Day 1 Sunday 12 September 2010 In flight
We depart Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on our flight to Paris.

Day 2 Monday 13 September 2010 Paris
This morning we arrive in Paris, where we will be met by our tour manager and are transferred into the city of Paris. We will have an orientation tour with a local guide. During the tour we will see the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elyssés, the Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and more. In the afternoon we have free time to allow tour members to recover from the flight. This evening we have a welcome dinner. Michelle Marvig will welcome the group and outline the wonderful experiences we will have during the tour. D

Day 3 Tuesday 14 September 2010 Paris
This morning we will visit the Toile de Jouy Museum. This museum was created in 1977 and dedicated to the activity of the Jouy factory and textile printing. More than three thousand original Toile de Jouy designs exist. In the technical exhibition room we will see engraving tools, wood blocks, plates and copper rollers. We will follow the evolution of Toile de Jouy in the display of bed hangings, ornaments, textile panels and dresses. In the afternoon we visit Chateau de Versailles, the creation of the French monarchy at the time of its greatest splendor the 17th century. Consisting of the opulent chateau, the magnificent gardens and the Trianon. You will enjoy this wonderful Royal Palace.

Day 4 Wednesday 15 September 2010 Paris
This morning will be free for individual activity. The tour manager will help the group with suggestions for visits. In the afternoon we will visit Musee National du Moyen Age founded in 1843 and situated in the heart of the Latin Quarter. You will marvel at the tapestries, especially the famous Lady with the Unicorn tapestry from 15th century Brussels. Midafternoon we will visit La Boutique du Patchwork, where we will see a large selection of fabrics. Michelle Marvig will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby.

Day 5 Thursday 16 September 2010 Colmar
After breakfast the group will travel through the beautiful French countryside to the city of Colmar. The town has prospered on the proceeds of the wine trade since the 13th century. The heart of the old town contains many picturesque old houses with turrets, oriel windows and half timbering. After checking into our hotel we will have free time to explore this fascinating town. Michelle will meet tour members in the lobby to suggest nearby restaurants for dinner.

Day 6 Friday 17 September 2010 Colmar
We travel to Sainte Marie aux Mines to visit the Patchwork meeting. We will see over eight hundred antique, traditional and contemporary textile works. Quilts from many countries including South Korea, South America, South Africa and Finland are on display and there are interesting lectures to attend. Michelle will advise on how to make the most of our visit.

Day 7 Saturday 18 September 2010 Colmar
This morning we travel to Sainte Marie aux Mines to continue our visit to the Patchwork meeting. We return to Colmar mid-afternoon for free time.

Day 8 Sunday 19 September 2010 London
Today we travel to Mulhouse, established as an Imperial city at the end of the 13th century. It was a textile centre already, when in 1746 three citizens founded the first mill producing calico cotton fabrics. This led to the establishment of large-scale production of fabrics and the development of printing techniques. This afternoon we will visit the Musee de l’Impression sur Etoffes. Our visit will explain the history of printed fabric and the history of design. The first samples of indiennes, printed cotton fabric were imported to the area in the 19th century. The secret of the famous rouge turc dye was unravelled and bought riches to Mulhouse. Late afternoon we fly to London. On arrival we will be transferred to our hotel. Michelle and the tour manager will point out nearby restaurants and join those wishing to dine together.

Day 9 Monday 20 September 2010 London
This morning we will have a city tour escorted by a local guide. Some of the great landmarks we see include Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. This afternoon we have a very special visit to Buckingham Palace and the magnificent State Rooms. These are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collections.

Day 10 Tuesday 21 September 2010 London
Today we visit Hampton Court Palace, which is an interesting place to learn about the lives of British Monarchs from Henry V111 onwards. We continue with a tour of the Embroiderer’s Guild. There will be free time to shop at The Royal Needlework Shop, before travelling to Creative Quilting, which houses about a thousand bolts. It has shop samples and a generous selection of patterns and books.

Day 11 Wednesday 22 September 2010 London
This morning is free for individual exploration. You may wish to visit Liberty of London, where beautiful fabrics are available. In the afternoon we travel south to near Walthamstow to visit the William Morris Gallery. We will see an internationally important collection illustrating his life, achievements and influences.

Day 12 Thursday 23 September 2010 Bath
Today we travel west to Bath. On the journey we stop in Chawton to visit the Jane Austen House Museum. Jane was fond of and good at needlework. We can see the quilt made by herself, her sister, Cassandra and her mother at the beginning of the 19th century. We will be staying in Bath during the Jane Austen Festival. During this time there will be Europe’s largest promenade of people dressed in Regency costumes parading along the grand Georgian terraces. There will be walking tours and specialist talks at the Festival. Michelle and the tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby.

Day 13 Friday 24 September 2010 Bath
This morning we have a tour of Bath with a local guide. Bath has been listed as a world heritage city. Founded around naturally occurring hot springs, the Romans built baths and a temple. During the Georgian period, Bath became a popular spa resort. We will see the Roman Baths and Georgian assembly rooms as well as the beautiful terraces built during Georgian times. In the afternoon we visit the Jane Austen Centre, where we will get a snapshot of life during Regency times and explore how living in this magnificent city affected Jane Austen’s life and writing.

Day 14 Saturday 25 September 2010 Bath
This morning will be free for individual exploration. The tour manager will suggest activities to undertake. In the afternoon, we visit The American Museum in Britain. In the Manor House you will visit the American Heritage Exhibition. There is also a Folk Art exhibition. After visiting the museum there are three shops to explore: The Country Shop, the Herb Shop, and the Gallery Shop.

Day 15 Sunday 26 September 2010 York
We travel through the picturesque English countryside to York for most of the day. The city of York has retained so much of its medieval structure that walking into its centre is like entering a living museum. We will stop in an attractive town on the way for lunch.

Day 16 Monday 27 September 2010 York
This morning we have a sightseeing tour of York. During the tour we see York Minster, containing the largest selection of medieval stained glass in Britain. We walk through the Shambles, a row of ancient houses with second stories leaning over the street. We continue with a visit to the York Castle Museum, which houses a collection of costume, textiles and household furniture mainly from the 19th century. Gallery guides often dress in Victorian clothes. There is also a collection of textiles and fabrics. The afternoon will be free for individual exploration.

Day 17 Tuesday 28 September 2010 Manchester
Airport In the morning we visit the Quilt Museum and Gallery. It is the national headquarters for the Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles. Located in St Anthony’s Hall it was originally built as the headquarters of a religious guild in the 15th century. It now displays the world famous Heritage Quilt Collection. The museum shop stocks gifts, needles, threads, quilting books and patterns. In the evening we have a farewell dinner to celebrate our wonderful time in Europe. D

Day 18 Wednesday 29 September 2010 In flight
Tour members returning to Australia will check into Manchester airport early in the morning.

Day 19 Thursday 30 September 2010 Australia
The tour group will arrive in Australia and travel arrangements conclude.