As we continued to cruise north along the Norwegian coast towards Flåm the days got longer until it was never dark outside. The sun did dip just below the horizon for a few hours in the middle of the night, but it remained dusk. For a moment I wished that we had an interior cabin so we could have darkness overnight. However, I quickly got over it as I stared at the stunning coastline taking us to Flam.
Flåm is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the world, and now we know why. On our way, we had a full day at sea and woke up on the third morning to exquisite views out the cabin window. It wasn’t until we went out on deck that the massive beauty took my breath away.
We typically do our own thing in cruise ports. Not today, not in Flam. There is too much to see, too little time, and an excursion that goes exactly where we want to go. Our excursion included a coach trip up the fjords with a stop at Tvindefossen waterfall (the fountain of youth) and two trains down, including the world famous Flam railroad. Interesting local guides joined us along the way, and they were all great – the crew from the MSC Opera are another story.
Our group was allocated a train car, and to our surprise the crew from our ship hopped on first, grabbing the best window seats for themselves. By the time we boarded, one of the crew members, who was sitting with his mate actually told my girls they had to sit with strangers as there were no more seats together. Makes you roll your eyes and wonder if MSC offers any customer service training to its staff.
Don’t worry, you know we got it fixed, and it didn’t spoil our day. Here are a few of my photos of this magnificent area of Norway that they call Flåm, none do this place justice:
Flåm, Norway and the Ride to Voss
The Fountain of Youth
The fountain of youth – myth or reality? According to folklore and our extremely youthful looking Norwegian guide, Tvindefossen Falls is it. Located somewhere between Flam and Voss in Norway, we stopped, climbed and drank, using our hands to cup the water. Did it work? Maybe yes, maybe it’s just silly, but either way, it was one impressive waterfall.
A better-known legend regarding the fountain of youth gained popularity in the 16th century. It is said that the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, first Governor of Puerto Rico, was searching in 1513 (in the area that is now Florida) for a fountain that could restore youth to anyone. Is this another myth, or reality? Either way, he never found it. Maybe that’s because he should have been looking in Norway.
Voss Norway and the Flamsbana Train back to Flam
The Myth of Huldra
Can you see the “Huldra” in orange on the lower ledge – she is a mythical creature that attacks men to either kill them or make them do work. You can identify her as she has a cow’s tail under her dress.
Practical Information on Flam Norway:
- Flam was our first of three ports in the Norweigan fjords. It was the northernmost fjord we visited, followed by Bergen and Stavanger.
- Our cruise originated in Southampton, England. While I am not a big fan of MSC, I believe cruising in the best way to see the fjords.
- Norway is expensive. If you are planning to stay overnight, check Booking.com for the best prices.
Giant’s Causeway Coastal Route: Rock Features, Rope Bridge, Ruins
Rajlakshmi
look at that waterfall!!1 it’s marvelous… the last capture is stunning
Rhonda Albom
It’s even better live. The sound is so loud it really adds to the majesty.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
Those are beautiful falls. I like how it just keeps splitting into smaller falls as it makes its way down. I think I’d drink from these falls but my hubby would be convinced he’d get some sort of illness from it. I would love to visit Norway sometime.
Rhonda Albom
Funny thing is we never gave illness a thought. It turned out ok for us.
Nita
Wow, those waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking. hmmmm…. maybe a trip to Norway is in order…. 😀
Rhonda Albom
Norway is pretty spectacular, and really expensive. We were glad we cruised there.
T. A. Miles
That last photo is just stunning. So majestic! Wonderful capture of nature with a fantastic sense of scale.
Sharon Himsl
And you could get so close, too. That last shot is incredible! Missed this in 2008 when visiting Norway.
Somber Scribbler
Gorgeous photos! I’ve always wanted to see Norway. This makes me want to go even more. Thanks for sharing, Happy A-Z!
L. Diane Wolfe
Both falls are gorgeous. I would’ve been there for hours taking photos.
sandy
WOW…what a waterfall sounds like it took some doing to get there. Perhaps you’re not old enough to know if the water worked, lol.
[email protected]
What a fabulous waterfall. I’d definitely be drinking gallons of water just in case it does work!
Shine Kapoor
Beautiful pictures of Norway 🙂
I would like to visit the country some day…
Jemima Pett
My answers are no, yes, no and yes! I wonder why I haven’t been to Norway yet?
