Lovlia Lakeside Apartment, Norway Apartment

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The South Norway Region

s this the coolest Riviera?

Norway is officially the best place in the world to live, according to the UN . And although only one in 400 British people visit the place each year - representing just 125,000 visitors - it is also pretty good for a holiday.

Few venture down the country´s east coast for their summer holidays. Which is great for the tiny number who do because the stretch of south-eastern coastline from the Holiday Norway down to Holiday Norway Mandal is one of Scandinavia´s best-kept secrets.

Scenically it is stunning: mile upon mile of tiny rocky islands and skerries, hidden bays and coves, white clapboard houses and clear glistening fjords, all set against a backdrop of lush green forests and lakes. What is so striking is the uniformity of this coastline - not just its geography, but also its architecture.

Nowhere is the view marred by a huge hotel or high-rise apartment block. Instead you find slight variations on one theme: the Norwegian summer house, made of wood, with a red-tiled roof, windows overlooking the water and in just three colours - white, terracotta and a mustardish yellow.

This is where Norway´s urban dwellers stay during their holidays. It´s their second home, or belongs to a relation, or is rented from a friend. Many of the houses are copies of grander originals found in the historic and picturesque coastal towns of Risor, Tvedestrand , Arendal , Grimstad.

It´s astonishing how well preserved these former timber ports and shipbuilding centres are, with their narrow streets of white buildings, picket fences and rose gardens, leading down to harbour areas flanked by shops and restaurants.

Draconian building restrictions allow few opportunities to experiment with this architectural tradition. The Norwegians are fiercely proud of their heritage and fear its loss; you also feel that anything brash is anathema to this nation´s psyche.

The best place to see this picture-postcard heritage is in Lyngor, which is made up of four islands. If you look at photographs taken at the beginning of the last century and compare them to today, Lyngør appears eerily the same; only the boats moored to the jetties have changed.

The determination of these islands to maintain their local character is impressive - they are car-free and only accessible by boat. Any outsiders who want to buy property here must pay a hefty premium - and prove they intend to live in the house for most of the year.

With every holiday house comes a boat. For a Norwegian, a boat in summer is as important as skis in winter. On a sunny day each fjord or piece of benign coastal water is littered with craft of all sizes. And this is the secret to really enjoying this region - being able to travel out to and explore the thousands of small islands along the Skagerrak Coast.

But sun in this part of Europe does come at a price - which is probably the main reason why so few foreigners seek it here. Most things cost more here - taxes are high and much is imported into this sparsely populated nation of just over four million people. But the elemental beauty of the Skagerrak Coast is well worth saving for.

It´s great for cycling, walking, fishing and sailing, very child-friendly, and clean and safe. Riviera is an apt way of describing parts of it: there are yachts, wealthy visitors, exclusive residences - but they´re all on display in a typically understated Norwegian way. It´s possibly the best place to go on holiday in the world.

 

Risor Area

The area is in a farming community where the main commodity is logging. You are free to roam where you like and there are walks directly from the house.

Every season has its advantages at Lovlia. Each season is more defined than the UK. We have recorded temperatures from plus 30 degreed in the summer and minus 30 in the winter!! During the summer the water is warm enough to swim in the lake or perhaps take a trip to to the small local beach, just 5 mins by car from the house.

Autumn: The colours of the trees and the mist over the lake offer great opportunities for photography and painting. Or perhaps berry picking. Blueberries and cranberries grow wild in the forest behind the house. Or if you know what you are doing, there are wild mushrooms galore.

Winter: The landscape changes and snow is usual from mid November and in December the lake is usually frozen. This offers great opportunities for x country skiing, skating, ice fishing or just walking in the snow. There are walks from house.

Spring: The ice is melting and it is a wonderful time to visit Norway. Especially around the 17th of May there is a colourful time on the National Day.

This holiday accommodation has fabulous views overlooking the lake. In the lake during the right seasons you can fish for trout perch and even the occasional salmon. There are nets that can be put out and an area where you can BBQ your catch. The lake is ideal for swimming too.

Wildlife. You will see an abundance of wildlife, depending on the season. There is a resident family of beavers which if you are lucky you can see. Plus an elk (moose) safari can be arranged into the local forests. Bird life too is in abundance, from water birds to birds of prey. There have been reports too of the occasional wolf in the area!

CHRISTMAS
Lovlia is available over Christmas and New Year. Although the house is not situated at a very high altitude, in a usual year there will be snow from mid November up until mid March. During January the lake freezes and depending on conditions it is possible to walk and skate and take a spark (chair on skiis) or x country skis. There will be a 95% chance of a white Christmas although of course this cannot be guaranteed. Lovlia is ideally situated to take a day trip up to the local ski centre at Gautefall which is about 90 Kms away and can be reached in about 90 minutes. There are local sledging hills and Risør is a quiet but pretty place to visit in the winter. Lovlia is a place to relax in during the winter. In front of the cozy log fire or on the balcony in front of the open fire with a hot chocolate.

From its sunny coastline to inland mountain plateaus, pine forests and spectacular fjords, it's no wonder that Southern Norway is the Norwegians choice for a holiday destination.

With summer temperatures often reaching the 80's newcomers are surprised at how different this region can be from their expectations. It isn't just about snow and mountains (though you can still find them in abundance - it is Norway after all!); there are sandy beaches, quiet country walks, family entertainment, exciting adventures - Southern Norway has something for everyone.

It is easy to fall in love with Risør. This white town on the Skagerrak is the melting pot of Sørlandet. Outer Risør has the magnificent archipelago and romantic Sørland houses which stand shoulder to shoulder around the beautiful harbour. Everything goes on inside Risør.

