Knitting in the Faroe Islands

15th - 22nd June or 17th - 24th August 2020

8 days from £1,995pp

Discover the rugged beauty and rich knitting history of the remote Faroes Islands on this amazing holiday where under the guidance of local expert Katrina I Geil you’ll learn to knit traditional Faroese patterns and beautiful Faroese lace.

Knitting workshops with Katrina í Geil
Guided walk through the old part of Torshavn
Visit to renowned local textile designer Poulina
Visit to the National Museum
Tour of the Snældan wool factory
Explore the idyllic village of Gjogv

Knitting in the Faroe Islands

Discover the stunning landscapes of the Faroe Islands in the company of fellow travellers who share your passion for knitting. Enjoy two and a half days of private workshops, where, under the guidance of local knitting expert Katrina I Geil, you’ll learn about the Faroese knitting traditions as you create your own Faroese inspired project.

With both included excursions and a choice of optional tours you can delve deep and explore the stunning landscapes and extraordinary nature of this remote north Atlantic outpost. Learn about the islands’ history, traditions and culture with a visit to the National Museum, meet local textile artists and sample the local Faroese cuisine.

DAY 1: Edinburgh - Tórshavn
Meet at Edinburgh airport for your flight to Vagar airport. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel Hafnia in Tórshavn. This evening there will be a welcome dinner in the hotel.
DAY 2: Torshavn
We start the day with a guided walk through the old part of Torshavn before continuing by bus to visit renowned local textile designer Poulina. After the visit we drive over the mountains to Kirkjubour, the islands’ most significant historical site. In medieval times, this small village was the cultural and episcopal centre of the Faroe Islands. We’ll visit the medieval Magnus Cathedral, built in the 1300s and the effective seat of power over several centuries, the present Parish church, Ólavskirkja, built in 1111 and used as the main church in the Faroe Islands for centuries and the 900 year-old farmhouse, Roykstovan, which is thought to be the oldest wooden house still in use today (the Patursson family have lived there for 17 generations).

This afternoon is the first of your workshops in the hotel with Katrina.
DAY 3: Tórshavn
Enjoy a full day of workshops and learn more about Faroese knitting traditions with Katrina.
DAY 4: Tórshavn
You may wish to join us on an optional excursion to Vestmanna. A coach will take us via the mountain road, where an excursion boat awaits. We sail along the line of the cliffs, into a narrow strait and some of the grottoes. On the way back to Tórshavn we stop at the Viking settlements in Kvivik.
DAY 5: Klaksvik, Gjogv
Today’s included excursion starts with a guided visit of the National Museum before taking in the dramatic coastal scenery and the Snældan wool factory on route to the northern islands. In Klaksvik, the second largest town in the Faroes, we’ll visit the fine Christianskirkjan and see artwork by local textile designer Edvard Fuglo. After a lunch of local specialities we continue to the northernmost village on the island of Eysturoy and enjoy exploring the idyllic village of Gjogv, where we also pause for coffee before returning to Tórshavn.
DAY 6: Tórshavn
In the afternoon you may wish to join us on an optional excursion to Nolsoy. After a 20-minute ferry journey from Tórshavn to Nolsoy our local guide will take us on a guided tour of the village, where life is so different from in the town. Here we’ll see knitwork produced and sold by a local co-operative.
DAY 7: Tórshavn
Another day to get creative with morning and afternoon workshops led by Katrina. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.
DAY 8: Tórshavn - Edinburgh
Say farewell to your fellow knitters and fly back to Edinburgh.

Included in our package:

Return flights from Edinburgh to Vagar with 1 piece of hold luggage
Airport transfers
7 nights in good 3* accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis
Coach travel as described in the itinerary including driver tips
Welcome and farewell dinners at the hotel
1 full day & 1 half day sightseeing tour, including visits to local textile designers
5 half day knitting workshops with Katrina I Geil, including kit
The services of an experienced tour manager throughout

Katrina í Geil

Katrina í Geil is a textile and knitting designer of international standing who has given lectures and workshops worldwide. As a designer she combines knowledge from knit and design with personal styling to give the garment a more personal edge.

Her work focuses on reinventing the traditional Faroese craft and culture. Her two and a half days of knitting workshops will focus on projects working with traditional garment and patterns, yet using your senses and local inspiration to create a personal design under her guidance.

Fly from Edinburgh

Return flights from Edinburgh are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Meet us at our hotel

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements, you can meet us at our hotel. This package will not include flights or transfers. If you require any further information to assist with your travel plans, please contact our friendly reservations team who will be happy to help.

Please contact us to enquire about our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Overview

Centrally located in the heart of the capital overlooking the picturesque harbour, Hotel Hafnia is ideally situated close to shops, cafes and restaurants. The modern hotel has 74 rooms that are light and simply furnished in traditional Scandinavian style. Buffet breakfast is served in the popular Restaurant Hafnia. The hotel has a private meeting room that will be used for our knitting workshops.

Room Facilities & Amenities

All rooms are en-suite with private toilet and shower and offer the following:

WiFi
Satellite TV
Hairdryer
Minibar
Telephone
Coffee & tea making facilities
All rooms are non-smoking

Knitting in the Faroe Islands

15th - 22nd June or 17th - 24th August 2020