Founded in 2009 by environmental educator Tara Short, Green Edventures Tours has emerged as a pioneering force in sustainable women’s travel and student education tours. With its unique blend of eco-conscious values and community-centered experiences, the company has built a reputation for delivering immersive, educational travel programs. One of its most compelling offerings is its knitting tours in Iceland—a concept that merges craft, culture, and adventure into a transformative travel experience for women seeking meaningful connections and creative fulfillment.
Tara Short, the CEO and Founder of Green Edventures, built the company on a simple but powerful premise: empower women through travel. “When women come together, something extraordinary happens—they lift each other up, inspire courage, and encourage one another to step out of their comfort zones to achieve what once felt impossible,” Short says. This ethos is deeply embedded in every Green Edventures itinerary, particularly those designed for creative travelers. The Iceland knitting tours exemplify this mission by offering both novices and experienced knitters a chance to engage in a cultural tradition that spans more than 1,000 years.
Green Edventures offers two distinct knitting experiences in Iceland: the Knitting & Northern Lights with Réttir Sheep Round-Up tour and the West Fjords Lopapeysa Sweater tour. Both trips integrate Iceland’s storied textile history, landscape, and seasonal traditions. The Knitting & Northern Lights with Réttir Sheep Round-Up is particularly notable for its hands-on participation in one of Iceland’s most cherished rural traditions. Each fall, locals come together to round up sheep from the highlands in a communal celebration known as the réttir. Far from being a passive observer, each traveler joins local residents in this cultural event, blending work, folklore, and festivity into a rare travel memory.
Participants on the knitting tours are guided by experienced Icelandic knitters and textile artists. This direct access to expert instruction allows travelers to craft their own authentic lopapeysa—a traditional Icelandic sweater made from unspun wool known for its warmth and weather resistance. The workshops not only teach specific knitting techniques but also serve as entry points into broader conversations about Iceland’s environmental stewardship, rural traditions, and evolving identity. These themes align with Green Edventures’ educational goals, which emphasize sustainability and cultural respect.
The company’s commitment to responsible travel extends far beyond crafting. Each tour follows eco-tourism principles that reduce environmental impact, prioritize local partnerships, and integrate environmental education. From using local guides and staying in family-owned guesthouses to supporting conservation organizations like the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy, Green Edventures aims to ensure that its footprint is as light as it is enriching. This holistic approach ensures that tourism revenue circulates within Iceland’s rural communities, supporting both traditional livelihoods and contemporary environmental goals.
Women over 50 represent a growing segment of Green Edventures’ community, and many find the Iceland knitting tours to be a unique outlet for creative travel. These trips offer more than just sightseeing; they provide an avenue for lifelong learning, cognitive engagement, and social connection. “Why travel and creativity go hand in hand after 50” is not just a concept but a reality reflected in the many testimonials the company receives. Travelers frequently cite the joy of learning a new skill, forming lasting friendships, and gaining a deeper understanding of another culture as highlights of their experience.
The tours also make space for personal growth and transformation. While travel can often be hectic or impersonal, Green Edventures curates experiences that balance structure with spontaneity, learning with leisure, and solitude with community. Activities such as soaking in natural hot springs, witnessing the aurora borealis, or hiking through Iceland’s volcanic terrain add layers of physical and sensory richness to each trip. These elements create a well-rounded experience that appeals to women seeking purpose and renewal through travel.
What distinguishes Green Edventures from other travel companies is not just the destinations it offers but the integrity with which it operates. It is a fully licensed travel agency compliant with all seller-of-travel laws, a distinction that sets it apart from many social or informal tour groups. The company’s robust organizational structure and attention to logistical detail allow it to maintain high standards of safety and satisfaction, even in remote settings.
Hundreds of positive reviews highlight the consistency of Green Edventures’ tours. Customers regularly praise the thoughtful design of itineraries, the depth of educational content, and the professionalism of the guides. A recurring theme in these reviews is the strong sense of camaraderie fostered among participants. In a time when many women are seeking more meaningful ways to connect—with others, with nature, and with themselves—this sense of community becomes a vital part of the experience.
Tara Short’s own story mirrors the entrepreneurial courage and perseverance she seeks to inspire in others. After spending seven years as a guide and educator, she launched Green Edventures with her last $1,000. Her initial vision of blending education, adventure, and sustainability has since evolved into a thriving enterprise that influences how group travel for women is conceived and executed. Her journey offers a compelling narrative about following one’s passion, taking risks, and building something lasting from a personal mission.
With the rising popularity of hobby-based travel and the continued interest in Iceland as a bucket-list destination, Green Edventures’ knitting tours arrive at an ideal intersection of market demand and cultural depth. These programs challenge outdated stereotypes about knitting as a passive or solitary hobby by embedding it within the context of exploration, community, and active participation. The result is a travel experience that engages the mind, the hands, and the heart.
Green Edventures Tours continues to lead the field in sustainable, educational travel for women. Its knitting tours in Iceland exemplify the company’s mission to create transformative journeys that empower participants, support local communities, and protect natural ecosystems. As interest grows in travel experiences that are both meaningful and memorable, the company’s work serves as a model for how tourism can be a force for good.
To learn more about Green Edventures’ Iceland knitting tours, visit the official tour pages for the Knitting & Northern Lights with Réttir Sheep Round Up and the West Fjords Lopapeysa Sweater. For customer reviews and additional tour offerings, see the company’s reviews page or visit its WeTravel profile.
