Pure Michigan with Holland Tulip Festival and 2 nights on Mackinac Island

Description

May 5-12, 2025
8 days and 7 nights

This trip is going to be spectacular! You’ll be able to appreciate just how beautiful Michigan is from the shore of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to the tip of the state at Mackinac Island and all points in between. Add in the fantastic Holland Tulip Festival and you have an amazing journey! We’ll circle Michigan with stops all along the way! Here’s a brief description of our days there! Can’t wait!

Day 1 –  We travel to the Louisville area for our first overnight.

Day 2 –  We travel through Indiana to Holland where we will check in for 2 nights. It’s time for the Holland Tulip Festival, which is rated as one of the top 20 festivals in the country. We’ll be greeted by a costumed guide for a city tour with local stops to take in lots of beautiful tulips! Windmills are on your horizon! This evening we’ll enjoy a dinner show.

Day 3 –  We’ll spend the day at this amazing community festival and see why they greet 1000’s of visitors each year. Stops will include the Tulip Immersion Garden, the Holland Bowl Mill, Dutch lunch with Dance Performance, and a stop at Nelis’ Dutch Village. You’ll love all the locals who participate in this great community event. Wooden shoes are everywhere and it’s so much fun. You’ll see them sweep the streets in a fun dance. Another evening out with dinner and entertainment is also planned.

Day 4 –  We begin to make our way north but not without a stop in Saugatuck for the Dune Ride! You’ll be amazed at just how big the dunes are along the shore of the Lake Michigan. It’s absolutely incredible! It’s a ‘safe adventure’ ride along the dunes with beautiful views that are sure to be a trip highlight for you. From there we will make our way to downtown Mackinaw City for a bit of free time for lunch and browsing. Then it’s on to St. Ignace as we cross the bridge and get ready to take the ferry over to the storybook-like Mackinaw Island. There are no motorized vehicles allowed here, so we’ll be met with a horse-drawn wagon that will pick up our suitcases and then we’ll meet them at the hotel right on Main Street. This location is fantastic and you can have easy access to shops, restaurants and so much more. We’ll be staying at the Bicycle Street Inn there which is absolutely charming.

Day 5 –  We have a wonderful day planned as the Carriages will meet us for a beautiful island tour. You’ll learn much about this lovely place which feels like a step back in time. The Island also has some great natural features which we’ll enjoy on our tour and then it’s time to go to the Grand Hotel for their fabulous Grand Luncheon buffet at the Grand Hotel. You are in for a treat! You’ll have time to enjoy the public areas of the hotel, and maybe rock a minute on their grand front porch, which offers fantastic lake and town views. It’s incredible! You’ll then have the afternoon and evening off to explore and enjoy dinner on your own. I say let’s go have drinks at the Pink Pony!

Day 6 –  We have to say goodbye to the Island this morning and take the ferry back to the mainland. From there we’ll make our way to the picturesque town of Frankenmuth which is located on the eastern side of the state. It has a very Bavarian feel to it and is a must-stop in this area. We’ll enjoy a tour with a local guide and then head over to the famous Bronner’s Christmas Shoppe. It’s amazing! After checking into the hotel, a special dinner is planned at the delicious and famous Bavarian Inn. They are famous for their chicken dinner!

Day 7 –  It’s time for us to continue our journey through the southeast side of Michigan and then make our way through Ohio and then into Kentucky for our overnight at the beautiful Boone Tavern Hotel in pretty Berea, Kentucky. This is the home of Berea College and is the arts and crafts capital of the state. A special farewell dinner is planned at the hotel, where students will serve you. Love this town and the hotel too!

Day 8 –  Now it’s back to Georgia, full of fond memories on our circle Michigan adventure!
This promises to be a grand adventure full of beautiful scenery, charming towns, and so much more. Join us!