NORSK HOSTFEST
North America’s Largest Scandinavian Festival
Minot, North Dakota
September 29 – October 2, 2022
It’s been EIGHT long years since we’ve visited North Dakota’s Norsk Hostfest and we feel that it’s time to return! As we make our way to Minot, we look forward to the 44th Annual festival, which has not been able to take place since the fall of 2019. They have great expectations for a delightful Norskfest reunion this 2022 season! Because it’s been two years since they’ve been able to have the festival, they expect a great turn out of people from all over the country! We will celebrate and partake in Scandinavian culture and entertainment to the fullest. Over 200 internationally-recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participate every year. The experience is an eclectic array of the contemporary and the traditional. The cuisine, as well as the clothes, art and jewelry, are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic. We'll enjoy THREE nights in Minot allowing us TWO full days at the Norsk Hostfest! Once they announce the line up of entertainers, we can select from there which show we’ll see. So, get ready for a fabulous FOUR days with your friends from Happy Trails Tours.
By early 2022, The Norsk Hostfest will announce the musical line up. We will include a Great Hall Stage Act
Your FOUR Day Scandinavian Hostfest Tour Includes:
Round Trip Motor Coach Transportation from Duluth, Eveleth, Virginia, Hibbing & Grand Rapids, Sartell, Rice, Little Falls and Baxter/ Brainerd
*Three Nights Lodging ~Three nights at the lovely Grand Hotel in Minot
* Reserved Seats @ Great Hall of the Vikings (Show to be announced)
*Admission Daily for TWO full days of the Norsk Hostfest - Music, Parades, Crafts and Food!
*Tickets for the Dance and Hostfest Shuttle which run every hour on the hour
*Three Meals – A Full Breakfast each morning in the Grand Hotel Restaurant
*Fully guided, all Taxes, most Tips and Luggage Handling with tips for the porters.
$150 per person deposit due per reservation. Deposits are fully refundable with cancellations made by July 1, 2022 . Full payments are due August 1, 2022. Monies returned with cancellations between July 1 and August 1, 2022 are contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives back from hotels, charters, tour companies, restaurants and theaters. Cancellations after August 1, 2022 receive no refunds. Reservations are transferrable. Trip cancellations insurance is available at an additional charge. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND the insurance in order to protect your investment spent for the tour. It offers peace of mind and financial security. Travel Insurance does not cover “Fear of Travel”
However, there are optional policies that offer “Cancel for Any Reason” where you could receive up to 50% of your investment. Final documents, day-by-day itineraries, hotel address & phone information should arrive 3 weeks prior to departure.
By early 2022, The Norsk Hostfest will announce the musical line up. We will include a Great Hall Stage Act
Your FOUR Day Scandinavian Hostfest Tour Includes:
Round Trip Motor Coach Transportation from Duluth, Eveleth, Virginia, Hibbing & Grand Rapids, Sartell, Rice, Little Falls and Baxter/ Brainerd
*Three Nights Lodging ~Three nights at the lovely Grand Hotel in Minot
* Reserved Seats @ Great Hall of the Vikings (Show to be announced)
*Admission Daily for TWO full days of the Norsk Hostfest - Music, Parades, Crafts and Food!
*Tickets for the Dance and Hostfest Shuttle which run every hour on the hour
*Three Meals – A Full Breakfast each morning in the Grand Hotel Restaurant
*Fully guided, all Taxes, most Tips and Luggage Handling with tips for the porters.
$150 per person deposit due per reservation. Deposits are fully refundable with cancellations made by July 1, 2022 . Full payments are due August 1, 2022. Monies returned with cancellations between July 1 and August 1, 2022 are contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives back from hotels, charters, tour companies, restaurants and theaters. Cancellations after August 1, 2022 receive no refunds. Reservations are transferrable. Trip cancellations insurance is available at an additional charge. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND the insurance in order to protect your investment spent for the tour. It offers peace of mind and financial security. Travel Insurance does not cover “Fear of Travel”
However, there are optional policies that offer “Cancel for Any Reason” where you could receive up to 50% of your investment. Final documents, day-by-day itineraries, hotel address & phone information should arrive 3 weeks prior to departure.
