Join the excitement, creativity, and beauty of a true European Quilt Show. It’s a unique cultural experience that welcomes visitors from all around the world, featuring 39 exhibitions showcased in 17 of the most beautiful venues across 4 storybook villages. A must-see with an array of unforgettable colours and fabrics. With this, we will surround the tour with a start in the beautiful, romantic city of Paris and end our journey in the historical Heidelberg, Germany.
$ 6295 CDN/ $ 4665 US
per person double occupancy (includes all taxes)
$ 2350 CDN / $ 1699 US
per person single supplement occupancy
(includes all taxes)
Your Land Package Includes:
Day-by-Day Itinerary
B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner
This tour involves a lot of walking. You must be capable of walking 10,000 – 12,000 steps during a day over uneven or cobblestone surfaces,
as well as up and down stairs. Welcome to Europe!
Day 0 – Time to Fly
(Sept 11) – Today, board your overnight flight to Europe.
Meals to be served on the flight. For this tour, you must arrive at the first designated hotel before noon.
Day 1 – Charles de Gaules International Airport, France
(Sept 12) – The fun begins with everyone’s arrival throughout the day. Today will be a day of rest and relaxation as fellow quilters arrive at our hotel. Venture out and enjoy the area. Small town outside the big city.
Stay overnight in Paris, France
Day 2 – Palace of Versailles & A Cruise on the Seine
(Sept 13) – We will start the adventure with a visit and an audio-guided tour of the Palace of Versailles—a most exquisite place. Formerly, a French royal residence and centre of government is today a national landmark. It is located in the city of Versailles in Northern France. It was first built in 1624 primarily as a hunting lodge and private retreat for Louis Xlll and his family. It has been transformed over the years into an immense and extravagant complex surrounded by French and English gardens. After our morning in awe, we will head to view the Eiffel Tower and find a lunch spot nearby. Our afternoon will be spent viewing the architecture, history, and this fabulous city, cruising the Seine River. From the water, you will see such highlights as the city hall, “Hôtel de Ville”, the Louvre, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. At the end of our fun afternoon, we will head to our centrally located hotel for a delicious welcome dinner.
Stay overnight in Paris, France
Meal(s) – B, D
Day 3 – “La Belle Paris” French for Beautiful Paris
(Sept 14) – This morning, we will explore the charming hilltop district of Montmartre, home to the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica and offering breathtaking views of Paris. We will wander through the cobbled streets filled with artists, quaint cafes, and the vibrant atmosphere of Place du Tertre. While there, we will visit one of the most famous fabric shops in Paris, Marché Saint-Pierre. So many levels. The afternoon is yours to discover. You may want to visit the Louvre Museum, take a Hop On-Hop Off Bus, or head back to the other shops you missed, full of fabric in Montmartre.
Stay overnight in Paris, France
Meal(s) – B
Day 4 – Overlooking the vineyards and a visit to Reims
(Sept 15) – Today, we will leave Paris behind and head to Champagne country, where we will visit a Champagne house, take a tour of the caves, and sip the champagne. This will be followed by a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the vineyards (weather permitting). Reims is the capital of the Champagne area. Upon our arrival in Reims, in the afternoon, we will walk to the city centre and visit the stunning Notre-Dame de Reims. A historic cathedral where French kings were crowned for over 1000 years. We will marvel at its soaring Gothic architecture, intricate sculptures, and the breathtaking stained glass done by both medieval masters and Marc Chagall. Later, we will head to our hotel.
Stay overnight in Reims, France
Meal(s) – B, L
Day 5 – Covering the Alsace Region
(Sept 16) After breakfast, we will depart early towards the Alsace Region. We will stop for an early lunch in the small town of Metz, where you can visit the covered local food market and enjoy a “menu du jour” at one of the typical French Bistros. Upon leaving the lovely town of Metz, we will proceed to Riquewihr, a fairytale Alsatian village where colourful half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and world-class Riesling wine create a perfect blend of history and charm. Riquewihr is also where Disney took his inspiration for Belle’s town in the animated movie, Beauty and the Beast. This evening, we will head to Colmar, which we will call home for the next 4 nights and 3 days. With its pastel coloured houses, flower-lined canal, Colmar is a vibrant medieval old town. Stroll through La Petite Venise and enjoy the blend of French and German heritage.
Stay overnight in Colmar, France
Meal(s) – B
Day 6, 7 & 8 – It’s Show Time
(Sept 17, 18 & 19) – What an exciting few days these will be. The Quilt Show of all quilt shows, where over 30 countries are represented, showcasing 150 + quilt exhibitions spread across 4 villages. The quilts are displayed in medieval churches, former textile mills, and village halls. This ambiance adds intimacy and reverence, creating a unique atmosphere. The show is held where the Amish quilting tradition began in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, the birthplace of the Amish movement in 1693. Coach-sized shuttles will take you to each exhibition venue. There is also the “salon du Carrefour” with 150+ shops selling fabric, notions, patterns, books, and tools. Oh my, the excitement is exhausting. Can’t wait. Transportation to our hotel will be revealed at a later date.
Stay overnight in Colmar, France
Meal(s) – B
Day 9 – France to Germany
(Sept 20) – After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel, board the bus, and head to Strasbourg. Here we will be greeted by our guide, who will give us a walking tour of Strasbourg. Strasbourg is a picturesque city where French and German cultures blend seamlessly. It is known for its stunning Gothic cathedral and charming half-timbered houses. After your lunch, we will ride through the countryside to arrive in Heidelberg, Germany. Here we will spend our final 2 nights.
Stay overnight in Heidelberg, Germany
Meal(s) – B
Day 10 – Welcome to Heidelberg
(Sept 21) – Heidelberg is a charming German city known for its romantic old town, historic university, and stunning hilltop castle overlooking the Neckar River. Today we will meet our guide, who will show us around the old town, take the funicular up to the castle, and enjoy the breathtaking views. While at Heidelberg Castle, in a cellar, we will be shown the world’s largest wine barrel, a gigantic wooden keg. Once we make our way back down, we will head to lunch where you can choose to eat in one of the idyllic squares and shop in the “Hauptstrasse” for local souvenirs. On our last night together, we will enjoy a tasty meal and good conversations over our farewell group dinner.
Stay overnight in Heidelberg, Germany
Meal(s) – B, D
Day 11 – Auf Wiedersehen (German) – See you again
(Sept 22) – The time has come for us to say goodbye. After our breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and head to the Frankfurt airport. Big hugs send us off home with new memories, plenty of pictures, and lots of new friends. Auf Wiedersehen, See you again.
Meal(s) – B
*Subject to change
*Your Land Package Tour does not include:
- Airfare (We can book the flight for you)
- Gratuities for the guides and bus driver.
- Lunches and some dinners (unless indicated)
- Insurance coverage, Medical and/or cancellation
- Telephone calls, souvenirs, additional snacks or drinks
- Excess baggage costs (overweight and over-sized luggage may have additional costs levied by the airline)