Day 2 Saturday 3 October 2009 New York
This morning we will have a sightseeing tour of New York. We will see the famous Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park and the United Nations Building. After lunch we will visit the American Folk Art Museum. It shows the work of contemporary America and other craftspeople. On display are quilts, portraits, decorative pottery and boxes. We will have a welcome dinner this evening. D

Day 3 Sunday 4 October 2009 New York
Today we will have free time for individual exploration or you might like to join Michelle on an expedition to some of the shops and museums of New York.

Day 4 Monday 5 October 2009 New York
We will have an escorted tour with an interesting local guide of the garment district of New York. Tour members will have time to check out fabric shops. In the afternoon we will visit the City Quilter, which has an outstanding selection of one hundred percent cotton fabrics, gifts, books, patterns and notions. Early this evening, Michelle will give a talk on fabric choice, design and the finished quilt.

Day 5 Tuesday 6 October 2009 Lancaster
We will travel south through the Pennsylvanian countryside to Lancaster, where we will stay for four nights. Lancaster County was settled by the Amish and Mennonites escaping religious persecution in the 18th century. Their descendants continue to turn their backs on the modern world.

Day 6 Wednesday 7 October 2009 Lancaster
Today we will travel by private coach to nearby Intercourse to visit the Peoples Place Museum, where we will see a three screen documentary on the Amish people. We will learn about the history and religious beliefs of the Amish and Mennonite people. We will visit the Village Quilt shop in Intercourse, before travelling to Lapp’s Quilts and Crafts. This is located in the basement of an Amish home. In addition to quilts, they carry a small selection of fabrics.

Day 7 Thursday 8 October 2009 Lancaster
This morning we will have a walking tour of charming colonial Lancaster with a local guide. Lancaster was named after Lancashire, England, and its symbol is the red rose, from the House of Lancaster. We will see the covered Central Market, which dates back to the mid 1700s: every Tuesday and Friday this market comes alive. We will see the old city hall, which is now the heritage centre of Lancaster County and the attractive local architecture. This afternoon will be free for individual shopping. Michelle will meet tour members wishing to dine with the group in the lobby

Day 8 Friday 9 October 2009 Lancaster
Today we will travel to Bird-in-Hand. The name comes from an old inn and stagecoach stop in the village. English Quakers and Mennonites with their pacifist beliefs, were the first settlers. We will explore the farmers market. There are thirty store holders offering a delightful country shopping experience. We will visit the wonderful Quilt and Fabric Shack. The centre room of the shop is filled with new quilts. Along the edge of this area there are rooms filled with fabrics: four thousand five hundred bolts of famous brands. The selection is a contemporary, quilt store type collection and it is a friendly store to visit. We travel to Lititz, which took its name from Lidice in Czechoslovakia and was founded by the Moravians. We will visit the Candy Americana Museum in this town, which is a centre for the production of chocolate. Over one hundred million pounds of chocolate are made in Lititz yearly.

Day 9 Saturday 10 October 2009 Washington
We will travel by coach through the Pennsylvanian countryside and on to Washington for our four night stay. We will visit Longwood Gardens, Pierre-Samuel du Pont’s 350 acres of wonderful estate gardens, which has an international reputation. After check in, tour members wishing to dine as a group will meet Michelle in the lobby early evening.

Day 10 Sunday 11 October 2009 Washington
This morning we will have a guided tour of Washington. We will see the US Capitol, where decisions on running the country are made, the White House, the Washington and Jefferson Monuments, and Georgetown, which is Washington’s most exclusive neighbourhood. We will visit the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of American History. We will have a special viewing of archival quilts in this museum. Michelle will guide the group around the historical quilts and the best displays. In the evening Michelle will discuss purchasing antique fabrics, quilts or blocks.

Day 11 Monday 12 October 2009 Washington
This morning we will visit the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum. The collection includes more than thirty three thousand examples of decorative arts, including objects made or used in America prior to the Industrial Revolution. Nowhere else can you see such fabulous early American quilts. We will have a special private viewing of a selection of their archival quilts. There are period rooms representing parlours and bed chambers from the 18th and 19th centuries. We will visit the Textile Museum of Washington this afternoon. Founded by George Myers in 1925, it is devoted to preserving textile art.

Day 12 Tuesday 13 October 2009 Washington
This morning we will visit G St Fabrics. They have an abundance of fabric choices, some at good prices. Most notions can be found there. This afternoon will be free for individual shopping.

Day 13 Wednesday 14 October 2009 Houston
This morning we will fly to Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States and an International business centre. We will have a brief city tour, driving past Tranquillity Park, which was built to commemorate the first words of man on the moon: “Houston, Tranquillity base here. The eagle has landed.” We will see the theatre district, City Hall, and the Smith-Louisiana corridor, which is two daunting canyons formed by towers of glass and steel, most of which was erected before oil prices plunged in 1983. The 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. Michelle will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby to have an early dinner together.

Day 14 Thursday 15 October 2009 Houston
The International Quilt Festival opens today for 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 16 October 2009 Houston
We will visit the International Quilt Festival today. You will have time to browse among the displays and buy items for future quilting.

Day 16 Saturday 17 October 2009 Houston
Today will be spent at the International Quilt Festival, attending workshops and activities. We will have a farewell dinner tonight to celebrate our wonderful tour. D

Day 17 Sunday 18 October 2009 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 19 October 2009 In flight

Day 19 Tuesday 20 October 2009 Australia
We arrive in Australia today and tour arrangements conclude.