Asheville, N.C.
Named as one of Frommer’s Top Travel Destinations in 2007!

Your invitation from Mary Stori...

Dear Quilting Friends, Join me for this very special tour in the good ole' USA. We will explore quilting, arts, crafts, and head turning vistas here in my new home place; the beautiful mountains of North Carolina! The tour includes the Asheville Quilt Show, 2 nights at the Inn on Biltmore Estates, the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway, visits to Lark Books, The Alliance for American Quilts, Handmade in America, Asheville Cotton Company for show and tell with a fabulous Fiber Arts group, local galleries, great food, and more. LINDA CANTRELL and JUDY SIMMONS are internationally recognized quilt professionals and they will share their incredible talents at meal time lectures. I too will be presenting a lecture the first night at our Welcome Dinner. The Great Smoky Mountains area of the country is on everyone's 'to-do' list.....here's your opportunity to experience it. This brochure has the details......read on because I know you’ll want to reserve your spot immediately. I’m looking forward to spending time with you!....Mary

MARY STORI has been helping quilters enjoy their travel adventures since 1994. She’s an internationally recognized instructor and lecturer who was named 2004 Quilt Teacher of the Year by The Professional Quilter. Her work has appeared and won awards in numerous national shows, HGTV’s “Simply Quilts”, “Sew Perfect”, and Fons & Porter’s “Love of Quilting”. Mary has written articles and had work appear in scores of quilt magazines and publications! She's authored a DVD and six quilt books, the newest is “Embellishing With Felted Wool”. Her work is often humorous, generously embellished, and displays fine hand quilting. She loves the challenge of creating one-of-a-kind quilts, fashions, and unique workshop projects for her quilting tours and cruises.

Included in your tour:
Hosted by Mary Stori
Lectures with Mary Stori, Judy Simmons & Linda Cantrell
Five nights at the Michelin 3-Star Renaissance Asheville Hotel
Two nights at the famous Inn on Biltmore Estate
Admission to the Biltmore Estate, House, Gardens, Winery, and River Bend Farm
Admission to the 28th Annual Asheville Quilt Show & the North Carolina Arboretum
Guided tour on the N.C. Quilt Trail
Luggage handling at hotels
Full breakfast each morning
Lunch at the Pisgah Inn
Three dinners as noted in the itinerary
All group visits and activities
Ground transportation for all group activities
Meet with Mary's quilt group and MUCH MORE!

Your tour itinerary:
Thu, Aug 5, 2010
You will need to arrange your flight to arrive in ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA in time to join MARY STORI for the 6:00PM WELCOME DINNER and her presentation, WOOL COLLAGE - WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN ~ Mary has updated the mid-19th century penny-rug style of embroidered wool appliqué with a new look. Discover the visual warmth of wool, the appeal of embroidery, the charm of buttons, and the pizzazz of beads!! Mary shares construction guidelines to guarantee your success whether your sewing preference is hand or machine. View collaged traditional, folk art, and contemporary bead embellished wall quilts. Inspiration continues as we explore how these methods translate to table runners, pillows, purses, tote bags, and even scissors sheaths! Don’t throw out those old wool coats or buttons before sharing this hour with Mary!
Visit Mary and her Blogspot Located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Asheville is the home of the historic Biltmore Estates, and is heralded for its thriving cultural and arts scenes, which include art galleries, mountain crafts, and folk art. Centrally located in the vibrant and artsy downtown, RENAISSANCE ASHEVILLE HOTEL will be our home for the first five nights of the tour. With Michelin’s highest rating of 3-Stars, you’re sure to enjoy their recently renovated guestrooms that include 37” flat screen TV’s, local coffees and teas, and a state of the art fitness center with the recent addition of a 60’ indoor pool and Jacuzzi.

Fri, Aug 6
We begin our day with a visit to THE ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN QUILTS. AAQ is a nonprofit organization established in 1993 whose mission is to document, preserve, and share our American quilt heritage by collecting the rich stories that historic and contemporary quilts, and their makers, tell about our nation's diverse peoples and their communities. Our visit will include a presentation about this wonderful organization and how the Alliance brings together quilt makers and designers, the quilt industry, quilt scholars and teachers, and quilt collectors. Next on our agenda is a short tour of HANDMADE IN AMERICA. This is an organization that believes in making known the hidden heritage and craftspeople that are so vitally a part of Western North Carolina, serving as a support system for craftspeople and the craft industry. Now that we have been given so much wonderful information on quilts and crafts….let’s head to the 28th ANNUAL ASHEVILLE QUILT SHOW! The show is a judged event featuring more than 250 quilts of exceptional craftsmanship from across the U.S. In addition to live demonstrations and a merchant’s mall, the show is held at THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM and your ticket will enable you to explore the 65 acres of cultivated gardens, including The Quilt Garden and one of the finest and most unique bonsai collections in the U.S. Asheville Quilt Show This is the first Friday evening in August and the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association will be hosting the Center City Art Walk, with approximately 25 galleries open and free for you to enjoy!

Sat, Aug 7
Breakfast this morning will be a special event, featuring LINDA CANTRELL’S Trunk Show Lecture: APPLIQUE….I DID IT MY WAY! Linda was a painter before she was a quilter. She made her first quilt in 1980, and before long she was thinking of pictorial quilts. Appliqué was a natural choice with fabrics and embroidery thread becoming her paints and brushes. This lecture is a lighthearted look at Linda's twenty years of award making quilting. If you have wanted to try appliqué but are fearful of making mistakes, don’t worry she'll show you how to make mistakes you never even thought you could make, and how to hide them too! The rest of your day is free to enjoy everything that Asheville has to offer. In 2010 The Asheville Antiques Fair will be in its sixty-fourth year and is one of the oldest Antiques Fair in the Southeast. Upwards of sixty antique dealers from all over the country participate in the Fair annually, during this first week of August. We will be sure to provide you with a schedule of all the events offered today, along with maps and store listings. If you would like to plan your free time in advance, see what Asheville has to offer.

