CHARMING HOTEL IN DALA-FLODA THE PROVINCE OF DALARNA,
3 HOUR'S DRIVE FROM STOCKHOLM
Magnificent landscapes, vivid colours and hot spices are often associated with
exotic destinations on the other side of the globe but it is not necessary to
make a long journey to experience them, actually no further than Dala-Floda
in Western Dalarna. The village of Dala-Floda is a typical Dalarna picture postcard
village the only difference being the effect tourism has had compared to other
places. The majority of the village looks no different than it would have done
one hundred years ago. The buildings are mainly unaltered from the 16th century
in traditional Dalarna red with a few additions from the turn of the century.
The landscape around the village is a mixture of enchanting forest, powerful
rivers and mellow lakes.The sun bleached barns in the meadows contrast with
the old fäbodar (traditional Swedish chalets) up in the mountains which
are a popular tourist destination, these all help to give the area its special
character.
On many maps Dala-Floda is marked as Floda which is how the village was originally known.
Herbgarden
Dala-Floda has a number of surprises - situated at the southern tip of Flosjön
in Syrholen is the village restaurant; Dala-Floda Inn, Värdhuset, serving
food from all corners of the world in exciting combinations, local lamb
prepared in an Indian recipe with Basmati rice or an African style fish
stew with lingonberry parfait for dessert. Värdshuset is also KRAV-recognised
(is mainly cooking from natural products). The kitchen is renown for its
wonderful creations combining local produce with spices from around the
world, a "world-food" kitchen. This year the restaurant has been
chosen one of the best Slowfood restaurants
and the whole inn has received the cultural award of the year 2001.
Apart from good food the charming, well-known Värdshuset also offers
accommodation - full or half board. You sleep in carefully and individually
decorated rooms. Staying with half board (three
course dinner and an extensive late breakfast) is very popular. The décor
is a mixture of traditional Dalarna with finds from all over the world especially
India and Africa. Each room with its special character and own bathroom.Värdshuset
also offers courses in amongst other things body awareness and team building
for companies and is an ideal conference location.
During the days you relax; go for a swim, take a nap, make long walks in
the pretty village or in the vast forests or in a canoe on the lake. Or
you make cultural daytrips north to lake Siljan and one day you must pay
a visit to Falun and the interesting old
mine (on the list of World Heritages 2001) and don't miss The home of
Carl Larsson - the famous painter.
View on lake Flosjon
This is the Nordic Swan- Eco label . With our 14 rooms we are the smallest
of the existing 20 environmental hotels.
For those that yearn for something more exciting Dala-Floda is also home
to Kajaktiv Sweden's leading kayak
school and rafting company. Having some of Sweden's leading kayakers on
their staff Kajaktiv run selection events for the international "Raide
Gauloise" adventure race and have Sweden's only qualified Swiftwater
Rescue instructor.
Kajaktiv is offering courses to suit all tastes and abilities from the serious
athlete to those just after the thrill of running a white water river or
relaxing in a touring kayak. As well as courses kajaktiv also boasts a well
stocked shop offering a broad selection of kayaking and general outdoor
equipment. Kajaktiv's staff include some of Sweden's best kayakers and Sweden's
only qualified Swiftwater Rescue™ instructor.
Their courses and excursions cater for serious sportsmen and women, those
after an adrenalin kick or those who just want to explore the rivers and
lakes of the area.
On the second weekend in July in accordance with tradition the Cow Party is
held in the village. In the olden days the young girls were up in the hills
looking after the animals and were unable to return for the midsummer festivities.
When the girls returned home for the haymaking an additional midsummer celebration
was held and this tradition has been followed ever since, every year the village
holds a two day festival with a street market and music and dance in the evenings.
Floda bridges
Worth visiting in Dala-Floda
Particular to Dala-Floda are the suspension bridges, the bridge that leads
to the churchyard is Sweden's longest wooden traffic suspension bridge. On the
other side of the bridge you can visit the Old homestead Museum Hembygdsgården
and see all the varieties of the national costume of Floda.
In the beautiful Danilsgården next to the churchyard
is an antique shop. Danilsgården was built by a wealthy farmer in 1801
and the present owner has carefully restored it to its former glory. In the
summer you can buy all manner of antiques and the connoisseur can find beautiful
high quality furniture nearly always in pristine condition. New or old furniture
can also be painted with homemade tempera paint.
Floda people are very proud of their handicraft tradition and cultural heritage.
The strong colours and motives on textiles
and clothes are reminiscent of far away lands. The traditional local costume
is one of the most beautiful in the country
with its colourful flowers and if anyone from the village is having a wedding
they would probably still chose to wear it. The shop Floda Hemslöjd,
has a careful selection of beautiful textiles and costumes as well as other
examples of needlework.
One of the most well known families in the village are the Wålstedts
who have run a successful woollen mill for three generations. It was started
by Mary and Lennart who saved the original breed of sheep from dying out in
Sweden. The yarn that they produce is used to create woollen articles all over
the world and is exported even is far as Japan. In the shop you can buy yarn
in every imaginable colour and even knitted articles such as jumpers. There
is also a nice little display of the history of the family business.
Next door to the woollen mill is the Wålstedt family organic
farm. They produce KRAV quality vegetables which they sell to shops in the area.
There is also a small farm shop where you can buy vegetables and other organically
cultivated wares at good prices.
Go three km north of Dala-Floda right into the woods and you find a pretty place
for picnicking - a restored water-mill site "KVARNA",
an outdoor museum of early 17th century industry. Here men stayed out for weeks
making use of the running waters to work the wowen materials into thick warm
pieces of cloth used for coats etc.
"…One cannot hastily describe a place as beautiful as this. In
perfect harmony with the nature are the villagers, smiling and cheerful, open
and easygoing…"
So wrote Karl Trotzig in an article for the Swedish Tourist Association in 1905,
he was so charmed by the area he named it Dalarna's paradise. ...................Which
is still true...............
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