~Things to know before you go~
Coach: The charter is Trobec Bus Co from St Stephens. These vehicles are state of art with comfortable seats, restroom seatbelts, new air filtration system, and fabulous drivers! Depending on the size of the group from central Minnesota, we may use a smaller van, mini-coach or a motor coach.
Special Requests: Kindly let us know if you have any special needs we should be aware of BEFORE we leave. We do not rotate seats on the coach. We offer open seating unless there is a special need request. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requests. We also ask you to refrain from using perfumes / fragrances due to allergies.
Hotel: The hotel where we are staying is beautiful!!! You won’t be disappointed. (the Grand Hotel). The Grand Hotel is a full service property, indoor heated pool, free wi-fi, and has a 24 hour fitness center.
How to pack and what to wear: You can pack one suitcase each (which is handled for you - including tip for the porter). You may also bring on board a carry-on bag. The tour is completely casual & comfortable.
The Festival Grounds: If this is your first time to Norsk Hostfest, it does require a fair amount of walking. However, there are many places to just sit and rest a spell. The entire event is inside and mostly on the main level. Very little stairs involved. There is an elevator if you need one. They also offer a shuttle that runs on the hour that will return you to the hotel should you wish to leave the festival grounds.
Staying Healthy/ Covid-19: We go above and beyond the call of duty to keep our groups healthy as they travel with us. The coach has a new air filtration system that circulates and purifies the air. At the end of each day, the bus is cleaned again. Through out the tour, the driver and tour director also wipe the hand-rails down. There is hand sanitizer on board and all are encouraged to use it. We follow all CDC guidelines and mandates for each state that we travel. You may be asked to wear a mask. At this time, you do not have to show proof of vaccination on any of the HTT motor coach tours that travel throughout the United States and masks are optional.
Morning Departure on that 1st Day: Our departures begin as early as 5:00 am and continue to pick folks up along our way. Two vehicles travel between Central and Northeast Minnesota joining the groups in Bemidji. Cities offered for boarding are; Sartell, Rice, Little Falls, Baxter and Bemidji. Northeast MN offers boarding in Duluth, Eveleth, Virginia, Hibbing and Grand Rapids. If fewer than 4 people are boarding in a given location off our main route, you will be asked to join the group at one of the boarding locations offered.
Travel Protection Insurance: Travel Protection insurance is highly recommended. It can offer peace of mind and protect your investment from unforeseen events such as becoming ill, trip interruption or other kinds of emergencies. Travel Protection insurance does not cover “fear of travel” . They do offer a variety of products that may be a good fit for you. Such as; Cancel for Any Reason, which would reimburse you 50% of your trip cost. Let us know how we can help you with this.
We reserve the right to adjust this itinerary for the benefit of all traveling.
Please refer to What You Should Know when Traveling with Happy Trails Tours, Inc.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
Norsk Hostfest September 29-October 2, 2022
Day 1: Thursday, September 29th: Travel to Minot, North Dakota
Our early morning departures begin at 5 am and continue throughout Central and Northeast Minnesota. We will make comfort stops along the way while getting to know fellow travelers. Set your seats back and relax as we embark on delightful adventure to North America’s Largest Scandinavian Festival!
Boarding Locations Offered (Subject to Change depending on numbers at each stop & total number on board)
Central Minnesota: Sartell AmericInnn; Rice Holiday Station; Little Falls Walmart Super; Baxter Walmart
Northeast MN: Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall; Eveleth Super Eight; Virginia Village Inn; Hibbing Hampton Inn
Grand Rapids – Forest Lake Restaurant (Lower Lot)
7:30-8:30 am- Breakfast (paying on own) at the Forest Lake Restaurant. 8:30 am- The bus departs from Grand Rapids
We'll begin our journey in the early morning starting in Duluth, Iron Range Cities, Grand Rapids and Bemidji picking up along the way as we take Highway #2 northwest toward Grand Forks, North Dakota. Our friends from central Minnesota will also have a similar start in the early hours but will begin their journey (by shuttle) in St Cloud, Rice, Little Falls, Brainerd joining the group in Bemidji. We'll blend the rest of our group onto the main coach and continue west. (Note: Bemidji is also a boarding option)
12:30 pm- We'll have our lunch break in Grand Forks before continuing on to Minot another 2 ½ hours away.
