All aboard the Flåm Railway, Norway

Snow-clad granite peaks compete for my attention with lush meadows, ribbons of silver rivers and crashing waterfalls as the train zig-zags in and out of the darkest of mountain tunnels.  

I defy even those with the hardest of hearts not to be touched by the sheer beauty of this wild and rugged landscape. It is everything that you imagine Norway to be, only better.

Reputed to be one of the most astounding train rides in the world, the Flåm Railway  the steepest standard-gauge in Europe, has to be top of the list for anybody visiting the Norwegian Fjords.

After arriving on the Saga Sapphire in Bergen on my Nordic Delights cruise, I get myself on to one of the ship's tours so that I can discover the charms of Norway. 

View from the train

At Voss, a pretty town in Fjord heartland, we board the train to Myrdal, a small station nestled into the mountains, where we change trains to start our 12-mile journey to the tiny village of Flåm, deep-seated into the corner of the Aurlandfjord, a branch of the mighty Sognefjord, the country’s longest.

Tvindefossen waterfall

We stop at the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall so that we can take photographs and breathe in the wonderful air. This bold engineering feat took approximately 20 years to build and was open for electric trains in 1944. It takes about an hour to do the journey.

Once in Flåm, our special tour guide who manages to inject humour into his spiel so facts are easily digestible, has some more surprises up his sleeve. We enjoy a delicious lunch at the Stalheim Hotel and are now being whisked off to the Tvindefossen waterfall via the Stalheimskleiva. This mountain road is precipitous to say the least. Going round its hairpin bends is not for the faint-hearted. No wonder it is billed as one of the one of the steepest roads in Northern Europe.

Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen
 Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.com  
© Innovation Norway 

We are now back in Bergen, which claims to be the “gateway to the fjords” and I cannot resist exploring this town before setting sail. Engulfed by mountains and fjords, it is supposedly always raining here. Luckily, for me the sun is shining as I saunter along in Bryggen. The city’s old wharf, on the eastern shore of the harbour, is dotted with colourful wooden buildings. It is undeniably charming.

As I roam the cobbled streets. I am already turning my mind to dinner and hope there is some fresh fish from Begen’s renowned 300-year-old Fish Market on the menu. 

Getting there

Saga sapphire has a similar cruise departing Dover June 23 2016  http://travel.saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises/where-we-cruise/norway-and-scandinavia/the-fabulous-fjords-2016.aspx
prices from £1,663pp for 7 nights (Including optional travel insurance or a discount of £40, if not required)

Price includes:
All meals on board, including 24-hour room service

• A choice of table wines at lunch and dinner
• All on-board gratuities
• Entertainment and activities
• Welcome cocktail party and Captain’s dinner
• Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if not required
• All port taxes and visas
• UK mainland travel service to and from Dover

Ports of call include:
Stavanger, Norway
Flåm, Norway
Olden, Norway
Bergen, Norway

To book visit saga.co.uk/cruises or call 0800 50 50 30

Spotlight on Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel

Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel (£25) lengthens and makes lashes look thicker with just one coat. 

The black is so intense that it really opens up your eyes. It also conditions as well as curling the lashes. 

Another plus is that it also looks like you are wearing eyeliner. The trick is to wiggle the wand right into the base of the lashes.

The brush has been cleverly designed with long rigid bristles to coat and thicken while the shorter ones define. 

In short, this is a brilliant mascara.

By Daralyn Danns

The mane cuts

“It is time to get rid of your layers,” decreed Michael Charalambous, hairdresser  extraordinaire.

In all the years that Michael has been doing my hair, he has never made one wrong call, so whatever he says I agree with.

“This autumn, we are moving away from layers,” he explains. “We will still see waves and curls but they will be natural. And it won’t matter if the weather gets to it. It will just give it that lived-in feel. Hair should be still be shiny have some body but it should not be overdressed. You don’t want it to seem as if you have spent a lot of time on it.”  

According to Michael, if you are going to wear your hair short, plump for a long fringe.

Colours to go for are natural tones such as golden browns, chocolates and biscuit blondes. 

“We are seeing less reds and coppers for this season,” adds Michael, “And less highlights.”

Michael tells me that I have plenty of baby hair coming through which accounts for the fact that it will be one more haircut before I can finally be layer-free.

My hair looks amazing and with the knowledge that it will last a good few days, I am once again ready to face the world.

By Daralyn Danns

For more information visit www.nyumbasalon.com or follow on instagram.com/nyumbasalon

A wardrobe necessity – jeans

When it comes to travelling, it is always hard to know what to pack. In this instance, I knew that in the following weeks I was going to be doing quite a few trips including a cruise and a couple of capital cities.

As the weather in Europe can vary at this time of year, the big question was what to take?  Answer: a pair of jeans. (Of course, I was going to include a few dresses for more formal events.)

