Great Lakes Experience 

Dates

1st June – 31st October

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Day 1 – CHICAGO ARRIVAL

Enjoy a non-stop 8 hour 50 minute flight from the UK to Chicago.

Welcome to Chicago. Among one of the largest cities in the U.S., Chicago’s unique blend of stunning architecture, attractions and local charm makes it an unforgettable destination. Upon arrival, transfer independently to your hotel. Collect your rental car on arrival at the airport and drive to your hotel, alternatively we can arrange transfers and you can collect your car from downtown Chicago when you leave after 2 nights.

Hotel: 
Palmer House Hilton Hotel

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Day 2 – CHICAGO

Step outside today and experience mile after magnificent mile of the Windy City. Stroll the Lakefront. Take an architectural boat tour. Visit the second tallest building in North America, Willis Tower. Check out incredible panoramas from 360 CHICAGO. See mind-bending reflections of the city skyline at the “Bean” (Cloud Gate). Enjoy Buckingham Fountain’s colourful light and music display as it glows against the skyline and lakefront, or indulge in some cheesy goodness at one of Chicago’s famous pizzerias. Whatever you choose, the Windy City will blow you away with the sheer number of things to see and do.

Hotel:
Palmer House Hilton

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Day 3 – CHICAGO – MILWAUKEE
92 miles

This morning head north to Wisconsin’s largest city, Milwaukee. Just 92 miles from Chicago, this friendly Midwestern city is a combination of cherished tradition and modern attitude. Built along the lakefront of Lake Michigan with the Milwaukee River weaving through downtown, excursion boats and kayaks beckon one to get out on the water. Experience the city’s brewing heritage with a brewery tour, or explore one-of-a-kind attractions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, Miller Park and the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum.

Hotel:
Baymont by Wyndham Waukesha

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Day 4- MILWAUKEE – GREEN BAY
117 miles

Today it’s on to Green Bay, Wisconsin’s oldest community. With Lake Michigan serving as the city’s north border, Green Bay is defined by its natural surroundings. Explore nature while learning the importance of preserving natural landscapes with a visit to Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. Railway buffs will be in seventh heaven when visiting the National Railroad Museum, one of the oldest and largest museums dedicated to the country’s rich railroad heritage. And for those with a passion for NFL football, a visit to the Green Bay Packer’s Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field is a must.

Hotel:
Best Western Green Bay Inn

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Day 5 – GREEN BAY – HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST – ST. IGNACE
250 miles

Offering stunning views of the shoreline, today’s scenic drive along the northwestern coast of Lake Michigan takes you through Hiawatha National Forest and Manistique en-route to St. Ignace. Known as the “Gateway to the Upper Peninsula”, St. Ignace is where the great waters of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet. Enjoy a stroll along the Huron Boardwalk for a taste of pure Michigan, and savour a slower, simpler lifestyle in this area filled with blue waters, green forests and incredible places of discovery.

Hotel:
Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront

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Day 6 – ST. IGNACE – MACKINAC ISLAND – ST. IGNACE

Take a ferry to the timeless resort island of Mackinac – the jewel of the Great Lakes – where cars are prohibited, and bicycles and horse-drawn carriages rule the roads. Visit Fort Mackinac, located on a bluff overlooking the entrancing Straits of Mackinac, and enjoy the view from the porch of the Grand Hotel. Drive your own buggy along the shoreline, or rent a bike and explore over 70 miles of natural and paved trails. Whatever you choose, the beauty and history of Mackinac will captivate you. Return to St. Ignace in the late afternoon.

Hotel:
Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront

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Day 7 ST. IGNACE – TRAVERSE CITY – DETROIT
296 miles

Crossing the Mackinac Bridge that connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula over the Straits of Mackinac, make your way south through Petoskey, one of the most beautiful regions in the state, and Charlevoix, to the Cherry Capital of the U.S – Traverse City. From here it’s on to the “Motor City.” Once known as the “Paris of the West,” Detroit acquired the nickname “Motor City” as a result of its longstanding recognition as the historic heart of the American automotive industry.

