**Bio of Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, Your Guide to an Icelandic Knitting Adventure**

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, affectionately known as Inga, is an experienced guide poised to lead an extraordinary knitting tour in Iceland's rural northwest. With over 30 years in the tourism industry and a deep-rooted passion for Icelandic culture, Inga is the perfect complement to the renowned knitting instructor, Bergrós Kjartansdóttir. Her extensive knowledge of Icelandic traditions, folklore, and rural landscapes will enrich the knitting workshops and cultural experiences on this unique journey.

Inga's expertise extends beyond guiding; she has a profound understanding of Iceland's history, particularly the role of women in sheep farming and textile production. As participants engage in knitting the SEIÐUR shawl under Bergrós's guidance, Inga will lead explorations through the countryside, visiting local farms and museums. These excursions are designed to provide insights into the traditional Icelandic way of life, connecting the craft of knitting to the nation's cultural heritage.

The tour, set against the backdrop of the réttir, Iceland's nationwide sheep roundup, offers a unique opportunity to immerse in local customs and festivities. Inga ensures that each participant experiences this cultural event as an integral part of the community. Her commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment aligns seamlessly with the ethos of Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, making this retreat not just a knitting workshop but a celebration of Icelandic culture, women's heritage, and the natural beauty of the land.

Tara is the CEO and Founder of Green Edventures Tours. She has created trips for women in over 10 countries, and Iceland is still her favorite. -- Shhh, don't tell that to the places. :)

Tara fell in love with Iceland in May 2017 after her first visit to the tiny island of fire and ice. Since then, Tara spends at least a month in Iceland each summer and is always dreaming of new ways to help people experience it. 

 Iceland wrapped its hands around her heart and inspired itineraries that evolved as Tara became more and more familiar with the people and places of Iceland. It started with multi-sport tours that sampled a variety of outdoor adventures, to multi-day thru hiking in the southern highlands, and now a knitting tours, and hot springs retreats. 

Tara is a fun and enthusiastic story teller and environmental educator. Tara's knitting experience starts and ends with a hat she started but never finished 20 years ago. However, she is excited to be picking up her knitting needles again to prepare for this adventure. 

Arrival at Keflavik airport anytime. Transfer to Reykjavik on your own.. Drop your luggage off at the hotel, and have breakfast on your own, or with new friends.

12:30pm Meet at the hotel for introductions. Walk 20 minutes to the National Museum of Iceland as a group (taxi optional for an additional fee). At the museum we will explore some of the exhibits and have a guided tour that will focus on Icelandic history.

3:00 pm Return to hotel. Check in. Relax before dinner. 

6:00 pm Dinner at a local restaurant (included)

Overnight at 3-star hotel in Reykjavik. 

Meals: D

Note: Group airport transfer on day one is not included because it is so easy to take the Flybus.is to Reykjavik and allows people to arrive at time the is convenient and economical for them. Detailed instructions on how to get to the hotel will be provided.

Morning: We will take a short walk to the Handknitting Association of Iceland with our local guide. The shop has many hand knitted products made from Lopi,  wool yarn made from the fleece of Icelandic Sheep. Sweaters, cardigans, socks, hats, and gloves for gifts or for yourself.  Here, participants will pick out Lopi to make their Icelandic lace shawls. 

After shopping at the Handknitting Association,  we will drive toward the north west of Iceland. As we leave the city, we begin to notice the fall colors of the vast moss covered glacier swept fjords, and flattop volcanic mountains of the countryside. Along the way, your guide will share stories and information about the landscape, history, and culture of Iceland.

Our first stop is Hvalfjörður to visit the farm Bjarteyjarsandur, where we will get to know Arnheiður, a sheep farmer. As we tour her sheep barns she will introduce us her life as a sheep farmer and teach about what is special about Icelandic Sheep.

As one of the world's purest and oldest sheep breeds, Icelandic sheep are strong and sturdy animals with beautiful, thick coats. Long-used in Iceland for their meat and wool, the sheep that exist in Iceland today are direct descendants of the sheep brought to the island nation by early Viking settlers. Sheep and sheep farming is as old as Iceland's culture. 

The conversation continues over a light lunch at the farm before heading to our hotel about one hour north of Borgarnes. 

After checking into the hotel and getting settled, which may include a dip in the hot tub, we will meet in our first knitting circle. Bergrós will introduce you to her work as a knitter and designer and go through some of her work. She will go over the project that we are going to start on in the workshop, as we take our first step in making the knitting examples of the Seiður shawl. Then if you are an experienced knitter then of course you can also start today with your full-size shawls.

Overnight and dinner at hotel Hamar or similar (2 nights).

Meals: BL

After breakfast, we will continue under the instruction of Bergrós with our shawl. You can ask all the questions for different techniques and get Bergrós help with details you need more help with.  

In the afternoon we drive to Ullarselið in Hvanneyri “wool center” where the University of Agriculture in cooperation with the women association of the south west has made it possible for the women in the region to experiment and work with handspun wool. 

Short walk in Borgarnes along the shores of Borgarfjörður. Participants can stop for lunch at the bakery and visit the grocery store for snacks and shop for wine, beer, and spirits at the vinbuðin.

