2013 brings us an all new and exciting opportunity to cruise in Asia visiting Japan, China and South Korea! We'll sail on Holland America Line's beautiful ms Volendam, round trip out of Kobe, Japan!

Our classes are held during our "at sea" days. As usual, we bring you a wide variety of classes from which to choose, taught by three award-winning, renowned instructors in the world of quilting:

Karen Kay Buckley, Sue Nickels and Paula Nadelstern!

We begin our cruise in the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobe's famed wineries. Our first stop is in Nagasaki, city of melancholy memories. Visit Glover House, where Puccini's Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited her errant Lt. Pinkerton; pay tribute to lives lost in WWII at Peace Memorial Park. Next we head to Pusan, South Korea. Find stillness at some of the largest Korean Buddhist temples, including Beomeo-sa, first constructed in the year 678 and home to over one thousand monks-it also contains seven different registered national and cultural treasures. Near the port, explore the famous Jagalchi fish market or the city's renowned beach resorts. Journey to the Dongnae area to soak in the city's healing hot springs. Then it's off to China with our first stop in Dalian. A key northern port, Dalian is small by Chinese standards, numbering only about five million people, but it's big on beaches, seafood, apples and exquisite glassware in every conceivable shape and color. Then to Xingang which links you to Beijing, where the power of 24 successive emperors radiates from the Forbidden City. Your Holland America ship will be here for two full days, allowing ample time to shop, explore and feast on Peking Duck right here in Peking! See the Ming Tombs, Great wall of China or spend the day in Tianjin City. Our final port is Shanghai. Neon pulses, soaring skyscrapers pierce the sky, construction never stops in Shanghai's race to modernity. Still, you can feel the city's silk past in the peaceful Yu Gardens, its history as a financial powerhouse in the international banks along The Bund.

This trip will sell out fast, so book early! We have had a list of quilters interested in booking this trip even before it was organized. Bring a friend, your spouse or your family - non-quilters are always welcome to join us! They have many activities to pursue while you are in class!

We can't wait to see you on board the ms Volendam!

Best wishes,
Karen Kay Buckley, Sue Nickels and Paula Nadelstern!

Amy Ross
Kim Hedges
Group Coordinators