With the beautiful Lake Bandak to the east and the mountains rising to over 3000 feet to the west, Dalen provides proof of man's harmony with nature. This is especially obvious if you travel to Dalen via the Telemark Canal on one of the magnificent boats such M/S Victoria or M/S Henrik Ibsen that run along the channel each day. The boats depart from Skien and the journey takes just under a day, an outstanding way to experience the region and the best way to get to Dalen.
When you finally arrive, you'll have a small but excellent selection of hotels in which to stay, some of them tourist attractions in themselves. Choose one of these architectural gems for your weekend trip or maybe a romantic getaway with your significant other. A good romantic activity on such a holiday is to experience local artistic life by taking in one of the many exhibitions at the Dalen Bryggjeutstilling Museum.
If you still fancy a city break, Grenland is only three hours away by bus. There are numerous exciting things to see and do here and the two largest cities can offer a lot, especially for those interested in the arts. Skien is known for being the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen, and the incredible Ibsenhuset offers cultural experiences all year round, and Porsgrunn has the Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival, which is a major crowd-magnet.
You'll never be bored if you decide to stay in Dalen, particularly if you enjoy the outdoors. The Lårdalstigen mountain hiking route is a popular destination and offers spectacular views from around 2500 feet above Lake Bandak. Anyone can attempt the trip but the last part is particularly challenging, so it may be more tempting to make your way to the Dalen Wilderness Centre, where you can photograph the birds and wildlife that make the surrounding mountains their home.
Those who visit Dalen will find unspoiled nature, welcoming hosts and a scenic part of Norway where you won't have to queue to see the attractions. You decide on the terms for a relaxing, exciting and cultural holiday.
