Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes

Welcome to Michigan! At 6 pm, meet your fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming journey.

American Ingenuity Visit the Henry Ford Museum, the ultimate place to experience America’s past and present. See the world’s premier automotive exhibition, the JFK Presidential Limousine, an original camp bed used by George Washington, and the Rosa Parks Bus. Continue to Frankenmuth, founded by German immigrants in 1845. This evening, enjoy an authentic [LOCAL FAVORITE] Bavarian dinner to experience German cuisine and a wine tasting. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Be greeted with a hearty “Willkommen!” in Frankenmuth’s Little Bavaria. You’ll be treated to a tasting of authentic German wine, cheese, and crackers, followed by a traditional family-style dinner. Indulge in German cuisine, including Rippchen, sauerbraten, bratwurst, special Frankenmuth chicken, and homemade breads and preserves. Guten Appetit!

Magical Mackinac Visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, a one-stop shop for everything Christmas. Leave the motorcoach behind and take a ferry on Lake Huron to beautiful Mackinac Island. Upon arrival in Mackinac Island, ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the Island House Hotel for a two-night stay. Since the Civil War, the island has been one of the nation’s most favored summer resorts. Enjoy this special place with its air of 19th-century gentility and historic charm, where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the only means of transportation. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Spend time relaxing and rocking on the porch at the Island House Hotel, listening to sailboats glide into the harbor and watching the sun set on the horizon. The Island House Hotel is a member of the Historic Hotels of America and a State of Michigan landmark, with modern amenities, a tranquil outdoor garden restaurant, and an ideal location on the waterfront and a short walk from downtown.

Somewhere in Time This morning is at leisure. Rent a bicycle to explore on your own, visit Fort Mackinac, or sample some of the island’s famous fudge. Travel by horse and carriage for lunch at the elegant Grand Hotel. After lunch, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of this celebrated island. See the Avenue of Flags, the Governor’s Mansion, and enjoy a stop at Arch Rock, one of the most photographed spots on the island. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HERITAGE & TRADITION Horse-drawn carriages. Sitting in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch with views of the Straits of Mackinac. The historic Grand Hotel served as a summer getaway for celebrities, such as Mark Twain, Jimmy Durante, Christopher Reeve, and five U.S. presidents since its opening in 1887. This stately retreat continues today in the style of a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm.

Great Lake Michigan Depart by ferry from Mackinac Island, returning to mainland Michigan. Visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse State Park, a guiding beacon for ships since 1889. Stop at the historic [LOCAL FAVORITE] Legs Inn for incredible views of Lake Michigan. Learn about the inn’s fascinating history and sample traditional Polish specialties. Drive the Tunnel of Trees scenic route to Charlevoix, where a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide introduces you to the city’s Victorian summer resorts and “Mushroom Houses.” Continue to your historic hotel in Petoskey, perched high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Visit Legs Inn - a captivating setting on Lake Michigan – tempting travel-lovers for generations. Founded by Stanley Smolak, a Polish immigrant who creatively worked on the inn using local timber and stone with local “Odawa” Ottawa Native American craftsmen. Sample authentic Polish cuisine such as kielbasa, whitefish, pierogi, and berry szarlotka (crumble cake) while taking in the artisan carvings and unique décor.

Spend your day your way in Grand Rapids This morning, travel to Traverse City, located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Enjoy free time in the historic downtown with waterfront views and award-winning dining for lunch on your own before continuing to Grand Rapids. Explore more of Grand Rapids with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions. GREEN THUMBS IN GRAND RAPIDS Visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park with a guided trolley ride around grounds. Stroll the sculpture park and botanical gardens for a closer look at the extensive gardens and more than 200 outdoor art displays. In addition to displays native to the Midwest, the international gardens include a tranquil Japanese garden, English perennial garden, and more than 500 species from five continents in the park's lush tropical conservatory. PRESIDENTIAL STYLE Explore the Gerald R. Ford Museum, a tribute to the 38th president of the United States. Discover stories about Grand Rapids' favorite son through exhibits that include a replica of the Oval Office and a multimedia re-creation of the 1944 typhoon that almost swept a young Jerry Ford off the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier! Browse mementos and memorabilia highlighting the life and times of President Ford and, inspirational First Lady Betty Ford. This evening, explore the nightlife and dining options in Michigan’s second largest city, Grand Rapids. (B).

Windy City Sights & Sweets Travel through Indiana to Chicago for a sightseeing tour of the “Windy City.” Join your Tour Director and travel companions for a farewell lunch. Enjoy an overnight stay at the [LOCAL FAVORITE] historic Palmer House Hilton. (B,L) LOCAL FAVORITE ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Experience the historic and elegant Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. With an interesting history ranging from the love story that built the hotel, a friendship with Claude Monet that influenced the decor, the invention of a sweet confection, and the long list of celebrity guests like Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and more. This is a stay to remember! TOUR HIGHLIGHT CANDY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Following the invention of the brownie by the Palmer House hotel for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, European immigrants with an entrepreneurial spirit followed suit in the late 18th century to grow a booming candy industry in Chicago. So began America’s love affair with countless classic candies still loved today, from Baby Ruth to Cracker Jack.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Chicago? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)