Odden’s Rural Life Tour 2025

Visit Norway!

Folk-Art, Fjords, Friends and Fun Tour

We plan to leave from Minneapolis on August 9th and return on August 20th 2025.

August 9th through August 20th, 2025

 Tour Norway with

Phillip Odden and Else Bigton

www.norskwoodworks.com

Email: nww@norskwoodworks.com

Phone: 715 468 2780

Else Bigton, a native of Ålesund Norway, and Phillip Odden from Barronett Wisconsin first met at the Hjerleid wood carving school in Norway in 1977. They were married in 1978 and returned to Wisconsin in 1979 to establish Norsk Wood Works, a woodcarving and furniture business. For 44 years they have made their sole living as artist-craftsmen in the Norwegian folk-art tradition. Over the past twenty five years they established a herd of Norwegian Fjord horses on their 80-acre farm. The couple raises, trains and shows Fjord horses in the upper Midwest in Pleasure Driving competitions and Combined Driving Events during summer months. During winter months they train and compete horses in Florida. Else and Phil continue to enjoy working as artist craftsmen on their farm in rural Wisconsin and in Florida. Their rich connections with Scandinavian folk art and horses provide the basis and background to offer and lead interesting tours to Norway and Sweden.

Odden’s Rural Life Tours is in its 13th year of offering tours to Scandinavia focused on rural life, folk arts and learning how people live in modern Norway as well as how people lived at the time of immigration to North America. The scenery is spectacular, the people warm and interesting and modern day Scandinavian food is delightful. Our modern motor coach is incredibly comfortable. Else and Phil will be your guides as you experience Scandinavia with your fellow travelers.

Odden’s Rural Life Tour: Folk-art, Fjords, Fun and Friends will leave the US August 9th and begin in Norway from the Oslo Gardermoen airport on August 10th. The tour ends in Bergen, Norway on August 20th, 2025.
We have reserved tickets with Iceland Air for this tour but you are welcome to arrange your own air transportation or use our tickets and then adjust the arrival or departure dates to extend your stay. We are willing to consult with you regarding private travel arrangements occurring before or after our tour.

Folk-Art, Fjords, Friends and Fun Tour

The August 2025 will focus on Rural Life in Norway. This will be a study tour to visit Phil and Else’s favorite places and people in Norway while traveling through some of Northern Europe’s most spectacular mountain scenery. We will become familiar with folk art music and food traditions from different regions of the country. Phil and Else will explain these traditions in the cultural and historical context of Norway. Often we will have local guest guides. These are people Phil and Else have come to know over many years and they will offer insights that would not be possible to hear or see otherwise.

This tour will be comfortable for those who are in reasonable shape and are able to keep up with a group of senior citizens. Our modern motor coach is very comfortable and we try to provide opportunities to rest each day. While reading through our itinerary you will notice several extra activities for those who are in good physical shape such as hikes, horse rides and mountain bike rides on mountain trails.

August 9th through August 20th, 2025

These travel plans may change a little due to some new and unexpected opportunities, but our plans are pretty firm now.

Day 1 – Travel to Oslo.

This is a Travel Day for those who wish to use our air arrangements with Iceland Air leaving Minneapolis from the Humphrey terminal at 7:25 in the evening. The first leg of the flight is to Reykjavik Iceland and lasts about 6 hours. From Reykjavik to Gardemoen airport takes about 2 1⁄2 hours. If you would like to arrange your own air transportation we will arrive in Oslo at 12:25 in the early afternoon August 12th and you can meet us there.

Day 2 – Arrive Oslo and travel to Gjøvik.

Arrive Oslo Gardemoen airport. You will have an opportunity to exchange money at the airport. After the group is assembled at Gardemoen airport we will drive north along lake Mjøsa toward Gjøvik. You will visit the home and studio of master wood carver, cabinetmaker and silversmith Arve Mosand. Later we will have dinner and be welcomed at Gjestrum farm where we will experience rural Norwegian hospitality at its best. The people will explain how the farms in that area function and give us a tour of interesting buildings on the farm. After dinner we will travel on to Gjøvik to settle in to our hotel. This will be a long day but we are hoping to get accustomed to the time change as soon as possible with this schedule. For those who wish to stretch their legs there is a good opportunity for a pleasant evening walk along lake Mjøsa close to the modern Hotel.

Lunch on your own at the airport Dinner provided at Gjestrum Farm.

Day 3 – Gjøvik to Venabu Fjellhotel.

First up we will visit Maihaugen, a large open-air museum. Here we will experience how people lived in Gudbrandsdalen at the time of immigration to North America. Lillehammer, located in the heart of Gudbrandsdalen, was the site of the 1994 winter Olympics. Lunch on your own can be purchased at the museum cafe. After lunch we will board our motor coach and continue north toward Rondane National Park. On the way we will stop to visit a small farm near Vinstra owned by Phil’s third cousin. We will then continue on to Venabu Fjellhotel, a mountain hotel located on the edge of beautiful Rondane National Park. There will be ample time to rest and relax while preparing for the rest of our ambitious tour at this high mountain resort (don’t worry, it’s not high elevation). You can choose to hike on well-marked trails in the area or do a trail ride with horses (horse-riding would be an extra charge). We plan to have a musician entertain us with local folk tunes in the evening by the fireplace.

