Up Norway is showcasing the country’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, farmers, explorers and artists on a new journey. Jenny Southan reports
Sustainable luxury travel curator Up Norway is inviting travellers to explore Norway from a gender equality perspective with the launch of a new journey called Tracing Norway’s Super Women.
According to the UN’s sustainable development index, Norway is among the top five most gender-equal countries in the world. Its government’s action plans for gender equality and women’s rights in Norway (and around the world) aim to empower girls and women, and promote the right to self-determination.
The company’s new tour provides a historical and geographical journey that traverses 17th-century witch trials in wild Varanger to a female-powered whiskey distillery on the island of Fedje.
Highlights of the ten-day journey include:
- A king crab fishing experience with storytelling about strong female characters who historically have served the same roles as men, as skippers and in the household.
- A visit to Feddie Ocean Distillery, Norway’s first organic certified distillery that is creating a completely new type of classic whiskey: Norwegian single malt. Over 650 female investors have invested in the distillery.
- A guided tour of Ekeberg Sculpture Park, acclaimed as one of the world’s top five sculpture parks, which features depictions of women and work by female artists.
- A tour of Scandinavia’s only Women’s Museum for an introduction to Norway’s equality journey from an international perspective.
- A stay at the exquisitely restored boutique hotel Camilla’s House – originally the private residence of author Camilla Collett, one of Norway’s most significant novelists and women’s rights activists.
- Time with local indigenous Sami women in Varanger.
- A visit to the Steilneset memorial, an installation by artist Louise Bourgeois and architect Peter Zumthor that commemorates the most witch burnings to have taken place in Europe, according to population size.
- A meeting with the first Norwegian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest – Randi Skaug.
- Learning about Oslo’s “Proud and Free Action Plan”, instigated to increase recognition of gender and sexual diversity, and to boost equality and inclusivity.
- A visit to green furniture factory the Plus in Magnor, near the Swedish border. Completed in 2022, it is set in pine forest and is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly buildings.
As a travel curator and local insider, Up Norway designs bespoke itineraries tailored to an individual’s preference. A highlight of travel with Up Norway is its digital itinerary application where travellers can find their travel details, personalised recommendations and 24-hour chat support.
The new Women’s Journey starts from US$5,365 per person based on a group of eight travellers. Lodging and all local transfers from arrival to departure are included in the price, as well as various privately guided tours, select meals, service and a digital itinerary.