Come Join Us and Cruise the Blue Danube

Quilt In Ireland

October 16-24, 2010

Photos courtesy of Peggy Andersen

Dear Quilting Friend,

Our 7th quilting/travel adventure will take us to the beautiful, historic and truly magical country of Ireland. This will be our first "non-cruise" trip and it promises to be very exciting! We’ll see so much of this enchanting land filled with beauty, history and quilt inspirations. Perhaps we’ll even see an elusive leprechaun and find our pot of gold!

We are once again planning a unique project created especially for our destination. As with all of our other adventures, we not only visit amazing places, but we use this inspiration to create a fiber memory that will last long after the trip is over. There will be time for sightseeing, stitching, eating, socializing and so much more. In fact, we will have the opportunity to do something we haven’t done before - we will actually meet with Irish quilters! This will add so much to our adventure. Seeing the land is wonderful, but meeting the people will take our visit to Ireland to a whole new level.

We hope you will consider joining us. As always, spouses and non-quilting friends are more than welcome and participation in the project(s) is optional.

We wouldn’t want to go without you!

Chris & Wendy

Photos courtesy of Sharon Erickson

Quilt In Ireland Itinerary

Sat, Oct. 16	CHICAGO TO DUBLIN Depart from Chicago (O’Hare) for an overnight flight across the Atlantic on Ireland’s own Aer Lingus. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your Irish adventure.
Sun, Oct. 17	DUBLIN ARRIVAL & GALWAY After customs and immigration formalities at Dublin Airport, your driver/guide will meet you and welcome you to Ireland and escort you to your private motorcoach. Drive to the coast of Clare to view the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Continue north to Galway and check into your hotel (which will be your home base for the next four nights) where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. You may choose to relax in your hotel strolling around the grounds, or spend some time around Eyre Square, the hub of Galway where most of the shops are within easy reach and there are also many quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. Your hotel is a restored 18^th century Manor House situated on 138 acres of beautiful Irish countryside. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GLENLOE ABBEY HOTEL, GALWAY
Mon, Oct. 18	Galway tour & free time After breakfast this morning embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. A drive around will take you to the large modern cathedral set on an island on the River Corrib. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village, the City Museum, National University of Galway and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Then enjoy the balance of the day at leisure for individual pursuits. Eyre Square forms the hub of the city and contains the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park where you can sit and people-watch. Many of the narrow streets, such as Shop Street, are pedestrianized and contain shops, pubs and teashops. Lynch’s Castle dates from 1320 but is now a bank and you can see portions of the medieval walls near Eyre Square. You may choose to visit the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, dedicated in 1965 by Cardinal Cushing of Boston. And you may like to walk along the rushing River Corrib, which links the lake to the sea. In the evening you are free to choose from the many restaurants and pubs that Galway has to offer. OVERNIGHT: GLENLOE ABBEY HOTEL, GALWAY
Tue, Oct. 19	THE CRAFTER’S BASKET & GLENCAR WATERFALL This morning drive north through the scenic countryside to County Sligo, an area associated with the great writer W.B. Yeats. Continue your drive via Sligo town to reach the small village of Cliffoney. Here visit the Crafter’s Basket to shop their collection of craft supplies including knitting, crocheting and patchwork quilting products. After your visit drive south to visit the romantic Glencar Waterfall which lies about 8 miles north of Sligo town. With a drop of about 50 feet, it is a small but beautiful waterfall, and was mentioned by W. B. Yeats in his famous poem “The Stolen Child.” Return to Galway and meet with local quilters in your hotel before spending the evening free for individual pursuits and dining. OVERNIGHT: GLENLOE ABBEY HOTEL, GALWAY
Wed, Oct. 20	CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY Today tour Connemara and admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. Stop in the quaint village of Spiddal, which retains the Irish language and many traditional lifestyles. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore Lake. Originally a private residence, it is now a prestigious girls' school. Visit the chapel and the restored Victorian gardens, which have won awards. Return to Galway and enjoy some time at leisure before dining in your hotel. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GLENLOE ABBEY HOTEL, GALWAY
Thu, Oct. 21	CLONMACNOISE & ATHLONE Travel from Galway to the center of Ireland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Learn about the history of the site through an audiovisual presentation and take a walk around to see the ancient monuments and the entire area. Then drive north to Athlone and check into your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure before joining your group for dinner at the hotel. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: Sheraton Hotel, athlone
Fri, Oct. 22	DUBLIN FREE TIME & JAMESON SHINDIG Leave Athlone and travel east through the rich farmlands which will introduce you to many facets of Irish living. Enter the metropolitan region of Dublin on the east coast and check into your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure for independent activities. There are plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the Writers Museum. There are plenty of shops along Nassau Street and the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street and you may like to explore Temple Bar or visit some of the traditional pubs. This evening drive to the Old Jameson Distillery where you will learn about distillation processes for this "water of life" of Ireland. Then enjoy a wonderful dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music. OVERNIGHT: MONT CLARE HOTEL, DUBLIN
Sat, Oct. 23	QUILTER’S MEETING & DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING This morning head over to St. Anthony’s Hall to attend a meeting of the Irish Patchwork Society with your group to meet other quilters and see demonstrations. Then you will have some free time to browse and enjoy lunch independently. In the afternoon set off on a city sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. Stop to tour Dublin Castle to see the State Apartments where many state functions are held in the richly decorated chambers. In the evening you can enjoy dining in one of the many fabulous restaurants or fun pubs that abound in Dublin. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MONT CLARE HOTEL, DUBLIN

