Flåm, Norway, located northeast of Bergen and northwest of Oslo, sits on the edge of the world’s longest and deepest fjord, the Sognefjord, measuring 204 km long and 1308 meters deep.
The Flam Railway
The Flåmsbana, or Flam Railway, stretches through 20 km of steep terrain, past raging streams, farms, and through steep mountain passes. The journey starts from the Myrdal station in the mountains and ends in Flåm at the Aurlandfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord. A single ticket costs Adults 190 kroner** and children 4 - 15 years 95 kroner (about 15.40 USD). A round trip ticket costs 290 kroner for adults, 190 kroner for children, and families (2 adults + 2 children) 700 kroner. Trains run all year round and depart every hour in the summer, every 2.5 hours during the off season.
Things to Do
Outfitters and tour companies like the Fjord Experience http://www.fjordadventures.no/index.asp?action=other&id=74 offer kayaking, hiking, glacier walking, biking, and culinary tours featuring the best of Norwegian country cuisine and fresh local ingredients. Or, explore the area on your own by foot, car, or boat. The Fretheim Hotel rents equipment for salmon and fly fishing as well as cycling. Or, hire a cycling guide or take a fly fishing class.
The Fretheim Hotel
Flåm’s Fretheim Hotel, dating from 1870, combines Norwegian country traditions with modern Scandinavian sensibilities in architecture and culinary traditions. They pride themselves on offering Norwegian cuisine using local, organic ingredients. Spring 2007 prices start at 1095 kroner (about 177 USD) for a single room, 675** kroner (per person) for a double room, and 2190 for a junior suite. Higher rates apply for full board and half board.
** 1 Norwegian kroner = .16 USD.
Lisa Sabol-Sikorski - I am a freelance writer, editor, and copywriter living in Helsinki, Finland. My work has appeared in Agenda, an English language magazine ...
