Overview
Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes
Experience life in the fast and slow lanes as you venture to where the automobile was born and also visit where it’s been banned since 1898. This tour of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes gets your engines revving with a visit to Detroit’s Henry Ford Museum to explore where past inventions have fueled the imagination of today’s innovations. Switch gears as you board a ferry for Mackinac Island, the Jewel of the Great Lakes and one of the nation’s most popular summer resorts. With horse-drawn carriages and bicycles as the island’s only means of transportation, you’ll have no choice but to fuel up on lunch at the famous Grand Hotel, military history at the restored Fort Mackinac, and the decadent fudge the charming island is known for. Other sweet detours include the Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, coastal resort of Petoskey, and faster-paced cities of Grand Rapids and Chicago. PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Grand Rapids so you can plan your day your way.
Highlights of Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Product Group
Mackinac Island & the Great Lakes
Notes
• Guests should be prepared for easy but sustained walking throughout the tour, including ¼-½ mile over uneven ground during select days of sightseeing. • Guests with mobility concerns may experience uneven or wet surfaces specifically for ferry loading and unloading, and limited access to passenger amenities on board certain vessels.
Travelers Notes
Special Features Included in this Tour:• Tour the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn• Visit to Frankenmuth and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland• Ferry in the Great Lakes region across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island • Horse and carriage ride for Mackinac’s famed Grand Hotel• Visit Petoskey and Traverse City on Lake Michigan• Globus Choice excursion in Grand Rapids – included in your tour with your choice of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum or Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park• Guided sightseeing in Chicago • Special overnight stays at the original hotel in Mackinac Island, the Island House Hotel, and the historic Palmer House in Chicago
Meals
Breakfast daily, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN Welcome to Michigan! At 6 pm, meet your fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming journey.
Day 2
DETROIT–FRANKENMUTH American Ingenuity Visit the Henry Ford Museum, the ultimate place to experience America’s past and present. See the world’s premier automotive exhibition, the JFK Presidential Limousine, an original camp bed used by George Washington, and the Rosa Parks Bus. Continue to Frankenmuth, founded by German immigrants in 1845. This evening, enjoy an authentic [LF] Bavarian dinner to experience German cuisine and a wine tasting. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Be greeted with a hearty “Willkommen!” in Frankenmuth’s Little Bavaria. You’ll be treated to a tasting of authentic German wine, cheese, and crackers, followed by a traditional family-style dinner. Indulge in German cuisine, including Rippchen, sauerbraten, bratwurst, special Frankenmuth chicken, and homemade breads and preserves. Guten Appetit!
Day 3
FRANKENMUTH–MACKINAC ISLAND Magical Mackinac Visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, a one-stop shop for everything Christmas. Leave the motorcoach behind and take a ferry on Lake Huron to beautiful Mackinac Island. Upon arrival in Mackinac Island, ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the Island House Hotel for a two-night stay. Since the Civil War, the island has been one of the nation’s most favored summer resorts. Enjoy this special place with its air of 19th-century gentility and historic charm, where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the only means of transportation. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Spend time relaxing and rocking on the porch at the Island House Hotel, listening to sailboats glide into the harbor and watching the sun set on the horizon. The Island House Hotel is a member of the Historic Hotels of America and a State of Michigan landmark with modern amenities, a tranquil outdoor garden restaurant, an ideal location on the waterfront and a short walk from downtown.
Day 4
MACKINAC ISLAND Somewhere in Time This morning is at leisure. Rent a bicycle to explore on your own, visit Fort Mackinac, or sample some of the island’s famous fudge. Travel by horse and carriage for lunch at the elegant Grand Hotel. After lunch, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of this celebrated island. See the Avenue of Flags, the Governor’s Mansion, and enjoy a stop at Arch Rock, one of the most photographed spots on the island. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HERITAGE & TRADITION Horse-drawn carriages. Sitting in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch with views of the Straits of Mackinac. The historic Grand Hotel served as a summer getaway for celebrities, such as Mark Twain, Jimmy Durante, Christopher Reeve, and five U.S. presidents since its opening in 1887. This stately retreat continues today in the style of a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm.
