Strasbourg & Alsace, France - September 14-19, 2027
For quilters and textile enthusiasts, some experiences go beyond a vacation and become a true pilgrimage. Each year, visitors from around the world travel to the picturesque Alsace region of France for Carrefour Européen du Patchwork, widely regarded as one of the world's premier quilting and textile arts events. Featuring extraordinary exhibitions, international artists, inspiring textile creations, specialty vendors, and a vibrant community of makers, it is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and passion unlike any other.
For many quilting enthusiasts, attending Carrefour Européen du Patchwork is a genuine bucket-list experience. This thoughtfully designed 5-night journey combines the excitement of this internationally renowned event with the charm and beauty of Strasbourg and the Alsace region, creating a memorable blend of inspiration, culture, friendship, and discovery.
Whether you've dreamed of attending Carrefour Européen for years or are simply looking for an unforgettable European experience centred around creativity and craftsmanship, this tour offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the quilting world's most celebrated gatherings while exploring one of France's most beautiful regions.
Tour Highlights
🧵 Experience Carrefour Européen du Patchwork, a bucket-list event for quilting enthusiasts, featuring world-class exhibitions, international artists, specialty vendors, workshops, and extraordinary textile art from around the globe.
🚄 Travel aboard France's high-speed TGV train, enjoying a comfortable and scenic journey between Paris and Strasbourg.
🏘️ Explore Strasbourg's enchanting La Petite France district, where picturesque canals, flower-filled streets, and centuries-old half-timbered homes create one of France's most charming settings.
🌺 Discover the beauty of Alsace, a region celebrated for its welcoming villages, rich heritage, renowned cuisine, and storybook landscapes.
🪡 Enjoy four full days at Carrefour Européen du Patchwork, allowing ample time to browse exhibitions, discover new techniques, sign up for a class, shop for unique fabrics and supplies, and gather inspiration from artists and quilters from around the world.
🥂 Share the experience with fellow quilting enthusiasts, creating lasting friendships and unforgettable memories while celebrating a passion that brings people together.
You'll be joined by two enthusiastic hosts who share a passion for quilting, travel, and bringing people together through memorable experiences. As first-time attendees of Carrefour Européen du Patchwork, we're just as excited as many of you are to discover this renowned event, explore the beautiful Alsace region, and experience all the inspiration it has to offer.
And yes, for those who don't know, Scott is a quilter too, so he'll be right there with you admiring the exhibits, browsing the vendors, and perhaps adding a few more quilting projects to an already-growing list!
We look forward to sharing this bucket-list experience for quilting enthusiasts with you, creating new friendships, discovering incredible artistry, and making memories together in one of France's most picturesque regions.
Owner of Watergirl Quilt Co.
Michelle grew up by the majestic St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ontario. and continues to live there by the water. As a child, she always looked forward to summers spent boating on the river and the annual visits to her extended families in L’Ardoise, Nova Scotia and Bay Bulls, Newfoundland. Hence, the name Watergirl Quilt Co.
Michelle was inspired to learn to quilt by her Nanny Williams who made crazy quilts embellished with herringbone stitching. Those quilts always were heavy as they were made of old clothing and whatever fabrics could be found around the home for repurposing. When Michelle was 18 years old, she signed up for a 3 month night course to learn how to quilt at St. Lawrence College.
After 24 years of being an elementary school teacher both in Canada and Japan, Michelle was compelled to follow her passion for quilting and to create her own family legacy. She started Watergirl Quilt Co. and now shares her passion for teaching by putting a focus on education in her business. She is proud to be a member of the Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild and the Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild.
Watergirl loves to host quilting cruises and this will be our first land tour in support of Quilts of Valour Canada
Whether you quilt to feel joy, to heal from sadness, or to express your love for family and friends, Watergirl Quilt Co. is honoured to be part of your creative journey.
Founder & Co-Owner of Gravitate Travel
Total countries travelled: 44+
Years in the travel business: 30
Favourite destination(s): Austria & Bhutan
Coolest trip ever planned: 2024 Formula 1, Monaco Grand Prix
Travel philosophy: Go with the flow
Travel advisor history: Senior Personal Experience Advisor for global firms to boutique travel planners offering arctic expeditions. Created custom tours and vacations in Europe, South America, Scandinavia, North America and beyond.
Ask him about: Working as a Cultural Ambassador at Walt Disney World at the start of his career, or his latest quilt project.
Favourite trip booked for a client: Private Jet Trip to Iceland with helicopter Touring and 5 star hotel Suites on the Blue Lagoon.
Next bucket-list trip: Morocco, Setptember 2026
This registration form is for the Carrefour Européen du Patchwork: Strasbourg & Alsace, France tour only.
Submitting this form indicates your interest in the tour but does not confirm a reservation.
Scott Waldron of Gravitate Travel will contact registrants in the order registrations are received. Please allow 48-72 hours before contacting Scott directly. This helps ensure all registrations are processed fairly on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are travelling with friends or family, we recommend everyone register at approximately the same time. If someone in your travel party has already registered, simply advise Scott when he contacts you and your reservations can be linked together where possible.
Your space on the tour is not secured until the required non-refundable deposit of $300 per person has been received.
Space is limited and will be confirmed in the order that registrations and deposits are completed.
If you would like to see the day to day itinerary and the pricing before registering, kindly scroll down to learn more.
Click "View itinerary" below, to learn more about the tour then
once you're done, come back to this page to register by selecting the button "Click here to secure your seat" above.***
by Watergirl Quilt Co.
