Within two years of discovering patchwork, Michelle was working for an Australian distributor of American patchwork cottons, as a sample maker. This allowed her to work from home, around the responsibilities of her two small children. It also meant that she was exposed to many styles of fabrics, and stepped up to the challenge of designing quilts in all genres. It was during this time that her work was noticed by magazine editors. She was among the contributors included in the first edition of Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine. Her quilts have received numerous awards at the NSW Quilter’s Guild Quilt Shows. Since 2008 Michelle has escorted Australian quilters overseas on patchwork tours to America, Canada, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and Europe for Travelrite International and Quilter’s Companion. When not travelling on tours, Michelle teaches workshops around Australia, and New Zealand. She loves teaching others the skills required to make new quilt designs and to understand the best way to use fabrics. She also loves to help others spend their money in the patchwork shops on tour!
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Tuesday 29 July 2025 Departure
Today we board our flight to Birmingham, England.
DAY 2 Wednesday 30 July, 2025 Birmingham
Today we arrive in Birmingham in readiness for the opening of the Festival of
Quilts tomorrow. It is the largest patchwork and quilting event in Europe with
an International following.
DAY 3 Thursday 31 July, 2025
Birmingham
We visit the Birmingham Festival of Quilts on its opening day. The festival
has over 1000 quilts on display, in competitions and general displays for
inspiration and adoration. Get a taste of all the different styles of quilting,
with stall holders from all over Europe amongst the 200 stands. Fabrics,
threads, kits, bags, clothing patterns and textiles, workshops, embroidery
needs and much more, will be showcased at this annual event. Michelle will
point out the best exhibits. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner to
formally meet Michelle and other tour members.
DAY 4 Friday 1 August, 2025 Birmingham
A day to enjoy exploring the Festival of Quilts. In the afternoon group
members can stay on at the show or enjoy free time to explore Birmingham.
DAY 5 Saturday 2 August, 2025 Lakes District
We drive north today through the picturesque English countryside to the
Lakes district. We will stop in Preston to visit Quilt Quarters, a family run
business since 2008, stocking fabrics, notions, knitting wools, threads and
all your crafting needs. We continue to the beautiful village of Grasmere our
home for two nights. Michelle and the tour manager will meet those wishing
to dine with the group in the lobby.
DAY 6 Sunday 3 August, 2025
Lakes District
Today we travel to picturesque Penrith a bustling market town known for its
wealth of specialist shops. We drive across the unique highlands of the lakes
before continuing to Ambleside located on the banks of Lake Windermere.
We will have free time to explore this attractive village before returning to
Grassmere, where we have time to wander around the village, made famous
by William Wordsworth. Its ancient church dates from the 13th century.
DAY 7 Monday 4 August, 2025
Glasgow
We drive north via Gretna Green, known as the location for quick marriages
in former years. We continue our journey to Glasgow, a city full of style,
energy with its own gritty history. On arrival we will enjoy a sightseeing
tour of Glasgow. From its humble beginnings, Glasgow reaped the wealth of
the industrial revolution, shown in the splendour of Glasgow Cathedral and
other buildings in the Merchant City. From Glasgow Cross we move into the
medieval part of town and Glasgow Green. Here we see the People’s Palace
and the Victoria Fountain, the world’s largest terracotta fountain.
DAY 8 Tuesday 5 August 2025
Inverness
Today we travel through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park to
Newtonmore to visit the Highland Folk Museum. In this wonderful outdoor
museum, which is one mile long, we will see an 18th century township just
like those in Outlander, working crofts, houses and trains. We continue to
Inverness the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. Michelle and the tour
manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby.
DAY 9 Wednesday 6 August 2025
Inverness
Today we drive north to visit the Prickly Thistle Contemporary Tartan Mill.
They design a range of unique tartans and weave them with 100 percent
wool fibre on commission and for sale at the mill. We will have a tour of the
mill and an opportunity to buy their products. We will continue to Loch Ness.
It is the largest Scottish loch by volume; Indeed, experts say that it contains
more freshwater than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! Next,
we make the short journey into bonnie Glen Urquhart, famous for its native
woodlands and wide variety of wildlife, that they support, to visit Urquhart
Castle. It is a magnificent, ruined castle that dates from the 14th century and
was one of a chain of garrisons that controlled the Great Glen. Nowadays it’s
a popular place with “Nessie” spotters who scan the waters of the loch that
are deeper here than the North Sea!
DAY 10 Thursday 7 August. 2025
Dundee
Our journey today takes us south to the attractive town of Perth. We travel
nearby to visit Scone Palace, most famous as the site where the Scottish
Kings were crowned. We continue to Dundee, where Michelle and the tour
manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby.
DAY 11 Friday 8 August, 2025
Dundee
This morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Victoria and Albert Museum,
a design branch of the London Museum. We will view the Dundee Tapestry.
In the afternoon we visit Glamis Castle. Glamis has been the ancestral seat
to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since King Robert II granted the
Thanage of Glamis to Sir John Lyon in 1372. Once host to Mary, Queen of
Scots, Glamis is said to have inspired one of Shakespeare’s most famous
plays, Macbeth. Glamis also has a deep connection to today’s Royal Family
as it was the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen
Mother and birthplace of HRH Princess Margaret. We will enjoy a delicious
afternoon tea at the castle.