Sun, Aug 8
Have your cameras out and ready! This morning we depart downtown Asheville for a ride on the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY. We’ll spend a good part of the day enjoying scenery and making stops along the way. Located along the parkway at milepost 382 is the FOLK ART CENTER, the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s flagship facility. The Center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians and houses the Guild’s century-old Allanstand Craft Shop. Opened in 1980, it is a cooperative effort between the Guild, the National Park Service and the Appalachian Regional Commission and is the most popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located at the Peak of the Parkway is the PISGAH INN. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, we will have lunch and enjoy the breath-taking panoramic views. We'll board our tour bus again and continue to enjoy the many viewing areas along the Parkway before heading back to our hotel.

Mon, Aug 9
We drive north to Burnsville to meet up with Barbara Webster, Executive Director of the WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA QUILT TRAILS and our guide for the day. Quilt Trails is a project that got its start in Ohio when Donna Sue Groves put a block on her barn to honor her mother. From that simple act, the project has spread to 24 states. North Carolina has more quilt blocks than any other state, with the highest concentration in Burnsville. Although there won’t be time to see them all, Barbara will be showing us a good portion of them as she relates the stories behind the blocks, with time for shop stops and lunch. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel and features a presentation by JUDY SIMMONS. Judy is a fiber artist, teacher, author, judge and lover of quilts. She specializes in creating unique quilts made with her own hand dyed, marbled, painted, screen printed and computer manipulated fabrics. Exploring machine art and embellishment techniques is another of her joys. CREATING QUILTS WITH PHOTO TRANSFERS ~ Have you ever been curious how to transfer photos to fabric and then…what to do with them after they’re transferred? This lecture will cover everything you need to know for transferring photos to fabric. Learn creative ways to use photos/digital imagery, create fabric from imagery for piecing and learn how to incorporate with other fabrics from your stash…it’s presented in Powerpoint and accompanied by many samples and quilts to be passed around. It’s fun, interesting and informative. Be sure to visit visit Judy and her Blogspot

Tue, Aug 10
Mary has arranged for us to start our day with a private tour inside the working offices of LARK BOOKS. Almost 20 years ago, Lark published its first book. Since then, their list has grown to more than 300 books, with 60 to 70 new titles now appearing every year. From bead work to community quilts, from crocheting to textiles and needlework, they publish a large variety of craft books, including such popular titles as "Quilt National 2009", "Masters: Art Quilts", "Art Quilts: A Celebration" and "Freddy & Gwen Collaborate Again". With more than 8,000 bolts of the latest quilting cottons, the ASHEVILLE COTTON CO. is a place we want to visit! In addition to finding much- needed fabric to add to our stash, we’ll be meeting with Mary’s Fiber Arts group for a SHOW AND TELL and some socializing with the local quilters! After time for lunch, we arrive at the INN ON BILTMORE ESTATE, our home for the next two nights. You’ll experience Biltmore's tradition of warm and gracious hospitality as an honored guest, with luxurious rooms, flawless service and marvelous mountain views. Each of the Inn’s 213 rooms have recently undergone its first room makeover since it’s opening in spring 2001, with new custom bedding, carpets and fabrics inspired by Biltmore House, and large plasma televisions. During your two-day stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, your tour price includes admission to the Biltmore Estate and daytime admissions to BILTMORE HOUSE, GARDENS, WINERY, AND RIVER BEND FARM, along with scheduled shuttle service within the estate property. It will be a full day, but rest assured that when you return to your room this evening, your bed will be turned down and a chocolate will be on your pillow!

Wed, Aug 11
You will have the entire day to explore the BILTMORE'S 8,000-ACRE ESTATE. The scheduled shuttle transportation will enable you to visit and utilize your admission tickets, in addition to having access to the many dining and shopping venues located on the grounds. If relaxing is more your style, you can spend time
at the Inn relaxing on the veranda, having afternoon tea in the library, or taking a dip in their refreshing pool. Just be sure to arrive back at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in time for our FAREWELL DINNER at 7:00pm. It will be your last chance to meet with your fellow travelers to reminisce about the wonderful time you had, the crafts and fabric you have purchased, and to spend time with Mary, thanking her for making our visit to Asheville a most memorable one!

Thu, Aug 12
You will be departing from ASHEVILLE AIRPORT. When making your reservations, please note that breakfast at the Inn does not begin until 7:00am and check-out time is 11:00am.

BOOK EARLY...SPACE IS LIMITED!

Tour Cost:
$1,899 per person, based on double occupancy
$ 560 single supplement
Airfare and airport transfers are not included
You will be provided information for getting from the Asheville Airport to the Renaissance Hotel and from
the Inn on Biltmore Estate to the Asheville Airport.

Go to "Sign Up Forms" for Terms & Conditions and Registration Form

Click here for printer friendly version of GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TOUR

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Travel Together
with Fellow Quilters to...

Hungary

September 22 to October 01, 2010

Hosted by Magdi Csendes,
International Representative for Hungary's European Quilt Association

Meet with local quilt groups, see how the famous Hungarian Blueprints are made
Visit Hungary's wine region, fabric shopping and much more!

