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Norway Knitting Retreat

This very special tour has been inspired by our Head of Craft Holidays, Alison White, and her own travels around Norway – designed to take you on a discovery of a rich textile heritage and unique culture.

"Recently the Norwegian Tourist Board invited me to discover the history and traditions of the knitting industry in Norway. On this tour, which includes all the highlights of my own trip, we’ll discover just how important the textile industry was to Norway and some of the steps that are being taken to recover and preserve these traditions for the future. We’ve combined all this with workshops with Julie to create the perfect balance of discovery and relaxation, Norwegian style!" - Alison White

8 days from £2,495pp Departure Dates

Your Tour Includes

  • 7 nights half-board accommodation
  • 2 full and 2 half-day knitting workshops with Julie Debreux, kit included
  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager
  • Travel package includes return flights from London to Bergen, with 1 piece of checked luggage
  • Excursions and entrance fees
Experts
Julie Dubreux

Julie Dubreux

Julie Dubreux is a French knitwear designer and knitting instructor. Her enthusiastic love for the knitting community translates into colourful collaborations with indie dyers from all around the world.

Her designs have been published in Pom Pom Quarterly, Laine Magazine and Knit Now UK, as well as in books such as I Knit Paris, My Favourite Things and Homecoming.

Julie is a very out-going, dynamic instructor. Her experience as a high-school teacher allows her to manage groups of knitters with different levels of ability so that no one feels left out, and everyone gets to learn something new.


Itinerary

Meet Julie and your Tour Manager at a London airport for your flight to Bergen. Upon arrival, meet our driver who will transfer us to our hotel for check in.

Includes Dinner

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is surrounded by mountains, hence its name ‘City of Seven Mountains’. Bergen was the largest city in Norway until the 1830s when it was overtaken by the capital, Christiania (now known as Oslo). What remains of the quays, Bryggen, is now a World Heritage Site. This morning we will take a guided walking tour of the city with a local guide. In the afternoon, we will enjoy our first workshop back at the hotel with Julie.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Bergen

We will spend today at the Heathland Centre, located about 30 miles north of Bergen. The centre is beautifully located with Lurefjorden on one side and the main sea route to and from Bergen on the other. The 5000-year-old heathland surrounding the centre is still maintained by local farmers. Enjoy the amazing views over the fjord and mountains whilst we enjoy a lunch made with locally sourced ingredients. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a second workshop with Julie.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

The Heathland Centre

Full-day workshop with Julie at our hotel.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Knitting Workshop

The first stop on our excursion today is the Hillesvåg Wool Spinning Mill. This family-owned mill was founded in 1898 and has been in the same family for four generations, making it one of Norway’s most long-established wool and yarn producers. Our guided tour will take us through the entire process, from when the wool enters the mill to the finished product. The shop offers yarn for hand machine knitting, hand weaving and crochet and carded wool for felt making.

This afternoon we will visit the Museum of Norwegian Knitting Industry. Through our guided tour of the former Salhaus Knitting Factory (1858 –1989), we will learn about the history and importance of the textile industry in Norway.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Hillesvåg Wool Spinning Mill

Full-day workshop with Julie at our hotel.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Knitting Workshop

Our excursion today takes us first to Osteroy, an inland island surrounded by beautiful fjords. The island has a strong history of craftsmanship that is still alive today. Our guided tour of the open-air museum, which has a focus on preserving traditional crafts, will take us around the 17th-century buildings and introduce us to some of the crafts and costumes.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Osteroy Open Air Museum

Say farewell to our fellow knitters and transfer to Bergen airport for our return flight 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 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. 

Your accommodation includes breakfast and a light evening meal. 

Knitting Holidays

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 stay for seven nights at the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret.

Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret

Overlooking the Tromsdalstinden mountain, this waterfront hotel offers beautiful views and is located in the heart of Bergen.

Hotel Facilities

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General
  • 4 Star
  • Lift
  • Sauna or Steam Room
Room
  • Safe Box
  • Shower
  • Free Wifi
Service
  • Gym
Hotel
  • Lift
  • WiFi Available