2005 Heritage Tour Itinerary

Day 1  - Thurs., Sept. 8 -  Mpls/St.Paul-Trondheim-Selbu

Depart Minneapolis/St.Paul for flight to Trondheim (via Amsterdam).

Day 2 - Friday, Sept. 9 - Værnes Airport - Selbu

Arrive Værnes Airport/Trondheim. Transfer to the historic Selbusjøen Hotel. Balance of day free to relax in this idyllic setting and adjust to time change or enjoy a visit to Selbu Husflid which produces the famous knitting pattern, Selburosa and exports knitted products to all corners of the globe.  Opportunity to purchase Norwegian sweaters at discount prices.  Welcome dinner.  Overnight at Selbusjøen Hotel.

Day 3  - Saturday, Sept 10 - Excursion to Stiklestad

Drive to Stiklestad in Nord-Trøndelag, site of the famous battle of 1030 which led to the death of St. Olav and the acceptance of Christianity in Norway.  Tour the exhibition which includes a walk through history before and after 1030.  The battle constitutes the most important change in Norwegian history signifying the end of the Viking era, the beginning of the medieval kingdom and a milestone in the Christianization of Norway.   Drive by Falstad prison camp (established by the Gestapo) where a total of 5000 prisoners (up to 900 at one time) were held during WWII.  In the nearby Falstad forest, more than 50 Norwegians and 150 Russian and Serb prisoners of war were executed and buried.  Today Falstad is a center for human rights, with a memorial ground and a museum.  Excursion to Hegra Fortress, built as a Norwegian-Swedish border fortification in 1907.  This fort, manned with 250 men held out for 27 days against German attack. Dinner and overnight at Selbusjøen Hotel.   

Day 4 - Sunday, Sept. 11 - Selbu-Røros-Orkanger

Drive to the historical and cultural town of Røros, founded on copper mining industry over 350 years ago.   The old, copper mining industry and the preserved wooden houses make Røros a unique experience. Røros is on the UNESCO’s World heritage list, alongside the Egyptian pyramids, the palace of Versailles, and other prominent world memorials.  Sightseeing tour prior to continuing through Gauldalen to Støren.   Proceed south to visit the Gammelttunet Hanshus Museum in Soknedal.   Proceed to Orkanger.   Dinner and overnight at Bårdshaug Manor (Herregård) with its original interior and gardens modeled after French palaces.  The property was built by Chr. Thams, who in addition to founding a mining company, was a big game hunter, minister and architect.   

Day 5 - Monday, Sept. 12 - Orkanger-Åfjord

Visit Løkken, once the site of one of the world’s largest deposits of copper, in operation until 1987.  Tour the Orkla Industry Museum housing displays of the mining and railroad operations. Norway’s first electrical railroad, (Thamshavnbanen) opened in 1908 and was built to transport ore from the mine at Løkken Verk to the harbor at Thamshavn.   Learn about the folk high schools in Scandinavia.  Tour and lunch at a local folk high school.  (Visit pending availability).  Drive along the Trondheim Fjord to Valse.  Ferry to Brekstad.  Austrått is a rural  manor in the municipality of Ørland at the mouth of the Trondheim Fjord.  It is one of Trøndelag’s most famous historical rural estates and was the seat of powerful chieftains in the early Middle Ages.  Austrått Fort which contains the Fosen War Museum was built by Yugoslav prisoners of war.  Continue to  Åfjord.  Dinner and overnight at Fosen Fjordhotell.    

Day 6 -  Tuesday, Sept. 13 - Åfjord-Trondheim

Drive to Rissa.  Visit the Rissa Bygdemuseum. Central Norway has a long tradition of boat building, including several ships unique to the region. The traditional art of boat building can be experienced at The Coastal Heritage Museum (Museet Kystens Arv) in Stadsbygd. The Åfjord boat “Den Siste Viking” was built here.  Displays at the museum include exhibitions pertaining to life on the coast and the Lofoten traditional fisheries.  Ferry from Rørvik to Flakk.  Continue to Trondheim.   Dinner and overnight at Rica Nidelven. 

Day 7 - Wed., Sept. 14 - Trondheim

Morning sightseeing tour of Trondheim (9am-1pm) founded in 997 by the Viking King Olav Tryggvasson.  Tour includes a visit to the Nidaros Cathedral, one of the most splendid cathedrals in Scandinavia, as well as the Ringve Museum, with its collection of fine and rare musical instruments.  Afternoon free and evening free.  Dinner on own. Overnight at Rica Nidelven. 

Day 8 - Thurs., Sept. 15 - Trondheim

Morning free.  Afternoon visit  to the Trøndelag Folkmuseum depicting the local culture and history of the entire region.   Dinner at The Tavern, from 1739, serving traditional Norwegian fare in an atmospheric milieu.  Overnight at Rica Nidelven.

Days 9 - 11 - Fri.-Sun. - Sept. 16-19 - Time on own

Time on own for farm/family visits and independent explorations. 

Day 12 -  Mon.,  Sept 19 - Trondheim

Independent return to Trondheim late afternoon for farewell dinner and overnight at Radisson SAS Royal Garden Hotel.   

Day 13  - Tues., Sept. 20 - Trondheim-USA

Tour ends following breakfast.  Transfer to airport for return flight.