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It may be the smallest county (albeit one of the most densely populated), but Vestfold offers a little bit of everything: along the coast, the dramatic contrast of bare rock faces and serene stretches of beach; inland, the timeless beauty of rivers, lakes and deep forest.

The county claims to have the sunniest summers in Norway; and a sunny evening in and around the skerries is a magical experience: smooth, sun-kissed seaside rocks bathe in the golden glow of the evening light, while the silky-smooth sea and summer breeze caress your skin. On the fjord there is a guest

harbour in virtually every town, each a miniature boating paradise in the shelter of the skerries. Vestfold is also an Eldorado for golfers, with 18-hole courses at Stokke, Horten and Larvik, and smaller courses at Tjøme and Hof.

The county also boasts a rich selection of historical treasures from primeval to Viking times, offering visitors an insight into the very heart of the Norwegian culture.

Highlights include an unusual geological phenomenon known as Rået ("the Moraine"), which leads to a magnificent Iron Age burial ground at Mølen. The Borrehaugene, near Borre Church (Horten), comprise one of the most important royal grave sites in northern Europe. Viking ships and other artefacts abound: look out for Gokstadhaugen, the Oseberghaugen burial mound, and especially Kaupang, near Larvik, where the Vikings established the first town in Norway and archaeologists have found footprints over a thousand years old.

Tranquil journey
A national cycle path winds through the beautiful coastal landscape from Horten to Helgeroa, joining the "Experience Path" (Opplevelsesveien) in Lågendalen. Equally inviting is a tranquil journey along the beautiful Numedal Route, where the scent of seaweed mingles with the fragrance of fertile meadows, and some of the best salmon fishing in Norway is to be had in the Numedalslågen river. Either route is perfect for a family holiday. The cycling season in Vestfold extends from April to the end of September.

In Tønsberg, on the impressive Slottsfjellet (Castle Hill), "Castrum Tunsbergis" is Norway's largest medieval castle, complete with ring walls, watch towers, and a great hall. Tønsberg is Vestfold's county town and commercial hub; it is also Norway's oldest town, celebrating its 1140th birthday in 2011. A commercial and shipping centre since the Viking age, Tønsberg shares with nearby Sandefjord a colourful and prosperous whaling past. The town is home to Vestfold County Museum, with sections on archaeology, seafaring, whaling and local culture, including a rural museum with 13 buildings, a Viking Hall, the thousand-year-old old Klåstad ship – and the world's largest blue whale skeleton, 27 metres long.

City of islands
Sandefjord is known for its beautiful coastline and profusion of small, flowery islands, soft sandy beaches and sheltered coves; there are no fewer than 16 islands within the city limits. Tiny bays and inlets are ideal overnight havens for boating enthusiasts, who often find themselves tempted to linger, if only for the beaches teeming with life during the long summer days.

The Whaling Museum at Sandefjord, the only one of its kind in Europe, houses exhibits of the animal and bird life from the Arctic and Antarctic, the main attraction being a full size model of a blue whale. The main exhibition focuses on the history of whaling through the years and in different cultures, including traditional Inuit whaling and the American industry that inspired the classic Moby Dick.

Larvik, birthplace of the celebrated anthropologist and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, is an attractive port which also offers a fine maritime museum. The town of Horten is also noted for its museums, while the charming resort of Holmestrand is often said to have the prettiest waterfront in the county.