DAY 12 Saturday 9 August, 2025
Edinburgh
We travel to Edinburgh, the royal and ancient capital of Scotland via the
birthplace of golf, St Andrews, and with a visit to the Royal Britannia, retired
royal yacht. The Royal family loved the journeys they were able to undertake
on the yacht between 1954 and 1997. Michelle and the tour manager will
meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby.
DAY 13 Sunday 10 August, 2025
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. On our sight-seeing
tour this morning we see the ancient Royal Mile with its cobbled streets,
which forms the backbone of the medieval Old Town. This leads from the
Palace of Holyrood house (HM The King’s official residence in Scotland) all
the way to Edinburgh Castle. where we will enjoy a guided tour of the castle,
home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the historic Stone of Destiny. Enjoy
the view from the castle that is just simply stunning. We then visit the very
photogenic Dean Village for a stroll through the 19th century buildings. You
will come across a variety of mill stones and stone plaques.
DAY 14 Monday 11 August, 2025
Edinburgh
In the morning, we will visit the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Alexander
McCall Smith had the idea to create a tapestry that covered the history of
Scotland. He recruited Andrew Crummy, the artist behind the Prestonpans
tapestry, to design it. Alexander asked Alistair Moffat which parts of Scottish
history should be included. They were then ready to create what you will
see today. In the afternoon we will visit Abbotsford, the extraordinary home
of the novelist Sir Walter Scott, who popularised tartan and re-discovered
Scotland’s crown jewels. We will also have time to explore the wonderful
formal Regency Garden at his house. This evening we will attend The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo, where we will see the Royal Navy perform Tattoo
favourites from the Massed Pipes and Drums to the emotive Lone Piper.
DAY 15 Tuesday 12 August, 2025
Glasgow
This morning, we will offer the chance to enjoy the Edinburgh Workshop
Handbag Experience, where we will make a Medium Backpack Satchel for a
cost of 70 pounds. Those not wishing to make the satchel can enjoy free time.
In the afternoon we enjoy a visit to My Bear Paw, which is brimming with the
best modern fabrics and fabric bundles, superior and quality threads. After
our visit we travel to Glasgow for our three night stay.
DAY 16 Wednesday 13 August, 2025
Glasgow
A day to enjoy the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This morning, we
visit Hill House, which together with his wife, the well-established artist
Margaret MacDonald, he designed. The house was designed to fit in with
the lifestyle of the Blackie family and every item of furniture, textile and
decorative feature was custom made. In the afternoon we enjoy a delicious
afternoon tea at the Willow tea rooms designed by MacIntosh, opened in
1903, and now fully restored. Michelle and the tour manager will meet those
wishing to dine with the group in the lobby.
DAY 17 Thursday 14 August, 2025
Glasgow
This morning half our group will visit Woollenflower, a small natural dye and
textile studio, run by Australian-born horticulturist and craftsperson, Julia
Billings. She makes all Woollenflower products by hand with care: dyeing
so that colours last and develop with time. Julia will conduct a workshop
“Introduction to Indigo” for half of the group in the morning The groups
would reverse in the afternoon: we will work with a natural indigo vat and
participants would dye and take away a skein of yarn (about 20-100gm in
total) The group not dyeing fabric will visit Mandors the Fabric Store, which
stocks fabric and haberdashery. In the evening, we will enjoy a farewell
dinner to say goodbye to Michelle and other tour members.
DAY 18 Friday 15 August, 2025 Departure
Today we travel to the airport for our flights to Australia.
DAY 19 Saturday 16 August, 2025 Arrival Australia
We arrive in Australia today and the tour concludes.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $11,930 | $15,230 |
You can stay longer in Europe for minimal additional cost. Please contact 1800 630 343 for more information.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organiser. All passengers must complete and sign a Travelrite International booking form.
Deposit and Payments: A non-refundable deposit of $900 per passenger should be sent with a completed Travelrite International booking form. The confirmation advice will contain all details. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International 62 days prior to the commencement of the tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to payments by Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards. Cancellation 60 days or less the that the departure date will result in a cancelation fee of 100% of the full fare.
Tour Organisation: Travelrite reserves the right to change advert ised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for
any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other
services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
Travel Documents:
All passengers will require a valid passport
with six month validity. If not an Australian passport holder check with
Travelrite International for visa requirements.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is recommended to cover the
costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Baggage:
Passengers qualify for 23kg of luggage on the flight. One
suitcase is allowed because of limits to space on the coach.
Minimum Tour Numbers:
The fly/tour arrangements have been made
on the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling. In the event
that less than the required number of passengers have confirmed their
booking 62 days from the date of departure, Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of monies paid,
or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified fare.
Tour Participation:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibility: Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour organiser. You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required. Further, no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery breakdown, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. Baggage is at owners’ risk throughout the tour. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour arrangement and/or make such changes to the tour arrangements as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a non-refundable deposit of $900 for the tour. Please send to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form please phone the following numbers:
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Email sales@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been marketing throughout Australia for over 40 years. It has a fully ATAS accredited office in Balwyn, which is also accredited with IATA. As such it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Travel Industry Association – ATIA.
“The best Tour Manager I have ever had over all tour companies.”
“Michelle puts a huge amount of effort info making our trip as good as it can be. Wonderful!”
