Flam: The little paradise in between steep mountains

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Flam, meaning “little place with steep mountains,” is a name that couldn’t be more apt to describe this seemingly children storybook-ripped place. With its mountains glistening in winter snow and blooming in the spring season, winding waterscape of rivers and waterfalls, lush meadows with farms dating far back in history, and together with all its in-between, Flam – simply put – is a salve for anyone looking for a break.

LOCATION

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This little village of less than a thousand population is cradled by one of Sognefjord’s arms, Aurlandsfjord. Surrounded by other scenic points such as Myrdal in the southeast in Ulvik in the south, Flam offers a lot of activities that go to-and-from in this place.

Also, another part of the benefits of its location are its nearness to Sognefjord’s another offshoot, Naeroyfjord. Since Flam is situated in the western coast of Norway, it belongs to the long line of scenic railway called Flamsbana.

CLIMATE

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You can visit Flam anytime of the year; yet there is a notable influx of visitors from summer to fall where it’s evident on the number of cruise ships squeezing on its fjords during these seasons.

However, the other seasons have their own appeal as well, especially the winter time, which is famous for adding more drama to the landscape of Flam. If you plan on visiting during the winter, be sure to pack your activities according to the hours of daylight, which is noticeably shorter.

TRANSPORTATON

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Flam is surrounded with scenic points; the two major ones are the cities of Oslo and Bergen. These cities, both with their own international airports, serves as the landing point of Flam visitors as well.

From these cities, there is a famous railway called Flamsbana, which transports tourists to-and-from Flam in a scenic ride. From May to October, the railway goes on around eight to ten times a day and is cut off in half during winter season.

On the other hand, you can aboard ferries as well in going to Flam. Being the country’s fourth largest cruise port, ferries transfer thousands of Flam visitors from May to September.

Getting around Flam is mostly by foot since the distances of the destinations around Flam are all within walking distance.

You can also bicycle your way around or rent a car.

ATTRACTION

Flam Railway

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This twisting and tunneling scenic drive puts Norway in a nutshell. From Flam to Myrdal and back, this one-hour ride will let you see the staple of the Norwegian landscape. It goes up to 3000 feet and goes down entering 20 tunnels.

Along the ride, you will see waterfalls, rivers, and valleys, all of which you have the opportunity to stop and take a picture of. For an additional adventure, some visitors bring bikes and disembark in Myrdal for their cycling routes. Some also stop in Myrdal for a hike and then go back five hours after riding again the Flamsbana.

Most of the visitors, after the Flam Railway activity, go to the Flam Railway Museum and Documentation Center to see one of the world’s most celebrated impressive railway construction. This is free for all visitors.

Fjord Safari

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The fjord safari offered by different guided tours will give you an opportunity to experience the fjords closely. The narrowest ford in Europe, Naeroyfjord, can be seen here as well as the Aurlandsfjord, which are both tributary of the famous Sognefjord, surrounded by 6,000 feet of looming steep cliffs and thundering waterfalls, the fjord safari is one of the must-do in visiting Flam. Together with scenery, there is also the wildlife to be seen. The most common fauna here are porpoises, seals, and eagles.

For anyone who wants a more intimate experience of the fjord together with its wildlife, you can sign up for a kayaking activity.

Otternes Farm Museum

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Otternes Farm Museum is a celebrated destination in Flam. It is considered a “living museum” due to the activities you can do here. Dating as far back as the 16th century, the cook-houses, barn, farmhouse, storehouse are all well preserved that they are used to demonstrate the old domestic chores of people such as yarn dying and traditional food making. You will also see here during the summer a number of domestic animals like goats, rabbits and sheep.

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Images:
(1.) http://i.imgur.com/lr411cV.jpg
(2.) http://nordicventures.com/wpError! Hyperlink reference not valid.-content/uploads/2015/02/norway-map1.jpg
(3.) http://fjordtravel.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Aurlandsfjord-Photocredit-EA-VikeslandFlamUtvikling.jpg
(4.) http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/files/2012/05/Flamsbana.jpg
(5.) http://www.fjordtours.com/sitefiles/1/img/highlights/tre26.jpg
(6.) http://fjordtravel.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Sognefjord-Photocredit-Morten-RakkeVisitFlam.jpg
(7.) http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/50/2006_05_14_Otternes_014.jpg