ICELAND - Celtic Journeys

A Knitting Journey to the land of Fire & Ice ……...
ICELAND~~with
withAmy
AmyDetjen
Detjen
ICELAND
Dates:29th
29thApril
April-- 08th
08thMay,
May,2016
2016
Dates:
OPTION AVAILABLE to arrive early in Reykjavik should you wish to have a day to relax pre-tour.
www.celtic-journeys.com
Friday 29th April: Depart USA for Iceland —Depart USA on your overnight flight to Reykjavik, Iceland.
Saturday 30th April: Reykjavik & The Blue Lagoon
Arrive Reykjavik where your driver/guide will be waiting to take you to the Blue Lagoon located in the Lava field
in Grindavik. The Blue Lagoon has so much to offer with the option to take a 40 minute tour and learn it’s
fascinating story or take a relaxing massage with a massage oil that contains Blue Lagoon active ingredients.
Continue into Reykjavik and the Hotel Borg your home for the next three nights. Located in the heart of the city
and within walking distance to a variety of shops, restaurants and art galleries. Welcome dinner this evening at
the hotel.
Sunday 01st May: Saga Circle Tour ~ Gudrun Bjarnadottier & Ullarselid
After breakfast at the hotel experience a “Saga Circle Tour” which will take you to
the western part of the island. Visit some historical sites connected with the Viking
Age in Iceland as well as an opportunity to see beautiful waterfalls and hot springs.
Meet with Gudrun Bjarnadottir who has been dyeing wool using plants and natural
herbs. Also visit a shop close by called Ullarselid where you will find hand-knitted
items made according to old Icelandic customs. Also, a visit to the Snorrastofa
Writers Museum to learn about Icelandic literature. This evening at leisure to enjoy
one of Iceland’s many restaurants.
Monday 02nd May: Istex Mill & Alafoss and Whale Watching Tour
Following breakfast journey by bus to visit the Istex Mill. Istex stands for Islenskur Textilionaour which translates
into Icelandic Textile Industry. Istex is a company producing and selling the famous Alafosslopi and other Lopi
Yarns. All products are made of high quality Icelandic wool. Istex buys the wool directly from the farmers in
Iceland and processes it into yarn. Istex is a spinning factory and they don’t sell yarn at the mill but you will enjoy
a tour while you are there. Continue on to the town of Mosfellsbaer to visit Alafoss. Established at the end of the
19th century and marked as the true beginning of Iceland’s wool industry. Alafoss is
housed in an old factory building, where you will also find an exhibit of old knitting machinery and photographs from the early days. You will have the opportunity to buy a great selection of popular traditional wool sweaters, and knitting yarn.
Today, also experience a Whale Watching Tour .
This evening dinner on your own.
Tuesday 03rd May: Reykjavik to Blaskogabyggd and Farmhotel Efstidalur
Following breakfast at the hotel experience a “Golden Circle Tour” which allows
you to visit some of Iceland’s most stunning sights, starting with the geothermal
area where the Strokkur geyser shoots a column of water up to 98 feet into the air
every 4-8 minutes. Also see the historical and geological wonder that is Thingvellir
National Park. Journey to Blaskogabyggd and enjoy a Farm Hotel stay for the next
two evenings. The Farm Hotel Efstidalur provides a relaxing stay in the country
with extraordinary landscape and amazing mountain views. Ample space to enjoy some hands-on knitting with
Amy while enjoying the beautiful countryside. Dinner this evening at the Farm Hotel
Please note because the Farm Hotel Efstidalur has only 10 rooms and Singles will be limited for this two night
stay .
ICELAND with Amy Detjen ~ April 29 to 08 May , 2016
Details
8 nights/10 days—Arrive &
Depart Reykjavik
www.celtic-journeys.com
Some Highlights








Helene Magnusson
Blue Lagoon
Istex Mill
Alafoss
Thingborg
Farm Stay
Meeting local Knitters
Whale Watching Tour
Dates
Depart April 29, 2016
Return May 08, 2016
Cost: $ 2,888
per person sharing.
(cheque discount $
(Plus Air—approx.
$800
Extra cost for
)
Single room $640
Included in your trip:
Accommodation for 08
nights with breakfast each
morning.
5 Evening dinners
Entrance fees to: Istex,
Alafoss,Blue Lagoon, Open
Air Folk Museum,
Thingborg, Whale Watching Tour, Skogar Museum
Transportation with a
professional driver. English
speaking guide
Hands on with Helene
Magnusson
Not Included:
Airfare
Items of a personal nature
(laundry, telephone, etc.,)
Gratuities for driver and
guide.
Wednesday 04th May: Farm Hotel Efstidalur
After a leisurely breakfast enjoy the Farm Hotel Efstidalur. Enjoy an ice cream at the
Ice Cream shop located on the property and for those Horse Back riding enthusiasts
you can rent horses on property. Dinner this evening at the Farm Hotel. After dinner
enjoy the company of some local knitters and hear about knitting from an Icelandic
perspective.
Thursday 05th May: Reykjavik & Helene Magnusson
Today after breakfast we bid farewell to our farm hotel
and return to the Capital city of Reykjavik and meet
with Helene Magnusson and start our “Love Story” with
Einband~pure Islandic wool. Helene’s passion for
textiles led her to extensively research Icelandic knitting
traditions. Her expertise has earned her the respect of
textile historians and museum curators in Iceland and
worldwide. Helene believes the best way to preserve tradition is to continue using
them. Meet at the Open Air Folk Museum and Archives with a introduction to Icelandic Knitting History. Visit the Icelandic Handicrafts Association which was founded in
1977 by hundreds of Icelanders, mostly women who supported their homes by knitting pullovers, sweaters from a very special wool from Icelandic sheep. Join Helene,
and other knitters for “open handiwork day”. (Coffee and Cakes are available for purchase and a teacher will be on hand to help with projects.) This evening meet with
Helene, and local knitters at the Café Merski
Friday 06: Knitting Workshop with Helene Magnusson
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a 4-5 hour workshop with Helene at her studio
located 15 minutes from your hotel. Knitting with unspun wool and working with the
traditional steek method. Wool for the workshop and project bag will be included.
Dinner this evening at the hotel.
Saturday 07th May: South Shore Tour ~Thingborg
After breakfast at your hotel enjoy a South Shore tour to see
Seljalandfoss waterfall. Further along the coast visit the
Solheimajokull Glacier. Experience black sand beaches,
coastal cliffs and spectacular rock formations. Visit the Wool
Centre and Gallery in Thingborg where you can buy yarn.
Visit the town of Vik that has become a booming hub for a
beautiful portion of the south coast. Also, a visit to the
Skogar Museum is included in this day.
Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to end your time in Iceland.
Sunday 08th May: Return to USA
Depart your hotel and travel to Reykjavik Airport for your return flight home.
Options to extend post tour.