Budapest

Quilt made with Hungarian Blue Prints Szekszárd Quilt Exhibition

INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR:
ALL hotels
ALL breakfasts, 5 dinners & 2 lunches
ALL group tours and activities
ALL luggage handling at hotels
ALL land travel by private motorcoach
Transfer to Budapest Airport on October 01
Sightseeing cruise on the Danube ~ Tour of Budapest
Museums ~ Hungarian Folk Park ~ Abbey at Lake Balaton
Meet four local quilt groups for Show and Tell & exclusive quilt exhibits!
Shop for Hungarian Blue-Dye fabric, and more!
Hosted by Magdi Csendes & Escorted by a professional tour leader

Join us for this exciting QUILTING ADVENTURE!

Tour Itinerary:
Wed, Sep 22
Today you will board your flight for the overnight journey to Budapest. If you would like to arrive a day or two early, Traveling Together can help you arrange for early hotel nights. If you would like assistance with your air travel, please call Northwood Travel at 800-780-0571 or email them at info@NorthwoodTravel.com

Thu, Sep 23
You may arrange your flight to arrive Budapest at any time today and you will receive information on getting the hotel bus from BUDAPEST FERIHEGY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to our hotel. If you arrive early in the day, your tour escort will be on hand to help you get acquainted with this exciting city, making some suggestions on how to spend the afternoon in the immediate vicinity of our hotel. Just be sure to arrive in time for our 6:00PM WELCOME DINNER, giving you the opportunity to meet everyone on the tour. Our home for the next four nights is the Danubius Hotel Astoria. The 4-STAR DANUBIUS HOTEL ASTORIA is located in the heart of Budapest, built on the site of the medieval town walls. Opened in 1914, it was reconstructed and modernized several times, with the latest renovation being done in 2006. With its Empire-style interior décor, it is one of the most charming old-style hotels in the city and film producers and directors often take advantage of the perfect scenery for film shooting.

Fri, Sep 24
Our day begins with a TOUR OF BUDAPEST. The city is split down the center by
the Danube River and is connected by a series of bridges. On the west side of the
Danube is hilly Buda, dominated by Castle Hill. On the east side of the river is flat
Pest, the heart of the city with the Great Market Hall, Parliament, and main
boulevards and pedestrian shopping streets. The tour will give you a look at both
sides of this large city, home to nearly two million people. Weekend shopping hours
are limited, so you will have this afternoon to explore the many unique
shops that Pest has to offer.

Sat, Sep 25
The HUNGARIAN PATCHWORK GUILD, headquartered in Budapest, was founded in 1989 and has about 600 members, with approximately 2,000 more in local clubs. The Hungarian quilters participate actively in European quilt exhibitions and today you will begin to see examples of their wonderful handiwork! Ági Szomor is a member of the Budapest guild and is arranging a special morning for our group to meet with the local members at the BUDAPEST TEXTILE MUSEUM, where the history of the substantial Hungarian textile industry is traced and recorded. In 2008 we had a wonderful SHOW AND TELL, the local quilters had a small quilting project for us to work on, vendors were selling unique buttons and Hungarian embroidery designs, and we were treated to delicious refreshments! A SIGHTSEEING CRUISE ON THE DANUBE will complete the day!

Sun, Sep 26
Located north of the city on the Danube Bend, is SZENTENDRE, a postcard-pretty village with twisty Mediterranean streets and Austrian Baroque houses that has always been favored by artists as somewhere both to live and to work. This morning we’ll visit the FOLK MUSEUM, Hungary’s largest open-air museum. Located in Duna-Ipoly National Park, the museum features a large collection of Hungarian architecture from around the country. After time for lunch, we will meet the SZENTENDRE QUILTERS. Sofi Bihari and some of the local quilters will be our guides at the Folk Museum and the village, in addition to organizing the guild’s REGIONAL QUILT EXHIBITION to coincide with our visit and we will be the first to view these amazing quilts!

Mon, Sep 27
MAGDI CSENDES is a member of the Board of the Hungarian Patchwork Guild and the international representative for Hungary in the European Quilt Association (EQA). She lives in Székesfehérvár, where she is also the leader of her local quilt guild. Magdi will be meeting us when we arrive today in SZEKSZÁRD and will be our host for the remainder of the tour. We will also be meeting MAGDOLNA ACÉLOS, president of the Szekszárd quilt guild. She and her guild members are arranging a QUILT EXHIBITION, just for us! Lunch today will be at a wonderful local restaurant in the town square, giving you a chance to taste special dishes of the region, followed by a WALKING TOUR of the city. Our hotel for the next two days is the charming HOTEL ZODIACO.

Founded in the early 11th-century, Szekszárd has a population of 36,000 people and is a famous wine-growing region that boasts 4500 wine cellars! We’ll only have time to visit one, for dinner this evening. The Takler family has been working in viticulture and winemaking since the 18th century in Szekszárd. Located in a beautiful little village house on the slope of Decsi Hill, TAKLER WINE CELLAR is the perfect place for an evening that will include dinner and tasting the famous wines of this region.

Tue, Sep 28
Hungary is famous for their BLUEPRINT FABRIC and this morning we will visit a workshop that has been family-run since 1810. We will be only the second American group to visit (In 2008 we were the first!) and they are looking forward to showing us their age-old process of block printing on 100% cotton. In addition to having plenty of fabric for sale that day, there will be items made by local people from their fabric. Lunch will be at ÉTTEREM HÁMORI, a famous restaurant in TOLNA. This is where the residents eat lunch, in addition to students of the small local school. You will enjoy watching how well-behaved the students are, in addition to tasting the local cuisine. The locals and school children will enjoy looking at us, with outsiders being a rarity in this small community. Our first stop this afternoon is BABAMÚZEUM, sure to be a highlight of the tour! One woman has hand-made over 150 dolls, in addition to their period costumes and accessories, which represent over 200 years of Hungarian history. As an example, you will see the progression of wedding outfits, mourning clothes, and clothing worn in everyday life on the farms and in the villages. A special surprise is planned for one of our quilters! Next is a visit to TAJHAZ, a house with traditional Hungarian furniture, costumes and embroidery, with a chance for everyone to try traditional Hungarian cake.

