Ports
Ålesund is once again host port for The Tall Ships Races in 2015. Ålesund harboured the event for the first time in 2001, in an intimate harbour amongst beautiful fjords, mountains and islands. Consisting out of seven islands, Ålesund is a modern city. In 1904 the city, once built largely of wood, was completely burned down by a sea of flames. After a period of planning, the town was rebuilt in stone, brick, and mortar in Jugendstil.
Skarhamn, Sweden is the seat of the Tjorn Municipality, Vastra Gotaland County. Well known for its yachting activities and the Nordic Watercolor Museum (Akvarellmuseet). There is a unique quality of light on the island of Tjörn, that inspired several late 19th century painters. Its West Coast is scattered with typical fishing villages. Red-painted boat sheds stand in rows along the port, and labyrinthine streets wind between the tightly-packed white houses.