Getting There -- Chances are, you might arrive from Frederikshavn in Denmark, since the Color Line(tel. 81-00-08-11) offers service between the two cities. The line runs one or two daily ferries, taking 8 1/2 hours. Trains, often 20 a day, pull in from Oslo and arrive at the terminus on Storgata, also the site of the bus station. The trip takes 2 hours and costs 247NOK ($38/£20) one-way. If you set out heading south from Oslo along E18, you should pull into Larvik some 2 hours later. Visit the NSB website for information.

Visitor Information -- For information, go to the Larvik Tourist Office, Storgata 48 (tel. 33-13-91-00), opposite the ferry terminal. It's open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4pm.

Getting Around -- Do as many of the locals do in summer and rent a bike from the tourist office. The Vestfold district is riddled with well-mapped-out trails for biking, stretching from one end of the province to the other end. Before setting out, purchase the map Sykkelkart Vestfold, available for 90NOK ($14/£7.40) from the tourist office.