Wed, Sep 29
We depart Szekszárd this morning and make a stop at an EMBROIDERY MUSEUM in SIÓAGÁRD, a village famous for its folk costumes and rich embroidery. The owners are a wonderful couple that will be dressed in costume and anxious to show us everything that the small museum and shop have to offer, including a chance to try on pieces of the traditional clothing and purchase some of their beautiful handiwork. We continue on to SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, one of the most ancient towns in Hungary. During the course of this tour you will have learned about Hungary’s rich textile tradition, particularly in embroidery, cross-stitch, and sewing techniques. You will also have learned that although quilting is quite new to Hungary, these ladies are creating amazing works of art! This afternoon you will see more of their talent, as we take a short walk to the meeting place of the MIDDLE-TRANSDANUBIA QUILTERS. As president of this guild, Magdi is anxious to show off their work!...and you’ll want to be sure to pack a sample of your handiwork for the SHOW AND TELL they are arranging. Also invited to this event will be Margit Siposné Cseh and her group of quilters from Tatabánya. Margit is a fabric shop owner and will bring some of her self-painted fabrics to sell. To make this an event to remember, Magdi’s quilters would like us to join in a BLOCK EXCHANGE. The squares that were exchanged in 2008 were used by Magdi’s group to make quilts and auction them off, with the money having been donated to charity. If you would like to participate, you will only need to make one block measuring 12 ½” x 12 ½”. When you sign up for the tour, please let us know if you plan to participate by noting it at the bottom of the registration form, so that Magdi and her quilters will know how many blocks they will need to make for the exchange. It’s been another wonderful day in the world of quilting! The NOVOTEL SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR will be our home for two nights.

Thu, Sep 30
Today we’ll drive to TIHANY, a village on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, where you will have time to explore the village, with its quaint old buildings, local crafts and Hungarian food offerings. Next will be a visit to the Baroque church and convent of the BENEDICTINE ABBEY, founded in 1055 by András I, a popular tourist attraction due to its historical and artistic significance. The interior was fully restored by 1996, after the church was returned to the Benedictine Abbey in 1994.The still functioning abbey is perfectly situated on top of the high part of town and has the best view of Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europe. At our FAREWELL DINNER tonight, it will be time to say goodbye to Magdi as we thank her for making our visit to Hungary a most memorable one!

Fri, Oct 01
This morning our coach will transfer us to the BUDAPEST AIRPORT for flights that depart 11am or later. After having received so much inspiration for new quilting projects, it’s time to return home. Saying goodbye to the friends you have made on the tour will be difficult, so be sure to stay in contact with them for making plans to Travel Together on the next quilting adventure!

When we toured Hungary in 2008, several people stayed on in Budapest for an extra day and many others on the tour wished they had! After visiting the other cities, they would have liked to return for another chance to shop at the Great Market Hall. If you would like to take advantage of this OPTIONAL NIGHT IN BUDAPEST, we have reserved some rooms at the Danubius Astoria Hotel and our bus will drop you off after the airport stop. You can then arrange to take the hotel bus to the airport on the following day. This also gives you the option to check a second piece of luggage to hold all of those purchases!

BOOK EARLY…SPACE IS LIMITED!
Tour Price (Does not include RT air to Budapest):
$ 2,599 per person, double occupancy
$ 478 single supplement

Please note: In order to fully enjoy this trip and the walking tours offered you will need to be able to walk up to 5 city blocks at one time, and at a moderate pace. In addition to uphill climbs on some of the city streets (some being cobblestone) you will need to climb several flights of stairs.

Go to "Sign Up Forms" for Terms & Conditions and Registration Form

Click here for printer friendly version of HUNGARY TOUR

See photos from our 2008 Quilt Tour to Hungary at:
http://www.travelingtogether.net/Traveling/PhotoGallery.htm

...and our Quilt Group was "In the News" in 2008:
http://travelingtogether.net/Traveling/video.htm

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	Join Fellow Quilters as we Travel in FRANCE... From NANTES to PROVENCE! April 27 ~ May 08, 2011
Attend Europe's Premier Quilt Show (For the Love of Thread!)

Your Tour Itinerary:

Wed, Apr 27
Today you will board your flight for the overnight journey to NANTES, FRANCE. If you would like to arrive a
day early, Traveling Together can help you arrange for an early hotel night. If you would like assistance with your air travel, please call Northwood Travel at 800-780-0571 or email them at info@NorthwoodTravel.com

For this particular tour, you may want to consider using a travel agent to get the best deal for flying into Nantes. You may need help in making connections if your internationl airline does not code share with one that flies into Nantes…especially when using Expedia, Orbitz, etc. There is also the option of taking the train directly from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Thu, Apr 28
You may arrange your flight to arrive in Nantes at any time today and you will receive information on getting from the airport to our hotel. Just be sure to arrive in time for our WELCOME DINNER, giving you the opportunity to meet everyone on the tour. Our home for the next three nights is the NOVOTEL NANTES CENTRE CITÉ DES CONGRÉS. Being located close to the historic centre and next to the convention center, makes it the ideal place to be for attending Pour l’Amour du Fil.

Your tour includes admission to the quilt show on Saturday. If you plan to arrive early and would like to
attend the show prior to Saturday, we can make those arrangements for you.

In order to plan your free time wisely and learn more about specific places along the tour that interest you,
we recommend that you purchase one of the following travel guides: Frommer’s, Foder’s, Rick Steves’, or
DK Eyewitness. You may want to be sure it has a food translation section for ordering when dining out on
your own.

