Knit In Scandinavia With Chris Bylsma
September 18 to September 28, 2008

Please contact Peggy Andersen at 800-945-3039, or peggyandersen{at}ameritech.net
for further questions, or to make your reservation.

Presented By:
Peggy Andersen
And
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Journeys
139 East Wisconsin Avenue
Oconomowoc, WI
53066

Thursday, September 18 Depart USA
Today we depart on Scandinavian Airlines from Chicago (other gateways available, ask for pricing) to Bergen, Norway, via Copenhagen, Denmark. Meals served enroute. SAS flight # 944, scheduled departure 10:05pm.

Friday, September 19 Bergen (Dinner)
We will be met at the airport in Bergen and taken to our hotel. We will have an orientation tour of Bergen on the way into the city, including a visit to Troldhaugen, the lovely and historic home of the famous composer, Edvard Grieg. We’ll see an informative exhibit on Grieg’s life and accomplishments, and tour the home. Our hotel is very centrally located in Bergen-just a short walking distance to shops, restaurants and points of interest. There will be some time to get settled in our hotel and explore the area before we have our welcome dinner together this evening.
Overnight Augustin Hotel

Bergen dates back more than 900 years. Around 1070 King Olav Kyrre granted municipal status to the port settlement and a town developed rapidly. Bergen was formally declared the capital of Norway in 1270, replacing Trondheim. As early as 1236 there were German trading establishments in Bergen along the waterfront, and that Hanseatic area is now called “Bryggen”. Bryggen is a thriving part of Bergen today- full of shops, restaurants and businesses. On of the most charming cities in Scandinavia, Bergen represents both the past and the future.

Saturday, September 20 Bergen (Breakfast)
After a wonderful Norwegian smorgasbord breakfast, we will meet our local guide for a 3-hour walking tour of this charming and very historic city. See the fish market, historic Hanseatic wharf or Bryggen, and take the funicular to the top of Mt. Floien for a breathtaking view of the city below. The tour ends and we will have time to have lunch at the Floien restaurant at the top, or return to the city below by funicular and continue to explore on our own. Remainder of afternoon and evening on our own at leisure. Bergen has great shopping opportunities and offers a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. Indulge in a typical “Bergen” restaurant, or one of the many restaurants with an international flare. Dinner on our own this evening. Overnight at Augustin Hotel

Sunday, September 21 Bergen (Breakfast)
This morning we have arranged for an optional tour of the Museum of Decorative Art, for those who would like. Or, spend the morning just wandering through the old streets in this wonderful city. Some shops along Bryggen may be open, but most will be closed today. At 3:00pm Chris Bylsma will hold a knitting get together/workshop at the hotel sharing some of her favorite techniques. Dinner on our own this evening. Overnight at Augustin Hotel

Monday, September 22 Bergen-Voss (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today, after breakfast, we will depart Bergen for the fjord area with a special treat along the way! Our motor coach will take us to the Dale of Norway sweater and yarn factory for a “mini” factory tour. This will be one of the highlights of the trip. After the tour there will be time to shop in the factory store. We will continue on to the town of Voss, and overnight at the historic Fleischer’s Hotel. The hotel has a wonderful lounge area-perfect place to sit and knit- Chris will be happy to give knitting “tips”. Dinner together this evening at the hotel. Overnight at Fleischer’s Hotel

Tuesday, September 23 Voss-Balestrand (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
We will depart for the fjord village of Balestrand this morning with a stop at the Stalheim Hotel. At the hotel we will enjoy the spectacular, breathtaking view and tour their open air museum. Absorb the history here with a knitting workshop held in a barn that is part of the museum dating back to 1680. This will be a fantastic day – bring your camera! A light lunch will be served before we depart in the mid-afternoon. Arrive Balestrand late afternoon, check in at the historic Kvikne's Hotel, and enjoy the lovely surroundings, original artwork and view of the fjord. Smorgasbord dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight at Kvikne’s Hotel.

A hotel in the group of historic Norwegian hotels, Kvikne's’ Hotel goes all the way back to 1732. The Kvikne family took it over in 1877 and have been running it ever since. The hotel has been modernized over the years, but still has the character and “soul” of past centuries. The hotel boasts an impressive art collection and an exquisite collection of antiques. The views from the hotel are fabulous.

Wednesday, September 24 Balestrand (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today we can relax and enjoy Balestrand and the area. After breakfast we will meet our local guide, Bjorg Bjoberg, a local artist who will take us on a walking tour and share insights and interpretation of life in and around Balestrand and its history as an artist colony. Our afternoon will be free to relax- take the opportunity to shop a bit, or take a hike in the surrounding area. Maybe just sit and knit. Those who wish can take an optional excursion further into the fjord to Fjaerland to see the glacier. Dinner together at the hotel this evening. Overnight at Kvikne’s Hotel.

Balestrand lies between towering mountains and the majestic Songefjord in a beautiful and lush fjord landscape. The impressive scenery and the ever changing light have brought many artists and painters here to capture the fascinating play of light on canvas. Art is still a major factor in today’s Balestrand.

Thursday, September 25 Balestrand-Bergen-Copenhagen (Breakfast)
Our motor coach will meet us at our hotel for the drive to Bergen and the airport. Enroute we will stop at the Norwegian Knitting Industry Museum for a tour. Continue on to the airport for our 4:00pm flight to Copenhagen. A local guide will meet us at the airport in Copenhagen and take us on a brief orientation tour and then to our hotel, the Opera Hotel. We will have the evening to explore a bit and have dinner on our own. Overnight at Opera Hotel

Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, is a large cosmopolitan city, and is also the biggest city in Scandinavia. It is a very old, historic city. The medieval section of the city (founded in the late 1100’s) with its narrow cobbled stone streets, towers, and quaint townhouses is perfectly charming. Copenhagen is also very trendy and hip. You will find the latest and hottest trendy from home goods to clothing. Wander through “Stroeget”, the longest walking street in Northern Europe and check out the exciting shops and boutiques. Fabulous restaurants await you in Copenhagen, from chic cafes to the finest dining establishments

Friday, September 26 Copenhagen (Breakfast, Lunch, DInner)
Our day begins with a wonderful Danish breakfast and then a 3 hour city tour by motor coach highlighting Copenhagen’s sights, including a tour of Rosenborg Palace. Afternoon at leisure on our own in this vibrant city to shop or explore. Dinner on our own this evening in one of the many fabulous cafes or restaurants. Overnight at Opera Hotel.

Saturday, September 27 Copenhagen (Breakfast, Dinner)
Early breakfast this morning. Our motor coach will pick us up at 8:00am and we will travel north through the scenic countryside and tour Kronborg’s Castle, also know as Hamlet’s Castle. Arrive back in the city at 3:00pm and have a late afternoon knitting event. Our farewell dinner tonight will be at Skt. Gertrude’s Kloster, a former monastery with a fascinating history. Overnight at Opera Hotel.

Sunday, September 28 Copenhagen –USA (Breakfast)
Say good-bye to Scandinavia today. We’ll have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the Copenhagen airport for early check-in and time for some serious last minute shopping in the airport shops. Depart on SAS flight # 943, scheduled to arrive Chicago at 5:30pm. Please note, there may be some slight adjustments or changes to the itinerary before travel.