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Founded by and named after King Christian IV, KRISTIANSAND is the closest thing to a seaside resort there is in Norway - a bright, energetic place which thrives on its ferry connections with Denmark and its popular beaches. There are also two reminders of its seventeenth-century origins: the quadrant street plan that Christian IV applied to the centre, and the squat Christiansholm Fortress , overlooking the colourful marina at the east harbour, which now hosts arts and crafts displays. Several excursions are on offer, the pick being the three-and-a-half-hour cruise along the fretted coastline to Ny Hellesund , the islet site of one of four hundred coastal defences built by the Germans - or more accurately their POWs - during their occupation. The excursion is on the M/S Maarten (late June to early Aug, 4 weekly; 150kr), which departs from the quay beside Vestre Strandgate, at the foot of Tollbodgaten. Kristiansand is also home to the annual five-day Quart music festival ( www.quart.no ) at the beginning of July. Recent years have seen international names like Moby, Beck and Nick Cave headlining. For tickets, contact Billettservice (tel 815 33 133). Most concerts take place in Bendiksbukta, just outside the city, but there are also several events at clubs in the centre. Train , bus and ferry terminals are all close to each other, by the west end of Vestre Strandgate, on the edge of the town grid. The tourist office , close by at Vestre Strandgate 32 (June-Aug Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun noon-8pm; rest of year Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm), can provide a handy town map and has information on accessible beaches and islands. The rooms at the all-year youth hostel , on the edge of the centre at Skansen 8 (tel 38 02 83 10; GBP10-15/$16-24), are satisfactory, but the surroundings are a bit grim - the hostel adjoins a mini industrial estate. The Roligheden campsite (June to mid-Sept) is near the seashore, 3km east of the centre on Framnesveien: once across the bridge at the end of Dronningensgate, turn right along Marvikveien and then right again at the end of the road and the site is signposted. More upmarket is the Villa Frobusdal , also on the edge of the central grid at Frobusdalen 2 (tel 38 07 05 15; GBP25-30/$40-48). This excellent small hotel occupies an attractive old house, and the interior is packed with period furnishings and fittings.
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