LAKE TREASURES ROUND TRIP CHICAGO

Bold, brazen and distinctly American, Chicago has personality to spare. From our embarkation point at Navy Pier to towering skyscrapers to regional cuisine and a quirky dialect, this city represents the heart and soul of the Midwest. Chicagoans are easy to recognize and quick with a smile and a lighthearted quip. Shopping on the Magnificent Mile is an adventure to remember, and the locals know the hidden mom-and-pop gems serving the best deep-dish pizza, Italian beef and signature Chicago dogs.

This outdoor lovers’ haven on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore offers multiple state parks and trails, two paddle sport rivers, 26 miles of beaches and a winter sports park. Maritime history lovers gravitate here to tour the USS LST (Landing Ship, Tank) 393 Veterans Museum. An optional premium experience finds guests traveling by motorcoach to Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum to learn about the life of America’s 38th president and pay respects at his burial site. Afterward, enjoy a narrated driving tour of the city.

Relax and enjoy the view on your own time on this peaceful lake cruising day.

As we traverse across the aqua, turquoise and cerulean shades of Lake Michigan, watch dunes of sand slowly become lost in the horizon while sunlight plays upon the deck. You may choose to visit the fitness center for a workout, or pamper yourself with a soothing massage in the spa. Regardless of preference, embrace the relaxation that scenic sailing offers to all.

A city divided presents duality in experience; Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and ON, bridged together by name and commerce, are diverse waterfront communities that harbor a flood of opportunity. Culture beats through street veins that connect these harbors to the distinctly different North American countryside beyond each border. Join the included tour, and admire the view from the Soo Locks observation deck, or peer into the past in the preserved fur traders’ settlement homes on Water Street. Drink in the atmosphere, and encounter life in Sault Ste. Marie.

Snuggled among deep, rolling hills and dramatic emerald slopes, anchored by sparkling indigo water, this jewel of the Upper Peninsula endears it to all who visit. Its history embedded in copper, the charming city on the Keweenaw Peninsula entices wayfarers with its festivals, Finnish-tinged regional foods and a bounty of outdoor enjoyment. Many hockey-lovers make it a goal to visit Houghton – birthplace of the sport – beginning with the 1903 Portage Lakers. Come experience pure Michigan.

Marked by its distinctive Aerial Lift Bridge, the rotating JJ Astor restaurant and America’s premier freshwater aquarium, Duluth captures the spirit of the Great Lakes. Marine traffic from the Atlantic on the Great Lakes Waterway and St. Lawrence Seaway pass by the harbor, making for fantastic ship-watching. Fuel your adventures with the area’s signature Juicy Lucy burgers and herring and trout so fresh they seem to have jumped straight from water to kitchen, washed down with a refreshing local brew.

This bright, sunny inlet of Lake Superior lives alongside the unmistakable natural wonder of the Sleeping Giant – a massive mesa resembling a figure in repose. An amalgamation of the former cities of Port Arthur and Fort William, Thunder Bay is home to more than 100 parks, overflowing with opportunities to experience the region’s natural beauty. It’s also where one can find the famed century-old Hoito restaurant, to which locals and tourists alike flock for large, thin Finnish pancakes, cardamom bread known as pulla, fish soup and other treats.

Fresh air and forest highlands make Marquette magnificent. The Northern Lights shine upon this shipping port dotted with islands. Lighthouses jut from the fog, and loons call across the waters in this magical locale. The view from the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain reveals some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the Upper Peninsula.

Rocky walls rise up toward firmament, embracing those who venture onto this stunning span of water. Perhaps morning will dawn upon wispy mists of coastal fog to greet early risers. See where the day takes you – a brisk walk on the Sun Deck, a cozy pint in The Tavern or just watching the scenery slip past…let your mood shift with the breeze, indulging every whim.

Trapped in time and surrounded by staggeringly beautiful landscapes, Mackinac Island centers the spirit and soothes the soul. Settle into the tranquil pace of this treasured destination on a tour by horse-drawn carriage. Fill up on fresh, local flavor with a lunch to remember at the island’s legendary Grand Hotel. Afterward, let your gaze lazily wander across the stunning vistas from its colossal porch – the world’s largest. One Included and 2 Premium Shore Excursions available.

Anthems of green and gold ring proud, but the song of the city harmonizes the whole spectrum. Experience the many colors of the city, from red-flowing wineries to shades of local cultivators in markets filled with man- and nature-made goods year-round. This pelican’s playground is home to craft breweries, boutiques and, of course, fresh sea fare.

Silky-sand beaches and bustling boardwalks set the stage for the robust blooming of Dutch heritage in a pair of unique stops. From classic baked goods to rich cheeses, tulips to windmills, take an imaginary journey to the Netherlands among these lush vistas. Get fresh at a local farmers market or U-pick berry patch.

On the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, an under-rated gem hides in the shadows of Chicago’s skyscrapers. Milwaukee – America’s beer brewing capital – with its strong identity and broad worldview, hints at the sophistication of a coastal European enclave. In addition to beer and baseball – in the form of the pro team the Milwaukee Brewers – cheese and festivals also help define the city, with an entire space designated for them: Henry W. Maier Festival Park. Locals love to share their undying pride in their hometown with visitors who find their way there.

These waters are home to a vast variety of wildlife – trout, salmon, walleye, small-mouth bass, crawfish, freshwater sponges and sea lamprey, to name a few. That buffet attracts raptors such as hawks and bald eagles and waterfowl such as ducks, swans and geese. Relax and enjoy the view on your own time on this peaceful lake cruising day. Sip a midmorning consommé, breathe in the fresh lake air on the upper deck, share convivial conversation with other guests or delve into a captivating book as you look forward to yet an-other astounding sunset on the water.

As the journey concludes, there are additional opportunities for you to take in the town. Consider a post-cruise premium experience with airport transfer, or enhance your vacation with a Chicago City Stay Package.