Northern Lights Knitting Cruise
Join Anna Nikipirozwicz for an exciting voyage along Norway’s stunning coastline with a chance to experience the magic of one of nature’s most amazing phenomenon - a breathtaking performance against the Arctic sky of the dazzling Northern Lights. There’s plenty of time for workshops with Anna as MS Polarlys cruises amongst the fjords, islands, islets and skerries that make up a coastline considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Though days may be short, Norway’s remarkable landscapes take on a special beauty at this time of year. Each day you can step-ashore and explore, as well as relaxing and simply taking in the snow-cloaked scenery and wintry lifestyle of Norway’s remotest coastal communities.
Your Tour Includes
- Flights from London to Bergen and Kirkenes to London (via Oslo)
- Half day sightseeing tour of Bergen & half-day sightseeing tour of Kirkenes
- Services of an experienced Tour manager
- 6 nights' accommodation on MS Polarlys
- A full programme of workshops with Anna Nikipirozwicz – knitting kit included
- 1 night’s accommodation on a half-board basis in Bergen & Kirkenes
Anna Nikipirowicz
Anna is a crochet and knit designer, tutor and author of several crochet books. Her designs are regularly featured in craft magazines such as Inside Crochet and she also is a regular on Yarn Lane TV where she shares her designs and techniques. She works closely with West Yorkshire Spinners, LoveCrafts and other yarn brands.
Anna attributes her love of knitting and crochet to her very talented mother whose stranded colourwork jumpers and hats were legendary. Even though she admits herself she really didn’t appreciate the skills in her childhood.
She is an experienced tutor who started her knit and crochet career as a Rowan Design Consultant. She teaches regularly at John Lewis Partnership and independent yarns stores, and also virtually. Anna constantly explores new techniques and incorporates them in her classes. Confidence and skill-building is very important to her, she wants everyone who takes her class to learn something new and leave with feeling self-assured that they have unlocked their creative potential with new skills.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Meet your Tour Manager at London Gatwick airport for your flight to Bergen (via Oslo) where we will transfer to our hotel. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner and get the chance to get to know Anna and your fellow knitters.
Includes Dinner
Overview
This morning’s guided sightseeing tour of Bergen will introduce us to the highlights of Norway’s charming second city known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’. We’ll enjoy time at leisure for lunch and explore the traditional handicraft stores on the historic Bryggen waterfront. In the late afternoon, we embark on the MS Polarlys to start our northbound coastal voyage. This evening’s dinner is a buffet of delicious Norwegian dishes served as we sail along Hjeltefjord, the same route taken by Vikings as they ventured to the Shetland Islands and beyond.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Our day starts in the breathtakingly beautiful Nordford and with a delicious breakfast. Knit with Anna as we sail past West Cape into the open sea before navigating through skerries and islands to reach Ålesund. Today is a chance to admire the highly ornate buildings decorated with turrets, spires, and gargoyles in Norway’s art nouveau town. Following a devastating fire that burned a large proportion of the city to the ground in 1904, the entire town was rebuilt in the fashionable style of the time, art nouveau. Here we’ll visit Husfliden, a shop specialising in Norwegian and Nordic arts and crafts.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
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Overview
This morning we will have the opportunity to explore Norway’s third largest city, Trondheim. There are a number of yarn shops for us to visit, as well as the gothic spired Nidaras Cathedral that is the centrepiece of this ancient city founded by Norway’s Viking Olav Tryggvason in 997. In the afternoon we continue knitting with Anna as the ship sets a northwest course passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through the narrow Stokksund, the ship will set sail towards charming Rorvik.
Includes Breakfast
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Overview
Today we cross the Arctic Circle, this invisible line is situated at 66 degrees, 33 minutes north and marks the border to the Arctic region, where the hunt for Northern Lights begins! We’ll step ashore in Bodo and visit and cruise alongside the magnificent granite peaks of the Lofoten Wall that reached up to 1000m high. Tucked between majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches, Lofoten is an experience that is out of the ordinary. The charms of the Lofoten Islands are revealed in the small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian ambience.
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Overview
During the morning hours, we briefly dock at Risøyhamn, Harstad and Finnsnes. The ship then continues to Tromsø, also known as the ‘Capital of the Arctic’. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point and you may like to take your own mini polar expedition on an optional husky dog ride. After an afternoon in Tromsø, we will continue our journey. Whilst the ship sails you will be able to spend time knitting with Anna, and an opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
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Overview
Knit at ‘the top of the world’ before calling in Honningsvåg. This small, remote town is the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. The ship then continues north sailing into the heartland of the indigenous Sami people. We’ll pass their ancient sacred site, Finnkirka rock formation, as we approach the tiny fishing village of Kjollefjord.
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Overview
The vistas become more dramatic as we approach Kirkenes. We arrive in nearby Vadsø early in the morning and just after breakfast, arrive in Kirkenes. Kirkenes lies just a few miles from the Russian border. The town marks the end of this wonderful voyage and after disembarking the ship we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the area where local road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. In Kirkenes we stop for lunch at the famous Snow Hotel. In the afternoon we check into our hotel where this evening’s farewell dinner is served.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we bid farewell to Norway taking our return flights to London.
Includes Breakfast
Knitting Holidays
Specially designed for knitters, this Stitchtopia knitting holiday is the ideal opportunity to meet like-minded knitters and indulge in your favourite hobby. Our talented knitting expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to get those needles clicking!
Accommodation
You will be staying at the 4-star Clarion Admiral Hotel for 1 night, before boarding the MS Polarlys for 6 nights, and then going on to stay at the 3-star Thon Hotel for 1 night.
Thon Hotel, Kirkenes
This 4-star hotel is perched on the quay in central Kirkenes, with unimpeded views of the fjord. The bright and modern guest rooms come equipped with hairdryer, TV and Wi-Fi.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 3 Star
- Restaurant
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Telephone
- Iron or Trouser Press
- Ensuite Facilities
Accessibility
- Lift
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Restaurant
- Lift
Clarion Hotel Admiral
This 4-star hotel is housed in old warehouse buildings that date back to 1904. The hotel is in central Bergen and enjoys fantastic views of the harbour, the historic Bryggen quayside, and the mountains.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
Room
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Fridge
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
- Ensuite Facilities
Accessibility
- Lift
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
MS Polarlys
Refurbished in 2016 the MS Polarlys now features a modern, Arctic inspired interior. On board you’ll find 3 restaurants and out on deck you can enjoy the views from one of the 2 hot tubs. It has its own Expedition Team that serves as a university at sea. Interesting lectures, presentations and activities make this an exciting and educational journey. The Expedition Team hosts both a lecture and presentation programme and evening gatherings daily.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Shower
- Free Wifi
General
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Sauna or Steam Room
Accessibility
- Lift
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