5:30 pm- Estimated arrival to the Hotel: Grand Hotel – 1505 N Broadway, Minot
We’ll get settled in tonight and relax after a full day on the road. This property has a very nice restaurant in house, where you can have dinner, at your leisure, paying on your own. Other amenities include indoor pool, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour business center and an arcade. It’s one of the nicest properties in Minot and works together with the Norsk Hostfest for their shuttle service. Guestrooms also have refrigerators, microwaves, flat-screen televisions. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Day 2: Friday, September 30th : Our First Full Day at the Norsk Hostfest
Enjoy a full breakfast at the Grand before departing for the festival (Plated).
8:45 am- The coach departs the hotel for the festival.
As you enter into the Great Hall, you’ll immediately feel immersed all things Scandinavian! The countries that are celebrated are Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Finland. There's parades, music, Scandinavian artists and ethnic foods to sample as you stroll the enormous grounds. Keep in mind, everything is INDOORS so no worries that you'll be walking out of doors for any of the events. Shows are happening throughout the day in many of the side stages.
The Hostfest offers a shuttle that runs on the hour and it travels right to the Grand Hotel where we are staying. If at any time you wish to go back to the hotel, just simply jump on board the shuttle where you can relax and return as per your own agenda.
The Hostfest involves a fair amount of walking, however, you can sit and rest a bit as you go along. But full days without a break can get a bit long for some. So, take advantage of the shuttle ride IF you wish.
7:00 pm- Settle in and prepare for tonight’s Big Headliner.....(TBA) @ Great Hall of the Vikings tonight.
9:30 pm- Estimated return to the hotel.
Day 3: Saturday, October 1st 2nd Full Day at the Norsk Hostfest
Enjoy another wonderful full breakfast at the Grand Hotel (Plated) , included.
8:45 am- The motor coach departs the hotel for the Norsk Hostfest
After our hot breakfast, we'll travel to the Hostfest grounds for another full day of fun, music, parades, food and crafts. Enjoy the festival at your leisure… visiting what shows, crafts and food venues that interest you.
6:00 pm- The bus will return to the hotel for the rest of the evening at your leisure.
For those who want to stay later, no worries! There may be another evening concert you will want to take advantage of. There is also a dance every night for those who enjoy that! The music is yet to be announced but it should a great time!
Day 4: Sunday, October 3rd Homeward Bound with Fond Memories
6:30 AM- Set your suitcases outside your doors for the porters. Breakfast is served this morning prior to checking out.
7:30 AM- Board the coach for our trek homeward. We’ll make several stops along the way as we travel homeward.
We'll make a lunch break, paying on own, in Grand Forks, ND.
1:45 pm- Estimated Arrival Home: 3:45 pm to Bemidji; 4:15 pm -to Grand Rapids, (quick break) 6:30 to Hibbing, 7:00 to Virginia; 7:15 to Eveleth and 8:15 to Duluth. The Central Folks will meet their mini-bus in Bemidji. A quick break/ stop will also be made along the way...
Estimated Arrival Home: 8 pm to Brainerd, 8:30 pm to Little Falls, and 9:30 to Sartell.
What you should know when traveling with Happy Trails Tours, Inc
It is the goal of Happy Trails Tours, Inc. (HTT) to provide the best and safest possible travel experience for each of its customers. HTT promises to monitor both security and health situations as well as government travel advisories for domestic and international travel when appropriate. You accept the risks involved in travel, both foreign and domestic, and accept responsibility for your own travel decisions. Clients may be required to review and sign a participation agreement prior to engaging in certain activities on the trip.
