About World of Quilts Travel
Unparalleled Service
Since 2004, Deb Roberts’ Tours/World of Quilts – Travel has been about one quilt lover sharing quilting history and traditions, quiltmaking experiences and cultures, and extraordinary quilt inspired travel opportunities with like-minded adventurers.
Unique History
A contemporary quilter, collector, historian, teacher, author, judge and appraiser, Deb Roberts has been interested in quilts since childhood and passionate about travel for as long as she can recall; she has traveled extensively and planned unique travel experiences for friends and family members for many years. Because of those experiences, it dawned on Deb that she was spending much of her time searching for places to see quilts, getting to know quilters, buying unique fabrics and seeking out those who knew about the area’s quilts and quilt/textile history. Seeing things that opened her eyes to what has been available in other countries for centuries gave her pause to think about sharing all she was experiencing with others; thus she organized her first tour to France in 2004 as Textiletours. Those joining her asked her to add additional specialty tours and cruises, soon, World of Quilts Travel and World of Quilts became the operating names.
Blending the Old with the New
When possible, each aspect of Deb’s specialty tour or cruise itineraries are meticulously selected to blend the old and the new of in the world of quilts. On land tours, Deb opens doors not only to historic sites and rare shopping opportunities but also to special collection archives which are not often available to the public. She plans each trip as if for herself, and when applicable, knowledgeable speakers and teachers are chosen to enhance the overall travel and learning experience. Deb’s single goal is to have her guests return home not only having had a memorable journey, but also a once in a lifetime quilting and/or quilt and textile study experience.
On cruises, Deb looks for itineraries that provide great inspiration as well as value. For cruises that begin and end in the United States, when appropriate to the workshop, machines will be provided at no additional cost. On our international cruises when sewing machines may not be available, teachers will provide hand sewing projects. At times, such projects may not be ‘quilts’ per se, but will have quilt-related techniques applicable to quilting projects. Smaller projects are often planned on international cruises so that they are easily portable and may be finished during the trip.
Deb’s desire is to provide both a vacation as well as an experience that will last a lifetime. She purposefully keeps the land tour groups small and intimate, hand picks all hotels and venues, and insists that her tour operators keep the price affordable. Deb believes that there is no reason for anyone to have to pay exorbitant prices to travel and will not put a tour together that she herself would not enjoy. It is important to her that she pay close attention to details so that her travelers feel as if they are getting more than just a group tour, but a journey that is tailor made for their special interests.
She hopes to see you soon, somewhere in the World of Quilts.