Birmingham Festival of Quilts & Textile Tour with the Quilter on Fire, Brandy Maslowski

Tour Info

OVERVIEW 

This 13-day tour of Wales and England takes in their rich textile history and breathtaking cultural landmarks. Beginning in London, you see some of that city’s most-loved sites, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

From there, it’s off to Bristol. Just one highlight in this locale is the American Museum & Gardens, a treasure trove of folk and decorative arts. From there, you visit Cardigan to explore Welsh fiber traditions and ancient architecture. The rural warmth of Cotswolds is your next stop, a locale known for its golden-hued limestone and bucolic rolling hills.

In Birmingham, you spend two full days at the Festival of Quilts, Europe’s largest quilting event, renowned for presenting international quilters, an extensive exhibition of quilts, and an expansive vendor mall.

As you return to London, you will have seen the best of the United Kingdom, from Stonehenge to Windsor Castle, and will have enjoyed some of the country’s most intriguing quilt shops and museums.

START & FINISH

The tour begins at 6.00 pm at Holiday Inn Kensington High Street in London on Day 1, Tuesday July 25. The tour concludes after breakfast at Holiday Inn Kensington High Street in London, on Day 13, Sunday August 6.

Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1   Tue   July 25          Arrive London

Arrive at the hotel for check in from 3 p.m.                                         

Day 2   Wed July 26          London

Enjoy a panoramic tour of London.  Discover iconic landmarks, architectural and cultural diversity, and fascinating history that makes London the most visited city in the world. Your London sightseeing tour takes you on a non-stop procession of landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and much more. We visit Victoria & Albert Museum, the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design that houses a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. On the banks of the River Thames in the heart of London is the Tower of London amidst nearly 1,000 years of history and intrigue. Enjoy a group welcome dinner. (B, D)

Day 3   Thu   July 27          London

Visit Liberty of London, fabric and quilting shops, Antique Textile Company and other shops such as MacCulloch & Wallis Ltd, Rainbow Fabrics, Fabrics, and The Haberdashery, time permitting. (B)

Day 4   Fri   July 28            London

Depart London and journey to Bristol. En-route stop at Lady Sew & Sew followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, the late Queen's favorite weekend home. Windsor has a rich mix of history, culture, heritage, and fun. (B)

Day 5   Sat   July 29           London-Bristol

Morning visit to Salisbury Cathedral, one of the finest cathedrals in the UK, and the Charter Market in the historic Market Place. This is followed by a visit to Stonehenge, the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. Dating back to approximately 3000 BC, the circle of huge upright and horizontal rectangular stones continues to fascinate academics, spiritualists, and visitors. Arrive in Bristol for overnight stay. (B)

Day 6   Sun   July 30          Bristol

After breakfast, visit the Royal Crescent. The Roman Baths of the historical city of Bath are some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, and it is even possible to wander around this vast leisure complex as the Romans did over 2,000 years ago. Visit the American Museum & Gardens. With its remarkable collection of folk and decorative arts, the museum shows the diverse and complex nature of American traditions. Arrive Cardiff and check in.  (B, D)

Day 7   Mon   July 31        Bristol-Cardiff

The Cotswold’s honey-colored limestone houses, historical market towns and rolling green hills framed by drystone walls represent an unspoiled idyll of quintessential England. In the morning, visit the Castle Comb, one of the prettiest villages in England. Also tour Caerphilly Castle, undoubtedly one of the mightiest fortresses in Wales – and perhaps one of the grandest Medieval buildings in Western Europe. Continue to Cardiff. (B, packed L)

Day 8   Tue   August 1       Cardiff

This morning take a panoramic Cardiff city tour followed by visit to the St Fagans National History Museum, where we learn about the historical lifestyle, culture, and architecture of the Welsh people. Afternoon is at leisure.  (B)

Day 9   Wed   August 2     Cardiff-Aberystwyth

After breakfast, take a boat tour of Cardiff Bay before an inspirational visit to the Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre, the center for the Welsh quilt and quilting tradition. Next shop at the Calico Kate Quilt Shop which has gained a reputation as an 'Aladdin's Cave' for quilters, dressmakers, knitters, and related crafts. In a building full of charm and character, you can wander through 12 rooms of fabric, haberdashery, and yarn in a relaxed, homey atmosphere. Continue to Aberystwyth for overnight.  (B, L, D)

Day 10   Thu   August 3     Aberystwyth-Birmingham

After breakfast, we depart Aberystwyth to Birmingham. En route, visit the Minerva Arts Center in Llanidloes - the home of the Quilt Association and its collection of heritage quilts. Also stop at Llandudno and St. Mary’s Church at Shrewsbury. (B, D)

Day 11   Fri    August 4      The Festival of Quilts

Today is dedicated to the Festival of Quilts, Europe’s leading patchwork and quilting event. (B)

Day 12   Sat   August 5     Birmingham-London

Another day at the Festival of Quilts. Later in the afternoon, we travel back to London. Enjoy our farewell dinner tonight. (B, D)

 Day 13   Sun   August 6    Depart London

Our tour concludes after breakfast. (B)

Tour Leader

BRANDY MASLOWSKI

Brandy Maslowski is a quilt teacher, speaker, judge, and the author of children’s book, Kristy’s Quilt. She has been a light-hearted stitcher for 30 years. From clumsy beginner quilter all the way to showing her fiber art in galleries, Brandy has a passion for fabric, stitch, color, texture and everything quilting.  She loves to travel the world with quilters to ignite their creativity with the tag line “More JOY, less OVERWHELM.” You can find her as the Quilter on Fire on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram or visit her website at www.quilteronfire.com.

View Bio and Upcoming Tours

Inclusions

TOUR INCLUSIONS

What is included in the tour price?

• Coach and driver with the group from Day 2 to Day 12
• 12 nights twin-share accommodation at well-appointed 3 or 4-star hotels with private bath or shower
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Visits and experiences as stated in the itinerary
• Two-day entrances to the Festival of Quilts
• An English-speaking guide throughout the trip
• Porterage of one piece of luggage in and out of hotels
• Gratuities to guide and driver

What is not included in the tour price?

• International airfares 
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses and anything not mentioned

Due to the constant changes in the COVID restrictions worldwide, we highly recommend that passengers wait to purchase air tickets until the following:

1. The tour reaches the minimum number to travel.
2. Prior to the due date of their final payment (three months before departure), we will notify passengers the travel status and the requirements for travel to their destination. At that time they may choose to proceed with the tour or not. If they choose to cancel they may apply their non-refundable deposit to any other Opulent Quilt Journeys Tour within 18 months.

Please note: If passengers purchase tickets and the tour is cancelled or moved to a new date, we are not responsible for any loss regarding their ticket purchase.

Hotels

HOTELS

Holiday Inn Kensington High Street (4 nights)
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/london/lonwl/hoteldetail

Leonardo Hotel Bristol City (2 nights)
https://www.leonardohotels.co.uk/hotels/bristol/leonardo-bristol-city

Leonardo Hotel Cardiff (formerly Jurys Inn) (2 nights)
https://www.leonardohotels.co.uk/hotels/cardiff

Nanteos Mansion (1 night)
https://www.nanteos.com/

Hioton Birmingham Metropole NEC (2 nights)
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bhxmetw-hilton-birmingham-metropole/

DoubleTree by Hilton Heathrow (1 night)
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lhrcldi-doubletree-london-heathrow-airport/