• Great Lakes Experience

    Great Lakes Experience

    YOUR COMPLETE TAILORED HOLIDAY INCLUDES:

    Scheduled flights | 14 nights accommodation | 12 days car rental | Exclusive travel information pack

    PRICES FROM £2399

  • Great Lakes Experience

    Great Lakes Experience

    YOUR COMPLETE TAILORED HOLIDAY INCLUDES:

    Scheduled flights | 14 nights accommodation | 12 days car rental | Exclusive travel information pack

    PRICES FROM £2399

Explore the Great Lakes.

On your journey, you will travel through beautiful countryside & experience small communities rich with shops, galleries, music, food and wine. Take a stroll along the panoramic beaches with sand dunes that stretch along the shores of Lake Michigan. Cherish the areas of natural beauty with their relaxed waterfront lifestyle and step back in time on automobile-free Mackinac Island where you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of the Island.

great-lakes-experience-map

DISCOVER THE GREAT LAKES YOUR WAY.

Take it as you see it or change it to suit. All C.N.A. holidays can be tailored to suit your own tastes & budget.

All our holidays offer complete financial protection and you will receive a uniquely personalised travelling pack to ensure you get the most from your adventure.


Your Great Lake experience starts in the magnificent city of Chicago – one of the world’s most walkable and beautiful cities. Enjoy three nights exploring all that the ‘Windy City’ has to offer – admire the stunning architecture, visit world-famous museums and stroll around lakefront parks – before heading off on your circular driving tour of the third largest Great Lake – Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes is the largest expanse of freshwater in the world with a unique and diverse landscape – Lake Michigan is the only one of the five Great Lakes that is entirely sheltered by the United States.

Day 1
Chicago Arrival

Depart London Heathrow – 11:45
Arrive Chicago – 14:15
Journey Time – 8 hours 50 minutes

We do not recommend collection of your rental car at the airport on arrival. Take one of the metered cabs from the airport to your Chicago Hotel. We recommend this as you will be tired after your flight  and will only pay high fees (Approximately $40-$60 per night) to park the vehicle during your 3 days in the city. Of course if you do prefer to collect it on arrival or would like us to arrange someone to meet you at the airport and provide a private transfer to your hotel, this can be done for an additional cost. Your hotel affords the perfect location to explore everything that Chicago has to offer – within walking distance of the best attractions of the city like Millennium Park, Grant Park, Lake Michigan, the Art Institute of Chicago, the theater district, and the Magnificent Mile. This evening, enjoy Chicago’s many restaurants, stroll along the shore of Lake Michigan or jive to the beat at a jazz or blues club – then get a good night sleep and be ready for tomorrow!

Overnight – Chicago


Day 2
Chicago

Today is a good day to visit Museum Campus; a 57-acre lakefront park that surrounds three of the city’s most notable museums, all dedicated to the natural sciences: the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History. These three institutions, among the city’s top cultural draws, encircle a scenic, pedestrian-friendly area, landscaped with greenery and flora. Or, take in some shopping along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Customer feedback

“…Our grandson Max is a massive dinosaur fan & he was absolutely blown away when he first clapped eyes on ‘SUE’ (at the Field Museum in Chicago) – the largest and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered. It was a truly awesome sight… I’ll never forget the look on our Max’s face!” David – Leeds

Overnight – Chicago


Day 3
Chicago

Today, explore some of Chicago’s noted neighborhoods. You may want to visit the neighboring town of Oak Park and see the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, or tour one of the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  In the evening stop by Navy Pier and enjoy a cruise along the lake. There’s much to do in “Chi-town”!

Overnight – Chicago


Day 4
Chicago to Whitehall
201 miles

This morning you will collect your rental car from a convenient downtown location rather than having to go back out to the airport, as is the case with many rental companies. Please ask about the additional cost for the in-car satellite navigation that will guide you along your route, many of our clients say Sat Nav be it your own unit or a rented one is an invaluable addition to any fly drive holiday and we would have to agree.

Travel north along the eastern side of Lake Michigan and be sure to stop in some of the lively beach towns along the coast.  In Holland one can visit Windmill Island, a beautiful oasis featuring a 249 year old working Dutch windmill “De Zwaan”, towering over 36 acres of manicured gardens, dikes, canals and picnic areas and 150,000 tulips in bloom each spring. Arrive in Whitehall late afternoon, home to the World’s Largest Weathervane. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of White River Light Station lighthouse tower, or relax on an area beach.

