Michigan's Lakes and Mackinac Island

Day 1 - Welcome to Michigan!
Your marvelous Michigan tour begins at 6:30 PM at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. A transfer is included from the Cherry Capital Airport to the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Traverse City. During your two nights at this great resort, named among the top 50 domestic destinations by Condé Nast Traveler, you'll be in the midst of a charming town with a lively arts scene and lots of wineries. Please join us this evening and meet your fellow travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Traverse City, Michigan

Day 2 - Wine, music and dunes
You might be surprised to learn on your Michigan tour that the state's western coast is a land of vineyards and sandy beaches as well as really impressive sand dunes... and music, which fills the air at the Music House Museum, displaying rare antique musical instruments and music-making machines from between 1870 and 1930... feel free to hum along during your visit. You'll see some of the spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline as you travel along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore; ranging in color from the palest champagne to vibrant sienna, the constantly shifting dunes can be as high as 400 feet! This afternoon's private wine tasting at Black Star Farms reveals the high quality of Michigan's vines and wines, which you'll explore further during a private winery dinner for our guests only.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Traverse City, Michigan Map

Day 3 - The Straits of Mackinac and more
Wind your way along the shoreline of beautiful Grand Traverse Bay as your Michigan tour continues toward the historic Straits of Mackinac. This strip of water connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron saw both booming commerce and some pretty spirited conflicts during the active fur-trading era. Stop in quaint Petoskey en route to Fort Michilimackinac, an 18th-century French - and later, British - trading post and fort on the southern shore of the strategically important straits. Today, the fort recreates life here in colonial times. This afternoon, a ferry carries you onward to Mackinac Island, where no cars are allowed... so you'll ride a horse-drawn carriage to your accommodation at the world-famous Grand Hotel, among the most celebrated hotels in America! This stately hotel's front porch, reputed to be the longest of its kind when it was built in 1887, is still a very popular gathering place for guests and local residents alike.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

Day 4 - Magical Mackinac Island
This tiny treasure remains much as it was when the first Europeans settled the island centuries ago. Folks get around here by foot, by bicycle or by horse because motorized vehicles are not permitted on the island. Although the year-round human population is only about 600 residents, the horse population can be as high as 500 during the summer months! A sightseeing tour by horse-drawn carriage reveals all that is magical about Mackinac Island and is sure to be a highlight of your Michigan tour. You'll see Fort Mackinac, built by the British to guard the Straits of Mackinac during the American Revolution, as well as "downtown" Mackinac Island with many historic homes and grand Victorian cottages. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the island as you please; you're bound to discover things that capture your interest.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

Day 5 - An architectural gem
Leaving peaceful Mackinac Island behind via ferry to the mainland, your Michigan tour continues on to Midland, where you'll explore the home and studio of noted 20th-century architect Alden B. Dow, son of the founder of the Dow Chemical Company, who was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Dow's innovative use of geometric planes, angles and landscaping elements to integrate his home into its natural surroundings has earned the home the designation as a National Historic Landmark. Overnight in historic Bay City on the Saginaw River.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Doubletree Hotel Bay City - Riverfront, Bay City, Michigan

Day 6 - A â€œtall shipâ€ adventure and a bit of Bavaria
French missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette was the first European to visit Saginaw Bay in the early 1600s, and the bay has a long history of travel by sailing ship. You'll do just that today on your Michigan tour as you board a tall ship for a private sail in the bay and up the Saginaw River on your own voyage of discovery. Later, you'll think that you've landed in Bavaria when you visit the little village of Frankenmuth, founded by German pioneers in the 1840s, for lunch and some free time to poke around. Continue on to Dearborn, a city instrumental in America's automobile culture, for a two-night stay on the Ford Motor Company grounds.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel, Dearborn, Michigan

Day 7 - The Henry Ford and a test drive
A visit to The Henry Ford is a fascinating, "must-do" experience on any Michigan tour. You'll enjoy a private guided tour through the American experience as seen in the living history exhibits including Greenfield Village; Dymaxion House, created by R. Buckminster Fuller; the homes and workplaces of ground-breaking innovators such as Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Harvey Firestone; and much more. In true Tauck Style, when you take a spin in a Model T, you won't have to pay for the gas! The afternoon is free for your own further exploration and discovery. Please join us at our farewell cocktail reception and dinner this evening, and enjoy the opportunity to share your memories of your Michigan tour with those who shared the adventure with you.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel, Dearborn, Michigan

