Join Michelle Marvig on the 2014 Quilters Companion magazine USA Quilting Tour 16 October to 3 November 2014 Visiting Chicago, Burlington, Berlin for the Ohio Amish, East Lansing for the Great Lakes Quilt Museum and the 2014 International Quilt Festival in Houston 2014 Quilters Companion USA Quilting Tour 18 wonderful days in the USA with Michelle Marvig, contributor to Quilters Companion Magazine Michelle Marvig Michelle Marvig has been an inspiration for quilters during her 18 years in the industry. She has constantly published original designs since the earliest patchwork magazines were circulated in Australia. During this time she has published over 80 quilt projects in a selection of titles and co-authored Rapt in Borders with Caroline Price. An accomplished teacher, she imparts her knowledge to hundreds of students every year. Michelle is a regular contributor with Quilters Companion, as well as designing quilts. She also puts products through their paces for the Road Test column in the magazine. In 2006 Michelle, together with Caroline Price, presented the second Quilters Companion DVD – Bias and Blooms. She followed up with a second DVD for a Mariner’s Compass Quilt featuring foundation piecing and a third DVD for machine piecing a Lone Star. In November 2009 Michelle released her first line of fabric, Suzani, which she designed for Charles Parsons. This was followed by a second range in 2010, Michelle’s Backyard, based on Australian textures. She led the Quilters Companion quilting tours to the USA in October 2008, April and October 2009, October 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, France and Britain 2009, 2010 and 2012 and Japan 2011. Itinerary... Day 1 Thursday 16 October 2014 Day 4 Sunday 19 October 2014 Chicago Airport We depart Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane and fly via Los Angeles to Chicago. We arrive the same day as we depart because we cross the International Date Line. We stay overnight at the airport to get a good rest before continuing the tour. Day 2 Friday 17 October 2014 Burlington This morning 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. On arrival 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. Michelle will make sure that you get the most out of the museum. We will have a welcome dinner this evening to get to know members of our tour. Day 3 Saturday 18 October 2014 Burlington Today we travel to the pretty village of Williston, where we visit a local fabric shop. We stop at Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop for a choice of hundreds of flavours of ice cream. We will continue our exploration of the region, driving along the shores of Lake Champion, the largest lake in the United States after the Great Lakes. We return to Burlington for an evening of leisure. Berlin We fly to Cleveland this morning. On arrival we will drive to Berlin the centre of Amish culture in Ohio. Amish and Mennonite people fled from Europe in the 16th century to escape religious prosecution to this area. Their descendants continue to turn their backs on the modern world. They do not use electricity or the car. It is a centre of traditional crafts including quilting. The tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby to go to a local restaurant. Day 5 Monday 20 October 2014 Berlin Today we will explore Berlin and its charming shops. We visit the Helping Hand Quilt Shop, which has hundreds of handmade crafts and quilts made by Amish ladies. It covers two floors with over three thousand bolts of fabric. We visit Country Craft Cupboard across the road. They have many easy to make projects. We continue with a visit to the Stitching House, which has a complete line of cross-stitch and a large selection of books, fabrics and afghans. In the afternoon we will visit Yoders Amish Home for a tour of homes on a one hundred acre working Amish farm. You will learn about the history and customs of the Amish faith. Day 6 Tuesday 21 October 2014 Berlin Today we will travel to Charm where we will visit Charm Cheese Mercantile, which features lots of oak items, dried flowers, and antiques. We have time to visit Miller’s Dry Goods Quilt shop. We continue to Schrocks Amish farm which houses Berlin Craft Mall where we will find baskets, outdoor furniture candles and local pottery. We have the chance of an authentic Amish buggy ride. Tis the Season Christmas shop supplies wonderful Christmas decorations. We also have time to visit Gramma Fannie Quilt Barn. Day 7 Wednesday 22 October 2014 Berlin This morning we visit Walnut Creek where we may visit the copper Kettle Cannery, Walnut Creek Kitchens and other outlets for homemade jellies, mustards etc. This afternoon we travel to Sugarcreek settled by Swiss people, who were reminded by the picturesque scenery of their homeland. We will visit the Swiss Village Bakery, Swiss Village Quilts and the Music Box Chalet. We will travel around the back roads, where we will see the colourful Amish families travelling in their horse and carriages. We will visit other shops in Little Switzerland. The group will visit the Be Halt cyclorama that is 10 feet tall and 265 feet long. It illustrates the history of the Amish and Mennonite people from the Anabaptist beginnings in Zurich, Switzerland in 1525 to the present day. This evening we will have an Amish-style dinner. This meal will feature potatoes and noodles, delectable home-made pies and other typical dishes. Day 8 Thursday 23 October 2014 East Lansing This morning we travel through Amish farmland to Lansing, where we stay overnight. Day 9 Friday 24 October 2014 Chicago This morning we visit the Great Lakes Quilt Collection which houses a number of collections, including Michigan Quilts and the African American Quilt Collection. In the afternoon we travel on to Chicago. Day 10 Saturday 25 October 2014 Chicago This morning we enjoy 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 the one hundred storeys high, John Hancock Centre. This afternoon we travel to Lisle to visit Pieceful Heart Fabrics. There is a great mix of trendy and traditional fabrics. Day 11 Sunday 26 October 2014 Chicago Day 13 Tuesday 28 October 2014 Houston This morning we will fly to Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States and an international business centre. On arrival we will visit The Painted Pony and Quilts, a large fabric shop with many wholesale items and beautiful fabrics. Houston’s downtown area has a sense of emptiness, because there are over six miles of underground tunnels connecting more than 70 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 Wednesday 29 October 2014 Houston Today we travel to Le Grange to visit the Texas Quilt Museum. Housed in an historic 