Fri, Apr 29
This morning we will visit LES MACHINES DE L'ILE, an extraordinary artistic project like you've never seen before. Born from the imaginations of François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice, it is a blend of the invented worlds of Jules Verne, the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci, and the industrial history of Nantes.

After a PANORAMIC TOUR OF NANTES, we’ll visit the CASTLE OF THE DUKES OF BRITTANY. Newly renovated and located in the heart of the city, this 15th century ducal residence is now home to the Nantes history museum. You will have all the time you want to explore the castle, as the remainder of the day is
free to do as you please. There are lovely shops and cafes in the area and Carol Veillon will be giving us a
list of her recommendations to make the most of your free time in Nantes.

CAROL VEILLON is the owner and editor-in-chief of the most prestigious quilt magazine in Europe, QUILTMANIA and the principal organizer of POUR L'AMOUR DU FIL. Carol published the magazine in the French language in 1997 and it was immediately a success in France and in Europe (also translated in Dutch); then in 2001 she began publishing an English version for America and the rest of the world and now there are thousands of "Quiltmaniacs!!

Sat, April 30, 2011
POUR L'AMOUR DU FIL translated, means For the love of the thread. In addition to approximately 90 vendors (which Carol promises are only “the Crème de la crème!”), there are six ‘Little Houses’. Like a patchwork quilt of cultures and techniques, each house is of a very different style and will be filled with quilts, embroideries, knitting, clothes and other textile curiosities. For example, the first show in 2009 featured the Kaffe Fassett House, modeled after his studio with Kaffe and his partner Brandon Mably in attendance. There is a Traditional House, Japan House, etc. Quote from Carol: “Our goal is to give envy to the public to rush upstairs to the vendors booths to buy fabric, needles and threads to do something and not like in some other exhibits to show work that nobody else will be able or want to reproduce too far from the reality; it's not our purpose, we want people to have fun, to enjoy and say to themselves: "well, I saw a demo, it seems easy, I want to make it!"... They will also enjoy beautiful pieces exhibited and you will be able to photograph everything!!!”

Sun, May 01
We depart Nantes this morning and drive to the city of BORDEAUX. Most shops are closed on Sunday so we will have the afternoon to relax at the PULLMAN BORDEAUX AQUITANIA HOTEL. Located lakeside on the outskirts of the city, this will be the perfect spot to have a show and tell of everyone’s purchases from our time in Nantes! Dinner tonight will be at the hotel’s Aquitania restaurant.

Mon, May 02
Our destination today is LA CITÉ DE CARCASSONE. This medieval city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and, with it's 52 towers, 3km of battlements and two rings of town wall, stands magnificently overlooking the left bank of the river Aude. LE DONJON HOTEL is located within the fortress and will be our home for two nights.

Time for lunch will give you the opportunity to visit a nearby café and try the local fare, classic peasant stew cassoullet. There will be plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobbled streets and browse the many shops, some of which will be selling medieval wares. Then, to get an idea of just how magnificent this fortress is, we’ll board "LE PETIT TRAIN" for a local tour, prior to our dinner at the hotel.

Tue, May 03
In addition to visiting several FABRIC SHOPS in the VILLE BASSE (the modern lower city of Carcassone), we’ll drive to MIREPOIX, a late thirteenth-century bastion built around one of the loveliest surviving arcaded market squares in the country. The square is bordered by houses dating from between the thirteenth and the fifteenth centuries and you will want to be sure to take a look at the medieval Maison des Consuls (council house), whose arcaded rafters are carved with hundreds of unique portrayals of animals, monsters, and caricatures of medieval social groups and professions, as well as ethnic groups from across the world. The gothic style cathedral is the second largest single-naved church in Europe and is classified as an historic monument.

After having suffered during the Hundred Years War, Mirepoix became an important textile centre in the 15th century. Surely there will still be a shop or two that carries fabric!

Wed, May 04
This morning we begin our journey to PROVENCE, a region of southeastern France located on the Mediterranean and adjacent to Italy. Our home for the next two nights will be the ARLES HOTEL JULES
CÉSAR, a 4-star hotel and member of the Small Luxury Hotels chain. Previously a 17th century Carmelite convent, the hotel is located in the heart of Arles and its Provençal décor is accented with the fabrics that are so famous for their color and design.

The 15 months that Vincent Van Gogh spent in Arles was the most productive period of his life, where he created more than 200 paintings and drawings. Even though there are no original paintings by Van Gogh in the city, you can still visit the places that inspired him.

Arles has a large number of UNESCO world heritage monuments that bear witness to 2000 years of history, the most famous being the Roman Amphitheatre dating from 80 A.D. LE PETIT TRAIN D'ARLES will take us on a guided tour through the winding cobbled streets, providing an overview of the many museums and points of interest.

Thu, May 05
Today is all about Provence fabric! We start the day with a visit to the SOULEÏADO MUSÉE DU TISSUS PROVENÇAL in Tarascon. This former townhouse housed the famous cotton print factory beginning in 1806. The museum, devoted to these colorful fabrics, has nearly 40,000 wood print blocks with brass tips. The blocks were applied manually and then hammered by workers who printed up to 30m of cotton fabric per day. Several workshops from the period have been reconstructed, such as the color kitchen where dyes were made. You will have time to visit their shop and have lunch before we depart Tarascon.

Our next stop will be will St. Etienne du Grès for a factory tour of the textile manufacturer LES OLIVADES, featuring the only remaining traditional Provencal fabric still printed in Provence. There is also a charming Olivades factory outlet shop!

