Flåm, Norway – Heaven on Earth

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Happy Friday! Are you ready to be whisked away to a relaxing vacation spot? Have you been to Norway? Handsome Guy is our vacation planner and he researched our vacation destination this year (after our trip to England.)  Norway came up as one of the 10 most beautiful place on earth.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

It’s a country that has beautiful blue-green fjords (pronounced feeyord.) Fjord means a long narrow arm of the sea bordered by steep cliffs usually formed by glacial erosion. The fjords are sliced by steep mountains that go as deep into the water as they do high into the sky (sometimes a mile high.)

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

The fjords in Norway have a distinctive blue green color and are comprised of fresh water from the waterfalls and salt water from the sea.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Hiking is a big past time in Norway. And for good reason, vistas from atop the mountains yield valleys dotted by vibrant colored homes.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

I’d love to take you along on our journey to Flåm, Norway (pronounced Flum.) Flåm literally means, “”little place between steep mountains.” I guarantee you won’t want to leave, it is like living in a postcard. Put on your hiking boots and follow me…

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Travel to Flåm can be attained by car, train or boat. We chose the later, and enjoyed a five hour cruise past little towns and ports.

port_along_fiord

town_along_fiord

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

We stayed at the Flåm Marina, where they have a restaurant (that makes THE BEST CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKES) and a dock that are situated smack dab at the end of Norway’s longest fjord, Sognefjord.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl


Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

We took a hike one day to a waterfall that we had seen in the distance. The hike was rated moderate, which in the US would most likely be considered Extreme! But, our boys were troopers and did fabulous as we scrambled up and over rocks and steep terrain to see the fabulous waterfall.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

By far, I think I enjoyed the scenery around every turn through the little sleepy town. I ended up lagging behind taking hundreds of pictures.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

This gorgeous cottage had me in love at first sight of her gabled roofline. It took all my restraint not to go knock on the door and ask if I could move in!

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

The residence even has a little grassy-roofed log cabin on site. I’m weak in the knees just thinking about it.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

And with a view like this out their front door, how could you ever move?

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

During the summer in Norway, it never gets completely dark. One night I was up until midnight and went for an evening stroll. I captured these photos with my iPhone, so you can imagine how much detail is missing!

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

The next evening I woke up at 4am to capture the sunrise. Yes, I said 4am. At night the Sognefiord is like glass after all the cruise ships and water traffic have left. This lone duck cut a beautiful pattern across the water.

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

There is only one downside to staying in this little picturesque town. During the day one or two of these big behemoths anchors in town and thousands of tourists take over.

QE2_cruise_ship

But, everyday at 6pm the giant cruise ship blows its horn and the tourists make their way back on board and the ship sets sail. Then you are left to a quiet evening with the sound of gulls and birds finding dinner.

sognefjord

After a week of breathing in the fresh air, the sights and sounds of Flåm, we headed out via the train that winds through some amazing countryside:

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

side_of_train

town-from-train

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Flam, Norway - Heaven on Earth by Pretty Handy Girl

Did I lie? Wasn’t that one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever been to? Norway is truly a beautiful country, it’s a slice of Heaven on Earth. I can’t wait to go back one day (hopefully sooner rather than later.)

PHGFancySignP.s. Want to tour some other destinations from our European vacation? Check out my visit to a beautiful home in Ilkley, UKKeswick in the Lake District of England and the Portobello Market in Notting Hill.

5 replies
  1. Hannah
    Hannah says:

    I’m convinced Norway is just one big Disney exhibit : ) otherwise how could they have those exquisite little red houses and that perfect scenery. It is indeed a beautiful place. What month did you go and did you stay in a B&B?

    I love all your photos. I would frame every single one of them and hang them on my wall! Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Reply
  2. Laurie
    Laurie says:

    Beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit Norway. My family has deep ancestral roots in Norway. Your pictures make it look so enchanting that I won’t rest until I get to visit!

    Reply
  3. seansmom
    seansmom says:

    If you ever get “lonesome” for Norway, you’ll have to come and visit us. Decorah was “invaded” by the Norwegians in the 1880’s and is home to the largest Norwegian/American museum in the United States… “Vesterheim”. Our town has close ties to Norway, and two years ago, King Harold even came to visit us!!

    Reply

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