Day 8 - Homeward bound
This comprehensive Michigan tour ends in Detroit. Fly home anytime. A transfer from The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel to the Detroit Airport is included. Please allow two hours for flight check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATIONS

Night 1 & 2: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Traverse City, Michigan

The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near Traverse City, Michigan, was named one of the Top 50 mainland travel destinations by Condé Nast Traveler and is a Golf Magazine Silver Medal Resort. Your accommodations in the prestigious Tower are luxuriously appointed and feature beautiful views of the forests, orchards and rolling hills surrounding the golf courses as well as a wet bar, refrigerator, cable TV, hairdryer, a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub and more. There are three golf courses – The Bear designed by Jack Nicklas, The Wolverine by Gary Player and Spruce Run by William Newcomb – as well as a 15,000-square-foot indoor water playground, a large tennis facility, a fully equipped Health Center and the Spa Grand Traverse vying for your attention during leisure time. At the Aerie on the 16th floor of the Tower, you’ll find the Aerie Lounge, which offers a phenomenal selection of beers, and martinis as well as an extensive menu of desserts and after-dinner drinks all served against the backdrop of stunning views.

Night 3 & 4: Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island, Michigan

Located on magical Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed, this elegant grande dame has been welcoming sophisticated guests for over 100 years. The gracious hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. Noted designer Carleton Varney has tastefully decorated each comfortable guest room in its own unique style. All rooms offer a mini bar, in-room safe, cable TV, iron and coffee maker. The magnificent front porch, thought to be the longest in the world, offers rocking chairs and wicker furniture from which to take in the marvelous views. The 220-foot long, serpentine-shaped Esther Williams Swimming Pool, with its two adjacent whirlpools, is a popular gathering place for guests. The Jewel golf course, the clay tennis courts and the Grand Hotel Spa offer pleasant leisure-time diversions. Dining in the Main Dining Room is a gracious event for which jackets and ties are requested for gentlemen, with pantsuits or dresses being appropriate choices for ladies at dinner. The readers of Travel + Leisure consider the Grand Hotel one of the 500 best hotels in the world.

Night 5: Doubletree Hotel Bay City – Riverfront
Bay City, Michigan

Set on the shores of the Saginaw River in historic Bay City, the Doubletree Hotel Bay City – Riverfront is just steps from the Riverwalk with its more than 100 specialty shops, antiques stores, restaurants and pubs. Comfortable guest rooms offer complimentary wireless Internet access, a remote-control 27-inch TV with cable channels, coffee maker, mini refrigerator, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and Neutrogena® bath amenities. A swimming pool and a fitness room are available for guests’ use. You might enjoy dining at the casual Riverfront Grill, featuring spectacular views along with American and regional cuisine.

Night 6 & 7: The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel
Detroit, Michigan

Set amidst 23 landscaped acres neighboring Greenfield Village, this historic hotel was built by Henry Ford in 1931 on the grounds of the Ford Motor Company. This gracious hotel has been awarded 4 AAA Diamonds in honor of its charm, facilities and service. Guest rooms offer air conditioning, coffee maker, Internet browser / Web TV, iron / ironing board, hair dryer and luxurious bedding featuring down comforters, custom duvets and cotton-rich linens. Recreational facilities available include an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts, as well as a fitness room with cardiovascular equipment. The quietly elegant Early American Room serves American cuisine at dinner while the more casual Ten Eyck Tavern serves breakfast and lunch.

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, motor coach, luggage handling, sightseeing, admissions and the services of the Tour Director, local guides and drivers are included. A representative will meet you at the Cherry Capital Airport and provide transportation to the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, regardless of the day and time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. We will also provide transportation from the Dearborn Inn to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on the day of your departure.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tour standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tour Director – Michigan’s Lakes & Mackinac Island is conducted by a Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tour Director is a professional, fully trained employee of tour Operator.

Gratuities for luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, housekeepers, local guides are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before & After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tour Director and Driver Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tour Director and driver is not included. These gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Value Includes:

“Tower” rooms at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, indulging with luxurious appointments and scenic views of lush forests, rolling hills and orchards
Private wine tasting and dinner at Black Star Farms, whose winery and distillery produce some of the best Michigan wines and spirits
Private horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island and two nights at the Grand Hotel, one of America’s favorite hotels
Private sail on a “Tall Ship” schooner for a narrated cruise up the Saginaw River to Saginaw Bay with a maritime lecture

Privately guided tour of The Henry Ford for a fascinating in-depth look at American ingenuity between 1800 and 1950, culminating with a ride aboard a Model T
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
17 meals, service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage