Day 1: Chicago, Illinois - Tour BeginsJourney through beautiful coastal regions and farmlands in the heart of the Midwest. The tranquil beauty of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes region is accented by old-fashioned traditions and incredible scenery. Begin in Chicago, a bustling city on the shores of Lake Michigan. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day 2: ChicagoSet off today for a locally guided tour of Chicago’s unique cityscape and the impressive architecture that makes Chicago so remarkable. Highlights of your tour include famous Michigan Avenue, the “Magnificent Mile,” the Wrigley Building, the Loop, the Lake Front and a walking tour through Millennium Park. This afternoon, explore the Field Museum and visit Sue - the world’s largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax or discover more gems of the “Windy City.”
Day 3: Chicago - Green Bay, WisconsinThis morning, enjoy time on your own to explore Chicago further. Maybe you’ll visit the Chicago Cultural Center, where the largest Tiffany dome in the world can be found. Or, you might visit the Art Institute of Chicago and behold the most complete collection of impressionist art outside of Paris. Perhaps you will ride to the top of the Sears Tower for remarkable views of the city, lake and neighboring states. This afternoon, head for the green pastures of Wisconsin, “America’s Dairyland.”
Day 4: Green Bay - Mackinac Island, MichiganOn the way to Mackinac Island, enjoy Wisconsin’s picturesque landscape dotted with farmlands, red barns and dairy cows. Wisconsin is famous for its cheese, much of which is made by small, family-owned cheese producers specializing in award-winning varieties. Stop at a favorite local cheese shop for an opportunity to learn, sample and buy some of its finest products. Continue to Mackinac city where you will board your ferry. Soak in lovely views of Lake Huron as you ferry across the lake to incredible Mackinac Island. Today, Mackinac is quiet, with the neighs and clip-clops of horses replacing the roar of engines. As your ferry approaches the shore you can see your home for the next two nights, the glorious Victorian-era resort, the Grand Hotel. Both your hotel and the island itself are National Historic Landmarks. The island is a natural gem, with over eighty percent preserved by Mackinac State Park, a wooded paradise accented with limestone formations and ringed by Lake Huron. The evening is yours to enjoy, perhaps with a leisurely stroll through the quaint village or by relaxing on the world’s longest porch in front of the Grand Hotel.
Day 5: Mackinac IslandBegin your morning with a horse-drawn carriage tour of the island with stops at the Surrey Hills Museum and Arch Rock. Following your tour, take some time to enjoy all of Mackinac Island’s quiet pleasures. An elegant evening begins when you dine at Salle à Manger, where you have a menu of delicacies to choose from. Chamber music and demitasse precede dancing to the refined sounds of the Grand Hotel’s orchestra. If you crave a secluded hideaway, retreat to the Cupola!
Day 6: Mackinac Island - FrankenmuthEnjoy a morning of relaxation and independent exploration to enjoy Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel. Perhaps you will choose to walk the hotel grounds or spend time downtown for last minute shopping. Next, travel south to the unique Bavarian village of Frankenmuth.
Enjoy German wine tasting before feasting on a wonderful German meal.Day 7: Frankenmuth - SouthfieldSpend the day in Michigan's "Little Bavaria" - the charming town of Frankenmuth. Discover the secrets of properly rolling a pretzel before a local guide shows you "Little Bavaria." Visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store with a sprawling 96,000 square foot showroom. Explore this slice of Germany with time at leisure in the afternoon. Maybe shop Frankenmuth’s many European-styled boutiques and bakeries. This evening, arrive in Southfield, your home for the remainder of the trip.
Day 8: SouthfieldToday, visit Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum for an experience in living history: view historic homes and famous American workshops including those from The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Robert Frost. This evening, toast the end of a wonderful trip at a farewell dinner at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. After an elegant dinner is served in the special event house, a docent will guide you through the estate. You will enjoy exquisite architecture, breathtaking lakefront grounds and a collection of fine arts that tell the story of one of America’s most important industrial families.
Day 9: Southfield - Tour EndsYour tour ends today, leaving you with a bounty of happy memories from your visit to America’s heartland.