Fun and easy way to explore Flåm. Kjell, our guide, grew up…read morein the area, and he us told lots of interesting stories.

The regular public ferry service to see the Fjaerland Fjord is only open June 1st to Sept 1st…read more Luckily this one-man owner-run boat company exists. For 1300kr($173) Lars will take two people for about 90 minutes to go anywhere you want on his highspeed RIB boat...its kinda like being a roller coaster in the water, but lasting 90 minutes instead of 90 seconds. Its cold, thrilling, can be wet, and 110% AWESOME. Yes its not cheap, but if you're traveling to Balestrand Norway, you're probably in a decent financial situation. (Note: At time of this review, the US dollar was up 50% against the Norway kroner...$1 = 7.5kr vs $1 = 5kr just a couple years ago)

And I was planning to nap (again) on the way back to Bergen from our Gudsvangen fjord tour. What a…read morepredicament. Points against a restful train ride were a dramatic valley, waterfalls, mountainsides, and tunnels including a stop at Kjosfossen with "SPOILER ALERT" a 5-minute Huldra dance by the Norwegian Ballet School This world-renowned journey through Flåm valley is a very scenic 20-kilometer (12.6-mile) Norwegian railway that runs from Flåm to Myrdal, one of the steepest railways in the world The carriages feature nostalgic wooden interiors and large windows for optimal viewing with comfortable seating and clean restrooms. It really doesn't matter which side you're seated for maximal viewpoints but a good tip would be to sit on the less occupied front cars (farthest to walk from the terminal) as one can freely move left or right for snaps. The Flåm railway is a popular attraction and it is highly recommended to book in advance online via the Flåmsbana or the Vy (Norwegian Railways) websites

A truly incredible experience. The old train is breathtaking, the stop at the waterfall is…read morebreathtaking, the scenery is breathtaking, the history is breathtaking. I have no more breath to say anymore words.

Four of us, 65+, were looking for a "taste" of kayaking the fjords. We opted for a 2-hour group…read moretour with a guide. The 1st 20 minutes were spent on safety & orientation, kayak orientation, and practice. They use 2-person sea kayaks where the person in the aft position steers the kayak using right & left foot pedals. We were joined by 5 other couples including newlyweds from China who had never kayaked before. As testament to the ease in using these kayaks this couple got up to speed quickly & did not hold the group back. Our guide "Webby" was wonderful moving among the group to help & sharing stories - historical & mythological. Very fun experience!!!

We went out on a day trip and it was beautiful! Lots of stunning waterfalls and rainbows! Our guide…read moreBess was incredible at showing us the area and making us lunch! great day!

It had all the makings of a Hollywood thriller..intrigue, mystery, possible murder, and one widow's…read moreplight for revenge... June 2018: My cousin and I had a couple hours to kill, so we drove to Vangen Church in Aurlandsvangen to visit with some old relatives...centuries old. The white stone church sits in the center of small village where you can't miss it. We parked in the large lot in front of the church, and then scouted the grounds to locate the gravesites of our ancestors. While photographing the tombstones, we noticed how beautifully and immaculately the cemetery was maintained with gorgeous flowers. We did not explore past the cemetery though, so who knows what lies beyond the grave(s)? The church was open, so we decided to take a peek inside. We were the only visitors at the time, allowing us to fully experience the old building's acoustics, squeaks and creaks, and peaceful ambiance. Influenced by thirteenth century English Gothic architecture, the interior was simple with impressively thick walls (1.3-1.6 meters), and green carpeting that echoed the lush green backdrop of the fjord church. Five original windows remain, with stained-glass windows by Emmanuel Vigeland added in a restoration in 1926. But amidst the straightforward design and decor hid a more complex fixture...a plaque commemorating a man and a mystery worthy of a Dateline episode. The plaque was created by Trine Henricksdatter in memory of her late husband, merchant Niels Michelson from Bergen. Flash back to year 1613: Niels drowned during a trade expedition, though his widow suspected foul play. He was later buried at the Vangen Church. Keith Morrison, with furrowed brow, and curled hand on chin: "Then what happened?" The angry widow included a psalm of revenge on the plaque, Psalms 109:7, along with a motif of a wailing woman. She hoped the killer would feel guilty when he came to church and saw the message. Did the suspect ever return to atone for his actions? Was Niels' demise indeed a homicide, or merely just a drowning accident? While we stood alone in the quiet church contemplating these questions, the door shuttered. We wondered if it was just the wind, or perhaps Trine, still waiting to avenge her husband's death. Overall we couldn't imagine a better place to connect with our history, and to appreciate the beauty of this impressive old church. With that, our hour had come, and we had to depart Aurland to rejoin our (live) family. .