Linda has been quilting for over 35 years and has been a serious antique quilt collector for over 25 years. In 2003 Linda began an annual quilt exhibition in her barn, (Quilts In The Barn) that ran for 14 years as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research. She featured both Australian and International Quilters. Linda began publishing patterns 15 years ago and now has over 30 patterns published. They are based on antique quilts in her collection and her own designs and published in Australian magazines and Quiltmania. In 2016 Linda began producing acrylic templates for her designs and she also had a book published by Quiltmania, based on antique quilts in her collection, with patterns to reproduce them. In 2018 Linda co-authored a book, based on designs inspired by antique quilts in her collection, with Martingale Publishing. Linda has had five years’ experience in Sydney and Melbourne Quilt show’s retail booths and has planned, and hosted several Interstate and International Quilt teachers for quilt retreats in her home. She has also planned and hosted an International Quilt Historian in her home for several Quilt Retreats. Linda’s antique quilt collection is extensive and she has held trunk shows for several Quilt Guilds and quilt shops in the past few years. She is currently hosting several quilt friendship groups in her studio, as well as designing and creating new quilts. In 2023 Linda led a Quilting tour to the USA.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Tuesday 7 October 2025 Houston
We depart Australia today on our flight to Houston, USA. We arrive the same
day as we depart because we cross the International Date Line. Houston is the
fourth largest city in the United States and an international business centre.
DAY 2 Wednesday 8 October 2025
Houston
We travel to the Painted Pony n Quilts located at La Porte this morning. This is
a large store with a variety of fabrics. This evening Linda will escort the group
to pre-view night at the International Quilt Festival..
DAY 3 Thursday 9 October 2025
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. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome
dinner to formally meet Linda and other tour members.
DAY 4 Friday 10 October 2025
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 5 Saturday 11 October 2025
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 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 continue to Old Town Springs, where group members will be able to visit
the many artisan shops for shopping.
DAY 6 Sunday 12 October 2025
Burlington
Today we fly north, 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. Those wishing to dine
with the group will meet in the lobby to have dinner together.
DAY 7 Monday 13 October 2025
Burlington
Today we will travel a short distance to the 100 acre Shelburne Museum. Its
thirty-five buildings contain one of the largest American quilt collections.
Exhibitions include 18th and 19th century houses and furniture, fine art and folk
art. This afternoon we visit Yankee Pride Quilts, which has a great selection
of fabrics.
DAY 8 Tuesday 14 October 2025
Burlington
We will continue our exploration of the region, seeing glorious fall colours as
we drive along 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 visit the Quilters’ Corner at Middlebury Sew
N-Vac. 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.
DAY 9 Wednesday 15 October 2025
Springfield
Our journey takes us south to the interesting Living History Shaker Commune,
which was founded in 1790 and was active until 1960. We will tour the restored
building and have time in the store, where many craft items are for sale. Those
wishing to dine with the group meet in the lobby to enjoy dinner together.
DAY 10 Thursday 16 October 2025
Springfield
In the morning we visit picturesque Old Sturbridge Village, which re-creates
village life in rural New England during the 1790ies until the 1830ies. We
continue with a visit to Bayberry Quilt and Gift shop, which stocks fabric and
completed quilts.
DAY 11 Friday 17 October 2025
Lowell
We travel east through the gorgeous New England countryside today. On the
journey we stop at Valley Fabrics, Northampton for retail therapy. They stock
fabrics, notions, kits, patterns and pre-cuts. Those wishing to dine with the
group will meet in the lobby to have dinner together.
DAY 12 Saturday 18 October 2025
Lowell
Today we travel to Salem, the location of the Salem Witch Trials 1878. We
visit the 17th century Witch House, the home of Judge Corwin, the only
home still existing, with ties to the trials. We continue with a guided tour of
the magnificent house of the Seven Gables, the setting for the 1851 novel by
Nathaniel Hawthorne and visit its beautiful seaside garden.
