Per person/Occupancy rate

Double occupancy $1,226.00 USD Triple occupancy $1,156.00 USD Quad occupancy $1,086.00 USD Single $1,496.00 USD

Michigan East Coast
Thursday - Sunday, August 16 - 19, 2012

SAY YES TO MICHIGAN! There actually is an east coastline and what a marvelous place to visit! Matter of fact, it is a repeat from July 2007 & 2008, which sold out both years and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We are sure it includes wonderful, unique activities you have not had the pleasure to experience. Many attractions of this tour were awarded the 2009 Governor’s Award for Innovative Collaboration in Tourism.

The pictures shown are actual photos taken on our 2008 trip.

Day 1: We leave the Michiana area and the concerns of our daily lives for Bay City, where we arrive in the afternoon to check into the Doubletree Hotel Bay City Riverfront. You will have time to take a short stroll in downtown Bay City or along the river walk that runs just outside our front door prior to our 3 course Dinner Sail on the Tall Ship Appledore where you will have an unforgettable experience learning the history of the Saginaw River as the Appledore sails from downtown Bay City out to the Saginaw Bay. Once out on the open water, help the crew set the sails or relax and enjoy the view.

Day 2: This morning we enjoy a hot breakfast buffet prior to heading north to the port city of East Tawas, arriving at the State Dock to board the 50 foot passenger vessel “Shirley Ann”. Enjoy a one-hour ride across the open water of Saginaw Bay to Big Charity Island. The lake mariners named the island for its location, placed through the charity of God midway between the city of AuGres and the Thumb of Michigan. Upon arrival at the Island Harbor, we will then walk through the beautiful hardwood forest to the Lightkeeper’s house. Here you will receive a presentation on the history of the island and the Charity Island Lighthouse. A traditional Great Lakes Perch or Beef Tenderloin lunch is served on the deck, providing us with a breathtaking view of Saginaw Bay. Tours of the home are given after lunch. Dessert is served on the return trip back to the mainland. This afternoon we take a scenic drive along the Lake Huron shoreline as we continue north, arriving at the Thunder Bay Resort where we will stay for the next 2 nights. Enjoy relaxing on the grounds of the resort overlooking the golf course, play a game of horseshoes with your friends or spend time in the hot tub. This evening we gather as a group for a pasta dinner in the Clubhouse Grill. Finish your evening with a little star gazing in the dark northern sky while roasting marshmallows!

Day 3: After a full breakfast in the Clubhouse Grill we depart for the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. This 20,000 sq. ft. center was built by the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) to compliment the Thunder Bay National Underwater Shipwreck Preserve. Lake Huron’s unpredictable weather, its murky fog banks, and sudden gales, coupled with rocky shoals, earned Thunder Bay the unfortunate name of “Shipwreck Alley”. During the 200-year shipping history, scores of vessels ended their careers on the lake floor of Alpena, Michigan. Here you will be able to explore shipwrecks in real time via live video feeds, discover the Great Lakes’ rich maritime past through innovative exhibits, and learn how underwater archaeologists work to preserve historic shipwrecks. After our guided tour of the Maritime Heritage Center, we board the “Lady Michigan” and explore the actual shipwrecks located in the Thunder Bay Sanctuary. As we cruise the shoreline, the “glass bottom” boat and crystal clear water allows us to “dive the wrecks” - without getting wet! This afternoon, we visit one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes - Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, which was built in 1840. Then it’s on to the New Presque Isle Lighthouse, which was built in 1871. After enjoying the lighthouse and the sight of the freighters going by, it’s time to head back to our hotel. We arrive back at Thunder Bay Resort where we will relax prior to our evening event. Be prepared for a four-hour slice of Northern Michigan heaven! 

A horse-drawn carriage ride takes us through the woods, across the Thunder Bay River and into the Elk Preserve. Here you’ll see majestic Rocky Mountain Elk and trophy Whitetails. Then it’s on to the Elk Antler Log Cabin for a gourmet five-course dinner prepared before you on antique wood cookstoves. While deep in the northern forest, you will also enjoy samples of six locally produced wines from the Stoney Acres Winery in Alpena. Then it’s back to the carriages for the return trip to the hotel.

