Marble Caves and the Atlantic Road: Travelling in Norway
Our excursion begins in cozy coastal town of Molde, the 'city of roses and jazz', famous worldwide for its popular annual jazz festivals. You’ll stop at the viewpoint Varden, 407 metres above sea level, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the picturesque fjord coastline of the Møre og Romsdal region and the 222 snow- clad peaks of the Romsdal Alps.
On the way to the Atlantic Road you will have the unique opportunity to visit the marble caves by raft and taste the spring water inside the caves (tour approx. 1,5 hours).
Then you will visit the traditional fishing village of Bud.
After that you will continue your journey to the famous Atlantic Road - "Norway's building of the century". This spectacular stretch of road has been named the world’s best road trip, the most beautiful bike ride in Norway, and the Norwegian engineering feat of the century. It's also one of the best places in the world to mend a broken heart, according to Lonely Planet.
You will literally drive through the Atlantic Ocean! For 8 kilometres, the famous Atlantic Road connects small coastal islands by bridges. You will have photo stops at beautiful places along the road and a short walk along the stunning coastal route.
Continue your journey to Kristiansund, the home of Norwegian dried cod. Kristiansund is spread across four idyllic islands by the edge of the open sea in northwestern Norway. And don't leave Kristiansund without tasting the city’s speciality: Bacalao, a traditional clipfish (dried and salted cod) stew made with tomatoes.
If you wish and if time permits, stop at a local restaurant on the coast for lunch or a tasting of bacalao and other local specialities.
During a short walk around the town you will see Kristiansund's church of unusual architecture, the cosy promenade and the town lighthouse with an observation deck on top.
Then visit the traditional fishing village of Bud and return to Molde with stops at the Askevågen and Hustadnese viewpoints. The viewing point at Askevågen provides opportunity for a close encounter with the Atlantic Ocean. This little point provides a 360-degree view of the ocean, the archipelago and the mountainous shore.
Bud is a charming fishing village on Norway's west coast. You can stroll down the winding streets between old houses – each with a story to tell about a rugged coastal life. Did you know that Bud was one of the largest trading posts between Bergen and Trondheim in the 16th century?
The Atlantic Road - a unique stretch of road which takes you right out to the ocean's edge, and is known to be the world's most beautiful drive. This road includes eight bridges a total of 8,274 metres that connects Averøy with the mainland.
Kristiansund is a beautiful city situated on four islands connected by bridges and ferries. Kristiansund is famous for its history of salted cod production, which was traditionally dried on rocks by the sea.
- excursion
- travelling by minibus with a guide-driver
- Rafting in the marble caves: 45 euro/person, not possible on this day. Possible on the day the ship stops in Ålesund on 1 August. If you wish, you can swap the Molde and Ålesund excursions, but the rafting from Ålesund may be very time limited (extra time on the Ålesund- Molde ferry is needed), in which case you must get off the ship immediately on arrival. Alternatively we suggest a short 45 minute climb to one of the peaks of the famous Midsundtrappa step trail in the Molde area, a section of one of the longest stone step trails in the world, laid out by Tibetan Sherpas.
We make excursions with love
