Stridin' into Stavanger

Let's say you're visiting a country renowned for it's spectacular nature.Then someone suggests visiting one of the larger cities with a super busy port, commonly referred to as the petroleum capital. The knee-jerk response would likely be “Thanks, but no thanks”. After all, why subject yourself to the less than breath-taking spoils of industrial wastelands and urban sprawl one might associate with a place of that description? But Stavanger in southern Norway is not a book to be judged by some NY Times review. Instead, Stavanger is a cute little quaint town with typical colourful houses and cobble-stone streets. Not to mention being the gateway to some of the most accessible and popular hikes in the country.Few visitors to Stavanger are likely to wander far from the cruise ship

port. And frankly, there is little reason to. Everything is within walking distance. It's all easy. Haphazardly filling in the space between the tourist port and ferry terminals, Old (Gamle) Stavanger is the main draw of the town. The jumbled, semi-pedestrian streets weave and bob through nearly 200 18^th century houses highlighted with flower boxes, blinding pastels and more trolls than you can shake a stick at (FYI, never shake a stick at a troll. Trust me) With a plethora of shops, cafes and about a dozen 7-11s,

you don't need to worry about having to eat your own arm should you get lost in the labyrinth of side streets. Maps are pointless, and likely impede any 'exploration and discovery'. The place especially comes alive on the rare sunny day as locals and tourists alike populate the outdoors cafes with laughing and drinking (not necessarily in that order). Although hardly the most impressive old town in the world, it makes for an enjoyable couple hours of strolling.

But let's be honest. The sad fact about cute or quaint or little towns is you will struggle to fill a couple days. True, you could check out yet another church or one of the 23 museums in town, like the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. But they are hardly major highlights to any visit to the region. Instead, Stavanger gives easy access to the Lysefjord, one of the countries most beautiful Fjords. And if boat trips aren't your thing, you can sweat yourself up Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) or Kjerag hikes for some of the most awe-inspiring view points in the world.Stavanger in and of itself may not be the #1 site in the country. That said, the town is most definitely worth detouring to see. But if figuring in the proximity to the big hikes, this bumps up the towns status to an absolute must-see.