Day 4: After a full breakfast in the Clubhouse Grill, we will travel south to the designated National Scenic Byway, River Road, which follows the historic AuSable River. Along the scenic byway, we take a trip back in time to learn about Michigan’s colorful lumbering history at Lumberman’s Monument. Hands-on exhibits, displays, videos, and interpretive programs tell the Lumber Jack’s story. With the lumbering history and lore of Lumberman’s Monument, we continue on to stop and sample one local favorite - “bark” from Sherni’s Candies. We then continue our trip toward home, stopping for lunch at the Quality Inn Forward Conference Center, which is home to Lumber Jack Food & Spirits, listed by the Detroit News as one of the top three places to dine in mid-Michigan. Enjoy a special activity and a little time to shop the gift shop where you will find some unique northern-Michigan treasures before lunch on your own. Some of their specialties are White Wine Pucker Pickles, Buckeye Onion Soup, and Gang-Sawed BBQ Ribs. We arrive at home after a truly magnificent experience on Michigan’s Sunrise Coast!

$749.00 per person/double occupancy
$703.00 per person/double occupancy
$693.00 per person/double occupancy
$834.00 single

Includes: 3 nights accommodations, 8 total meals, dinner sail, cruise & lunch at Charity Island Lighthouse, Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, glass bottom boat shipwreck tour, old & new Presque Isle Lighthouses, carriage ride/elk viewing & five-course gourmet dinner, Lumberman’s Monument, Sherni’s Candies, motor coach transportation, and driver tip.

"King Neptune’s" USO Show*
October 14 - 19, 2012

Remember the days of Bob Hope and his USO Shows? We are going to relive those times and experience what it was like for our troops to have been entertained while serving our country!

Day 1: We travel to Pennsylvania to overnight.

Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel before our departure to Virginia Beach. Upon our arrival in Norfolk, we will tour the U. S. Navy Base, the world’s largest Naval Station, supporting 75 ships and 134 aircraft, along 14 piers and 11 aircraft hangars, and houses the largest concentration of U. S. Navy Forces. We then check into our hotel located on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk. You will have time to explore the Boardwalk, enjoy the beach, and shop, then freshen up for our dinner, featuring favorite foods from Virginia. Once the tables are cleared, this evening’s music tribute is "New Jersey Nights", the Story of the Jersey Boys: Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel before departing for the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, featuring Harbor Seal, Komodo Dragon, Loggerhead Turtle, and much, much more. We return to our hotel for some free time to explore the sandy beaches, shop, or relax. Tonight we indulge in a candlelight seafood buffet at the Cavalier Hotel, where the big bands of the 30's, 40's and 50's played on Saturday nights. After dinner, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra takes the stage to headline "The Sinatra Legacy", a special tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra. The dance floor is open for dancing to "Come Fly with Me". "The Lady is a Tramp", "I’ve Got You Under My Skin", and many more Sinatra classics.

Day 4: Breakfast at the hotel before departing again for Norfolk and a tour of Nauticus & The USS Wisconsin. Explore the Naval, economic, and nautical power of the sea. 

We return to the hotel for a bit of relaxation before our departure to the Virginia Beach Military Aviation Museum, where we will visit hangars filled with more than 65 military aircraft from WWI and WWII before taking our bleacher seats by the airfield for "Swingtime in the Skies". An open-air, antique English double-decker Bus sporting a banner for the Glenn Miller AAF Band drives up with "Bob Hope", "The Andrews Sisters" and the entire Glenn Miller Band in WWII uniform. They will join the audience for the "Swingtime in the Skies" Air-Show, featuring narration on historic planes and music of the era with flyovers featuring both Tri-Planes and Bi-Planes. After the show, we enjoy a Southern Style Cookout in the hangar. We then arrive at the Sandler Center Performance Hall for King Neptune’s USO Show, beginning with a welcome by "Bob Hope" before being entertained with a nostalgic "Thanks for the Memories" evening with the comedy of Bob Hope, the harmony of The Andrews Sisters, and a 14-piece orchestra that is a tribute to the greatest military band of all time: The Glenn Miller AAF Band. The song list includes: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", the "Army Air Corps Song" and many more. The evening is a tribute to these performers who, more than any others, entertained America’s Troops while they served overseas.

Day 5: We depart Virginia Beach with a nostalgic patriotic memory and overnight in Pennsylvania.

Day 6: Breakfast at the hotel and return home.

Includes: 3 nights lodging oceanfront hotel, 2 nights in Pennsylvania, 5 hotel breakfasts, 3 themed buffet dinners, 3 live musical tribute shows, Virginia Military Air Show, U.S. Navy Base Tour, Virginia Aquarium, Nauticus & USS Wisconsin, luggage handling, motor coach transportation, & driver tip.

NOTE: Travel Insurance may be purchased at the time of your deposit for $90.00 additional for double occupancy. Triple, quad and single occupancy rates available.