There will be time late this afternoon to explore more of Arles, before this evening’s dinner at the Jules César.

Fri, May 06
This morning we depart Arles for the village of LES BAUX DE PROVENCE. Perched on a rocky spur, the citadel overlooks the beautiful countryside so be sure to have your camera ready for the panoramic views of Provence. Just inside the entrance to the village are narrow cobblestone streets, terrace cafés, and quaint shops.

Not far from Les Baux are the CAVES DE SARRAGAN, a vast underground cavern with a 60m thick solid rock ceiling that make the perfect natural wine cellar. We will make a short stop for those that would like to try some of the local wine. It’s also the perfect stopping point to get a scenic view of the village of Les Baux and the neighboring valley

L'ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE is a compact medieval town built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue river, also known as the Venice of Provence. If you have any interest in antiques and antique quilts, this is the place to look! In addition to the many waterside cafes and charming shops, there are nearly 300 permanent antique dealers and second hand shops. There won’t be time to visit them all, but you’ll have several hours to enjoy lunch in the old town and soak in the atmosphere of Provence.

We continue on to AIX EN PROVENCE and HOTEL LE GALICE, our home for the last two nights of the tour.

Sat, May 07
Aix is the capital of Provence and dates back to 122 B.C. The center of Aix (sounds like ex, as in "X marks the spot") is the old town, ringed by a circle of boulevards and squares. The most famous of the boulevards is the Cours Mirabeau, lined with large plane trees, wonderful terrace cafés, bookshops and fountains. Once you venture off the main boulevards, small streets with shops of every kind await you….and we will be sure to look for the ones that carry ‘tissu’, the word to look for when shopping for fabric in France. You may also choose to visit The Musée des Tapisseries that houses a collection of tapestries from the 17th and 18th centuries.

	MARKET DAY IN AIX!
We’ll be looking for Provence fabrics, if there's any room left in our suitcases!

Our FAREWELL DINNER tonight will be poolside at our hotel, weather permitting.

Sun, May 08
There will be one group transfer to MARSEILLES AIRPORT this morning for flights that are scheduled to depart no earlier than 10:00am.

Your tour includes:
ALL hotels
ALL group tours & activities
ALL land travel by private motor coach
ALL breakfasts and 5 dinners
Luggage handling at hotels
Admission to " Pour l’Amour du Fil"
“Le Petit Train" tours in Carcassone and Arles
Visits to Souleïado Museum and Les Olivades
Shop for Provence fabric, with plenty of free time
to explore and shop in each of the cities we visit!
Escorted by a professional tour leader
Transfer to Marseilles Airport on May 08

BOOK EARLY…SPACE IS LIMITED!

Tour Price (Does not include airfare):
$ 2,797 per person, double occupancy
$ 789 single supplement

Please note: In order to fully enjoy this trip you will need to be able to walk up to 5 city blocks at one time, and at a moderate pace. In addition to uphill climbs on some of the city streets (some being cobblestone) you may need to climb a flight or two of stairs. A few of the hotel rooms may be located in an area of the hotel that cannot be accessed by an elevator.

Go to "Sign Up Forms" for Terms & Conditions and Registration Form

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Travel Together
with Fellow Quilters to...

Ireland
Dublin ~ Omagh ~ Londonderry ~ Enniskillen ~ Galway ~ Aran Islands ~ Bunratty
May 31 to June 10, 2010

Optional Extension to Killarney
June 10 to 13, 2010

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge Join us!...on this exciting Quilting Travel Adventure to the Emerald Isle!

Sample of a Tweed Quilt Mission Hills Quilts

Your tour includes:
ALL hotels
ALL group tours & activities
ALL group travel by land and sea
Full Irish breakfast each morning
Four dinners, as noted in the itinerary
Luggage handling at hotels
Quilt workshop at Mission Hall:including kit, fabric, all supplies
Professionally guided city tours of Dublin and Derry
Omagh American Ulster Folk Park and quilt exhibit
Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmill’s Tour
Sheelin Antique Irish Lace Museum
The Aran Island of Inis Mór
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Escorted by a professional tour leader
Plenty of free time to explore and shop in each of the cities we visit!

Tour Itinerary:

Mon, May 31
You will need to arrange your flight to depart North America today, in order to arrive in DUBLIN, IRELAND on June 01.

Tue, Jun 01
Due to the varied flight arrival times from North America into Dublin Airport, you will be provided with information on getting from the airport to the hotel. The FOUR-STAR RADISSON SAS ROYAL HOTEL is located in the heart of the city center, and will be our home for the first two nights on the tour. Be sure to arrive at the hotel in time for our 3:00pm DUBLIN CITY TOUR. Dublin is the Capital of Ireland and a compact and manageable city nestled between Dublin Bay and the surrounding hills. The city is as sophisticated as a metropolis, but still remains as intimate as a village. Medieval, Georgian and modern architecture provide a back-drop to a friendly, bustling port. Our panoramic tour will acquaint you with the highlights of the city, including Trinity College (home of the Book of Kells), Dublin Castle, and the Guiness Brewery, just to name a few! Our Welcome Dinner will be at 7:00pm, giving you the opportunity to meet everyone on the tour. Contact Traveling Together if you would like to arrive in Dublin a day early and stay at the SAS Royal Hotel. If you would like assistance in arranging your air travel, please call Northwood Travel at 800-780-0571 or email them at info@NorthwoodTravel.com

Wed, Jun 02
Today will be yours to explore the places you learned about on yesterday’s tour. Our hotel is within walking distance of Dublin Castle, St. Stephen's Green, and the famous O’Connell and Grafton Streets. You will want to include a walk on the Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin’s oldest pedestrian bridge crossing the River Liffy.

