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Home , Mackinac Island

Lake Circle Tour with Mackinac Island, the Grand Hotel, and Door County

July 12-20 2021

We have the perfect cool summer trip for you! Just imagine laying your eyes on beautiful green trees, lovely blue lakes and quaint towns as we circle and fulfilling your dream of staying at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Along with three days on charming Mackinac, we’ll also experience historical sites, beautiful scenery, and unique destinations in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin’s Door County and Milwaukee.

Activity Level 3: Moderate

Highlights: • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum • Traditional Door County Fish Boil • Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park • Miller Brewery Tour • 3 nights at Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island • Mackinac Island Carriage Tour • Historic Ft. Mackinac • Washington Island • Winery, Orchards & Lavender Farm • Live concert in a historic schoolhouse • Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant

Day 1 – Home to (D) We will begin our journey to the Upper Midwest with a direct flight to Chicago for our one-night stay and welcome dinner – including a glass of wine – hosted by your Tour Director.

Day 2 – Chicago, Grand Rapids (B,L) Today we skirt the coast of Lake Michigan as we travel through the northern coast of Indiana and southwest Michigan to Grand Rapids, where we visit the President Gerald R. Ford Museum for a fascinating guided tour of their permanent exhibits. We also visit the Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which features the most comprehensive outdoor sculpture collection in the Midwest, indoor and outdoor gardens, and the largest tropical conservatory in the state. We work our way further north and lodge overnight at the Hampton Inn Big Rapids.

Day 3 – Grand Rapids to Mackinac Island (B,D) This morning we travel to Mackinaw City and board a to legendary Mackinac Island, which became one of the nation’s favored resort destinations during the Victorian Era. One of the most noticeable differences on Mackinac Island (which is accessible only by boat and plane) is the absence of automobiles. Visitors and residents travel by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. Upon arrival on the island, horse-drawn carriages will taxi us to the Grand Hotel for our 3-night stay. Since 1887, Grand Hotel beckons guests to a bygone era of old- world hospitality and charm. Experience the tradition of Afternoon Tea in the Parlor, dressing up for dinner, nightly dancing to the sounds of the Grand Hotel Orchestra, and sitting in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch with views of the . Dinner at leisure is included nightly while at the Grand Hotel.

Day 4 – Mackinac Island (B,D) This morning we take a wonderful horse-drawn Carriage Tour – the most memorable and authentic way to see the island. This narrated tour will introduce you to the history and charm of Mackinac with stops at Arch Rock, the Surrey Hills Museum and the Avenue of Flags. We return to the hotel in time for lunch and afternoon at your leisure to explore the hotel, gardens and island.

Day 5 – Mackinac Island (B,D) Along with leisure time to explore the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island, today we take you to the Historic , where the 18th century comes to life with stunning views of the , the straits and the Upper Peninsula; and to the Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House to see an array of beautiful butterflies at one of the oldest live exhibits in the country.

Day 6 – Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Green Bay (B,L) Today we board a ferry to transfer to the mainland of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where we drive through small towns, beaches and parks and into scenic Wisconsin. We stop at the Delta County Historical Society and Sand Point Lighthouse – built in 1857 and welcomed visitors to Escanaba before trains could reach the area, to learn the history of this unique region. Tonight, we lodge at the Country Inn & Suites in Green Bay.

Day 7 – Door County (B,L,D) Today we have a full-day tour with our expert local guide. Door County is affectionately known as Cape Cod of the Midwest because of the wonderful beaches, forests and communities that comprise this peninsula dividing Green Bay and Lake Michigan. We start with a visit to Cave Point and then to a historic schoolhouse in Sturgeon Bay to see a concert of old-time music, comedy and hymns with Dan Meunier, a famed Door County singer, composer and storyteller. Dan performs from a grand piano, an upright piano and an antique parlor organ. We have lunch at the landmark Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, where we see the famous goats grazing on the roof and further experience the Scandinavian influences in the region. Next we visit the Farm Market to sample Wisconsin’s famous cheddars, homemade jams and cherries. An afternoon drive through Peninsula State Park allows us to experience the beauty of the shores and bluffs on our way to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. Built in 1868, the living quarters are completely furnished from that era. And then onto some shopping in some of the neatest shops on the Peninsula. After shopping, we stroll over to Pelletier’s for their famous Fish Boil dinner. Watch the boilover and enjoy the technique and cooking process of the Traditional Door County Fish Boil. Tonight, we check into the Bridgeport Waterfront Resort in Sturgeon Bay for our 2-night stay.

Day 8 – Door County & Washington Island (B,L,D) This morning we travel by ferry with our local guide through Death’s Doors to Washington Island. On the Island we see beautiful West Harbor and learn about logging in the 1800’s, and the Niagra Escarpment. We see the Norwegian Stave Chapel – patterned after the one in Borgund, Norway – as well as the Historic Island Dairy and Island Lavender fields, and the Island History Exhibit and the Type & Ink Art Gallery. After lunch we learn about life on an Island as we meet some of the Islanders before visiting Historic Washington Harbor and beautiful School House Beach, where we will have a “stone skipping contest.” Then step back into history at the farm museum and learn about Island life without electricity! On to Jackson Harbor to learn about Commercial fishing before finding our way across the back roads to the Ferry dock. Back on the mainland we visit Seaquist Orchards and Harbor Ridge Winery. Our farewell dinner tonight will be at The Log Den Restaurant.

Day 9 – Milwaukee, Chicago, Home (B) After an enchanting week in Michigan and Wisconsin, today we travel back to Chicago for our flight home. We make a stop to visit the Miller Brewery for an indoor/outdoor guided walking tour of over 160 years of brewing history visiting their famous underground caves and the historic Bavarian-Style Miller Inn. Tastings included! Then we continue to Chicago to catch our direct flight back home.

Price: $4,392 per person single Optional insurance: $313 per person single $3,924 per person double $248 per person double (based on tour price) Deposit: $200 per person

Includes: • Roundtrip air transportation - to Chicago • as described • All transfers and motorcoach transportation • Baggage handling • Pick-up/livery service • Bus refreshments • 8 nights lodging • Services of a tour director • 18 meals (8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners) • Local guide tips • Admissions as described • Driver tips • Tours and local guides as described