Watergirl Quilt Co - Carrefour European Quilt Show Tour (September 14–19, 2027):
✅ Tour Inclusions
- Services of a professional, multilingual Tour Director
- 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner
- Quality accommodations in Paris and Strasbourg
- Roundtrip 2nd-class rail service between Paris and Strasbourg
- Group coach transportation to and from the quilt festival once daily (over 2 days)
- Guided walking tour of Strasbourg’s European District and La Petite France
- Individual airport transfers on arrival and departure dates only
- Use of headsets throughout the tour
- Free Wi-Fi on the motorcoach (where available)
- Luggage allowance: 1 piece per passenger
❌ Not Included
- Airfare and fuel surcharges (unless otherwise arranged)
- Airport taxes (where applicable)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Entry to the Quilt Show or Class Fees
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone, internet, etc.)
- Beverages (including tea/coffee outside of breakfast and hotel dinners)
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
- Gratuities for the Tour Director, driver, and local guides (can be added upon request)
- Porterage at rail stations
- Travel insurance (available through Manulife for Canadian residents)
🧭 Activity Level
This tour includes walking tours in historic areas with uneven cobblestones and stairs. Guests should be comfortable being on their feet for extended periods. The itinerary is designed with a balance of activity and leisure, allowing time to relax and enjoy meals or explore at your own pace.
✈️ General Travel FAQs
Q: What are the tour dates?
A: The Strasbourg Tour starts in Paris and runs from September 14–19, 2027.
Q: Is airfare included?
A: Airfare is not included in the land quote. Gravitate Travel can assist when you're ready to secure flights, which become available 360 days prior to the flight dates. Alternatively, you can use points to book your flights.
Q: Are airport transfers included?
A: Yes, individual airport arrival and departure transfers are included for core tour dates. Transfers outside the core dates are available on request.
Q: What kind of accommodations are provided?
A: Superior first-class hotels or best available Globus standard hotels. Specific properties are listed but not guaranteed.
Q: How many pieces of luggage can I bring?
A: One piece of luggage per passenger is included.
🧳 Tour Experience FAQs
Q: What meals are included?
- 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Q: What sightseeing is included?
A: Guided tours and admission to featured sites are included as indicated on the daily itinerary for each tour. Sightseeing is subject to availability and may be substituted if necessary.
Q: What is the activity level?
A: This tour includes walking tours in historic areas with uneven cobblestones and stairs. Guests should be comfortable being on their feet for extended periods. The itinerary is designed with a balance of activity and leisure, allowing time to relax and enjoy meals or explore at your own pace.
Q: Will there be Wi-Fi?
A: Free Wi-Fi is available on the coach's where coverage permits.
Q: Will we be on the same coach?
A: Yes, we will all be on one coach.
Q: What if I have some special needs while on the tour?
A: Due to liability Globus and our hosts are unable to offer any physical assistance to passengers. It is therefore recommended that any guests needing assistance travel with an able-bodied companion.
Q: I’m a single, are there any others that might be interested in sharing a cabin with me to help reduce costs for a single supplement?
A: For those interested in sharing a room, please review the terms and conditions for sharing.
- When your Scott reaches out to you after you have submitted your online form, please let them know that you are interested in sharing a cabin and would appreciate help to facilitate this
- Once Scott has two parties interested in sharing, your contact information will be shared with Watergirl Quilt Co. to facilitate the introduction.
- Watergirl Quilt Co. to reach out to both interested parties to ask permission to share their contact information with the other interested party.
- Watergirl Quilt Co. to make the introductions via email and then it is the responsibility of the interested parties to speak to each other (we suggest a video call or in-person meeting where possible) and then they should email Scott at Gravitate to facilitate the sharing of a cabin once they have agreed to share
- Both roommates must agree in writing at the time of booking and any changes/charges after the booking are the responsibility of both roommates
- Should one of the roommates decide to cancel their trip due to any reason, the other roommate will be subject to a single supplement charge unless another roommate can be found prior to final payment. If a roommate cancels after final payment, it will be up to the Globus terms and conditions whether a single supplement would apply. For this reason, we strongly suggest both parties have travel insurance purchased.
- It is not the responsibility of the other roommate to care for the other in any way should that be necessary unless previously agreed upon prior to booking.
- In the event of any personal issues, or threats to your personal safety, between roommates, it is their responsibility to resolve their issues with the Globus tour guide(s) and neither Watergirl Quilt Co., nor Gravitate Travel will become involved in personal disputes amongst roommates.
💵 Pricing & Payments FAQs
Q: What is the deposit amount?
A: A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person, per tour is required to confirm your seat(s) on the tour.
Q: When is the final payment due?
A: The final payment for both tours is due on June 7th, 2027.
Q: Can I set up instalment payments?
A: Yes, certainly, please contact Scott and he can set this up with you via Credit Card or Interac Email Money Transfer (Interac for Canadian guests only).
Q: Are there single or triple room options?
A: Yes. Single rooms are very limited and subject to availability. Triple rooms are available upon request only. Not all destination hotels can accommodate triple rooms.
Q: Are gratuities included?
A: No. Gratuities for the Tour Director, driver, and local guides are not included. For a Globus coach tours, the recommended gratuity is generally for international tours outside North America, the recommended gratuity is typically $8 CAD per person, per day for the Tour Director and $4-$5 CAD per person per day for the bus driver.
Q: Is travel insurance available?
A: Yes, for Canadian residents, Gravitate Travel can quote/secure a policy with Manulife Travel insurance. Those outside Canada must have their own coverage in place. It is mandatory that all guests have Travel Medical & Cancelation Insurance in place before any final documents will be released. Gravitate Travel will be collecting this info in 2027 from all travelers.