Neither HTT, its affiliated entities and its employees, officers, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively “HTT”), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips. You agree to be bound by the conditions of carriage for all transportation providers. HTT does not maintain control or operate the personnel, equipment, or operations of these suppliers it uses and as such, HTT assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or other employees or agents, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of any other party.
Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, hostilities, terrorism, computer problems, or other such causes. Other risks may arise such as, but not limited to, hazards of traveling in foreign countries including undeveloped areas, the hazards of travel by aircraft, bus, van, train, automobile or other motorized vehicle, differing safety standards, sickness, criminal acts committed by others, allergic reactions, and/or animal encounters. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. HTT reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if HTT deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. HTT reserves the right to withdraw any tour announced. HTT reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the Tour Manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. If you are traveling with children, you are solely responsible for their behavior and monitoring them throughout the tour. Neither does HTT accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise.
Each client is responsible for proper documentation and inoculations that may be required and/or recommended to participate on tour. Please contact your local travel clinic or personal physician for specific details on the destinations you are traveling to and from. If you decide to make a reservation, you acknowledge and agree that you are physically well enough to travel and understand that medical facilities may not be what you are accustomed to at home. It is your responsibility to self-monitor your health prior to traveling, isolate if necessary, and see your physician should any symptoms develop. HTT will follow and enforce all current government mandates and reasonable recommendations for the duration of each trip. To prevent or limit transfer of potential illness, seats on all HTT Motorcoach vacations are NEVER rotated. You must bring enough prescription medication with you for the trip. HTT is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual traveler participating in the tours/trips arranged by said company. HTT can provide access to Travel Protection Insurance and recommends that each traveler consider purchasing a policy to protect their pre-paid and non-refundable travel costs. In addition, travel protection insurance offers peace of mind with regards to cancellations, trip interruptions, loss of luggage and more. Any cancellations due to “fear of travel”, made after HTT’s cancellation deadline will not ensure a refund by HTT nor is it considered a covered reason for an insurance claim by the travel protection insurance company.
Any person reserving or purchasing any HTT product published on its website or in a brochure, accepts the condition that HTT reserves to itself the exclusive right to cancel, re-schedule or make other adjustments to any guided vacation departure in any circumstances deemed necessary, including in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control, including for tours designated as “guaranteed departures.” If cancellation is made by HTT any time prior to the departure date of the guided vacation, except when a customer fails to pay the final balance on time, HTT, at its sole discretion, will offer a comparable vacation on an alternate departure date, or reserves the right to offer a future travel credit. HTT will refund any difference in price if the alternative date is of a lower price, however the guest will be responsible for additional costs if the alternative is priced higher. HTT will not be liable for cancellation, delay, rescheduling or other adjustment or impact to a departure or itinerary or other aspect of the vacation brought about due to force majeure or other circumstance beyond its control that prevents or interferes with any aspect of the tour, also including governmental and administrative actions. HTT is not responsible for other travel arrangements affected due to our cancelations or change costs or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air tickets. Published times on itineraries are as accurate as possible but subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions beyond HTT’s control that prevent HTT from operating as scheduled. HTT expressly disclaims any liability for any damages that may be incurred for any changes, cancellations, or delays on any itinerary on any HTT tour.
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in our brochures, on our website or communicated by HTT staff, errors or omissions are possible and HTT is not responsible for such error. If a mistake is made in billing, we reserve the right to correct the invoice and you will be responsible for proper payment.
Participants may be photographed for the promotional purposes of HTT. In addition, any comments that you submit as a review or your social media posts may be used for HTT’s promotional purposes.
Payment of the deposit to HTT constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. HTT reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time, without notice. We promise to do our best to communicate changes that are made prior to departure, if possible.