Day 5
MACKINAC ISLAND–MACKINAW CITY–CHARLEVOIX–PETOSKEY Great Lake Michigan Depart by ferry from Mackinac Island, returning to mainland Michigan. Visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse State Park, a guiding beacon for ships since 1889. Stop at the historic [LF] Legs Inn for incredible views of Lake Michigan. Learn about the inn’s fascinating history and sample traditional Polish specialties. Drive the scenic route to Charlevoix and enjoy free time to explore the quaint downtown, Victorian-style summer resorts and “Mushroom Houses.” Continue to your historic hotel in Petoskey, perched high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Visit Legs Inn - a captivating setting on Lake Michigan – tempting travel-lovers for generations. Founded by Stanley Smolak, a Polish immigrant who creatively worked on the inn using local timber and stone with local “Odawa” Ottawa Native American craftsmen. Sample authentic Polish cuisine such as kielbasa, whitefish, pierogi, and berry szarlotka (crumble cake) while taking in the artisan carvings and unique décor.
Day 6
PETOSKEY–TRAVERSE CITY–GRAND RAPIDS Spend your day your way in Grand Rapids This morning, travel to Traverse City, located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Enjoy free time in the historic downtown with waterfront views and award-winning dining for lunch on your own before continuing to Grand Rapids. Explore more of Grand Rapids with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
Day 7
GRAND RAPIDS–CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Windy City Sights & Sweets Travel through Indiana to Chicago for a sightseeing tour of the “Windy City.” Join your Tour Director and travel companions for a farewell lunch. Enjoy an overnight stay at the [LF] historic Palmer House Hilton. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITEACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Experience the historic and elegant Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. With an interesting history ranging from the love story that built the hotel, a friendship with Claude Monet that influenced the decor, the invention of a sweet confection, and the long list of celebrity guests like Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and more. This is a stay to remember!TOUR HIGHLIGHTCANDY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Following the invention of the brownie by the Palmer House hotel for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, European immigrants with an entrepreneurial spirit followed suit in the late 18th century to grow a booming candy industry in Chicago. So began America’s love affair with countless classic candies still loved today, from Baby Ruth to Cracker Jack.
Day 8
CHICAGO Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Chicago? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | The Henry, Autograph Collection | The Henry, an Autograph Collection, features impeccable amenities and design influenced by art, showcasing the best of Michigan. Situated in close proximity to Fairlane Town Center and The Henry Ford Museum. Exquisite chandeliers, vivid color accents, and a well-chosen collection of contemporary art are features in the lobby, rooms, and event areas. Enjoy the hotel's indoor pool and onsite restaurant. | Dearborn | 300 Town Center Drive | First-Class |
| 2 | Bavarian Inn Lodge | Located in the heart of downtown Frankenmuth on the banks of the beautiful Cass River, the Bavarian Inn is a charming German-themed hotel including a Glockenspiel, Biergarten, and on-site restaurant featuring traditional German cuisine. | Frankenmuth | One Covered Bridge Lane | Moderate First-Class |
| 3 | Island House Hotel | The historic Island House Hotel features sweeping harbor views and a full complement of amenities, including two on-site restaurants, complimentary Wi-Fi, bike rentals, heated indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. | Mackinac Island | 6966 Main Street | First-Class |
| 4 | Perry Hotel | This three-story, turn-of-the-century hotel overlooks Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Guests can enjoy the Noggins Room Pub for a casual meal and live music, or the H.O. Rose Dining room for beautiful views and regional cuisine. | Petoskey | 100 Lewis Street | Moderate First-Class |
| 5 | Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | Situated on the Grand River, this striking 29-story hotel balances historic charm and modern amenities, and features spectacular views of the surrounding area. With a section of the hotel dating to 1913 and a newer modern tower, rooms are designed to reflect the era in which they were built, featuring historic accents and modern furnishings. | Grand Rapids | 187 Monroe NW | Deluxe |
| 6 | Palmer House Hilton Chicago | Built in 1871, the luxurious Palmer House Hilton is steeped in history, hosting prominent figures including Charles Dickens, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and numerous US presidents. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Chicago, within walking distance of Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Michigan Avenue. | Chicago | 17 E Monroe Street | Moderate Deluxe |
