September 17-24 (Friday-Friday)

Day 2: After a deluxe continental breakfast we visit one of America’s greatest history attractions, Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. On the grounds of the Henry Ford Museum we will tour historic homes and workshops of famous Americans, including those of The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Robert Frost. Due to the large size and historic nature of Greenfield Village, we’ve included the Transportation Pass offered by the museum as part of your tour package. The pass entitles you to ride on the historic steam locomotive, in a vintage Model T or a Model AA bus, a horse-drawn carriage, the Suwanee Boat (in season) and the Herschell-Spillman Carousel. Before returning to the hotel, we conclude our day with a delicious dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Day 3: After a deluxe continental breakfast we depart for the Mackinaw City Dock, where we will travel by ferry to the “magical land” of Mackinac Island. A horse-drawn carriage will be waiting at the dock to transport you to the world-famous Grand Hotel, your luxurious accommodations for the next two nights. This evening experience fine dining and gracious hospitality when you enjoy a dinner, off the menu in the main dining room. At the Grand Hotel, there is a dress code after 6:00 PM. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie, and the ladies are required to wear a dress, skirt, or pant suit.

Day 4: After a full breakfast you will board a horse-drawn carriage for a guided tour of this lovely Victorian-style island that has defied time. Following your horse-drawn carriage ride enjoy some leisure time strolling through the cottage-filled village dotted with flowers, and explore the shops along Huron Street, or to sit and relax in one of the famous “rockers on the longest porch in the country.” A delicious dinner, off the menu awaits you in the main dining room tonight. Dress code after 6:00 PM. See Day 3.

Day 5: Enjoy a full breakfast at your leisure. With part of the morning free you may wish to simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the grand comforts of this luxurious hotel. Early afternoon we are transported by our horse-drawn carriage to the ferry for our cruise back to the mainland. Then we depart for the unique town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, an enchanting town with a rich Bavarian influence and gingerbread-style architecture. After checking into the Bavarian Inn Lodge, a downtown hotel located on the banks of the Cass River for the next two nights, we are treated to a delicious buffet dinner, followed by entertainment at the hotel.

Day 6: After a buffet breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a narrated driving tour of Frankenmuth. The tour will highlight the city’s unique attractions, the Bavarian theme quaint stores, and the rich German heritage on which the city was founded. Following your tour, we’ll visit the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. This afternoon at your leisure explore the town’s European-influence shops and bakeries. Tonight we are treated to a family style dinner complete with a German wine tasting at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant.

Day 7: After a buffet breakfast we depart for “The Steel Making Capitol of the World,” Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After checking into our hotel accommodations for the night, we will spend a leisurely evening aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet. Enjoy a delicious dinner, music, and the majesty of Pittsburgh from your dinner cruise on the city’s Three Rivers.

Day 8: After a deluxe continental breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a tour of Pittsburgh that includes a ride on the Duquesne Incline to the top of Mt. Washington. There you will thrill at the view of downtown Pittsburgh, which USA Weekend ranked as the second best view in America! We conclude our tour with a visit to The Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh. Located in the inspiring Cathedral of Learning on the Pit campus, each of these 26 classrooms reflects the culture and heritage of one of the area’s diverse ethnic groups, and represents that nationality’s contribution to the fabric of Pittsburgh. Following lunch on your own we depart for home with many pleasant memories of the genius of American inventors, the grandeur and magic that was the Victorian era, and a new found appreciation for America’s German and Bavarian heritage and old-fashioned traditions.

- 2 nights at Grand Hotel

Gunther 6:00 AM 8:45 PM