Flåm Railway Norway – the most scenic and beautiful train rides in the world

Flåm Railway Norway – the most scenic and beautiful train rides in the world

by Wen Norway

The Flam Railway

We did a round trip from Flam to Myrdal. Every tourism website told people to go to Flam and take the train to Myrdal when staying in Norway so we did! The train journey took about an hour in each direction and included tons of impressive views of the valley and waterfalls.

Brief stop at Kjosfossen waterfall for breath taking view of waterfalls. We had the opportunity to get off the train and spend some time at the foot of this amazing waterfall. While looking up, some music began and then a woman dressed in red appeared dancing, further up next to the top of the waterfall. It was such a great surprise!



We chose the right hand side which had the more scenic views and for the return journey the waterfall was on the other side.

From the windows the scenery was breathtaking! Lots of little farms dotted about along the way.

Fretheim Hotel

After a great trip on the Flam railway the hotel was just a few steps away. Flam was a small town, everything was central to square where the station and marina were located.

Dinner
We had the buffet dinner. There were plenty of local seafood and even had Mink whale meat.

Breakfast
The breakfast buffet was large and of excellent quality with many local ingredients.

Norway’s Top Attractions: Geirangerfjord & Trollstigen

Norway’s Top Attractions: Geirangerfjord & Trollstigen

by Wen Norway

We had an amazing and unforgettable road trip throughout Norway. This was definitely the place to fall in love with the country. In this trip we have visited 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Borgund Stave Church, Bryggen, and Geirangerfjord). We drove from Ålesund to Trollstigen and then to Geirangerfjord in a day. The scenery was outstanding and I was so pleased to have experienced it. We literally stopped every 10 meters taking amazing photos!

Aksla Utsiktspunkt in Ålesund

The view from the top of Aksla mountain is fantastic! You can see the harbor, the city, and surrounding islands. We drove up to the top. If you have time, it’s 418 steps up.

Trollstigen (the “Troll Ladder”)

This is one of Norway’s National Tourist Roads. The road twists through 11 hairpin bends as it climbs up to 858 meters above sea level. The road is closed in the winter and opens in late May or June. Definitely a must-see while in Norway!
Sunrise ~4:02am
Sunset ~10:54pm

The view of the waterfalls from the zigzag road are spectacular.

The visitor center is well done. The cement walkways is very modernistic provide you with easy access to lookout points with incredible views.

When I saw pictures of the Trollstigen viewing platform, I knew this place would be a great part of our Scandinavian road trip. The views from up high offering an amazing view point on the opposite cliff road. Jaw dropping views everywhere!

UNESCO Heritage Geirangerfjord

It was one of the two fjords that are UNESCO World Heritage Natural Sites. We took a 1.5 hour ferry around the fjord (May to Sept. only). While it was still cold during May, we tried as much as we could to stay outside on the deck so we could fully appreciate the fjord.

You can take a ferry along the fjord and enjoy the massive landscape towering on either side. Ferry took about an hour and half.

The view of the fjords is definitely breathtaking. Highlight for most is the “Seven sisters Waterfall”.

Driving to Olden

We saw Glacier!

Bunnpris, Olden (Airbnb)

We stayed in an modern apartment with a breathtaking view over the river. The location from the front was not so attractive as it was part of a supermarket shopping complex. But it was right at a glacial river with awesome views of the mountains!


Great day to start with a homemade breakfast!

Hurtigruten Cruise | Norwegian Fjords

Hurtigruten Cruise | Norwegian Fjords

by Wen Norway

Trondheim to Ålesund

We took the Hurtigruten boat from Trondheim to Ålesund. The staff were thoroughly professional and friendly. The scenery was beautiful (if the weather is good) but there was not much to do on board. I would recommend this cruise as a good short experience.

There are several lounges with comfortable seats and nice view.

The cabin (inside cabin with window) is clean and comfortable; there is a bathroom with shower and toilet.

Dinner

We enjoyed great food and quite stunning views of fjords and mountains. The staff are accommodating: if you have special dietary requirements they will go out of their way to help you.

Trondheim, Norway

Trondheim, Norway

by Wen Sweden

Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city. We flew with SAS Airlines from Oslo to Trondheim then took a bus to the hotel. The view was beautiful. Got to the hotel around 9pm. It was still bright outside. Our plan was to stay in Trondheim for one night and taking the scenic Hurtigruten coastal cruise to Ålesund next day morning.

Old Town Bridge

A must do in Trondheim is a visit to the city’s old port area at the mouth of the Nidelv River. There are a lot of colorful old wooden warehouses built on piles above the water. The best view of these stunning buildings is from the bridge.

Restaurant Nidelven

Better come hungry to the Norwegian breakfast table! The title “Best Breakfast in Norway” is well deserved. We chose to stay at Scandic Nidelven Hotel simply because of the breakfast. 🙂

There are a lot of choices. Cheese, salami, smoked salmon, tomato mackerel, home made liver pate, freshly made omelet, Cereals, freshly baked bread & pastries, yogurt, smoothies, juices, pancakes, etc. Don’t forget to try their brunost (brown cheese).

