkavika is the small swimming area Skjellsand with a deep bay called Fantebukta. In the area just south of Fantebukta, sits a tall and steep wooded hill. A trail snakes its way up to the top of the hill. From the top, you have a fantastic view over Eftanglandet, Sandefjord Fjord, and Skagerrak. If you continue along the path, you’ll follow the rest of the looped path back down to the starting point. Before you get that far, though, you’ll encounter a warning sign along the trail. The sign pictured with a troll tells you that there is a risk of encountering these creepy creatures. Just by the sign, the path continues into a ravine with three large stones wedged firmly between the walls of the narrow gorge. The trail is a wonderful and exciting experience for the whole family.

Svinevika

The neighboring bay, Svinevika, is just a few hundred meters south of the Fante Bay. Svinevika is a popular, beautiful sandy beach at the head of the bay. Here you’ll find shallow water and good conditions for children. The beach in Svinevika must be one of the bathing places in Vestfold with the most beautiful surroundings because it sits in the bay surrounded by hills and mountains interspersed with some trees and vacation homes here and there.

Kjerringfjell Mountain

A little south of Kjerringvik, about halfway between Ula and Kjerringvik, are the Kjerringfjellet mountains. Along the steep paved road that takes you almost to the top of Kjerringfjellet, you can choose from several roads and trails that run in many directions. If you’re looking for a place to train and work out, you’ve come to the right place. You can choose to ride your bike on bumpy trail down to the pebble beach and visit unknown gems you have all to yourself. If the goal is to pump blood, then a quick run up the steep steps in the mountain side will help with that. If you just exercise normally, a nice gravel road for both running and cycling in varied terrain and landscapes are available. Ifyou’d like a stunning 360 degree view over the Oslofjord and Vestfold, start an ascent on the steep, but paved road up to the site of the old signal station.