Overnight – Whitehall


Day 5
Whitehall to Traverse City
141 miles

This morning, drive directly to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The Leelanau Peninsula juts out into the inland seas known as Lake Michigan. It is alive with small hamlets that end in the splendor of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, which range in colour from pale champagne to burnt sienna and which roll and spike to 400 feet in height. The Lakeshore is also a paradise of outdoor activities – swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing.  In addition to recreational activities there are a multitude of wineries located on the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas surrounding Traverse City

Your accommodation is also within walking distance of unsurpassed beaches, a variety of unique shops, restaurants, attractions and nightlife.

Overnight – Traverse City


Day 6
Traverse City to Mackinac Island
103 miles

Travel to Mackinaw City, park your car and board the ferry** for the 20 minute hi-speed cruise to Mackinac island where Victorian sensibility predominates. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the modes of transportation (no automobiles permitted) on the island in the straits of Mackinac where the upper peninsula of Michigan meets the lower peninsula.

Your accommodation for the next two nights is just across the street from where the ferry boats arrive – in the heart of the historic village. Since cars are not permitted on the island, visitors here enjoy a peaceful, relaxing step back in time.

**Your roundtrip ferry ticket is included in your prepaid cost. The boats operate from early morning until early evening, with frequent crossings throughout the day. There is ample parking available at all mainland ferry docks. All ferry lines offer complimentary outdoor parking (Indoor and valet parking is available for nominal charges.) Luggage transfer is simple and convenient, with assistance provided on both the mainland and on Mackinac Island.

Overnight – Mackinac Island


Day 7
Mackinac Island

Not much has changed since the first Europeans settled the island centuries ago. People get around here by foot, bicycle or horse – as motorised vehicles are not allowed on the island. In summer months the horse population (approx 500) is almost as high as the human population (approx 600 residents)! Here you can take a horse and carriage ride and familiarise yourself with this delightful island (measuring only 3.8 square miles in land area) – this is sure to be a real highlight of your Great Lakes experience. You’ll see Fort Mackinac as well as “downtown” Mackinac Island with historic homes and grand Victorian cottages. Then take a self guided hiking tour or rent a bicycle to tour sites such as Arch Rock, Skull Cave, Sugarloaf, British Landing, Devil’s Kitchen and the Beach of a Bazillion Beautiful Skipping Stones… Or just sit back, relax and eat the fudge the island is famous for making.

Overnight – Mackinac Island


Day 8
Mackinac Island to Marquette
173 miles

Travel north to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. En route to Marquette, be sure to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The 70,000 acre park follows the south shore of Lake Superior for 42 miles.

The sculptured rocks create images of fortresses and castles. Battleship Row, Indian Head, Lover’s Leap, the Color Caves, and Chapel Rock are only a few of the breathtaking sights which can be seen. There are scenic overlooks, hiking trails, beaches and campgrounds, but the Pictured Rocks are best seen by boat and cruises are readily available out of Munising. Continue into Marquette for your overnight stay.

Overnight – Marquette


Day 9
Marquette to Algoma
210 miles

Travel south into Wisconsin. Visit Green Bay, twice awarded the title of All-America City, Green Bay is known as “Titletown” because of the number of professional football Super Bowl titles its team, the Green Bay Packers, has won. Here one can visit Heritage Hill, a 50 acre living history museum featuring Northeastern Wisconsin’s rich heritage, or the National Railroad Museum, which houses some of the nation’s most significant examples of rolling stock, including the Union Pacific 4017 Big Boy and the Pennsylvania GG-1 electric locomotive. Over 70 locomotives and railcars are on exhibit here. Overnight in Algoma at the entrance to Door County.

Overnight – Algoma


Day 10
Algoma

Spend the day touring Door County, the “Cape Cod of the Midwest”. With five state parks, ten lighthouses and over 300 miles of shoreline, this 75-mile long peninsula was named one of the top ten vacation destinations in North America. Spend the day hunting for treasures in one-of-a-kind shops, galleries, museums & lighthouses. Pick a pail of ripe Door County cherries in the summer or a basket of crunchy apples in fall.  Or perhaps enjoy Door County on the water… Charter a boat for fishing or for general relaxing, or take a kayak or sailboat tour.

