DEPOSIT POLICY: A $200.00 per person deposit is required to secure a reservation for your tour, which is not considered firm until the deposit is received. The deposit, however, is fully refundable if you cancel within 72 hours of booking the tour. All cancellations will only be accepted in writing. Email your cancellation to dewi@thedaywetravel.com. After 72 hours, the deposit becomes non-refundable and standard cancellation fees apply. See cancellation fee schedule below.

*Note* - If the booking is made 60 days or less prior to departure, full payment is due at the time of booking.

CANCELLATION FEE SCHEDULE

• 91+ Days Prior to Tour Departure: All monies refunded minus initial $200.00 deposit

• 90-61 Days Prior: 75% of tour cost refunded

• 60-46 Days Prior: 60% of tour cost refunded

• 45-31 Days Prior: 35% of tour cost refunded

• 30-8 Days Prior: 15% of tour cost refunded

• 7 Days Prior or less: 0% of tour cost refunded

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Arrive Grand Rapids, MI

Today, board your flight to Grand Rapids, MI to begin your journey of the Lower Peninsula. Upon arrival, meet your Travel Host and transfer to your hotel to begin a two-night stay in the state’s second largest city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with your travel companions. Meal – (D)

Overnight: Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown or similar

DAY 2 – Grand Rapids-President Ford Museum-Brewery Tour

Begin your morning with a scrumptious breakfast buffet in your lovely hotel. Then take a brief walk across the Grand River to the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, whose exhibits showcase the President’s life and career, Mrs. Ford’s role as First Lady, Watergate, and other significant events during the Vietnam War era. We break for lunch, then reconvene for a city tour. Enjoy a mix of history, culture, and architecture as we tour Grand Rapids. Learn about what makes this city so unique with stories from its past and present. Return to the hotel for the balance of day at leisure. Or, if you’re feeling parched and curious, there will be an optional to join a brewery tour. With nearly 40 breweries, Grand Rapids has proudly claimed the nickname “Beer City” and has been voted the country’s best a number of times. Learn Beer 101, sample ales and IPAs, and understand what makes it so good here. Meal – (B)

Overnight: Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown or similar

DAY 3 – Muskegon-USS Silversides-Muskegon Museum of Art-Frankfort

See you later, Grand Rapids! This morning, board the coach and head west towards the lakeshore and catch your first glimpse of Lake Michigan as you climb aboard a well-preserved World War II submarine, known as USS Silversides. She is credited for having sunk 23 ships during her service. Enjoy lunch on your own in Downtown Muskegon, followed by a visit to the Muskegon Museum of Art, which features works by American & European artists since 1912. This evening, gather together for another group dinner in Downtown Frankfort, a charming lakeside town, followed by an optional leisurely walk along the lake to catch a Michigan sunset! Meal – (B, D)

Overnight: Harbor Lights Resort Frankfort or similar

DAY 4 – Frankfort-Glen Arbor-Sleeping Bear Dunes-Sutton’s Bay-Petoskey

Begin the day with a visit to first of many lighthouses that dot the lakeshores: Point Betsie Lighthouse. First lit in 1859, this was the last manned lighthouse on Lake Michigan and the last Michigan lighthouse to lose its keeper. Point Betsie is said to be one of America's most photographed lighthouses. Stop in Glen Arbor, another quaint village and browse/shop everything to do with cherries. After all, you are in cherry country. Then visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, considered one of the most beautiful places in America. Learn the legend behind its name while taking in the breathtaking views of 400-ft sand dunes and bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan and North and South Manitou Islands. Later this afternoon, head to Sutton’s Bay and partake in some wine-tasting. This evening, check into your hotel in Petoskey. Meal – (B)

Overnight: Petoskey, Hampton Inn & Suites or similar

DAY 5 – Petoskey-Mackinaw City-Tahquamenon Falls-Whitefish Point-St Ignace

The day begins with a tour of McGulpin Point Lighthouse, a lighthouse built in 1869 that enabled vessels to pass through the narrow Straits of Mackinac. Its interesting history, grounds, and nature trail make it well worth a visit. This afternoon, cross the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula and become enchanted by the unique waterfalls of Tahquamenon State Park. Then travel to the tip of Whitefish Bay, take in views of Lake Superior, and learn why Whitefish Point is considered the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes.” Enter the Shipwreck Museum and discover artifacts retrieved from local shipwrecks, including the bell from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. This evening, head south towards St. Ignace for a two-night stay along the shores of Lake Huron. Meal – (B)