Mstraveltipsy
Beautiful pictures! There are so many places in Norway I haven’t seen yet, and I live here!!!!??? The best way of getting tips for your Norway holiday (even as a Norwegian) is to read what other tourists say, especially read what bloggers say. You get some great tips from travelling books but people who write about their travels see it in a different way 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hilary
Hi Rhonda .. incredible waterfalls – especially the 2nd one with that mass of water pouring over .. I’d love to visit Scandinavia sometime .. you wouldn’t want to wait to drink from the Fountain of Youth would you .. sadly I think my youth as wandered off! Beautiful shots .. cheers Hilary
ServicefromHeart
Thanks Rhonda Albom! Love your photos & travel insiprations. I have been to Bergen once. Hopefully in the future, we will also travel to other parts of Norway, including Tvindefossen Fall – to drink the fountain of youth water, with our baby Ren. Do you have favorite destinations for traveling with toddlers / young children to recommend?
Best wishes
ServicefromHeart.blogspot.com
#AtoZChallenge 2014 participant
Rhonda Albom
Bergen is a beautiful city. It’s been a long time since my girls were toddlers and I think they liked anywhere that allowed them to be kids. Before they reached the age of five I think we only traveled in North America, Caribbean, and the South Pacific. My favorites with Toddlers – city: Toronto; tourist destination: Legoland near San Diego; and resort Island: Fiji. We traveled and moved to New Zealand when they were 3 and 5 and they have always loved it here.
Eli
Aaaaaa – Rhonda – you made my day today !! Taking me back home to my motherland:-) Of course I loved every single word of your post and the pictures are so great (see u were lucky with the weather too, thats awesome..:-) See you have a post on my hometown Bergen too – will pop over to that one…
PS: The fountain of youth – OF COURSE it works – Of course!!:-) 🙂 He he
Chris
More amazing pictures! I’m so jealous that you went to Norway. I’ve never been, but my best friend and in-laws have (for very different reasons). Drinking from the Fountain of Youth is something that I’d probably scoff at from home, like “I’m not going to climb a mountain just to drink a handful of water.” But then I’d get there and see everyone else doing it and think ‘I’m sooo going up there!” When in Rome, ya know? 🙂
Erica
Impressive waterfalls. Let me know if it works and I’ll be buying a ticket to Norway.
Erica
Brisbane Australia
Rhonda Albom
It’s far from Brisbane, I know because Brisbane was our first stop on the way. Of course we went the long way, taking about 3 months before we got to Norway.
corinne
I’m going there! I need a little youthful elixir!
Barbara Radisavljevic
All this time I thought the Fountain of Youth was in Florida! I would have enjoyed seeing the falls, but don’t know if I would have made that climb. It’s beautiful, but knowing me I would have slipped and broken my neck.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – My mother-in-law lives in Florida. We have been many times, I can’t believe I didn’t know they claim to have the Fountain of Youth. I will have to drink from there too. Just in case it’s the correct one 🙂
Lynda Dietz
That’s gorgeous. I would want to drink from it just because it sounds like it would be cool to drink from a waterfall.
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey
Now that is what I call a waterfall!!!!! Woweeeeeee!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Wow, those are some impressive falls!
If your kids never grow up, you’ll know it worked.
Sarah
Probably :). Awesome pictures mum!
Donald Alenby
I agree, Norway is lovely. Cheers for sharing with us your web page.
Russell Porter
Your photos of the Fjords are beautiful.
Arline
You are lucky you saw the fiords during sunshine!! All we saw was drizzle. Yes, they sure are beautiful.
Rhonda
I’ll bet they were still beautiful 🙂
Tony Payne
Wow this looks amazing, I would love to go there one day. Be sure to give a thorough rating of MSC and their crew, I am sure you will. Having spent all that money passengers deserve better.
Rhonda
LOL – the comment form left only three small lines for comments and I had to write about the safety issues we had at the beginning. It was all a shocker, but it was really cheap – I guess you get what you pay for 🙂 As for the excursion, the staff was shamed into getting up and giving the girls the seats, so in the end it all worked out ok.
Jenny
Wow, what an experience. The fjords are breathtakingly beautiful.
Happy travels.
Rhonda
Have you been here Jenny? It is so spectacular, there are not words for it.
Lynne
Stunning! Just beautiful
Rhonda
It is even better in person. Hope you get there some day.
Lisa
Wow. I want to go. Photos never really do landscapes justice, so I’m sure it’s even more beautiful in real life. Looks gorgeous all the same.
Rhonda
I hope you get there some day. It was so lovely.
stevebethere
Your right it is beautiful there the name of that train FLAMSBANA always makes me laugh 🙂
Rhonda
LOL – me too 🙂 (Laughing at the train name)
Joyce
That is some beautiful country side.
Rhonda
It was amazing. Plus to get to Flam, which is deep in a fjord, the ship traveled for seven hours where we had spectacular views. It was mostly overnight, but this time of year in that part of Norway, it is never dark. Gotta love midnight sun.
Comedy Plus
Wow, it’s beautiful indeed. I’d love to visit there someday and we probably will too.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
Rhonda
Oh, I hope you do. It really is so much more spectacular than these pictures can depict.