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

May 9th – 18th, 2023
10 Days and 9 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 Tulip Festival and you have an amazing journey!  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.  We’ll be greeted by a costumed guide for a city tour with stops on Veldeer’s Tulip Farm, see a windmill, and enjoy dinner and an evening show.
• Day 3 – We’ll spend the day at the festival where we’ll take in a parade.  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.   I’ll have specific events listed later as they confirm the times with me.  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 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 Grand Rapids.  We’ll stop first at the Downtown Market where you can enjoy lunch on your own.  Then it’s on to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.  Our visit will include a tram ride around this stunning park.  Everything should be in bloom so the park will be extra special this time of year. Not to mention all the Chihully pieces!   This is a premier horticultural park with nearly 160 acres.  It also has the state’s largest tropical conservatory, five indoor gardens, and beautiful pathways. The sculptures are stunning as well. We’ll stay two nights in Grand Rapids.
• Day 5 – We will tour the Meyer May House today, one of the masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright in the charming Heritage Hill neighborhood.  It’s an early work of his and was built in his classic Prairie Style.  Then we have some free time for lunch at the Girls Farm Market followed by a tour of the Public Museum downtown.  Next up is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.  Grand Rapids has so much to offer it was hard to pick where to go!  An included dinner is planned too.
• Day 6 – Now it’s time to go north to catch the ferry to Mackinac Island, where we will stay two nights at the Bicycle Street Inn downtown.  A carriage will greet us on the Island and will take our bags to the hotel which is on Main Street and give us a great location to explore the town. The Island doesn’t allow cars, so we’ll get around by carriage!  It’ll be a nice break for the driver too as the bus stay at the Ferry Station!  Dinner is planned for us too!
• Day 7 -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 water 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 8 – We have to say goodbye to the Island this morning and take the ferry back to the mainland.  From there we’ll make a stop in Charlevoix to take a tour and lunch at the gorgeous Castle Farms.  It’s incredible and while there we’ll tour the Mushroom House too.  Next up we travel to Hillman for a one-night stay at the Thunder Bay Resort!  This has been a bucket list for me and I know you’ll love it here!  This evening we’ll have a horse-drawn carriage elk viewing ride.  They are famous for the elk herd here.  Dinner that evening will have a special wine pairing too.  Another great day!
• Day 9 and 10 we will make our way back to Georgia with an overnight near Lexington, Kentucky, and then home the next day.  These are just brief bits about all the wonderful places we will get to visit!  I know you’ll love it!