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Lunch on your own.

Day 4 – Venabu to Elveseter.

We will travel from Venabu through the Otta valley via Vågå and then to Lom. In Lom we will meet Edvin Espelund, a classmate and longtime friend of ours from back in the late seventies when we studied carving and furniture making at Dovre. He is a master craftsman and recognized expert on old buildings and building techniques. The architectural traditions are quite special in this area and Edvin has been the Government’s representative to advise farm owners on how to preserve their centuries old buildings. Edvin will give us a tour of his log home building business Stokk og Stein.
In Lom we will have a guided tour of the Lom Stave Church. This is a very special Stave Church and the largest of its kind in Norway. Lom is an intriguing mountain village with a charming atmosphere and fun shops which you will have time to explore.
Afternoon coffee and cake with Kristian Sulheim on a very old and tradition-rich farm near Lom. This important farm has been in Kristian’s family for countless generations. The farm buildings are furnished with decorations one would see on a farm of very high status. Kristian also has an impressive collection of modern art he will show us.
Your hotel, Elveseter, is a mountain hotel located beside a pleasant gurgling mountain stream with a spectacular collection of carved and painted folk art as well as a fine art collection from several of Norway’s most important artists. We will take time to look through their collection and learn about rural Norway through the artist’s eye. Phil and Else have used the art at Elveseter as inspiration for many of their carved and painted designs.
If you have time there are impressive hiking trails from the hotel.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.
Lunch on your own in Lom.

Day 5 – Elveseter to Ålesund via Geiranger and Hellesylt.

Our travels this day will take us from the inland culture of the central inland valleys west along the river and over a high mountain pass where we will experience Norwegian west coast culture. ( Again, this is not a high elevation mountain pass.) Our introduction to west coast culture will be a spectacular view of Geiranger, a World Heritage Site, provided the weather is clear. From Geiranger we will travel toward Ålesund first by car ferry along the spectacular Gairanger Fjord to Hellesylt where we will see a collection of large carved panels depicting Per Gynt, a classic Norwegian folk story. Our destination will be Ålesund, Else’s hometown. Ålesund is a very picturesque city on Norway’s west coast known as the Art Nouveau City. Else proudly proclaims that it is the most beautiful city in Norway. Many agree.

Dinner will await us at our Hotel by the picturesque harbor in Ålesund with ample opportunity to stroll around the intriguing city.
We will stay in Ålesund for two nights.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

Day 6 – Ålesund.

Options:
This day can be a free day for those who may wish to rest at the hotel or you can choose between two half day experiences.
Else will guide a half day Fjord Cruise to explore the panoramic views of Hjørundfjord Fjord. (additional expense).
For those who do not wish to do the scenic Fjord Cruise to Hjørundfjord there will be a half day of visiting museums and attractions in Ålesund, Else’s hometown. Ålesund is called the Art Nouveau city for the architectural style. The history of Ålesund city dates back to Viking times. Plan to visit Borgund Church where Else and Phil were married. This church has extensive woodcarvings done in the Jugend stil. The second half of this day offers an opportunity for people to explore the city on their own or relax at the hotel.
For those who wish to travel to Hjørundfjord by boat from Ålesund we have made arrangements for these connections at additional expense. Please let us know if you plan to take the Fjord Cruise.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel
Lunch on your own.

Day 7 – Ålesund to Nordfjordeid.

Travel from Ålesund to Ørsta crossing the fjord to visit friends in Ørsta on our way to Nordfjordeid. We plan to visit a local museum on a small farm to see how immigrants would have lived at the end of the 19th century. From Ørsta we will drive a route through the country-side to take another ferry and travel through some of Norway’s most spectacular West-Coast scenery on our way to a special event in the Nordfjord Region.

Those who wish to have the opportunity to ride a Fjord Horse can ride on this day. (extra fee). The horses are provided by the Fjord Horse center at Nordfjordeid through a local concession. Riding will be on gravel roads in the mountains not far from Nordfjordeid. So the riders will be riding while the rest of the group will be visiting the fiddler. Phil will accompany the people who wish to ride. For this group dinner will be at the Nordfjord Hotel. Those who choose not to ride horses ( most of the group ) will travel with Else and meet Arne Sølvberg and his wife Asbjørg at Fjelli for a bit of fun and local culture. Arne will entertain us with his fiddle music. He is one of the most accomplished fiddle musicians in Norway, playing the Hardanger fiddle and traditional Nordfjord fiddle tunes. The cultural hall decorated with images from the early 1900’s is located just below his farm where he and his wife raise sheep and lambs with a spectacular view overlooking Nordfjord. For those who go with Else dinner will be prepared by Arne’s cousin Nils and his wife. We will overnight at Nordfjord Hotel in Nordfjordeid. Breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 8 – Nordfjordeid to Skei.

