Mackinac Island featuring the Grand Hotel

October 2 – 9, 2022

We invite you to join us on one of the grandest tours we have ever offered. Whether this is your first time to visit Mackinac Island or you are a repeat visitor, it's always impressive beyond words. On this tour we'll see amazing sites, visit interesting places, stay at deluxe and historic hotels and enjoy delicious meals. Add to all of this the fun and fellowship enroute and we know you'll love every minute and every mile of the tour!

Day One: We depart western North Carolina today and travel through the Great Smoky Mountains, through eastern Tennessee and the “Bluegrass State” of Kentucky. This evening we'll arrive in Dayton, Ohio – our home for tonight.

Day Two: We continue north this morning into the state of Michigan. Mid day finds us in the village of Frankenmuth. We'll enjoy an included lunch at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and have time to visit the shops before we travel to Petoskey where we'll check into our hotel – our home for the next two nights. You'll love the historic downtown area with it's many quaint shops and restaurants.

Day Three: Following a delicious breakfast (included) at the Perry Hotel, we'll travel to the waterfront town of Charlevoix for a guided tour of the Mushroom Homes and a guided tour of Renaissance Castle and Castle Farms. This afternoon our local guide will take us on a tour of Petoskey (we'll learn of Ernest Hemingway's experiences here) then we enjoy an included dinner at Stafford's Bay View Inn (we should see a spectacular sunset over the bay).

Day Four: Now the day we've been looking forward to....we enjoy breakfast at the Perry hotel (included) then board our coach and travel to Mackinaw City, Michigan. We'll board the high speed ferry and shortly we'll arrive on Mackinac Island! Upon arrival, we'll take a narrated carriage tour to get us familiar with the town and the island. We'll have time for lunch and a bit of shopping before taking our horse drawn taxi to the Grand Hotel – our home for the next two nights. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening (Note: Coat and tie is required for the gentlemen and ladies dress in your finest).
Grand Hotel Facts: Opened in July of 1887 with over 330,000 square feet; the 660 foot long front porch is the world's longest; 397 guest rooms and no two are alike; The hotel has had over 5 milllion guests including presidents Gerald Ford, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton; John F. Kennedy and Harry Truman, plus movie stars, foreign dignitaries and heads of industry. You never know who might have slept in your room! The half million gallon swimming pool was named after Esther Williams who starred in “This Time For Keeps” that was filmed at the hotel (“Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeve was also filmed here). The hotel has a staff of over 700, so you know you'll be pampered!

Day Five: This morning we'll enjoy a delicious (included) breakfast at your leisure in the hotel dining room. Then it's off to explore Mackinac Island – our carriage will take us to Fort Mackinac to explore the historic fort, Manooglan Art Museum, the Biddle House (featuring the Native American Museum) and the Blacksmith Shop (there are over 500 horses on the island). From here we can take the carriage to downtown for free time to visit the local shops, creameries and restaurants. You'll want to be sure to visit Kilwin's Original Ice Cream & Fudge Shop!This afternoon we'll have free time to enjoy the butterfly gardens, the pool area or just relax on the front porch of the hotel. This evening we'll enjoy another fabulous dinner (included) at the Grand Hotel

Day Six: We'll again enjoy the delicious breakfast (included) at the hotel. Then, it's time to board the carriage for our trip back to the ferry dock. We'll depart the island and travel (by ferry) to St. Ignace to board our waiting motorcoach. From here we'll cross the “Mighty Mac” bridge, then stop for a tour of the old Mackinaw Lighthouse (for a great photo opportunity of the bridge) and enjoy lunch (included) at Audie's Family Restaurant. This afternoon we'll travel south to Frankenmuth for overnite.

Day Seven: This morning we'll enjoy shopping at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland – said to be the World's largest Christmas Store! This afternoon we'll head south to the Cincinatti, Ohio area this evening for our overnite accomodations.

Day Eight: Homeward bound! We'll head south today through the “Bluegrass State” of Kentucky (with a special surprise stop) then continue to Knoxville and into North Carolina and home. We'll have memories and pictures to last a lifetime!
Tour Includes: Roundtrip motorcoach transportation; Seven nights first class hotel accomodations; admission to all listed attractions and sites; Meals as listed in the itinerary (note: a hot breakfast is included at each hotel we use). All sightseeing and “Step on” guide fees. There are no hidden costs.

Tour Includes: Roundtrip motorcoach transporation by late model luxury coach; Eight nights first class hotel accomodations (with a hot breakfast each morning); admission to all listed attractions and sites; services of step on guides as noted; three dinners and three lunches. There are no hidden costs.

Price Per Person:

$1985 Double | $1953 Triple | $1937 Quad | $2715 Single

Special Note: We are happy to offer a $50.00 per person “Early Bird” discount when you reserve your seats & pay a $200 per person deposit by Feb. 10, 2022!

Balance of tour price is due no later than August 15th for this tour.
Due to policies at the Grand Hotel, cancellation penalties begin 60 days prior to departure. We highly recommend that you consider purchasing travel insurance.