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Explore historic Oslo, charming Bergen, and the surrounding spectacular countryside with knitters and crafters from across the US. Itinerary also includes two optional spa days at one of Norway's most highly rate properties, a 3-dimensional needle felting workshop, a day-long tour and workshop at the Hardanger Folk Museum and a trunk show and class with Oslo-based knitwear designer Sidsel Hoivik. Go behind the scenes with visits and factory store shopping at the Hillesvag yarn mill and Oleana sweater knitting company. In an effort to lighten the carbon footprint/climate impact of our tour, we are eliminating use of private motorcoach for part of the time and relying on walking and mass transit. As such, this will be a more physically active trip than some. Comfortable walking shoes and a commitment by all participants to traveling light will be important. 

Andrew Hutter is an American ex-pat who has been living and working in Oslo, Norway for most of the last 35 years. So it's an understatement to say he knows his way around. This is Battenkill Textile Tours' 6th trip with Andrew. Many of our travelers comment that having this fun-loving guy as our guide is one of the highlights of their travel experience.

Day 1- September 23, Thursday, Oslo:D

Arrive today on your own to the Thon Hotel Opera, conveniently located next to the train station and the Opera House, Oslo’s landmark building.

We’ll meet this evening for a welcome dinner

Day 2 – September 24, Friday: B,D

This morning we walk to the Opera House and walk up the marble clad sloping roof for a great view and commentary by your guide.

We then continue our tour of Oslo using our environmentally friendly transportation passes that we’ll have for two days. We’ll take the tram to visit Oslo’s City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is handed out and then on to the National Museum where we’ll see Edvard Munch’s The Scream and many other paintings along with the history of Norwegian design from the Viking era to the present.

In the late afternoon, we’ll make our way to the trendy Grünerløkka area to an old community house that we’ve rented for two days of activities. We’ll first have a pop-up shop with a local dyer or designer and then an informal dinner. After dinner we’ll take the tram back to your hotel.

Day 3 – September 25, Saturday, Oslo: B,L,D

This morning, you’ll  have a 3-hour workshop with Sidsel Høivik  where you’ll do Embroidery on Knitting. Information will be provided to you before the workshop so that you can do some optional preparatory work to get the most out of your time with Sidsel.

Lunch today will be Norwegian style in the community house with open face sandwiches made with a variety of fresh breads and toppings that locals use.

After lunch at the community house, you’ll have free time to explore some of Oslo’s many yarn shops or interesting sights.

Dinner at a local restaurant near our hotel.

Day 4 – September 26, Sunday, Oslo to Solstrand Hotel: B,D

This morning we take the scenic rail journey to Bergen. Our rail journey will take us above the tree line and past a glacier.

Upon arriving in Bergen, we’ll transfer by coach to the Solstrand Hotel & Bad located on a fjord south of Bergen. This family owned hotel is considered to be one of the best spa resort hotels in Norway and will be our base for the remainder of our tour. Dinner at our hotel.

Day 5 – September 27, Monday, Solstrand: B,D

This morning you have free time to explore the surroundings along the fjord and the nearby town of Os. You can also use the free pools and saunas or book a spa treatment at the hotel.

This afternoon, we’ll make the 30 minute drive to Bergen. After a short orientation tour, you’ll have free time to explore this quaint city with it’s UNESCO listed Bryggen wharf area and lots of shopping opportunities including a yarn shop right in the train station! We’ll return for dinner at our hotel.

Day 6  - September 28, Tuesday, Workshop at Hardanger Folk Museum: B,L,D

Today you’ll get a healthy dose of fjord scenery on our full day excursion to the Hardanger Folk Museum as we drive along the Hardanger Fjord to the village of Utne, which we’ll ferry across the Fjord to reach. Here we’ll first have a tour of their Bunad collection (folk costumes) and the rest of the museum. Afterwards, we’ll have a workshop making Sjona mittens using a twinning technique. Lunch will be had during a break in the workshop and you’ll sample some local homemade lefse during a coffee break.

Dinner at a  local restaurant

Day 7 – September 29, Wednesday. Excursion to Oleana: B,D

Morning free for spa treatments and enjoying the pools and ambience at our hotel. In the afternoon we’ll drive to Oleana knitwear for a tour and time to shop at their factory.

Dinner at our hotel.

Day 8 – September 30, Thursday, Excursion to Hillesvåg: B,L,D

This morning we drive to the Hillesvåg yarn factory, a yarn mecca for Norwegian knitters. Here we’ll have a workshop in 3 D felting, a tour of the factory and of course plenty of time for shopping. Lunch will also be had here.

Afterwards, we drive to the Øvre-Eid Farm for a tour of this family owned farm that goes back to the 1500’s. After the tour, we’ll have a farewell dinner featuring Norwegian specialties, singing, dancing and more!

Day 9 – October 1, Friday

Tour ends after Breakfast.