BREAKING NEWS: WE ARE GOING BOTH EAST AND WEST IN 2009. We are organizing and leading an Art and Textile Tour to France in May 2009, our 17th tour, AND we are excited to announce our 18th Textile Tour, this to Japan in November 2009.

Both tours are adventures for a small group of people who love to explore and are eager to learn about the history, textiles, arts and crafts of another culture. We'll be on the go, being inspired, seeing, learning and absorbing some of the traditions of these two countries.

Highlights for our French tour include six days headquartered in Nice with excursions and visits to the Matisse Museum in Nice and the Picasso Museum in Antibes, a day in Monaco and the gardens of the Villa Ephrussi Rothschild. We spend another five days in Provence, in Avignon, touring the Les Olivades textile printing factory and outlet, the Soulieado Provencal Museum and outlet store, along with markets and more hill towns. And we end with a day (or three, if you stay on for the extension) in Paris. Keep you cameras ready. There will be a photo-op around every corner.

Here are some highlights of our textile tour to Japan. We start the tour with three days in Kyoto, Japan's former capital and residence of the emperor, as well as a center for textiles and crafts. Our days in Tokyo include a full day at the International Quilt Week Yokohama 2009. Also planned is a visit with Japanese quilter Miwako Kumura and her students, and the Blue and White fabric shop and a visit to the Ichiku Kubota Art Museum to see the incredibly beautiful kimonos made by Itchiku Kubota. Between Kyoto and Tokyo, we'll spend two nights in Takayama, a scenic part of the country during a time of beautiful fall foliage. Kimono, shibori and sashiko museums are planned visits. We will have plenty of time to shop for fabric and Japanese souvenirs. You can find all the details on the itinerary and reservation pages.

Whether you choose to travel east to France or west to Japan, or you want to enjoy adventures in both directions, we know you'll be pleased with our plans. We've worked hard planning the daily activities of both tours. My daughter Bonnie Bennett is my assistant for the tour to France. Ruby Seto is the assistant and experienced traveler to Japan.

We are very excited to have added a second tour in 2009. Look closely at our on-line brochures, the itineraries and details. We encourage you to sign up now. Space is limited to 20 participants for the Textile Tour to Japan.

May 2009 Art & Textile Tour to France

Cost of the May 2009 Art & Textile Tour to France is $3950.

November 2009 Textile Tour to Japan

Cost of the November 2009 Textile Tour to Japan is $3900.