The West Coast Fjord Country - Norway - page 311

Næroyfjord and the Aurlandsfjord. Ask at the tourist office about a summer-
only cruise from Flåm to both fjords. From Flåm by boat, you can disembark in
Gudvangen or Aurland and continue by bus. Alternatively, you can return to
Flåm by train.
There are also a number of easy walks in the Flåm district. If time is limited,
make that walk along the banks of the Aurlandsfjord, leaving the “day-trippers”
and the crass souvenirs in the center of Flåm far behind. The setting along the
shoreline supports apple orchards, little hamlets, a fisherman's cottage here and
there, and farmland where you can sometimes stop in and buy freshly picked fruit.
A map with detailed information is available from the tourist office for
50NOK ($7).
SHOPPING
One of the biggest gift shops in Norway, attracting mainly train passengers, is
Saga Souvenirs ( & 57-63-22-44 ). Here you'll find all those regional products
visitors like to haul away from Norway and take back home. There's an excellent
selection of knitwear, along with jewelry and the inevitable trolls.
WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Fretheim Hotel A gem of a hotel, this is one of the most charming of
all the fjord hotels of western Norway, with a pedigree dating from 1866. A
modern annex was added in 2002, although the original and cohesive allure of
the place remains. We'd stop over here to patronize the bar, if nothing else, as it
opens onto a panoramic vista of the fjord waters. The location is just 50m (164
ft.) from the railway station. Long renowned for its hospitality—even King Har-
ald has dropped in—it continues to maintain its high standards.
The staff is most helpful in planning fjord cruises or horseback riding in the
area. Rooms are decorated in light colors and range from small to midsize; try,
if possible, to get a unit with a balcony opening onto the fjord. All units con-
tain bathrooms with tub/shower combinations. Even if you're a nonguest, con-
sider stopping off to patronize their excellent restaurant, with salmon, of course,
being the chef 's specialty. Price ranges from 85NOK to 185NOK ($12-$26),
but the real deal is the 295NOK ($42) buffet dinner. Live music will entertain
you in the bar.
N-5743 Flåm. & 57-63-63-00. Fax [phone]. www.Fretheim-hotel.no. 138 units. 1,390NOK ($197) dou-
ble; 3,980NOK ($565) suite. Children under 6 stay free in parent's room. Rates include continental breakfast.
AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Oct 1-Apr 25. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; limited room service; laundry service/dry
cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room: TV, hair dryer, safe.
Heimly Pension At the edge of the fjord, this simple lodge was built in
the 1950s as a family-run pension. It later housed the clients of a nearby ski school.
Designed in the style of an A-frame chalet, it offers a ground-floor lounge, guest
rooms with bathrooms equipped with shower units and views over the fjord on the
two upper floors, and a separate pub and restaurant in an annex across the road.
N-5742 Flåm. & 57-63-23-00. Fax [phone]. www.heimly.no. 23 units. 690NOK-880NOK ($98-$125)
double. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Closed Dec 24-Jan 2. Amenities: Restaurant;
bar. In room: No phone.

Value

9 Geilo: Summer & Winter Fun ¡
109km (68 miles) SE of Flåm; 239km (149 miles) E of Bergen; 239km (149 miles) W of Oslo
One of Norway's best-known ski resorts is also an attractive summer resort.
Geilo lies some 792m (2,600 ft.) above sea level in the Hol mountain district.