Sun, Oct.24 RETURN TO THE USA

All too soon your adventure in Ireland has come to an end. Transfer to Dublin airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear customs and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping in the Duty Free Stores. Then clear U.S. customs before boarding your aircraft and flying back to Chicago.

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Photos courtesy of Kaitlin Walters

INCLUDED in your tour to Ireland:

· Economy airfare on Aer Lingus from Chicago (O’Hare) to Dublin, Ireland and return from Dublin, Ireland to Chicago (O’Hare), including air taxes and surcharges. Air taxes and surcharges are subject to change until time of ticketing. Air tickets are non-refundable.

· Transportation by luxury motorcoach with a private driver/guide for eight days.

· Hotel accommodations with private bath for seven nights.

· Full Irish breakfast daily.

· Three hotel dinners.

· Dinner and entertainment at The Jameson Distillery.

· “Meet & Greet” with local Irish quilters in Galway.

· Irish patchwork society meeting in Dublin.

· Guided walking tour of Dublin.

· Visits and admission fees to: Cliffs of Moher, Crafter’s Basket, Glencar Waterfall, Kylemore Abbey, Clonmacnoise, Dublin Castle.

· Hotel porterage, service charges, and government taxes.

· Workshops with Chris and Wendy.

· Travel Guard Group Protection travel insurance.

NOT included in your tour to Ireland:

· Gratuities to driver/guide, and guide in Dublin.

· Meals not specified above.

· Alcoholic beverages at meals that are included above.

· Items of a personal nature.

· Transportation to/from O’Hare airport.

PRICES ARE PER PERSON and are based on double occupancy - two sharing a room.

· $3,149.00 per person.

· Single supplement, please add $575.00 (a limited amount of single supplement space is available).

IMPORTANT information:

· A valid US passport is required for US citizens traveling to Ireland and MUST be valid for at least SIX months after return date.

· A deposit of $500.00, per person is due at time of booking, of which $50.00, per person is a non-refundable administrative fee.

· Final payment is due by June 15, 2010.

· This tour is based on a minimum of 20 full fare passengers traveling.

There might be some slight changes to the itinerary prior to departure.

PLEASE CONTACT Peggy Andersen of Travel Leaders to book your RESERVATION and make your deposit. Peggy may be reached at: peggyandersen@charter.net or 262-434-0343.

Cancellation Fee Policy:

All cancellations must be received in writing.
Up until final payment date of June 15, 2010 there will be a $50.00 per person, administration fee.
NO REFUND June 15, 2010 and after.

Travel Guard Group Protection Coverage and Service:
Coverage Benefit Amount
Trip Cancellation……………………………………………………100% Trip Cost
Trip Interruption…………………………………………………...150% Trip Cost
Trip Delay ($150.00 max./day…………………………………………….....$750
Accident and Sickness Medical Expense…………………………….$50,000
Emergency Medical Transportation…………………………………$300,000
Baggage and Personal Effects……………………………………………..$1,000
Baggage Delay……………………………………………………………………… $200
Travel Guard Assist………………………………………………………....Included
Live Travel………………………………………………………………….…...Included

Responsibilities of Travel Leaders: This is not an offer or contract. Your attention is specifically directed to the terms set forth in the CIE literature. The Travel Leaders and their affiliated companies, officers, employees, and agents disclaim all liability for personal injury or property damage to any person in connection with the trip. Travel Leaders is an independent contractor that arranges travel-related services for individuals, tours and group travel. Travel Leaders is not an agent of the customer or for those providing travel services, and does not in any manner directly provide accommodations, transportation, meals or other travel related services. Travel Leaders shall not be liable for delayed departure, missed carrier connections, termination of service, lost or delayed luggage /equipment, changes in fares, rates, itineraries or for the cancellation of reservations which are beyond its control and without notice. Travel Leaders reserves the right to decline, accept, retain any person as a member of this group package at any time, for any reason whatsoever. All passengers and agents hereby release and hold harmless all listed parties and agrees to these terms as a condition of participation.

Presented by:
Peggy Andersen
peggyandersen@charter.net 262-434-0343
and

Travel Leaders
1320 Pabst Farms Circle, suite 110

Oconomowoc, WI 53066

CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY