Day 2 Saturday 23 October 2010 Lincoln
Today we visit the International Quilt Study Centre and Museum, an architecturally stunning new museum housing a treasure trove of quilts from many countries. People who love quilts and quilt making have worked many years to bring it into being. I am sure our visit will be exciting and rewarding. We will have a welcome dinner this evening to get to know members of our tour. D

Day 3 Sunday 24 October 2010 Chicago
We fly to Chicago today. This afternoon we have a tour of Chicago, the third largest city in the USA, with a local guide. During the tour we will see the Magnificent Mile, a part of Michigan Avenue, where exclusive shops line the wide boulevard. We also see the fourth Presbyterian Church built in the Gothic Revival style and also the one hundred storey high, John Hancock Centre. Early evening we will have a get together at the hotel for Michelle Marvig to give a short talk on her quilting experience.

Day 4 Monday 25 October 2010 Chicago
This morning we will travel to the town of Naperville to visit Stitches-N-Stuffing, a huge quilt store and Bernina dealer. The store is remarkable for the breadth and depth of its fabric, notion and book offerings. We travel to Lisle this afternoon to visit Pieceful Heart Fabrics. The store specialises in Kaffe Fassett, Bali Pops and has a large selection of Brights.

Day 5 Tuesday 26 October 2010 Chicago
This morning we will visit the Arts Institute of Chicago, which has a large selection of textiles as well as a magnificent collection of European, Asian and American Art. This afternoon is free for individual activity and perhaps shopping.

Day 6 Wednesday 27 October 2010 Burlington
Today we fly to Burlington, the educational centre of Vermont. The 20,000 students at the University of Vermont enliven the town and in the downtown area there are many chic boutiques and an appealing menagerie of sidewalk wares, craft vendors and street performers. We will stay in Burlington for three nights. Those wishing to dine with the group will meet in the lobby to have dinner together.

Day 7 Thursday 28 October 2010 Burlington
We will continue our exploration of the region, driving via the shores of Lake Champion, the largest lake in the United States after the Great Lakes. We travel to Middlebury, an attractive town with Victorian style buildings converted into stores and restaurants. The pristine Congregational Church, the stately Middlebury Inn and Middlebury College make this a charming town. We will also visit Warren, a small village containing craft shops and an old style country store. The Warren Covered Bridge is reflected in the Mad River, which flows underneath it. Just out of Warren is the Round Barn, one of several built in the valley. We continue to the pretty village of Williston, where we visit two local fabric shops. We return to Burlington for an evening of leisure.

Day 8 Friday 29 October 2010 Burlington
Today we will travel a short distance to the 100 acre Shelburne Museum. Its 35 buildings contain one of the largest American quilt collections. Exhibitions include 18th and 19th century houses and furniture, fine art and folk art. We will have a local quilter meet us at the museum to talk about the quilt collection. Quilts have been selected for their artistic appeal, fine workmanship and excellent condition.

Day 9 Saturday 30 October 2010 Brattleboro
This morning we drive south to visit Marie Millers Antique Quilts. This is an outstanding collection of over three hundred quilts from the 19th and early 20th century. We continue our journey to visit Bennington Museum, a museum celebrating Vermont’s heritage through a collection of furniture, glass and pottery. We stay overnight in Battleboro.

Day 10 Sunday 31 October 2010 Boston
We will travel by coach south through the beautiful Vermont countryside, where the fall colours will take your breath away. We continue on to New Hampshire to visit Centre Harbour, where the well-known quilt shop Keepsake Quilting has everything the quilter will need. We check into our hotel, where we will stay for three nights. Boston was the cradle of American Independence and is now New England’s centre for finance and technology. The home of Harvard University, the area is among the most varied and interesting in America. This evening we shall meet in the lobby and have an evening of relaxation with Michelle Marvig.

Day 11 Monday 1 November 2010 Boston
This morning we will have a city tour with a local guide. During the tour we will see Paul Reveres House and Kings Chapel, home to the largest and sweetest-sounding bell. We will also see Faneuil Hall, and the Old Statehouse, which was the seat of Colonial Government from 1713. This afternoon we visit the historic town of Quincy and Quincy Quilter’s Compass. The town was the home of the second President of the United States and the location of the first railroad in the United States.

Day 12 Tuesday 2 November 2010 Boston
This morning we will visit the New England Quilt Museum at Lowell, which has a vast array of quilts on display. We also visit the American Textile History Museum, the world’s largest textile museum. We see finished textiles showcased in colourful displays of beautiful fabrics, exquisite coverlets and period clothing. We see the Boott Cotton Mills and explore the history of the mill girls and the Boott Mill boarding house. This afternoon is free for individual activity.

Day 13 Wednesday 3 November 2010 Houston
This morning we will fly to Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States and an international business centre. We will visit It’s a Stitch at Humble, a large fabric shop with many wholesale items and beautiful fabrics. Houston downtown area has a sense of emptiness, because there are over six miles of underground tunnels connecting more than seventy of the major businesses. They are a welcome escape from the humidity for which Houston is famous. We will be ready for the Festival activities tomorrow and enjoy four nights here. Michelle will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby to enjoy an early dinner together.

Day 14 Thursday 4 November 2010 Houston
The International Quilt Festival opens today to the public. There will be a large number of classes that tour members will be able to attend. Book early, so that you are able to register for the classes of your choice. You book for these classes on the internet. You can contact Michelle Marvig if you require further information about classes. There will be classes offered in appliqué, design and all aspects of quilting.

Day 15 Friday 5 November 2010 Houston
We will visit the International Quilt Festival today. There will be time to browse among the displays and buy items for future quilting.

Day 16 Saturday 6 November 2010 Houston
Today will be spent at the International Quilt Festival, attending workshops and activities.

Day 17 Sunday 7 November 2010 In flight
This morning we will have free time for independent activity. In the afternoon we will travel to the airport to board our flight via Los Angeles to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Day 18 Monday 8 November 2010 In flight

Day 19 Tuesday 9 November 2010 Australia
We arrive in Australia today and tour arrangements conclude.