Overnight – Algoma


Day 11
Algoma to Spring Green
212 miles

Travel westto Spring Green, visiting Baraboo en route.  Baraboo is home to the Circus World Museum, the former headquarters and winter home of the Ringling Brothers circus and now the largest library of circus information in the United States. This living museum has a collection of circus wagons, and occasionally hosts the Great Circus Parade through the streets of Baraboo. The ‘Al. Ringling Theatre’ is an active landmark in the city. This grand scale movie palace is larger and more elaborate than one would normally find in a town the size of Baraboo, owing to the financial assistance of the Ringling family. After a stop at Baraboo leave plenty of time for a visit to nearby Devil’s Lake State Park, often referred to as the Midwest’s ‘Yellowstone’. Continue into Spring Green, less than an hour further on.

Overnight – Spring Green 


Day 12
Spring Green

Today, visit two premier attractions in Spring Green, the ‘Taliesin Estate’ and ‘House on the Rock’. Taliesin Preservation Inc. was created to preserve the buildings, artifacts, landscape, and legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin (America’s premier architect and Wisconsin’s native son, Frank Lloyd Wright, considered Spring Green his home and he built and created an environment both beautiful and inspirational). House on the Rock has room after room of some of the world’s most unique and eclectic collections from the smallest detail of an intricately furnished doll house collection to the world’s largest indoor carousel. Each exhibit is filled with the exotic, the majestic, and the unexpected.

Overnight – Spring Green 


Day 13
Spring Green to Lake Geneva
111 miles (A de-tour via Milwaukee would add approx 68 miles)

Today you can travel straight to Lake Geneva – however whislt you’re in this neck of the woods why not take a slight de-tour & visit the city of Milwaukee… Some of the things you can see here are: The Harley Davidson Museum, The Milwaukee Art Museum, The Milwaukee Public Museum, Museum of Beer and Brewing and of course see The Fonz statue!! (The journey from Spring Green to Milwaukee is 123 miles – approx. 2 hours 20 mins, then from Milwaukee down to Lake Geneva is 56 miles – approx an hour).

The resort city of Lake Geneva is known today as the “Hamptons of the Midwest”. Grand summer “cottages” of an earlier period grace the landscape of the region. There’s no shortage of shopping here, especially if antiquing is your game. Both fine dining establishments and casual cafes abound. Here one can truly spend some quality holiday time.

Overnight – Lake Geneva


Day 14
Lake Geneva

With so much to do in such a beautiful setting, it’s no wonder this area became a destination for the rich and famous.  Activities on the lake abound. Take a boat tour or rent a canoe or kayak, go parasailing, water skiing or glide along the lake on a WaveRunner.

Overnight – Lake Geneva


Day 15
Lake Geneva to Chicago
80 miles

Take a leisurely drive to Chicago for your departure flight home and call in to The Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet Mall for some last minute designer bargains for yourself or as presents for friends and family.

Depart Chicago – 17:10
Arrive London Heathrow – 06:55 (Next Day)
Journey Time – 7 hours 45 minutes

Note: ‘From’ prices are per person based on 2 people sharing one room travelling in low season and are subject to availability. Click the ‘Book It’ tab above or call us today on 0115 9610590 for an instant price based on your specific travel dates / travel party requirements

No. of nights Location Accommodation
3  Chicago, IL Palmer House Hilton
1 Whitehall, MI White Swan Inn
1 Traverse City, MI Park Place Hotel
2 Mackinac Island, MI Lake View Hotel
1 Marquette, MI Landmark Inn
2 Algoma, WI Hotel Stebbins
2 Spring Green, WI House on the Rock Resort
2 Lake Geneva, WI  Abbey Resort

Your holiday includes

  • Scheduled non-stop flights
  • UK & US Airport taxes
  • Accommodation – 14 nights as mentioned or similar
  • Roundtrip Ferry journey to Mackinac Island
  • Compact car rental based on Alamo ‘Gold Rate’ – 12 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:

  • City tours
  • Helicopter flights
  • Sporting event tickets
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Rafting
  • Horseback riding
  • Restaurant reservations

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

Personalised Documentation

We prepare every travel pack individually. We want this to be the perfect travelling companion for your adventure and to offer you all the information you need. Your personally prepared ring-bound travel itinerary booklet is detailed and is designed to serve as a wonderful reminder of your experiences for years to come when you return.

cna-document-pack

Great Lakes of North America

PRICES FROM £1988

Our second Great Lakes itinerary still focuses on the Great Lakes of North America, but this self drive also features a trip into Ontario to experience the lakes from a Canadian perspective and a visit a world class city in Toronto and a world class landmark in Niagara Falls.