Thu, Jun 03
We depart Dublin this morning for a visit to the ULSTER AMERICAN FOLK PARK, an open-air museum in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Dedicated to the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th & 19th centuries, costumed demonstrators go about their everyday tasks in the traditional manner in fully furnished Old and New World buildings. The Ship and Dockside Gallery features a full-size reconstruction of an early 19th century sailing ship of the type which carried thousands of emigrants across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. The dockside buildings, still retaining their original features, have been moved in brick by brick and rebuilt. We have arranged for one of the museum curators to show us their wonderful collection of crazy quilts, log cabin quilts, samplers, woven coverlets, and six patchwork quilts that belonged to the McKernan family, from County Tyrone. Our next stop is Derry/Londonderry. At the time of the plantation of Ulster, the City of London sent master-builders and money to rebuild this ruined medieval town, hence the name Londonderry. Known as the Gateway to Northern Ireland it is the last city in Northern Ireland to be encircled by walls and the only city where the original walls are still intact. Perched on the banks of the River Foyle, the FOUR-STAR CITY HOTEL DERRY is within 5 minutes walking distance of the historic Derry Walls and our home for the next three nights. A group dinner will be at the hotel.

Fri, Jun 04
Our day begins with a guided WALKING TOUR OF DERRY that will provide you with an intriguing account of this historic city and the famous Walls of Derry. From the Diamond—the center of Old Derry—radiate four main thoroughfares that pierce the massive walls through gates bearing colorful names like Butcher Gate, Bishop's Gate, and Ferryquay gate. Nearby, just behind the Guildhall, Shipquay Gate led thousands of Irish to the New World. You will also have the chance to visit the 1600s Gothic Cathedral of St Columb. Just beyond the City Walls, the sectarian divide is still a reality in Derry. The Cresco Trust is using enterprise and peace building to bridge this divide. “Everything that we do is about people and jobs, using the traditional craft of quilting to draw people together across the sectarian divide within our community” says Margaret Lee, Chief Executive of the Cresco Trust. Cresco Trust owns and operates Mission Hall Quilts, Ltd., a retail outlet which supplies quilting fabrics, patterns, notions and much more, as well as being a training facility in the craft of quilting. Click here to view A Quilt for All Seasons.

LET THE QUILTING BEGIN! Margaret Lee is personally arranging our visit to MISSION HALL QUILTS and Pauline Opeener is designing a special quilt, just for our group! The QUILT WORKSHOP will be conducted by one of the Mission Hall tutors and the exclusive pattern will be inspired by, and using, Donegal tweeds. Your tour price includes all supplies for the top and binding of a generous lap-sized quilt.

Sat, Jun 05
This morning we drive to the North Anatrim Coast and stop at the famous GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, Northern Ireland’s first World Heritage Site. For millions of years these unique rock formations have stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. But it has to be seen to be believed. This stretch of rock is a geological phenomenon, renowned for its columns of layered basalt. It mystified the ancients who believed it to be the work of giant Finn McCool. This natural wonder will be a highlight of today’s scenic drive. A trip to Ireland would not be complete without a TOUR OF OLD BUSHMILL'S DISTILLERY, the oldest licensed distillery in the world. They have been producing Irish whiskey since 1608 and there will surely be a chance for some taste-testing, along with time for lunch in the Distillery Kitchen Restaurant and a visit to their souvenir shop. Then it’s on to CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE. After making your way down the steep flight of stairs, you may simply enjoy the view or dare to cross the sturdy rope bridge while the waves crash onto the rocks hundreds of feet below. The scenery is magnificent and it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

Sun, Jun 06
We head south today for the SHEELIN ANTIQUE IRISH LACE MUSEUM AND SHOP, set in the picturesque village of Bellanaleck, Enniskillen. Although they are closed on Sundays, owner Rosemary Cathcart has graciously agreed to open just for us! The shop is a treasure trove of Antique Irish Lace items and other vintage finds. Rosemary creates her own line of accessories using antique lace pieces. The museum houses one of the largest collections of its kind with approximately 700 exhibits, illustrating the five main types of Lace which were made in Ireland: Irish Crochet Lace, Youghal Needlelace, Inishmacsaint Needlelace, Carrickmacross and Limerick Lace. On display are Wedding Dresses, Wedding Veils, Shawls, Parasols, Collars, Baby Bonnets, Christening Gowns, Flounces, Jackets and many more items. All the lace dates from between 1850 to 1900. It’s just a short drive to the FOUR-STAR KILLYHEVLIN HOTEL, a member of Irish Country Hotels. Located on the shores of scenic Lough (lake) Erne, it’s the ideal place to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon and evening. Whether you decide to lounge on the large patio and enjoy the peaceful lake setting, take a walk around the private grounds and gardens, or enjoy their fabulous new Health Club complete with gymnasium, pool and Elemis Spa, you are sure to enjoy this tranquil setting before our group dinner in the beautiful Silks Restaurant, an AA Award Winning Fine Dining Restaurant. Then it’s time to retire to your individually designed and decorated room for a good night’s sleep!

Mon, Jun 07
Driving further south, we depart Northern Ireland to return to the Republic of Ireland and the city of GALWAY, the capital of the West of Ireland. The streets and buildings of this ancient town have many interesting features, and its position on the edge of the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) makes it the gateway to the magnificent Aran Islands. The city itself is a continuing centre of growth with its University, Institute of Technology, Theatres, Cathedral and Castle. Recently, the city centre of Galway has been closed to traffic in order to allow for the enjoyment of the city's narrow shopping streets. Early this afternoon we arrive at the FOUR-STAR HARBOUR HOTEL, located in the centre of Galway and adjacent to the City’s waterfront area. The hotel is within an easy walk from Eyre Square (site of the historic John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and scene of his celebrated visit to the city, as one of Ireland’s most famous sons) and Quay Street, where you will find shops, pubs, restaurants and theatres. The hotel’s Haven Health & Beauty Suite offers treatment rooms, along with a state of the art gymnasium, Jacuzzi and steam room, if you would like to relax and unwind after a morning of traveling.