Hotel:
Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront

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Day 8 – DETROIT

Whether you want to spend your day inside at a museum or play all day on the lake, there’s plenty of things to do in Detroit. At the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, visitors have the opportunity to take a step back in time and gain a first-hand look at the birthplace of the 1909 Model T automobile. At The Henry Ford, you’ll discover America – its culture, inventions, people and can-do spirit. There’s also a Riverwalk, awesome art galleries, Motown’s first recording studio, beautiful beaches, shopping meccas and dining to die for.

Hotel:
Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront

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Day 9 – DETROIT – TORONTO
231 miles

Today, crossing the U.S./Canada border into Ontario, your destination is Toronto. The capital of Ontario and the country’s largest city, Toronto sits at the tip of Lake Ontario, the most eastern of the Great Lakes. Home to a dynamic mix of attractions – from museums and galleries to the world famous CN Tower and, just off shore, Toronto Islands – Toronto has everything you would expect from a world class city.

Hotel:
Chelsea Hotel

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Day 10 – TORONTO

Spend the day exploring Toronto’s top attractions. Enjoy spectacular views from the top of the CN Tower. Delve into the depths of The Royal Ontario Museum, the biggest museum of world cultures and natural history in Canada, or stroll through The Distillery Historic District. Step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour with a visit to Casa Loma, or, hop on a ferry and embark on a journey to the Toronto Islands where along the water you’ll find awesome beaches, summer cottages from the 1920s, a maze to test your wits, a haunted lighthouse that tests your courage, and much more.

Hotel:
Chelsea Hotel

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Day 11 – TORONTO – NIAGARA FALLS
84 miles

Just an hour-and-a half drive from Toronto one of the Seven Wonders of the World awaits. Packed with attractions, dining and adventure, Niagara Falls offers a vast array of activities. Zip to the top of Skylon Tower for the best view around, and in the evening get a different view of the Falls with the nightly illumination and seasonal fireworks.

Hotel:
Days Inn Niagara Falls near the Falls

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Day 12 – NIAGARA FALLS

Today, spend a full day experiencing the mighty Falls themselves. See the American and Horseshoe Falls from the side lines, or get up close with a boat ride to the foot of the Falls for a wet and wild view from below. For a completely different sensation, journey behind the Falls where you’ll hear sounds like thunder as you descend to observation decks literally behind the Falls. The sheer array of adventures that await makes any visit to Niagara a memorable one.

Hotel:
Days Inn Niagara Falls near the Falls

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Day 13 – NIAGARA FALLS – CLEVELAND
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If you want a little beach while en-route to Cleveland, we recommend stopping at Presque Isle State Park. As Pennsylvania’s only “seashore,” this 3,200-acre sandy peninsula offers beautiful coastline views and nearly 14 miles of scenic trail along Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. A culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland has all the attractions and excitement needed for a fun-filled adventure. Rock and Roll with legends of music, allow your imagination to flourish at the Great Lakes Science Center, and enjoy the culinary delicacies of cultures from around the world at one of the city’s amazing restaurants.

Hotel:
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Cleveland Downtown Lakeside

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Day 14 – CLEVELAND – CHICAGO
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Leaving Cleveland, you can choose to add a few hours to your day by driving along two different Great Lake shores, stopping at Marblehead Lighthouse along the Lake Erie Coastal Trail and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan, or you can drive straight through miles of cornfield back to Chicago. The choice is yours, but we recommend taking the scenic route. Upon arrival in Chicago, head to Navy Pier for an evening of dining and entertainment. This is the perfect spot to spend your last evening overlooking Lake Michigan.

Hotel:
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Chicago Downtown

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Day 15- CHICAGO DEPARTURE

Return your rental car at the airport prior to your 8 hour overnight non-stop flight back to the U.K.

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Your holiday includes

• Scheduled Flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 nights
• Compact car rental based on Hertz – 14 day rental
• Exclusive travel documentation portfolio including personalised maps, itinerary and driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers.

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.