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October 28 - November 3, 2012 |
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Tour
Highlights
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- 6 Nights Deluxe Accommodations
- Sneak Preview & Daily Admission to the International Quilt Festival
- Texas Quilt Museum
- San Antonio Tour
- Tour of the Alamo
- Riverboat Cruise
- Choice of visiting The Pioneer Museum or the National Museum of the Pacific War
- Bayou Bend Mansion, Museum & Gardens
- Tour ends at your choice of San Antonio or Houston Airport
- Baggage Handling
- 8 Meals - 6 Continental Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
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Per
Person Rates |
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$1,330
- Double Occupancy
$500 - Additional for Single Accommodation
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Arrival
and Departure Information |
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This tour begins in San Antonio, Texas & ends in Houston, Texas
Day 1
Hotel check-in is after 3:30 p.m. Our Welcome Reception begins at 5:00 p.m. Baggage storage is available for earlier arrivals.
Day 7
Return transportation to the airport is included. Please plan for flights deaprting after 4:00 p.m. from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
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Detailed Itinerary |
Our BIG Texas Tour is now even BIGGER! Our tour to Houston’s International Quilt Festival has always been a favorite with our guests from throughout the world, but now we’ve added even more options to see the show, including admission to Preview Night, and more private shuttles to the show. We’ve also included optional activities when it’s time to take a break—like a trip to the legendary Bayou Bend Mansion and Gardens, included, but optional. You can create your own personal tour program…show, shop, swim, tour or snooze whenever you like!
Day
1 - A Texas Style Welcome
Our tour begins in San Antonio, where our accommodations are conveniently located in the heart of downtown’s historic district. Within a short stroll is La Villita Village, a group of historic adobes showcasing unique works of art, antiques, fashions, plants and delicious food. Or meander down San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk where shops of distinction nestle along the banks of the winding river.
Our Welcome Meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. allowing for a convenient arrival time and dinner on your own.
Day
2 - Great Ghosts & Gorgeous Lagoons
This morning we’ll “Remember the Alamo”, with our guide who evokes visions of Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Inside this historic fort history lingers on in each artifact and relic.
Later we’ll have an opportunity to explore San Antonio on our own. Perhaps a ride around Alamo Square in the elegant horse-drawn carriages, or peruse the fascinating curio shops, and patio cafes, hidden along the meandering walkways. Or, hop aboard an old-fashioned trolley to visit the largest Mexican market outside Mexico where fifty shops specialize in ethnic handcrafts, art, jewelry, pottery, blankets, and more! And who can resist the aroma of delicious home-made pastry, and lively Mariachi music at the market’s patio café!
This afternoon, we’ll board a private river taxi for an unforgettable excursion down the Paseo Del Rio lagoon, in the heart of San Antonio. Our journey takes us under a canopy of ancient, spreading cypress trees and lush tropical foliage, and along the riverbanks where lighted cobblestone paths and arched footbridges lead to charming outdoor cafes and tempting boutiques. (C Breakfast)
Day
3 - Willkommen
Rise and shine, for what could be better than visiting the area’s most treasured quilt shop after breakfast this morning! What fun it is to shop here where specialty fabrics are oozing from every nook and cranny, like Texas prints, hand-dyed and marbleized fabrics, just to name a few. And there’s more! Buried among the stencils, trims, notions, and patterns are antique spool cabinets overflowing with specialty buttons and local trinkets.
Later we venture further into the Hill country to visit a Bavarian village, dotted with gingerbread-style “Sunday Houses” and bustling turn-of-the-century shops. "Willkommen" to legendary Fredericksburg, Texas! The Frederick“sburg legend of fine craftsmanship can be seen all along the Haupt Strasse where handmade items are available. And do take the time to visit the heavenly bakeries and restaurants that specialize in homemade strudels and German pretzels.
While in Fredericksburg you’ll have your choice of visiting one of the following unique museums located on the Haupt Strasse.