After a short rest back at the hotel, we will meet again in our Icelandic “sewing circle." You will be able to work on your projects while enjoying drinks and sharing stories together.

Evening hot tubs and looking toward the sky for northern lights.

Second night at Hotel Hamar, or same category.

Dinner at Borgarnes Englendingavík

Meals: B

This will be the last official workshop on the shawl, by now you should have a doll-size example with all the small details you need to make your full-size shawl, and if you haven't started your full-sized one then it is time to start that. Today you can also use the time with Bergrós to get an explanation of another shawl that you might be interested in from her book.

Afternoon: We visit the champion of Icelandic Goats, Jóhanna Bergmann Þorvaldsdóttir, a former nurse, who currently owns and operates Háafell, an Icelandic farm that has been in her family for generations. Jóhanna was born and raised on this land as were her six children!  This incredible woman has been fighting to save the Icelandic goat breed from extinction since 1989. She will share her story, her joys and challenges as a goat farmer, and her mission to promote goat products (cheese, meat, cashmere) in Iceland. 

Later, we will make a lunch stop on route, and then visit the Grenigerdi farm workshop where we will meet with the owners Rita and Pall. They make and sell buttons made from natural materials like birch trees and reindeer horns. 

Late afternoon we will arrive at the village of Hvammstangi on the Vatnes Peninsula.

Overnight and dinner at the  Hótel Laugabakki. Enjoy hot tubs at the hotel before or after dinner. Don't forget to look outside for chance to see the northern lights!

Meals: B

Today we go from shawls to work on our Lopi sweater by knitting a doll-size sweater, with all the elements of an adult one. We will also explain the secret of the color yoke.

In the afternoon we visit the Icelandic Textile Center in Blönduós. The

museum exhibits beautiful Icelandic national costumes, and artistic embroideries along with many of the tools and equipment used to produce them. Founded by the Women's Union in East Hunavatnssysla, it is the only one of its kind in Iceland. Spend some time at the museum and shop at the store on site.

Second Night at Hotel Laugabakki , Dinner at Víðihlíð, Inga's all-time favorite for Fish & Chips.  

In the evening we will socialize, knit, and gaze for northern lights.

Meals: B

In the morning we meet in our sewing circle with Bergrós and share how are projects are coming along. We continued knitting our doll-size traditional Lopi sweater and we talk about all the small details that there is to think about when finishing the sweater.

In the morning we will drive to Ægissíða, Inga's farmhouse, and spend the day there enjoying the countryside where the land and the sea meet between the mountains.  You will instantly feel at home at her home.

 If there is interest and time, we can take a walk down to the beach through the barley fields and look for swans and seals. In the afternoon, Inga will serve traditional homemade soup in her kitchen. 

On the way back to the hotel, we go around Vatnsnes Peninsula to Hvítserkur Rock. Hvítserkur, otherwise known as the Troll of Northwest Iceland, is a 49ft tall basalt rock stack protruding from Húnaflói Bay. The rock is a seal sanctuary, and nesting ground for seagulls, shag and fulmar, making it appear constantly in motion, further enforcing the idea that Hvítserkur is, in some way, very much alive. Your guide will tell you about trolls and elves and associated folklore.

Dinner at Sjávarborg restaurant at Hvammstangi

Third Night at Hotel Laugabakki.

Meals: BL

In the morning we meet in our knitting circle with Bergrós and share how are projects are coming along. We continued knitting our doll-size traditional Lopi sweater and we talk about all the small details that there is to think about when finishing the sweater.

After lunch, we go to Þverárétt sheep corrals, for the roundup to experience Réttir - the Icelandic sheep roundup. This is a national holiday in Iceland where the sheep that have been roaming free in the wild during the summer are brought in for the winter with the help of people from all around.  This is a unique exciting opportunity to be part of a community event. Participants can choose to observe the excitement of people, dogs, and horses during the roundup, or get involved (and dirty) by helping to sort the sheep when they reach are brought to the sheep park. 

Overnight at Hotel Laugabakki and dinner at the hotel.

Meals B

Note: Like all outdoor activities, the sheep roundup can be affected by the bad weather resulting it being cancelled for safety purposes. 

After breakfast we  head back towards the south and we stop to visit Þingvellir National Park for a short hike and history lesson. Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its culture and scientific significance. Historically it is where the first parliament of Iceland was founded by the Viking Chieftain and the place were laws were made and disputes were settled. It is also a place where plate tectonics can be studied. In the park you will stand on the North American plate and look across the valley at the Eurasian plate as you walk through the fissures caused by the movement of the plates. 

We will stop for lunch as we continue on to Selfoss to meet Guðrún at Hespuhúsið. Here, we visit Guðrún in home and workshop. Guðrún is an expert in plant dye yarn and a fascinating and passionate woman who loves to share her work.  

Finally, we drive back to Reykjavík in the early evening. 

Overnight at Hótel Leif Ericsson or Guesthouse Freyja or same category.

Farwell dinner.

Meals: B

After breakfast enjoy Reykjavik on your own. Visit museums, shops, local pool, or the Sky Lagoon. Group transfer to the airport at 12:30pm from the hotel. 

Meals: B