Mackinac Island
| Resort: | Mackinac Island |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | United States of America |
| Price From: | £1809.00 |
OverviewThis classic Midwestern tour features Illinois and Michigan. Savor two incredible nights amid the luxury of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Enjoy a horse and buggy tour of Mackinac Island. Explore the wonderful city of Chicago with a local guide. Spend two nights in the Bavarian-influenced town of Frankenmuth. In Dearborn the choice is yours experience the inspirational Henry Ford Museum or view historic homes at Greenfield Village including the famous American workshops of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Robert Frost. Visit a Traverse City winery for a vineyard tour and wine tasting. ItineraryDay 1: Chicago, Illinois – Tour BeginsGet ready for a journey through the coastal regions of the Midwest. The tranquil beauty of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes region comes alive amid old-fashioned traditions. Day 2: ChicagoBegin your day with a locally guided tour of Chicagos remarkable and impressive architecture. This dynamic city goes by many names including “Second City” and The Windy City.” No matter what you call it, you are sure to love it! Highlights of your tour include famous Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile, the Wrigley Building, the Loop, the Lakefront, and a walking tour through Millennium Park. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Perhaps youll visit one of its many museums, relax during a scenic boat ride across the Chicago River, or visit the Chicago Cultural Center which hosts the largest Tiffany dome in the world. Or, you might visit the Art Institute of Chicago and behold the most complete collection of Impressionist art outside of Paris. Perhaps youll ride to the top of the Sears Tower for remarkable views of the city. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner to kick off the beginning of an exciting tour. Day 3: Chicago – Grand Rapids, Michigan – FrankenmuthEn route to Frankenmuth, enjoy a stop in the bustling city of Grand Rapids. Explore the citys energetic downtown full of shops, museums and restaurants. Arrive in the quaint town of Frankenmuth and enjoy a locally guided tour of the town. This evening, take advantage of some free time to explore its unique German shops or stroll along Main Street with its beautiful flowers and lovely buildings. Day 4: Frankenmuth – Dearborn – FrankenmuthToday, the choice is yours! Visit Greenfield Village or the Henry Ford Museum for an experience in living history! At Greenfield Village, take in the historic homes and see the workshops where famous American icons like the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Robert Frost were once inspired. Or, learn how the automobile forever changed American life and society as you explore the Henry Ford Museum. Upon returning to Frankenmuth, visit the largest Christmas store in the world Bronners. Day 5: Frankenmuth – Mackinac IslandYour stay on stunning Mackinac Island begins. Board your Mackinac Island ferry and prepare for a ride back in time to a simpler era. As your ferry approaches the shore, your home for the next two nights comes into viewthe glorious Victorian-era resort, the Grand Hotel.* Both your hotel and the island itself are National Historic Landmarks. Upon arrival, listen as the neighs and clip-clops of horses replace the roar of engines. This quiet island of yesteryear evokes a nostalgia that truly inspires the senses. The island is a natural gem with over eighty percent of its land preserved by Mackinac State Park, a wooded paradise accented with limestone formations and ringed by Lake Huron. The evening is yours to relax. Perhaps youll take a leisurely stroll through the quaint village or unwind on the Grand Hotels famous porch. Day 6: Mackinac IslandClimb aboard your horse-drawn carriage for an island tour that includes stops at the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum and Arch Rock. Following your tour, savor some time to enjoy all of Mackinac Islands quiet pleasures. Enjoy brilliant views while sitting on the front porch of the Grand Hotel or take a walk downtown to visit the shops and buy some fudge, a favorite item on the island. Later, choose from a menu of tasty delicacies when you dine at the elegant Salle Manger. Chamber music and demitasse precede dancing to the refined sounds of the Grand Hotels orchestra.** If you crave a secluded hideaway, retreat to the charming cupola. Day 7: Mackinac Island – Traverse CityThis morning, enjoy some leisure time at the Grand Hotel before departing for the cherry capital of the United States, Traverse City. En route, experience Michigans picturesque coastline of Grand Traverse Bay. It may come as a surprise to you that the states western coast boasts the perfect climate for cultivating grapes and is considered the land of vineyards. Before arriving at your beachside resort, visit the Music House Museum where you will hear the sounds of yesteryear produced by rare antique musical instruments and machines dating between back to 1870. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a private vineyard tour and wine tasting at a local winery on Leelanau Peninsula; this is followed by dinner, a perfect ending to a wonderful journey. Day 8: Traverse City – Tour EndsYour tour ends today, leaving you with a bounty of happy memories from your visit to Americas heartland. |
