In the Footsteps of Edvard Grieg July 31 – August 10, 2020
Hosted by Dr. Bill Halverson, Scholarly Advisor of the Edvard Grieg Society of America
I have spent much of my professional life studying and writing about Edvard Grieg – his life, his music, his writings. I look forward to sharing some of what I have learned as we explore together the sights, the sounds, the places that inspired him to write the beautiful music that we all know and love. ~ Bill Halverson
Friday, July 31 Depart US Individual departures from the US.
Saturday, August 1 Arrive Bergen D Arrive Bergen and transfer to your hotel by airport bus, which stops near the hotel.
Before dinner, you will be met by the hotel’s owner, Mr. Alexander Grieg, who will share some of his family stories and explain his relation to Edvard Grieg, as well as talk about the exhibition the hotel has honoring Greig.
In honor of the 150th anniversary of Edvard Grieg’s composition of his famous A-minor concerto, Opus XVI, an exhibition has been created at the hotel about this period of Grieg’s life, the first exhibition of its kind.
Mr. Grieg will personally present the exhibition to the group, followed by a welcome dinner.
Overnight at Opus XVI, Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel As a relative of Edvard Greig, Alexander Greig looked at the abandoned bank built in 1876 and envisioned a hotel where luxury, history, and culture met harmoniously in the modern world. Opening its doors in 2018, the Opus XVI is centrally located. Just off of the busy streets surrounding the fish market, you aren’t too far from any of Bergen’s many attractions. The hotel has a bar and restaurant on the main floor and an exhibition on Greig’s life in the basement. Rooms offer a private bathroom with hairdryer, minibar, coffee machine, seating area, TV, and Wi-Fi.
Sunday, August 2 Bergen B, D Today, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bergen, which will include a photo stop at Grieg’s childhood home. The tour will then continue by bus to Troldhaugen to visit the museum and grounds, followed by dinner. Dr. Halverson will present “Grieg in America”, which will be followed by a private recital in Troldhaugen’s stua on Grieg’s own piano.
Overnight at Opus XVI
Bergen Tourist Board / Oddleiv Apneseth - visitBergen.com Troldhaugen
Grieg’s piano & stua
Bergen Tourist Board / Robin Strand – visitBergen.com Grieghallen, Bergen Monday, August 3 Bergen B, D Visit the Grieg Academy at the University of Bergen. Its Director is the well- known Norwegian pianist, Einar Røttingen, who will provide interesting insights into Grieg’s music.
In addition the group will visit the Bergen Public Library, to which Edvard and Nina bequeathed all his remaining sheet music, books, manuscripts, autographs, and letters from artists. Enjoy a presentation of this valuable collection of Grieg materials that today comprises over 25,000 items. Bergen Tourist Board / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com
Dinner tonight is at Fløien Folkerestaurant at the top of Mt. Fløien. Edvard Grieg personally funded a gala dinner here for the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam which participated in the very first Bergen Music Festival, which Grieg personally produced.
Overnight at Opus XVI
Tuesday, August 4 Bergen – Hardanger B, L, D Fløien Folkerestaurant Departure from Bergen after breakfast. A stop will be made at the Oleana Bergen Tourist Board / Jan M. Lillebø - visitBergen.com sweater factory for a tour and some shopping.
Continue driving along the Hardangerfjord, stopping for a visit and lunch at Steinstø Fruit Farm. Late afternoon arrival at the beautiful Hotel Ullensvang.
Dinner is provided at your hotel this evening in a private room for the group. . Overnight at Hotel Ullensvang Hotel Ullensvang was established by Hans and Brita Utne who rented lodging to Edvard and Nina Grieg in 1877-78. The hotel has been in the same family throughout the years, with the 5th generation now assisting with its operation. The spectacular view of the fjord and mountains has been inspirational for many people over the years. Edvard Grieg composed many of his best works here. Edvard Grieg’s hut at Hotel Ullensvang
Wednesday, August 5 Hardanger – Luster B, D Drive along the Hardangerfjord this morning, then over the mountains to the town of Voss. Continue to Gudvangen, where you’ll embark on your fjord cruise of the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. Disembark in Flåm, where there is time on your own for lunch and shopping.
Board your coach again and drive through the longest tunnel in northern Europe. A photo stop will be made at Kaupanger Stave Church, then continue north along the Lusterfjord to your hotel.
Dinner will be provided at your hotel this evening.
Overnight at Tørvis Hotel Located along Lusterfjord, Tørvis Hotell has a history dating back to 1639. In your time at the hotel, you can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant or enjoy a view of the fjord from the garden in front of the hotel. Rooms offer a private bathroom, desk, balcony, and Wi-Fi.
Thursday, August 6 Luster – Venabu B, D Continue over the breathtaking Jotuntheimen mountains today. Along the way a stop will be made at Lom Stave Church for a tour. After the tour the group will continue to Venabu Mountain Hotel for dinner and overnight.