It is the goal of Happy Trails Tours, Inc. (HTT) to provide the best and safest possible travel experience for each of its customers. HTT promises to monitor both security and health situations as well as government travel advisories for domestic and international travel when appropriate. You accept the risks involved in travel, both foreign and domestic, and accept responsibility for your own travel decisions. Clients may be required to review and sign a participation agreement prior to engaging in certain activities on the trip.
Neither HTT, its affiliated entities and its employees, officers, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively “HTT”), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips. You agree to be bound by the conditions of carriage for all transportation providers. HTT does not maintain control or operate the personnel, equipment, or operations of these suppliers it uses and as such, HTT assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or other employees or agents, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of any other party.
Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, hostilities, terrorism, computer problems, or other such causes. Other risks may arise such as, but not limited to, hazards of traveling in foreign countries including undeveloped areas, the hazards of travel by aircraft, bus, van, train, automobile or other motorized vehicle, differing safety standards, sickness, criminal acts committed by others, allergic reactions, and/or animal encounters. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. HTT reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if HTT deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. HTT reserves the right to withdraw any tour announced. HTT reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the Tour Manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. If you are traveling with children, you are solely responsible for their behavior and monitoring them throughout the tour. Neither does HTT accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise.
Each client is responsible for proper documentation and inoculations that may be required and/or recommended to participate on tour. Please contact your local travel clinic or personal physician for specific details on the destinations you are traveling to and from. If you decide to make a reservation, you acknowledge and agree that you are physically well enough to travel and understand that medical facilities may not be what you are accustomed to at home. It is your responsibility to self-monitor your health prior to traveling, isolate if necessary, and see your physician should any symptoms develop. HTT will follow and enforce all current government mandates and reasonable recommendations for the duration of each trip. To prevent or limit transfer of potential illness, seats on all HTT Motorcoach vacations are NEVER rotated. You must bring enough prescription medication with you for the trip. HTT is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual traveler participating in the tours/trips arranged by said company. HTT can provide access to Travel Protection Insurance and recommends that each traveler consider purchasing a policy to protect their pre-paid and non-refundable travel costs. In addition, travel protection insurance offers peace of mind with regards to cancellations, trip interruptions, loss of luggage and more. Any cancellations due to “fear of travel”, made after HTT’s cancellation deadline will not ensure a refund by HTT nor is it considered a covered reason for an insurance claim by the travel protection insurance company.
Any person reserving or purchasing any HTT product published on its website or in a brochure, accepts the condition that HTT reserves to itself the exclusive right to cancel, re-schedule or make other adjustments to any guided vacation departure in any circumstances deemed necessary, including in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control, including for tours designated as “guaranteed departures.” If cancellation is made by HTT any time prior to the departure date of the guided vacation, except when a customer fails to pay the final balance on time, HTT, at its sole discretion, will offer a comparable vacation on an alternate departure date, or reserves the right to offer a future travel credit. HTT will refund any difference in price if the alternative date is of a lower price, however the guest will be responsible for additional costs if the alternative is priced higher. HTT will not be liable for cancellation, delay, rescheduling or other adjustment or impact to a departure or itinerary or other aspect of the vacation brought about due to force majeure or other circumstance beyond its control that prevents or interferes with any aspect of the tour, also including governmental and administrative actions. HTT is not responsible for other travel arrangements affected due to our cancelations or change costs or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air tickets. Published times on itineraries are as accurate as possible but subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions beyond HTT’s control that prevent HTT from operating as scheduled. HTT expressly disclaims any liability for any damages that may be incurred for any changes, cancellations, or delays on any itinerary on any HTT tour.
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in our brochures, on our website or communicated by HTT staff, errors or omissions are possible and HTT is not responsible for such error. If a mistake is made in billing, we reserve the right to correct the invoice and you will be responsible for proper payment.
Participants may be photographed for the promotional purposes of HTT. In addition, any comments that you submit as a review or your social media posts may be used for HTT’s promotional purposes.
Payment of the deposit to HTT constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. HTT reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time, without notice. We promise to do our best to communicate changes that are made prior to departure, if possible.