Choose The Pioneer Museum complex for a glimpse into early German settlement lifestyle. Here we’ll see original structures and artifacts gathered from throughout the town and relocated to the museum grounds. Visit an original Sunday House, unique to the Fredericksburg area, where early pioneer families stopped in for a hearty meal and rest after Sunday church. Step inside the Kammlah’s house which began as a one-room house in 1849, and grew through the years, and four generations of the Kammlah family, to became the general store. And step into another era at the Arhelger Bathhouse where dusty travelers frequently stopped in for a haircut, shave and a hot, sudsy bath. A one-room schoolhouse complete with wooden desks and teaching materials, and a log cabin from the 1880’s that was discovered in 1980 totally encased by additions to the house complete the collection of yesteryear here!
Or choose the National Museum of the Pacific War, (originally named The Admiral Nimitz Museum and housed solely in the historic Nimitz Hotel), which has grown into a dynamic, first-class experience that can be enjoyed by people from all different walks of life. In addition to the more than 50,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space, the museum contains an impressive display of aircraft and other large artifacts made famous during the Pacific War campaigns. (C Breakfast) (Dinner)
Day 4 - Quilt Heaven!
An exciting day awaits us as we travel to Houston, Texas with a stop along the way in the historic town of La Grange to visit the newly-opened Texas Quilt Museum! Housed in a large furniture emporium from the 1800’s, the building’s original hand-made brick interiors form a perfect backdrop for the colorful quilts displayed throughout the galleries. This new exhibition institution plans on showcasing quilts from throughout the United States and around the world as well as those from all areas of Texas.
Later we’ll check into our luxurious hotel where we can unpack and relax for the remainder of the tour. The Westin Hotel is just a few minutes drive from the show, yet ideally located in the center of the world-famous Galleria Mall. There’s never a need to venture outside with the world-class facilities of this multi-level, indoor marketplace. We’ll have convenient access to the Galleria’s variety of restaurants and cafes overlooking the indoor ice-skating rink, as well as over 300 shops and boutiques.
A fabulous evening awaits us as we attend “Preview Night” at Houston’s legendary International Quilt Festival. We’ll enjoy a dazzling display of hundreds of works of quilt art, including prize winning and collectable quilts, and wearable art. And the shopping is a not-for-quilters-only, international extravaganza! Hundreds of merchant booths offer quilters, crafters, and collectors an opportunity to shop for unique products from the four corners of the world. In addition to the thousands of fabrics and notions, we’ll discover: antiques, books, yarn and fiber materials, antique jewelry, ribbons, buttons and trims, sewing notions, wearable art, supplies for needlework, jewelry…and so much more! Our experienced guides are always available with inside tips and helpful hints to maximize our time at the show. (C Breakfast)
Day 5 - Shop, Swim, Snooze or Tour
Today you can create your own personalized tour. Hop aboard our private motorcoach for roundtrip service between the show and hotel once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening. You may also choose to spend some time visiting the dazzling Galleria marketplace, or relax and enjoy our hotel’s luxurious amenities that include a pool and spa. (C Breakfast)
Day 6 - Fabrics & Fantastic Gardens
Today once again you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your schedule. You may choose to visit the quilt show all day, or part of the day by using our convenient, private motorcoach service. Or you may want to join us on a morning excursion to the legendary Bayou Bend mansion and gardens. We’ve arranged for a private tour of the mansion’s twenty eight rooms lavishly decorated with 17th century textiles that include bed coverings, window hangings, needlework, and quilts. We’ll also see works from such legendary artists as John Singleton Copley, Gilbert Stuart, and the Peale family. And be sure to meander outside where eight elegant gardens and statuary wait to be enjoyed. It is easy to see why Bayou Bend is one of the premier museums of American painting and decorative arts, standing alongside the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the scope and importance of its holdings. (C Breakfast) (Dinner)
Day 7 - Farewell
We’ll be visiting the International Quilt Festival one last time this morning, just in case there’s room left in that suitcase! All too soon we’re arriving at Houston Airport, and then back to our starting hotel for guests staying additional time.
Interested in Taking Classes at the Show?
There are more than 400 classes, lectures, and special events available at the show. For all information regarding classes please contact the International Quilt Festival DIRECTLY at (713) 781-6864.
To accommodate class participants, we will have a 6:15 a.m. hotel-show shuttle on Day 5, and 6. Our final departure each day from the show to the hotel will be at 5:00 p.m. On Day 7 we will arrive at show 10:00 a.m. and depart promptly at 1:30 p.m. Please note that there are no refunds for missed CHT pre-scheduled activities, transportation, or meals due to class participation.
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