Overnight: Best Western Harbour Pointe, St Ignace or similar

DAY 6 – A day on Mackinac Island-Carriage Tour-Lunch at The Grand Hotel

Today may be a dream come true for many of you as we take a fast ferry over to the world-famous Mackinac Island! Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour around the island, followed by a lavish lunch buffet at the iconic and historic Grand Hotel. Take the time to walk and browse both Main and Market Streets, both of which are filled with eateries, stores, art galleries, and fudge shops galore. Treat yourself to a sweet treat and enjoy what life was like on the island in the 1800s. Take the ferry back to the mainland and enjoy the balance of the day in St. Ignace. Meal – (B, L)

Overnight: Best Western Harbour Pointe, St Ignace or similar

DAY 7 – Castle Farms-Old Mission Peninsula-Winery-Mission Point Lighthouse-G. Rapids

This morning, bid farewell to the Upper Peninsula as we return south to Lower Michigan. En route, join a guided tour of Castle Farms, an historic farm turned event venue that today is a popular destination for weddings and concerts. Stroll the beautiful gardens and take notice of the magnificent stone buildings dating back to 1918. It is also home to Michigan’s largest outdoor model railroad. Enjoy an included group lunch on-site. Continue south to Old Mission Peninsula and partake in wine-tasting at a family-owned winery whose vineyards overlook West Grand Traverse Bay. The rustic elegant décor, water view, and delicious food & drink will have you want to stay the rest of the afternoon. Then ride along a picturesque road to the northernmost point of the peninsula to the last lighthouse on this trip: Mission Point Lighthouse, which stands a few hundred yards south of the 45th parallel north, halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. Transfer back to Grand Rapids for your final night in Michigan. This evening, come together for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Meal – (B, L, D)

Overnight: Grand Rapids, Doubletree by Hilton or similar

DAY 8 – Gerald R. Ford Airport-Fly home

Your tour ends this morning with a drive back to the Gerald R. Ford Airport with wonderful memories of your journey through Michigan, the Great Lakes, and its many glorious hidden gems. Meal – (B)

Trip Highlights

• Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

• Grand Rapids City Tour

• Wine-tastings on Leelenau & Old Mission Peninsulas

• Optional brewery tour & tastings in Grand Rapids

• USS Silversides, a former WWII submarine - Muskegon, MI

• Muskegon Museum of Art - Muskegon, MI

• Point Betsie Lighthouse - Frankfort, MI

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Empire, MI

• McGulpin Point Lighthouse - Mackinaw City, MI

• Tahquamenon Waterfalls - Upper Peninsula

• Whitefish Point & Shipwreck Museum - Upper Peninsula

• Mackinac Island & Carriage Tour/Grand Hotel with lunch

• Mission Point Lighthouse

What’s Included?

• Round-trip transfers and transportation per itinerary

• Hotel Accommodations - 7 nights based on double occupancy

• Meals - 12 in total (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners)

• All wine & beer tastings per itinerary

• Baggage handling to and from your hotel room throughout the tour

  • *Each person is entitled to 1 checked piece of luggage for porterage

• A professional Travel Host will accompany you throughout the tour to provide a wealth of information and to ensure your comfort and enjoyment is at an all-time high

• All sightseeing/entrance costs per itinerary & applicable taxes and resort fees

What’s NOT Included?

• Airfare - if you book independently, please arrive in GRR (Grand Rapids, MI) between 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Return flights from GRR (Grand Rapids, MI) should be scheduled after 8:30 AM. If you need to fly out earlier, our hotel has complimentary airport shuttle service. Airfare can be booked through The Day We Travel. There is a service fee of 10% of the cost of airfare. If you prefer to book on your own, *once you have purchased your airfare, please e-mail The Day We Travel at dewi@thedaywetravel.com your flight information (airline, flight #, & departure time).

• Meals and/or alcoholic beverages not listed on the itinerary

• Personal expenses (shopping, etc.)

• Gratuities for local guides, your driver, and Travel Host

• Travel Insurance - Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for your vacation is even worse. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you purchase Travel Protection that helps provide coverage for Trip Cancellation, Interruption, Baggage Loss or Delay, Medical Expenses and more. The Day We Travel currently does NOT offer travel insurance. However, some of the more popular insurance companies are Allianz Travel, Travel Guard, World Nomads, Travelex, Axa Travel, etc. Please look into these to see what policy coverage and rates suit you best.