DAY 13 Sunday 19 October 2025
Lowell
This morning we visit the New England Quilt Museum, which has a vast array
of quilts on display. We will have a gallery talk with a local expert. We continue
with a visit to the Boott Cotton Mills and explore the history of the mill girls and
the Boott Mill boarding house.
DAY 14 Monday 20 October 2025
Plymouth
We journey south to Boston today, the cradle of American Independence and
now New England’s centre for finance and technology. We enjoy a Boston
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. There will be free time to explore Boston, before we
travel to Plymouth.
DAY 15 Tuesday 21 October 2025
Plymouth
Today we visit the Mayflower 11 the full scale reproduction of the tall ship. The
original ship landed in Plymouth in 1620. A descendant of the Mayflower’s
original voyage, Dianne Miller, will demonstrate a quilt bed turning for our
group. In the afternoon we will visit the Pilgrim Hall museum, which tells the
story of the hazardous Mayflower voyage, the dreadful first winter and the
first Thanksgiving.
DAY 16 Wednesday 22 October 2025
Plymouth
Today we will travel by ferry from Hyannis to historic Nantucket. We will have
time to wander the quaint streets and browse in the interesting stores and
boutiques that line them. We will enjoy a walk around the area, to see the
beautiful houses in town and the harbour area. We will visit the Whaling
Museum to learn about Nantucket’s history. This evening we enjoy a Farewell
Dinner to celebrate the end of our wonderful tour.
DAY 17 Thursday 23 October 2025
Departure
We travel to Boston airport to board our flight to Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane.
DAY 18 Friday 24 October 2025 In flight
DAY 19 Saturday 25 October 2025 Australia
We arrive in Australia today and tour arrangements conclude.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $10,660 | $13,760 |
You can stay longer in USA for minimal additional cost. Please contact 1800 630 343 for more information.
The tour will be fully escorted by a professional Australian tour manager meeting the group in Houston for the tour. The tour manager will look after all the travel arrangements and each night the tour manager will organize a restaurant booking for anyone in the group interested in dining with other group members.
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. Tour arrangements are subject to the terms and conditions and general information detailed in brochure. All passengers must complete a Travelrite International booking form.
Deposit and Payments: A deposit of $900 per passenger should be sent with a booking form. As soon as the booking is confirmed (usually within 24 hours), a confirmation advice will be emailed to the client. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International 62 days prior to the commencement of the fly, tour and cruise holiday. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to all payments made by Visa, Master Card and Amex cards. If fares and air taxes change due to government and airport regulations and currency fluctuations Travelrite International reserves the right to charge additional amounts.
Cancellation Conditions: Cancellations within 62 days of depart ure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 62 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $900 per person.
Travel Documents:
All passengers will require a valid passport. If not
an Australian passport holder, check with Travelrite International for visa
requirements. Each traveller requires a US Visa Waiver.
Travel Insurance:
Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended
to cover cruise members for the consequences of unforeseen events
during the cruise and for cancellation fees which could result from such
events such as illness, accident, death etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers:
The 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 Organisation: Travelrite reserves the right to change advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
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.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, it’s agents, officers, affiliates, and/or suppliers of services pursuant to or in connection with these holidays shall act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, transportation including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, 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 holiday. The passage contract between the carriers concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of these holidays and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in Victoria.
Delays and Unforeseen Events: You engage Travelrite Inter-national 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 International 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 International 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 International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite International 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.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a deposit of $900 per person 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
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 and operating in Victoria for more than 38 years. It has a fully accredited ATAS 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 hotels, tour and transport operators. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
“The individual quilting stores were unique in their own way and everyone made us so welcome. The Quilt Festival and Exhibition was amazing. The quality and workmanship of the exhibits was breathtaking. Having over 2 days to explore was perfect, allowing time to marvel at everything on offer and decide what to buy.”
“Professional input by Linda Collins (Quilter) was excellent - she had prepared extremely well. She provided a project to teach us, introduced us to accomplished people in the quilting world and flexibly guided our activities to cater for individual interests.”
