Northern Lights Stitching Cruise
Join Mandy Shaw 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 is plenty of time for workshops with Mandy as MS Kong Harald 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 London to Bergen and Kirkenes to London (via Oslo)
- 6 nights’ accommodation on MS Kong Harald in a twin Polar Outside Cabin on a full board basis (buffet breakfast and lunch, and set 3-course evening meal)
- 1 night’s accommodation on a half-board basis in Bergen
- 1 night’s accommodation on a half-board basis in a Superior Room in Kirkenes
- Services of an Arena Travel Tour Manager throughout the tour
Mandy Shaw
Queen of Redwork Mandy Shaw, is an experienced designer and well-known personality within the craft community. Her vintage designs are instantly recognisable and often feature her trademark red and white stitching or charming applique details. Throughout her career, Mandy has contributed to a number of publications and is the author of a number of handmade crafting books which share her quirky crafting style.
Mandy is also the owner of Dandelion Designs, a well-established family run company and is a regular on Create and Craft TV showing her gorgeous patterns & kits for handmade and machine craft projects. She has also appeared on Kirstie Allsopp’s Homemade Home.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Meet Mandy and your Arena Travel Tour Manager at a London airport for the flight to Bergen (via Oslo) where we will transfer to our hotel. This evening a welcome dinner is a chance to get to know Mandy and your fellow stitchers.
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 will 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 Kong Harold 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 beautiful Nordford with a delicious breakfast. Stitch with Mandyas 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. Here we will visit Husfliden, a shop specialising in Norwegian and Nordic arts and crafts.
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Overview
This morning we will have the opportunity to explore Trondheim. There are a number of yarn shops for us to visit, as well as Nidaras Cathedral that is the centrepiece of this ancient city founded by Norway’s Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997. In the afternoon we continue crafting with our expert as the ship sets a northwest course, passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, the ship will set sail towards charming Rorvik.
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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 the Northern Lights begins! We will step ashore in Bodo and cruise alongside the magnificent granite peaks of the Lofoten Wall that reaches 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 continue stitching with Mandy whilst waiting for the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
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Overview
Stitch at ‘the top of the world’ before calling into 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 will 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 we 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 will 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 Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we bid farewell to Norway taking our return flights to London.
Includes Breakfast
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel/ship to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Perfect for Textile Lovers
Uniquely created for textile lovers, this Stitchtopia textile holiday is the perfect way to discover fascinating fabrics and cultures, whilst travelling to some of the world’s most inspiring places. Our talented stitching expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host creative workshops with beautifully designed projects inspired by your travels.
Accommodation
You will be staying at the 4-star Clarion Admiral for 1 night, the MS Kong Harald for 6 nights, and 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
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Telephone
- Iron or Trouser Press
- Ensuite Facilities
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
- Lift
Room
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Fridge
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
- Ensuite Facilities
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
MS Kong Harald
Named after Norway’s reigning monarch the MS Kong Harald was built in 1993 and refurbished in 2016. This vessel now features a modern and Arctic inspired interior. MS Kong Harald has its own Expedition Team and 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.