1895 building on La Grange’s town square this recently opened museum has a wealth of beautiful and historic quilts. The quilts on display have been made by internationally renowned quilt makers in traditional and avant-garde styles. We return to Houston to attend the pre-view evening for the International Quilt Festival. Day 15 Thursday 30 October 2014 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 those of your choice. They are offered in appliqué, design and all aspects of quilting. You can book the classes on the internet. Please contact Michelle Marvig if you require further information about classes. Day 16 Friday 31 October 2014 Houston We will visit the International Quilt Festival today. There will be time to browse among the displays and buy items for future quilting. We enjoy a farewell dinner this evening to say goodbye to our friends. Day 17 Saturday 1 November 2014 In flight This morning we visit Millenium Park home to the Bean before walking across the park to 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. Early evening we will have a get-together at the hotel and Michelle Marvig will give a short talk on her quilting experience. This morning is free for final shopping or to visit the International Quilt Festival. We travel to the airport to board our flight via Los Angeles to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Day 12 Monday 27 October 2014 We arrive in Australia this morning and tour arrangements conclude. Chicago We have a mid-morning start to visit the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park. This home was built in 1889 to his design and was extended in 1895 and 1898 as their family and wealth grew. Frank Lloyd Wright incorporated his new design ideas into his home and we will see how advanced they were for the time. In the afternoon we visit The Modern Quilt studio. Day 18 Sunday 2 November 2014 Day 19 Monday 3 November 2014 In flight Australia Relax and enjoy 2014 Quilters Companion USA Quilting Tour with Michelle Marvig 16 October to 3 November 2014 The cost of the tour is $ 7,250 per person twin-share Air taxes and fuel surcharges at 20/12/13 $ 850 per person Total package price $ 8,100 per person twin-share The price for a single supplement $ 1,850 per person Included in the price: Not included in the price: • Economy-class air travel from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Chicago via Los Angeles and returning from Houston via Los Angeles. Domestic flights throughout the USA as listed in the itinerary. Please call for other departure cities. • Accommodation in carefully selected first and moderate first-class, centrally located hotels with private facilities. Hotel taxes and service charges • Breakfasts daily, welcome and farewell dinners as listed in the itinerary and a dinner in the Amish area • Travel in a first-class coach • Sightseeing and general entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary • Tour leadership by Michelle Marvig as detailed in the itinerary • The services of a Travelrite International tour manager • • • • • • • Passport and visa fees Travel insurance Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary Sightseeing and general expenses not specified in the itinerary Items of a personal nature Additional travel arrangements not in the tour itinerary will be quoted for separately Air taxes, government and air fuel surcharges will be added to your account The tour manager: The tour will be fully escorted by a professional tour manager meeting the group in Los Angeles for the tour. The tour manager will look after all the travel arrangements on the tour. Each night the tour manager will organise a restaurant booking for anyone in the group interested in dining with other group members. General Information and Booking Conditions 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 Costs: The tour costs are based on airfare, general transport, and accommodation costs and foreign exchange rate at 20 December 2013. No alterations to costings will be made within 60 days of departure from Australia. Deposits and Payments: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 64 days before departure. Cancellations: Cancellations 64 days or less from the date of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc. Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour has been costed on the basis of a minimum of passengers having booked 64 days prior to departure. Payment by Visa and Mastercard will incur a one percent administration fee and AMEX and Diners Club a three percent fee. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost. Travelrite International reserves the right to change advertised 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, airfare or other services not utilised after the tour has commenced. Travel Documents: All passengers will require a valid passport and a United States ESTA (Visa) authorization to enter the United States. The ESTA is issued on line for Australian passport holders. If you hold another passport please check with Travelrite International. Baggage: All passengers qualify for 20 kilos of luggage. One piece of luggage is allowed in the coach for the tours. Changes to the Tour Itinerary: Travelrite International reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary to fit in with operational requirements. Any change to the itinerary will be replaced with similar arrangements with an equal or greater value. Responsibility: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (Licence number 30858) is the tour organiser. Travelrite acts only as agents in the making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of god, acts of Government, terrorism or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria. How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a deposit of $600. Please send to: Travelrite International Pty. Ltd. 423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria, 3103 Further information or a booking form can be obtained by telephoning Travelrite International on the following numbers: Toll Free 1800 630 343 Phone: (03) 9836 2522 Fax: (03) 9836 8068 Email: [email protected] www.travelrite.com.au About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (A.C.N. 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been operating in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for more than 30 years. It is fully licensed (Licence No. 30858) and has two fully credited IATA offices Heathmont and Balwyn. As such, it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for twenty seven years, and now runs over 60 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
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