Definitely overfed myself again…

Oslo, Norway

Oslo, Norway

by Wen Norway

Vigeland Sculpture Park

We had exceptionally good weather while in Oslo. We were actually here looking for the ‘Angry Baby’ and found out this place was very interesting. The sculptures were excellent and took you through the human emotions of life from birth through death.

Viking Ship Museum

We took the ferry over to Bygdoy (about 15 minutes). The Viking Museum was easily accessible via the ferry boat on the city waterside, with just a short walk to the museum from the docking point on the other side of the bay.

The Viking Ship Museum contained 3 ancient Viking ships over 1100 yrs old along with multiple artifacts found with them. Only place where you can see a real viking ship from the 900s. The museum was not big, which made it very manageable.

The Norwegian Folkesmuseum

We walked about 5 minutes from the Viking Ship museum to the Norwegian Folk Museum. The museum was an outdoor collection of historic buildings and villages. It showed how Norwegians used to live from medieval times until quite recently.

Really interesting and well presented collection that gave a sense of life in rural Norway through the years. Don’t miss the awesome Stave Church.


The Royal Palace

Beautiful palace and grounds. Changing of the guard takes place at 1:30 every afternoon. There is no gender requirement for being a guard.

The mounted guards lead a parade of marching guards and a full band up the Karl Johans Gate from Akershus Fortress to the palace. Once they reach the front of the palace, they perform a little concert and go through their military routine.

One of the guards passed out. Amazing how they can stay so official looking despite the sun beaming down and dozens of people taking photos of their every move.

The weather was beautiful when we visited. Lots of people were basking in the sun.

National Museum

We wanted to see Edvard Munch ‘The Scream’. If you are a Munch fan, you are in for a treat as a lot of his works are here. The Scream is obviously a hugely famous work of art and it was great to see it up close.

Fuji Five Lakes

Fuji Five Lakes

by Wen Japan

Lake Kawaguchiko 河口湖

Kawaguchiko is a great base to explore the surrounding five lakes areas. The best approach is to rent a bike. We arrived late in the day to Kawaguchiko so we only had time to catch the sunset which was very nice too.

Shuhoukaku Kogetsu 秀峰閣湖月

The hotel was in a perfect location for viewing Mt. Fuji. It is right next to Lake Kawaguchiko and on clear days you can see Mount Fuji from your room.

You can see Mount Fuji directly from the room.

Kawaguchiko Winter Fireworks
The highlight of our stay was the fireworks display over the mountain.

Dinner
Traditional Kaiseki meal



Good morning Mount Fuji!
The view from the room was breathtaking. Even when Mt. Fuji was not visible, the lake and the hills were really beautiful.

Breakfast
I love Japanese style breakfast buffet! I often end up stuff myself with too much food…self control is needed!

Too bad Mount Fuji was covered by cloud right before we left the hotel.

Au Crocodile

Au Crocodile

by Wen France

We went to Au Crocodile for Christmas Eve dinner. Good location in the center of Strasbourg ( the restaurant is located on a pedestrian only street). This is one of the two best known restaurants of Strasbourg. Since lots restaurants closed during the Christmas holidays season, we came prepared. We made reservations several weeks in advance and were seated at a nice table in the main dining room with a beautiful Christmas tree in the center.  When we entered the restaurant, the first impressions were great! Fine modern French decor with great paintings and carpet. The place is a refined mix of traditional and contemporary elegance. Unlike other popular restaurants, Au Crocodile has plenty of space per table. The tasting menu for Christmas was delicious throughout and beautifully presented. When the amuse bouché started to arrive, they were all beautifully balanced in texture taste and delightful to look at. The waiting staff explained every dish including where the ingredients were sourced. I was instantly inspired by the creative and colorful food coming out from the amazing kitchen. The chef successfully created delicious elaborations of the traditional Alsatian cuisine through highly innovative and the flavor combinations and effort in each course was phenomenal. We speak no French but were looked after so well by the staff. The service was formal and flawless. The staff went out of their way to make use feel special from the moment we arrived until the moment we departed. They somehow managed to do it in a professional, friendly, warm, and welcoming way. What a fantastic Christmas dinner!  I highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to coming back. 🙂

Bread & Butter

Amuse Bouche

Ballottine de caille et foie gras

The first official course was foie gras. The foie gras was grated on top to create four gras snow, since it's Christmastime.

Lotte confite, Petits legumes au Caviar Imperial, Coulis de Crustaces

Noisette de cerf dorée, Sauce a l'infusion de feve de Tonka, Mousseline de Celeri et Poire pochee aux Airelles

Next came a fish course. This was poached with hazelnut, Tonka bean infusion sauce, celery and pears with cranberries. It was perfectly cooked!

Brie de Meaux aux Morilles et Marjolaine

Boule de neige aux saveurs Exotique Coco

Strasbourg Christmas Market

Strasbourg Christmas Market

by Wen Christmas Market France

Strasbourg Christmas Market in Alsace

Alsace is well known for it’s beautiful Christmas Markets. The Strasbourg Christmas Market is the oldest Christmas market in France. Way back in 1570 at Place Broglie. The Christmas Market takes place every year around the end of November to the end of December. The best way to avoid crowds is to come on weekdays in the first half of December. The last week before Christmas is when you’ll see the biggest crowds.