Street life is more continental than Norwegian. There is activity all around and things are constantly going on like the Chambermusic Festival, the Arts and Crafts Festival and the International Woodenboat Festival.

Risør is also known for its galleries, three of them are open all year round. During the summer comes at least three more, which is quite good considering that Risør town has only 7.000 inhabitants.

 

Getting There

Getting to Norway has never been easier, or cheaper. In addition to the more traditional ferry routes air travel is now becoming the favoured was to reach Norway.

Travel Norway By Air OSLO TORP IS THE BEST OPTION via Ryanair

By far the cheapest way to get to Norway these days is from Stansted Liverpool Newcastle or Glasgow Airport direct to Oslo Torp. Flights start at 1p plus Tax. Ideal for the south and east of Norway.

OTHER OPTIONS
www.Norwegian.no
This new Norwegian Low Cost Airline is well worth a try. They are flying from Stansted to the main Oslo Airport - Gardemoen and Bergen's Flesland airport. And now to Southern Norway Kristiansand

www.KLM
If you prefer flying from regional airports then KLM offer a number of services to Norway via Amsterdam Schipol. Fly from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Norwich, and a number of other centres in the UK. (If you wish to fly to Oslo Torp you should enter Sandefjord as your destination.)

Ryan Air - www.ryanair.com
The low cost airline. Many routes to Norway Oslo Torp and Haugesund from all over Europe. Including the UK airports at London Stansted, Newcastle, Liverpool, Dublin, and Edinburgh.

British Airways
Flights to Olso Gardeomen worth checking prices often cheaper than you think...

Braathens SAS
Flights to London and all over Norway.

Ferry Companies Operating to Norway
DFDS www.dfds.co.uk
Colourline www.colourline.com

Nearest Travel Links

• Airport: Oslo Torp (Ryanair) (90 km)
• Ferry: Kristainsand (90 km)
• Railway: Gjerstad (30 km)

 

Suitable types of Holiday Risor

• Fishing
• Golf Course
• Horse riding
• Water Park
• Watersports
• Sailing
• Walking
• Hill Walking

 

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Exterior Facilities in Lovlia Lakeside Apartment, Norway Apartment

• Balcony/Terrace
• BBQ
• Bicycles available
• Parking space
• Private garden

 

Boat available for guests use.

There are two cycles ... one mountain and a ladies bike which you are free to use. There is a spark (chair on skiis) and various sledges for the children for the winter months.

Fishing rods can be supplied on request... But terminal tackle must be supplied by the guests.

Trips to other parts of Norway can be suggested and planned on request.

Lovlia is ideally situated. It is within 180 min drive of Oslo Rygge Direct flight from Dublin. Or Oslo Torp (90 mins) ... with 10 mins of the salt water fjords of southern Norway and is a few metres from a large lake.

 

Rental Details

Due to Position on hill & steps not suitable for wheelchairs or Elderly

 

Facilities in Lovlia Lakeside Apartment, Norway Apartment

• CD player
• Cooker
• Dish washer
• DVD player
• Freezer
• Fridge
• Highchair
• Internet access
• Iron
• Kettle
• Log fire
• Microwave
• Television
• Toaster
• Video

Plugs and electrical sockets. There is a normal 230 to 240V supply. The house is equipped with both UK and Norwegian sockets. (standard European).

 

Bedrooms / Bathrooms

• Bedrooms (2)
• Bathrooms (1)

 

Sleeps a Maximum of 5 people:

• Single Beds (3)
• Double Beds (1)
• Cots (1)

 

Furniture

• Dining Seats (6)
• Lounge Seats (6)

 

Guest Book

Review submitted by Kenneth from Liverpool (Submitted: 10/08/2007

"Tony and Lisa are exemplary hosts- very helpful and accommodating,but never intrusive. The apartment was well appointed, spacious and comfortable, and the views and location were stunning. We particularly appreciated the use of the boats and fishing tackle, and Tony's enthusiastic knowledge of the area. This is an ideal property for those seeking tranquillity and a wilderness experience or as a base for touring. We would love to return one day"

Review submitted by Debbie, Darren & Kyla from Kilmarnock, Scotland (Submitted: 12/04/2007)

"The location is stunning. You definitely need a car to get about. The skiing was good still as the snow machine had been put on. Kyla, our daughter ( 20 months) loved the toys you left for her to play with and the sweets for Easter was an added bonus. It was a perfect short break although lots of shops shut for Easter - the Norwegians do enjoy their holidays. The Chinese restaurant in town ( Risor ) was great and well worth a visit. "

Review submitted by Simon from North Shields (Submitted: 20/07/2007)

"The property is well located, a 8 minute drive from Risor,The living room/dining room has lovely views over the lake,Tony and Lisa are on hand if required and make you feel very welcome , if not you never see them.Large living area, with nice patio, wide screen TV and DVD makes a lot of difference, good kitchen, central location for day trips out and local advice off Tony on what to visit. Thanks again, wish i was there now, hope to return in the winter one year to see Norway then. Simon & Nicola "

Review submitted by SAMARA from CO. ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND (Submitted: 08/04/2007)

"A beautiful property in a stunning location- peaceful & tranquil, but close enough to shops, restaurants, etc! Ideal for all types of holidays- a relaxing break or a real outdoors holiday, as ours was. Excellent fishing on your doorstep and great skiing close by. Also our hosts Tony & Lisa were exceptionally helpful and hospitable, full of great suggestions for outings. We couldn't have asked for better and we will definitely return- it was a great place to spend our first (of hopefully many!) Trip to Norway!! Highly recommended!!"