After dinner, you’ll have a presentation about the Peer Gynt performance prior to tomorrow night’s show, which will be in Norwegian.
Overnight at Venabu Mountain Hotel The Venabu Fjellhotell is located on the Venabygdsfjellet Mountain plateau. Surrounded by Lom Stave Church beautiful natural surroundings, including lakes, streams, waterfalls, and mountain tops, the Venabu Fjellhotell is ideally located for outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Rondane National Park. Many guests enjoy hiking and skiing, horse riding, and carriage driving. Guests may rent skis on-site at the ski waxing room and shop, and the hotel offers ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes. The souvenir shop is located by the reception and features handmade wares. The hotel includes its own restaurant and bar as well as a sauna. Rooms offer a private bathroom and Wi-Fi.
Friday, August 7 Venabu – Peer Gynt Performance B, L, D Enjoy the stunning views of Rondane at leisure this morning, and spend some time walking in the mountains, just as the Norwegians do.
This evening enjoy a special performance of the play Peer Gynt as part of the annual Peer Gynt Festival. The play is performed on an open-air stage, with Lake Gålå as the backdrop.
“It may interest you to know that Peer Gynt is a person who actually lived in Gudbrandsdalen, probably at the end of the last century or in the beginning if this century. His name is still well known to the local community…”. ~ Henrik Ibsen to his publisher, August 8th, 1867
The history of the Peer Gynt Festival goes back to the early 1900’s, while Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt with the music of Edvard Grieg has been performed by Lake Gålå since 1989.
An early dinner will be served prior to leaving for the performance and a light meal upon arrival back at the hotel will also be served.
Overnight at Venabu Mountain Hotel
Saturday, August 8 Venabu – Oslo B, L, D Drive through the Gudbrandsdal Valley to Follebu for a tour of Aulestad, former home of Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. His home was a gathering place for family and friends, including Edvard and Nina Grieg. Visit Maihaugen open air museum, then continue to Oslo for your overnight.
Overnight at Soria Moria Hotell Back when Soria Moria Hotel was called Voksenkollen Sanatorium, it was christened by Edvard Grieg. During that era, a sanatorium was a place where one “retrieved strength.” Located a bit outside the city center near Holmenkollen ski jump, it is still today a place where one can work, plan and calm their mind. Rooms offer a private bathroom with hair dryer, desk and armchair, TV, and Wi-Fi.
Sunday, August 9 Oslo B, D Enjoy a tour of Oslo highlights this morning. The tour will include stops like Holmenkollen, the Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland’s sculpture park, and the Opera House. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore further on your own.
This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner at Engebret Café, Oslo’s oldest restaurant, where Edvard Grieg often dined and entertained his guests.
Overnight at Soria Moria Hotell
Engebret Café, Oslo VISITOSLO/Tord Baklund Monday, August 10 Depart Oslo B Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US or extend your stay in Norway.
Land Tour Prices*: Norway House Member: $4,636 per person, double occupancy Non-Member Price: $4,880 per person, double occupancy Single Supplement: $ 795
*Borton Overseas can assist with your transatlantic flights. Please inquire!
Land Tour Includes: ▪ Nine nights’ accommodation in specified hotels per the itinerary ▪ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 9 dinners as indicated. (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) ▪ Wine tasting and Grieg exhibition presentation at Opus XVI, Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel ▪ Bergen city tour with local guide ▪ Visit to Troldhaugen, including tour of home and recital on Grieg’s own piano ▪ Tour of Oleana factory with coffee and roll ▪ Tour of Steinstø fruit farm ▪ Private presentation of Hotel Ullensvang’s history by an Utne family member ▪ Local entertainment at Hotel Ullensvang ▪ Fjord cruise from Gudvangen to Flåm ▪ Tour of Lom Stave Church ▪ Tickets to the Peer Gynt performance, including roundtrip transportation ▪ Guided tour of Aulestad, home of Grieg’s friend Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson ▪ Entrance to Maihaugen open air museum ▪ Oslo city tour with local guide ▪ Arrival transfer in Bergen, departure transfer in Oslo, all transportation as specified in itinerary ▪ Copy of the book Edvard Grieg: Diaries, Articles, Speeches, 2nd edition (Edvard Grieg Society of America, 2019) ▪ Commentary, presentations, and guiding by your host, Dr. Bill Halverson
Not included: International airfare, meals, sightseeing and items not specified, items of a personal nature, beverages with meals other than tea/coffee, travel insurance (recommended), tips to drivers and guides.
Your Tour Host Dr. Bill Halverson is Associate Dean Emeritus in the Office of Academic Affairs at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He is regarded as one of America's leading authorities on the life and work of Edvard Grieg. His translations of Grieg's writings (letters, diaries, articles, speeches) and of books about Grieg and his music are major sources of information about Norway's greatest composer in the English-speaking world.
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