Incredible Illinois

PRICES FROM £1799

Apart from a world class city in Chicago, you can stroll through the quaint small towns of proper Illinois. Get your kicks along America’s most historic highway, Route 66. Retrace the route of Lewis and Clark or explore the land that Abraham Lincoln called home. Illinois really is the heart of America!

Outstanding Ontario

PRICES FROM £2298

Discover the broad expanse of nature found in Ontario – countless lakes and rivers, miles of coastline, majestic mountains and sprawling forests form the natural wonderland that awaits you. If that wasn’t enough discover some of Canada’s finest cities, Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara-on-the-Lake that just ooze charm and character.

Do I need a visa to travel to the usa?

In most circumstances, no visa is required for travel to the USA for any British Citizen passport holder and many other European passport holders, whose countries qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program permits entry for up to 90 days for business or leisure purposes. Everyone must apply to use the VWP via the online Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA).  Advice states this should be done online at least 72 hours prior to departure. On payment of the $14 fee this system usually issues an electronic confirmation within minutes but this is not guaranteed and there are certain criteria travellers must consider before applying via ESTA to use the Visa Waiver Program. Once granted the VWP authorization is valid for 2 years.

It is essential that everyone who plans to travel to the United States reads the information contained on the following page – Visa Waiver Program

Please note : From 21st January 2016 The United States implemented changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as part of the Terrorist Travel Protection Act of 2015. One of the major changes implemented in January excludes any British National who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since March 01st 2011 from using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Full details are contained on the above link but those affected will need to apply for a Visitor Visa with the U.S. Embassy before booking their travel arrangements.

You are advised to complete your ESTA prior to confirming any travel arrangements.

To use ESTA now please only use the following website – Official ESTA Website

Complete North America Limited cannot be held responsible for cancellation charges incurred by travellers who have booked travel and are subsequently unable to travel as part of the VWP or who are unable to obtain a Visitor Visa. If you have any questions after reading the information supplied above please speak to a member of our team.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

British Nationals and travellers from other European countries can enjoy visa-exempt travel to and via Canada but must first use the online Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) at a cost of CA$7.00 per person. Most online applications are approved with minutes by email but the process can take longer particularly if supporting documentation is requested. An eTA is valid for 5 years and allows you to travel for up to 6 months on any one visit.

You are advised to apply for your eTA prior to confirming any travel arrangements.

For applications and full information on the scheme please only visit – Official Canadian Government eTA Website

Complete North America Limited cannot be held responsible for cancellation charges incurred by travellers who have booked travel and are subsequently unable to travel as part of the eTA scheme or who are unable to obtain a Visitor Visa. If you have any questions after reading the information supplied above please speak to a member of our team.

Our holidays are too personalised and hand-crafted to book online. Please call during our office hours or provide us with some information below and we will get right on it so we can help you discover your next adventure.

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday : 9am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed

E: enquiry@completenorthamerica.com
P: 0115 9610590

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    “We are just back from the Seattle-Denver trip you arranged for us.

    A simply brilliant trip! We loved every moment and your itinerary was just outstanding. We’ve seen so much it’s hard to believe. Every corner we turned was a new ‘wow!’ Thank you on behalf of my wife and myself for a magnificent and unforgettable holiday.”

    The Bevan Party (Seattle to Denver)

    “Just wanted to thank you for organising our holiday in North America.

    We had a fantastic holiday and we are glad we took your recommendations for accommodation, route and length of stay in the various locations. Everything went extremely smoothly and we are pleased we chose Complete North America. We will definitely recommend C.N.A to our friends!”

    The Birch Party (C.N.A Western 2018)

    “This was a special holiday for our family and thanks to the arrangements you put in place, it meant it was very much stress free. We have lots of happy memories and literally thousands of photos between us to sift through.”

    The Ramsay Party (Western USA)
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