Tue, Jun 08
Today we begin our journey with a ferry ride to the shores of Inis Mór, the largest of the ARAN ISLANDS and home to fewer than a thousand inhabitants. On the very edge of Western Europe, these Gaelic outcroppings—and their namesake sweaters—have always beckoned to needlecrafters. You’ll have the day free to shop and sightsee in the beautiful village port. You may even choose to take a pony and trap ride around the island and we’ll be sure to make a visit to the Aran Sweater Market and Museum to learn the history of these beautiful sweaters. Information may be found at: The History of Aran Sweaters. At the end of the day we’ll return to Galway for our Farewell Dinner.

Wed, Jun 09
BUNRATTY CASTLE is the most complete and authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland. Bunratty’s strategic position on the river Shannon made it the center of many battles and it has been destroyed and re-built on four occasions. In addition to visiting the castle we will explore the adjacent BUNRATTY FOLK PARK, a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time. Just across the road is Bunratty Village, a cluster of shops in a 19th century village setting, ranging from specialty shops for Waterford and Tipperary Crystal, to multiple outlets such as Blarney Woolen Mills and Meadows & Byrne. For those of you not joining us for the optional extension to Killarney, you will have the remainder of the day to enjoy Bunratty, before checking in to the BUNRATTY MANOR, a small and intimate family run hotel located just a few minutes walk from Bunratty Village, Castle, and Folk Park.

Thu, Jun 10
After having received so much inspiration for new quilting projects, it's time to return home. Saying goodbye to the friends you have made on the tour will be difficult, so be sure to stay in contact with them for making plans to Travel Together on the next quilting adventure! You will be departing from SHANNON AIRPORT and we’ll provide you with information for getting from the hotel to the airport…unless you will be joining us for the extension to Killarney.

BOOK EARLY…SPACE IS LIMITED!
Main Tour Cost:
$2355 per person, double occupancy
$ 486 single supplement
Airfare and airport transfers are not included in the cost of the tour

Please note: In order to fully enjoy this trip you will need to be able to walk up to 5 city blocks at a moderate pace and climb several flights of stairs, in addition to uphill climbs on many of the city streets.

Optional Extension to Killarney includes:
All hotels
Full Irish breakfast each morning
One dinner at the Court Restaurant
Professionally guided tour on the Ring of Kerry
Blarney Castle and Blarney Woollen Mills
Show and Tell with the Ciar and Maine Quilters
Escorted by a professional tour leader

Killarney Itinerary:

Wed, Jun 09
After visiting Bunratty, our coach will continue south to KILLARNEY, an area of Ireland that is renowned for its beautiful scenery. The charming FOUR-STAR RANDLES COURT HOTEL will be our home for three nights. It is ideally located just a five minutes' walk from the noise and the bustle of Killarney Town Centre. Having just received a €4.5 million face lift marking the 100th birthday of the original building, the hotel has the look and feel of a country manor house.

Thu, Jun 10
Today we will experience County Kerry’s most outstanding scenery as we drive the RING OF KERRY. In addition to spectacular ocean views, we will be making stops along the way to visit a bog farm, sheep dog demonstration, and spots worthy of photo breaks, such as the Ladies View above the Upper Lake of Killarney National Park.

Fri, Jun 11
Nikki Foley is a member of the CIAR & MAINE QUILTERS, a guild that has members from the Tralee-Killarney region. This morning we will be meeting in the Drawing Room of our hotel with these ladies for tea and SHOW AND TELL. You’ll want to be sure to have along at least one sample of your quilting (or photos) to share with the group. Nikki also owns The Sewing Shed, a patchwork shop on the west coast of Ireland near the town of Castlemaine. Although we won’t be visiting the shop, Nikki has graciously offered to bring along and sell, some Irish patterns and any Irish and English fabrics that she has available at that time. This afternoon there will be time to explore the town of Killarney. You may want to take a jaunting car ride (horse and buggy) through the Killarney National Park and along the lakeside, being entertained by a story-telling jarvey who will reinforce the tales you’ve heard of the Irish and their blarney! Whether you would like to search for that perfect piece of Celtic jewelry or just shop for souvenirs to take home, you will enjoy browsing the many shops.

A group dinner will be at our hotel this evening in the Court Restaurant.

Sat, Jun 12
Ireland is famous for its BLARNEY, and today we will visit the castle of the same name. Where else could you climb up several stories of stone steps, bend backwards over a ledge and kiss a stone with the promise that it will confer upon you, the gift of eloquence? After visiting the castle we will have plenty of time to visit the on-site flagship store of Blarney Woollen Mills. This 30,000 square foot retail store is housed in one of Ireland's oldest and most authentic Irish woollen mills, offering everything from small souvenirs to Belleek China and Waterford Crystal. Our final stop today is the PARK INN AT SHANNON AIRPORT, located just steps away from the Arrivals and Departure Terminal of Shannon International Airport. The hotel has a reading room with a fire place and a terrace offering views over Shannon Estuary, where you can relax until it’s time to retire to your room for the night.

Sun, Jun 13
No matter what time you make arrangements to depart from Shannon Airport, it’s just a short walk over to the terminal to check-in for your flight home.

Killarney Extension cost:
$ 782 per person, double occupancy
$ 263 single supplement
Airfare is not included in the cost of the extension

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