There are many places to travel to in this world. Everyone loves, Paris, Rome, Dublin, London, Lima, Reykjavik, and Vienna. But have you ever heard of Flåm?
Where is Flåm? At the base of the spectacular Flåmsdalen Valley situated on the most beautiful Aurlandsfjord in Norway is the small village of Flåm. Based solely on it's scenic location, it is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Europe.
How Do You Get to Flåm? That's half the fun of it all. When traveling from Bergen or Oslo by train, travelers depart at Myrdal at 2841 feet above sea level. Then, they board the famed Flåmsbana Railway for a 20-mile absolutely spectacular train ride, some people say it is the most scenic train ride in the world, to Flåm at sea level. Along the way, riders view hundreds of waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, and raging rivers. It is as exciting as it sounds.
Where Do You Stay in Flåm? There is the glorious Fretheim Hotel, situated about 200 yards from the train station, right smack on the fjord. It is everything you would want a lodge on the Norwegian fjords to be. A spectacular lobby opens up to views of the small port set in front of the fjord and the mountains rising above. We like to stay in balconied rooms overlooking it all. And every morning and evening, we are treated to a delectable Norwegian buffet with salads, soups, airy breads, veggies, fish, and meats. It is unbelievably good.
What Do You Do in Flåm? We like to spend 3 nights in Flåm. There is plenty to do. Let's start with easy hikes along the fjord and progress to other walks to waterfalls and up and down the valley. There is the celebrated Stegastein Viewpoint perched high over the fjord for far-reaching views of this beautiful land. People who like to bike but don't like to pedal can take the train back up to Myrdal, rent a bike, and coast all the way down to the fjord. And for the adventurous, there is the longest (and most scenic) zip-line from the top of the valley. The Professor has personally done the zip line twice and is looking forward to doing it again. There are fjord cruises, a quick day-trip to a Viking Village, and you can even visit Undredal, an extremely picturesque village on the fjord. Some people say this is the place where the location for the film "Frozen" was based upon. Undredal has an old Stave Church, wonderful goat cheese, and delicious foods.
How About Shopping and Restaurants? The Viking-oriented Ægir Microbrewery is always fun. The only remaining shoe factory in Norway produces penny loafers in nearby Aurland. Flåm is very small but there are nice boutique shops for buying souvenirs and wool products.
You will love Flåm! The Professor guarantees it. Join us on a small group tour to Norway and visit Flåm.