2021 European Patchwork Meeting

Day 1

Paris

Relax and unpack at your hotel located in the heart of Paris. Meet your Tour Manager and companions tonight as we savor delicious French cuisine at our Welcome Dinner. D

Day 2

Paris

After breakfast (included daily), our private guide takes us on a tour in The City of Light. You’ll see world-famous landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde and the magnificent Place Vendôme. This afternoon we’ll visit the beautiful palace and gardens of Versailles. B

Day 3

Paris

Explore atmospheric Montmartre before bustling with people and brimming with shops offering fabric, notions, wearables and trim. The remainder of your day is for you to explore the best of Paris independently. Shop along the Champs Elysées or visit one of the world-famous museums. Tonight, enjoy breathtaking views during dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Later, watch glittering nightscapes drift past from an enchanting Seine River cruise. B, D

Day 4

Paris – Colmar

Bid Au revoir to Paris before boarding one of France’s high-speed train that whisks us to Colmar.  Take in the historic architecture and colorful restaurants on our tour of Old Town aboard the  miniature style Petit Train. Later, settle into the hotel, our home for the next two nights. B

Day 5

Colmar

You’ll want the whole day at the fabulous European Patchwork Meeting and its exhibits of more than 1,000 works of textile art, with everything from traditional Amish (who originated here) and priceless heirlooms to wildly original contemporary quilts. Learn from demonstrations and classes, attend a fashion show, and shop for fabrics, patterns and needle-craft supplies. B

Day 6

Colmar – Freiburg

Return to the European Patchwork Quilt Show before visiting Wesserling Park to admire their Baroque and English gardens, some of which date back to 1699. Inside the gardens, we visit the Eco Textile Museum whose focus on fabric arts and fashion pays homage to the textiles that were manufactured here in the Alsace region. You also can view the chateau, beautiful gardens and the former royal workshops. Tonight, we’ll stay in charming Freiburg, in Germany’s Black Forest region. B, D

Day 7

Freiburg – Triberg – Freiburg

As we drive deeper into the wooded hills of the Black Forest, with its half-timbered villages and rambling farmhouses, you might think you’ve strayed into a fairy tale. This is the home of the cuckoo clock, and in Triberg you can step inside the world’s largest cuckoo clock to see its giant works. Shop for clocks, woodcarvings and other traditional Black Forest crafts before returning to our cozy hotel. B

Day 8

Freiburg – Stekborn – Lucerne

Travel to Steckborn for a private, guided factory tour of Bernina International, with demonstrations of their sewing machines, software and accessories. After a leisurely lunch on your own we’ll travel into Central Europe’s most mountainous country, Switzerland. After arriving in Lucerne, our home for the next two nights, you’ll have time to explore the shops that line this cobblestone street village. B

Day 9

Lucerne

Start your day in Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Enjoy a leisurely paced Altstadt (Old Town) walking tour of the hidden treasures of the city. Lucerne has more than 800 years of history. Explore such medieval treasures as the covered Chapel Bridge (1333); the famous Water Tower which has served as a prison, watchtower and treasury; the Renaissance-style Town Hall; the Baroque Jesuit Church; and the Lion Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. Enjoy time to explore on your own before. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers. B, D

Day 10

Lucerne

After a leisurely breakfast, we can swap addresses with new friends before our group transfer to  Zurich Airport. B