To visit the entire market requires a lot of walking. The entire city center is ornately decorated. You will find Christmas lights illuminate every street. I just can’t stop taking pictures everywhere I go! This is just winter-wonderland overload.

Christmas Tree in Place Kleber

The Strasbourg Christmas market is very widespread throughout the public squares of the central island. The best attraction would be the large Christmas tree in the town square (Place Kléber). Place Kléber is the largest open square in Strasbourg. It is full of historic buildings and fine architecture.

We walked by Place Kléber numerous times during our 2 night stay in Strasbourg. The tree was decorated with blinking lights and stars. The surrounding buildings with lighting looked spectacular too. It is beautiful in the evening when all the lights are on. Spectacular at night for photos.

Strasbourg-Christmas-Market

The Carré d’Or Market

The Carré d’Or Market is located in Place du Temple-Neuf.

Very Festive Atmosphere

This city has been running Christmas market since the 16th century. There are around 11 markets (called Christkindelsmärik) with 300 stalls today.

It’s worth spending time walking around the streets and the market during the day to see all of the decorations, and then again at night for the lights.

Nearly every shop and building is excessively decorated with a theme for the holidays.

The main markets are at:

  • Place de la Cathédrale
  • Place Kléber
  • Place Gutenberg
  • Place Broglie
  • Place du Château

There are six smaller ones at:

  • Place du Marché aux Poisson
  • Place du Temple Neuf
  • Place Saint Thomas
  • Place des Meuniers
  • Place Benjamin-Zix
  • Place Grimmeissen

Batorama Boat Tour

This is the most delightful way of viewing Strasbourg. The views from the canals are great. Each seat has its own personal headset for the audio tour and you can select your language.

Discover Strasbourg on a boat trip

Petite France, Strasbourg

1741, Strasbourg

1741, Strasbourg

by Wen France

1741

We dined at 1741 just a few days before Christmas. It was directly opposite the Palais Rohan. From the outside it was beautiful decorated for Christmas, inside we were seated on the top floor in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Our table for two felt very spacious and private. Their staff were very friendly and professional. Since we don’t speak French and all the staff were trying their best to explain the dishes to us in English. I loved every single dish, they were so refined and elegant. Every course was truly delicious. I’d love to come back to 1741 on my next visit to Strasbourg.

Bread

Foie Gras from Lucien Doriath Farm

Black Truffel Tuber Melanosporum.

Royal Langoustine

Quenelle and consomme.

Char fish from Heimbach spring

Herbs butter and Mushroom puree.

Egg cooked at 64

Salmon like gravlax and dill

Chocolate and Pear

Chocolate form and Pear Ice

Petit Four

Colmar Christmas Market

Colmar Christmas Market

by Wen Christmas Market

The city feels like it was pulled straight from the 16th century. The fairy-tale setting of the old town is even more magical at Christmas. The whole town is decorated like in a dream. The old town of Colmar hosts 5 magical Christmas markets with a variety of food , trinkets, wines and rides for children.

Another big reason to visit Colmar is the incredible food options throughout the city. There are lots wooden stalls are dedicated to local produce, such as foie gras, Christmas sweets, and Alsatian wines.

It is a great place to take postcard-like pictures, in the storybook-like towns along the colorful tinted houses. The houses are decorated and lit up. You could easily spend a few days here wandering the cobbled streets from market to market especially at night.

Aachen Christmas Market

Aachen Christmas Market

by Wen Christmas Market

The location of Aachen is very accessible from the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Try their Punsch or Glühwein (the local mulled wine). Aachen’s Cathedral is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Germany. Aachen’s main Christmas market is concentrated on the large squares around the cathedral in the old town area. There are around 120 stalls at the main market.

The local specialty is the Aachener Printen (a type of Lebkuchen with Christmas spices). You will find the giant Printen cookies guard the entryway to the Christmas market.

My Broadway Show List

My Broadway Show List

by Wen New York

One of my favorite things to do when visited New York is going to all the wonderful Broadway shows. These are the shows I’ve seen before and highly recommend.

Broadway Musicals
Cats
Jersey Boys
Wicked
The Lion King
The Phantom of the Opera
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical ❤
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Mary Poppins
Miss Saigon
Chicago
Annie

Broadway Plays
The Vertical Hour (2007, Julianne Moore, Bill Nighy)
Nice Work If You Can Get It (2012, Matthew Broderick, Jessie Mueller)
Orphans (2013, Alec Baldwin, Ben Foster, Tom Sturridge)
The Trip to Bountiful (2013, Cicely Tyson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams)
Vanya and Sonia and Spike (2013, Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce, Kristine Nielsen)
Lucky Guy (2013, Tom Hanks, Maura Tierney, Courtney Vance)
The Present (2016, Cate Blanchett, Richard Roxburgh)

Off-Broadway
❤ Avenue Q
Blue Man Group
The Book of Mormon