Telelaget Tours
Our members' interest in visiting their ancestors' homeland and visiting the communities and farms from which they came has given rise to a commitment by Telelaget to sponsor tours to Telemark every 4-5 years. Unlike more generic itineraries that focus on tourist destinations, Telelag combines those must-see landmarks with an opportunity to visit the places and, when possible, meet family members of participants' Norwegian immigrant ancestors. Members in the US work closely with our Norwegian counterparts to create a unique and meaningful experience.
Previous tours sponsored by Telelaget took place in 1937, 1972, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2022.
2022 Tour
"After our Lillehammer stay, Han’s second treat was the site of the large and most authentic Medieval stone Ringsaker Church. Our young female guide (a professional singer and composer) sang “You Raise Me Up” with such volume and emotional intensity that it brought several of us to tears."
2016 Tour
"DAY 10 THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
Voss—Bergen: Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Gudvangen. Cruise the spectacular Nærøyfjord and Aerlandfjord to Flåm. Board the Flåm railroad, deemed by some as the most fantastic train ride in Europe. Within 15 miles descend 3800 feet to Myrdal. Morning departure on the most fantastic Flam Railway, deemed by some as the most thrilling train ride in Europe. Within 15 miles ascend 2800 feet to Myrdal. Change to the famed Oslo/Bergen Line and continue to Voss. Change to the famed Oslo-Bergen line and continue to Voss. Meet the motor coach and continue to Bergen. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Clarion Admiral."
2012 Tour
"'The Swords of the Rock'; the wind, rain, and cold that had us shivering on the Lysefjord; and the pouring rain that had us huddling below deck on the Restauration. Inclement weather was short-lived and soon forgotten. By the time we unpacked in Stavanger, the weather had cleared and we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon, strolling along one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, visiting the stone Cathedral built in 1125, browsing the shops, enjoying the beautiful flowers in bloom everywhere, and then sitting down to a getting-acquainted dinner at the Thon Maritim, our lodging for two nights."
2007 Tour
"Our "Coming Back Home" anniversary tour of Telemark was organized by Elaine Nordlie from Dassel, Minnesota, and Anne Haugen Wagn, Harald Omnes, and Ingebjørg Sperre from Telemark. Forty-one people participated in the tour which included visits in Oslo and a number of Telemark towns including Bolkesjø, Rjukan, Morgedal, Tuddal, Seljord, Ulefos, Vrådal, Dalen, Eidsborg, Bø, and Kviteseid. Various historical sites, churches, and bygdemuseums in these communities were also visited. Many participants found the most meaningful part of the tour were visits to their ancestral homes."
2002 Tour
"We came from everywhere it seemed and in various combinations. There were nieces and aunts; grandmother and grandson; husband, wife and in-laws; mother and daughter; mother and son; sisters-in-law; husbands and wives; one family of four and a few singletons. We all had in common a love for Norway and roots in Telemark."