The highlights of this day will be spectacular scenery, Fjord Horses, shopping and cultural opportunities in the Nordfjord region.
In the morning after breakfast we will visit the Fjord Horse Center. We have arranged for a tour of the facility and a program. We will have coffee and goodies and an opportunity to purchase Norwegian items with a Fjord Horse theme. We will have an opportunity to stroll around a charming small west coast town, view an impressive reconstructed Viking ship and visit the local church decorated by the famous artist Lars Kinsarvik. There will be an opportunity to explore the small waterfront town do some shopping and have lunch. From Nordfjordeid we will travel across the Fjords to the village of Byrkjelo to visit a farm family. The family operates a modern Dairy farm. Here we will see how modern farmers live on the West Coast of Norway. The family is also active in the Fjord Horse community.

There is a nice hiking path close to the hotel.
Our hotel is located at Skei on charming lake Jølster. There is a wonderful shopping opportunity as well as a mountain hiking opportunity close to the hotel. Usually the blueberries are ripe and available to sample along the trail overlooking the deep blue water lake. Skei hotel is well known for its traditional Norwegian cuisine. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel
Lunch on your own in Nordfjordeid.

Day 9 – Skei to Stalheim.

From Skei we will head south into the glacier covered Mountains and Fjords of the Sogn region on our way to Stalheim. Our first stop will be at the foot of a glacier. We will travel an historic route to visit Borgund, one of the most celebrated Stave Churches in Norway. After visiting the Stave Church we will travel to Flåm where we will take a train ride up and down the mountain.

There is an opportunity to ride a mountain bike down the mountain. Phil will accompany those who wish to coast down the steep mountain. The bike path is a challenging downhill starting with a number of tight switchbacks on gravel and widening out to a single lane asphalt road. This ride is only recommended for people who have good balance, tolerate steep mountain paths and are familiar with modern bicycles with disc brakes. This is a spectacular mountain experience. Please do not sign up for this adventure unless you feel confident in your ability to ride a steep downhill. You will need to sign a release form for the bicycle concession and the bike ride comes at an extra charge. Please let us know if you plan to do this ride.

We plan to arrive at our hotel with enough time to relax or take a scenic hike from the hotel.
Stalheim offers one of the most spectacular views from any hotel in Norway. They have a private museum with a tour guided by a man who has a wonderful gift for explaining the context of the artifacts in his museum. This is one of our favorite private museums in Norway. The view from this comfortable hotel is unbelievable. For those who are able to walk mountain trails, the hike from the hotel is fabulous.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.
Lunch on your own.

Day 10 – Stalheim to Voss.

The drive from Stalheim to our hotel in Voss takes about an hour. Our local guide will be Torgeir Lirhus. Torgeir lives on an important and tradition-rich farm on the outskirts of Voss. He is a retired woodworking teacher at the Voss Folk School. Torgeir and his wife Astrid have invited us to their farm home for coffee and cake. Astrid is a very accomplished seamstress and she has reconstructed traditional dresses from the area. We might visit a wood-carver as well.

We will stay at the tradition rich Fleischer’s Hotel. This is an old historical wooden building in the Swiss architectural style adopted in the late 1880’s to early 1900’s or during the immigration period to the US.

Decoration here is in the Norwegian Arts and crafts style also referred to as Dragon Style. Dragon style ornamentation has been a huge influence on the art work Phil has been exploring for close to five decades. This hotel has been used by worldly Kings and Queens, emperors, and important artists such as Edvard Grieg. The wooden floors creak with the sound of these former notables as you are surrounded with yesteryears opulence.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel.
Lunch on your own.

Day 11 – Voss to Bergen.

We will have a city tour and orientation in Bergen so you will understand what you may want to see and experience in the city by the sea. Our hotel is conveniently located near Bergen’s famous fish market on the Harbor.
On this day you will have time to shop and explore Bergen on your own or relax a bit for the trip home. We will have our last dinner together to recount the highlights of our tour and honor the wonderful people we have come to know.

Breakfast and Dinner at the hotel. Lunch on your own.

Day 12 – Bergen airport.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a few hours in Bergen before we depart from the Bergen airport to fly home.

Note: The tour operator reserves the right to make necessary changes to give our travelers the best experience possible. There are also pleasant surprises planned throughout the tour not listed in the itinerary.

*****

Prices listed here below was for our 2023 tour to Norway.

We expect to get the prices for our 2025 tour to Norway and Sweden to be available the end of September 2024.

Folk-Art, Fjords, Friends and Fun Tour Pricing:

$6500 Land package per person (double occupancy)

$875 Single supplement

$1250 Flight Icelandair from Minneapolis –Oslo, Bergen-Minneapolis

Maximum 34 participants. Prices and itinerary subject to change

Please call us or email us with your questions. We can send you the necessary paper work to sign up for our tour. We are very happy to provide our participants fine opportunities in Norway that no other tour can offer. Please join us for this rich life experience.

Contact information:
Phillip Odden & Else Bigton

Odden’s Rural Life Tours & Norsk Wood Works LTD
20337 County Road H
Barronett WI 54813
Email: nww@norskwoodworks.com

Website: www.norskwoodworks.com

Home phone: (715) 468-2780 

Cell Phone: 715 491 4146