So it was off to Levi’s to check out its new Lot 700 jeans (prices from £85). The jeans from this company always fit so well and last far longer than a lot of the expensive labels that I have bought in the past. Well, this company has been making jeans for men for over 140 years and has had over 80 years’ experience in producing women’s. As this, reputedly, makes it the oldest brand for ladies on the market, its jeans have to be exceptional to have stood the test of time. As denim has evolved over the years, so has Levi’s.

This new range offers something for women of all shapes and sizes. Sorted by leg shape each style is given is own number. The range comprises Super Skinny, 710, (tight straight down to the ankle), Skinny 711 (not as tight from the calf to the ankle) and High-Rise Skinny 721,( close-fit with a highish waist.) Slim 712 and Straight 714. If you are a fan of the bootcut jean, go for 715. All come in a variety of washes and colours that flatter your figure in all the right places.

Super Skinny 710 

There are always advancements in the world of fabrics. This range uses material that has superb stretch so that it holds its shape better than ever before as well as enhancing your figure.

While bootcut jeans are perfect for women that have curvy hips, the 721 is great for petites. I find that the high rise skinny jeans elongate my legs. I also was advised by Levi’s tailor not to have them shortened to the ankle as this can make your legs appear shorter. Instead she suggested that I roll them up to achieve the same effect.

I chose a pair in black as I wanted a pair that was easy to dress down but to look smart for those occasions where I wanted to look a bit more polished.

Slim 712

 

For travelling I paired my jeans with a T-shirt and trainers. They surpassed expectations and really kept their shape despite having plenty of wear and tear.

To go out in the evening, I changed to heels and put on a dressy top. Not only did I look good, I felt good. 

I am also wearing them with a tailored jacket when I need to be more formally styled, a leather jacket for more casual occasions and with ankle boots and a long cardigan on colder days.

These jeans are such a great fit, no saggy knees and so versatile, you never have the dilemma of what to wear with a pair of these in your wardrobe.

By Daralyn Danns

Hotel Ritz, Madrid

Sitting in the Lobby Bar of the Ritz, Madrid savouring a glass of extremely good Spanish cava, nibbling on almonds and enjoying the sounds of the piano, if felt so good to be back at this special place. It has the knack of making you feel as if you belong from the moment you check in.

The Ritz, Madrid set in Madrid’s so-called “golden triangle” (the area between the city’s three most renowned museums, the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza) is arguably Spain’s most fabled hotel.

For over a hundred years, it has played host to royalty, aristocrats and Hollywood’s greatest. There is even a cocktail on its menu which, apparently, was inspired by Salvador Dali. Surrounded by the most exquisite arrangement of flowers and deep plush carpets, I felt engulfed in classic old-world opulence.

This baroque palace, built at the request of the Spanish king, Alfonso Xlll may now be a tad old-fashioned but that only adds to the Ritz’s charm, harking back to a glamorous bygone era. Quality hospitality is ingrained into its psyche and that is why you want to stay at this grand retreat.

Its new owners, a joint venture between Mandarin Oriental and the Olayan Group, a Saudi Arabian multinational, are reportedly going to propel it into the 21^st century, redesigning the bathrooms, adding amenities such as a spa and swimming pool. 

The service is impeccable. There are so many Spanish people working in the hotel which adds to the ambience. The concierge, one of the best I have come across for a long time, is extremely knowledgeable and honest. The team will tell you about avoiding tourist traps and where the Madrileños go. All their recommendations were spot on. They even got me a ticket for the Prado so that I could avoid the long queues.

There are 167 rooms and suites and, I am told, no two are alike. My room was spacious, the décor resolutely traditional, though there was a modern TV and fast Wi-Fi to remind you that you were in 2015. The bed, dressed in the crispest of linens, was so comfy. The marble bathroom had a separate walk-in rain shower.

As you would expect from a hotel of this calibre there were the lovely little touches such as the traditional almond cake waiting for me when I arrived in my room.
 

But, what was noteworthy was that a bottle of bubbly and a slice of gateau was there the following day to say “happy birthday”.

You also got a sense of place. Paying homage to Velázquez’s legendary painting Las Meninas, hanging in the Prado, there was a “menina” doll to let housekeeping know when you did not want to be disturbed.

With the stunning gardens in which to relax and enjoy a light snack or drink and the superb Goya restaurant, it is all too easy to stay cocooned inside the Ritz, Madrid.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

British Airways Holidays offers two nights at the 5* Hotel Ritz, Madrid from £269 per person, travelling November 1 until  January 31. Price Includes Euro Traveller return flights from London Gatwick or London Heathrow and accommodation on a room only basis. For reservations visit ba.com/madrid or call 0844 493 0758

For further information about the Hotel Ritz, Madrid visit hmandarinoriental.com/ritzmadrid