MICHIGANS LAKES & MACKINAC ISLAND 8 DAYS FROM $2,490 US Details below or
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Get set for a Michigan tour through beautiful countryside
and along panoramic beaches with sand dunes stretching along Lake
Michigan. Take a private sail on a tall ship up the Saginaw River and a
private horse-drawn carriage tour on Mackinac Island, where you'll
spend two nights at the famed Grand Hotel. Explore history on a
privately guided tour of The Henry Ford in Greenfield Village - with a
ride on a Model T... discover fine Michigan wines at a private tasting
at Black Star Farms... enjoy "Tower" rooms at the Grand Traverse
Resort, and much more on this merry Michigan tour!
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
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 tall ship 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 Tour 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 Tour
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
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 that will be offered at time of booking 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
DEPARTURE
DATES May - October
PRICES From approx $2,490 US
per
person double occupancy
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