Page 194 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2021 DISCOVERING SANTA FE

tucked into hills carpeted by lush orchards, spiky
evergreens, and green fields where bleating lambs
graze. There are hiking trails, cycling, kayaking,
and fishing, although the “fruit and cider route” is
more my speed. This gently-ascending road rising
above the fjord is dotted with a trio of farms pro-
ducing apple juice, hard cider, and fruit preserves.
I sample a very more-ish apple brandy at Hardan-
ger Sider and enjoy a pre-booked lunch of per-
fectly seasoned lamb stew, washed down with two
versions of hard cider, at the family-run farm of
Syse Gard.
On a steamy hot summer afternoon, however,
there’s no finer place to be than floating in the
fjord in front of the Hotel Brakanes. I may have
unleashed a rather venomous stream of language
when I first descended the ladder into the chilly
shallows. But “it’s lovely when you’re in,” as they
say. With the crystal clear water highlighted by a
swathe of white sand, it could almost pass for the
Caribbean on Instagram…were it not for the snow-
capped mountain peaks beyond.

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194 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2021