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Houston International Quilt Festival and New Orleans
9 days from £4,925pp
Your Tour Includes
- Return flights from London to New Orleans and Houston to London with 1 piece of checked luggage
- 8 nights accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels
- 4 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Full-day workshop with Pat Archibald, kit included
- Houston International Quilt Festival Show Pass
- Services of an experienced Tour Manager
- Coach travel as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees and excursions
- Tips for drivers and local guides
- Porterage at the hotel
Experts
Holiday Overview
2024 will be the 50th Anniversary of Houston International Quilt Festival, the largest annual quilt show in the United States. Spend two full days at the show admiring the 1,600 quilts on display, shopping the 1,000 stalls or taking part in over 500 classes.
New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind destination, famous for its Creole and Cajun cuisine, jazz music and historic architecture. Step back into the glamour of the riverboat era with a jazz dinner cruise aboard a Paddle-wheeler and learn the history of The French Quarter, the oldest neighbourhood in the city with our local guide.
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 9 day itinerary
Workshop information: Taking inspiration from the unmistakable sights and sounds of New Orleans, as well as our visit to the Houston International Quilt Festival, our unique hand quilting project will serve as a lasting reminder of our time in the USA.
Meet Pat Archibald and your tour manager at London airport for your flight to New Orleans. On arrival meet your coach and driver for transfer to your hotel.
Today we enjoy a full-day workshop with your expert at the hotel. Tea/coffee will be provided.
This evening, step back into the glamour and romance of the riverboat era with a cruise aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. Experience the lively sounds of traditional New Orleans music while enjoying a lavish Creole buffet in the elegantly appointed dining room.
After dinner, and maybe a little dancing, enjoy a classic New Orleans cocktail and sweet Mississippi River breezes on the promenade deck as the city skyline slips by under a canopy of stars. This night-time cruise is pure New Orleans.
Included Meals
- Dinner
Highlights
- Jazz Dinner Cruise
- Workshop
The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans. After New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city developed around the Vieux Carré ("Old Square"), a central square. The district is more commonly called the French Quarter today, or simply "The Quarter". As a whole, it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, with numerous buildings that are separately deemed significant.
We’ll enjoy a walking tour with a local guide and visit one of Louisiana State Museum’s sites, each one holding a place of its own in the state’s rich history.
Highlights
- Louisiana State Museum
- The French Quarter of New Orleans
We leave New Orleans today and travel by road to Houston. On route we’ll stop at Mes Amis Quilt Shop on the outskirts of New Orleans. Owned by Denise Taylor, the shop carries around 3,000 bolts of fabric. Denise loves bright colours, the more the better, so think Alexander Henry Fabrics, Kaffe Fassett, Art Gallery, Michael Miller, Cotton & Steel, Tula Pink, Stof France, Blank Quilting, Timeless Treasures, Quilting Treasures, Riley Blake and more.
Once we’ve had our fill, we’ll continue to Acadian Village in Lafayette for a guided tour. Step back in time to this small 19th-century Cajun bayou community, which includes genuine relocated and preserved Cajun homes combined with recreated period buildings and a Native American museum. Continue to Houston.
Highlights
- Arcadian Village
- Mes Amis Quilt Shop
Please note: Classes and lectures should be booked and paid for directly with the show organisers.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
Highlights
- Houston International Quilt Festival
Another day to enjoy everything that the Houston International Quilt Festival has to offer!
Included Meals
- Breakfast
Highlights
- Houston International Quilt Festival
The Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange is a not-for-profit entity housed in two historic 1890s buildings, providing a fine showcase for both antique and contemporary quilt art with their high ceilings, brick walls, and original hardwood floors. We’ll enjoy viewing the quilts on display here this morning.
Old Town Spring is the historic location of a 19th century railroad hub which is today a quaint turn of the century village. Historic Victorian homes are nestled among the town's towering tree lined streets. Stroll and relax in gazebos and on benches or browse the 150 shops here including antiques, restaurants, clothing, collectibles, galleries, museums and a winery.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
Highlights
- Old Town Spring
- Texas Quilt Museum
A day at leisure until our flight late afternoon. Return to the quilt festival or explore one of the many museums and other attractions available in Houston.
Transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to London.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
Arrive back in London with your mind full of memories and your suitcase full of shopping!
Tour notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits, quilt festivals etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation
You will stay for three nights at the 4-star Hilton New Orleans Riverside and four nights at the 3-star Hampton Inn Houston Downtown.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
This 4-star hotel offers an unrivalled riverside location in New Orleans' central business district, within a mile of the French Quarter.
Hotel Facilities
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
- Room Service Available
- Gym
Room Facilities
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Telephone
- Chargable WiFi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Single Room Supplement from £965.00
Hampton Inn Houston Downtown
This 3-star hotel is ideally located in the heart of downtown Houston, within walking distance of shops and dining.
Hotel Facilities
- 3 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
- Lift
- Gym
Room Facilities
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Fridge
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Single Room Supplement from £965.00
