16 Days    Chicago to Chicago

Day 01 | Chicago
Arrive in Chicago and pick up the rental car at the airport, then proceed to the hotel. Take the rest of the day to explore the many sights of the Windy City. Visit the Sears Tower, the John Hancock Center, or the Amoco Building, some of the tallest buildings in the world, which offer observatory decks for a panoramic view of “Chi-town”.
Hotel: Hotel 71 or similar

Day 02 | Chicago – Wisconsin Dells – La Crosse
driving distance: 278 mi./447 km.
This morning at 08:00 hours you will be met by an AmericanTours representative and be provided with complete documentation which includes driving instructions and maps for your tour. Leaving Chicago, drive northwest and enter the state of Wisconsin. Pass through the state capital, Madison, on the way to the circus city of Baraboo. Continue to Wisconsin Dells where boats and ducks take visitors to the scenic bluffs of the Upper and Lower Dells cut by the Wisconsin River. Then continue on to La Crosse where the Black and La Crosse rivers meet. German and Norwegian immigrants drawn by the extensive pine groves populated this area and spread their culture throughout the town.
Hotel: Best Western Midway Hotel or similar

Day 03 | La Crosse – Winona – Red Wing – Minneapolis
driving distance: 157 mi./253 km.
Today’s scenic drive follows the Mississippi River, made famous in American history by Mark Twain’s novels. Enjoy spectacular views of the Mississippi River from atop the bluffs near Winona, once a busy steamboat landing in the 1800s. Continue north to the city of Red Wing, a scenic river town brimming with Victorian architectural treasures. Cross into Minnesota and proceed to Minneapolis.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Bloomington or similar

Day 04 | Minneapolis
Minneapolis, one of the Twin Cities, is home to America’s best known retailers along Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian walkway. Summit Avenue, the longest avenue of Victorian mansions in America, leads to the cathedral of St. Paul. In Bloomington, the Mall of America is the largest shopping entertainment complex in the United States. Enjoy savings with Minnesota’s tax-free clothing policy in over 5000 stores. Enjoy the seven-acre indoor Camp Snoopy, Underwater World Aquarium, restaurants, cinemas, and a nightclub district.

Day 05 | Minneapolis – Duluth – Bayfield – Ashland
driving distance: 265 mi./425 km.
The port of Duluth is a city of gracious old homes, sitting on the shores of Lake Superior. In lakeside Canal Park, restaurants, nightclubs, shops, sightseeing cruises and ore-carrier tours entertain visitors. Cross back into Wisconsin to explore the quaint lakeside village of Bayfield and the pristine Apostles Islands. Cruise the islands aboard an excursion boat or take a short ferry ride to Madeline Island to tour Big Bay State Park. Overnight in Ashland.
Hotel: Best Western Lake Superior Inn or similar

Day 06 | Ashland / Bayfield – Keweenaw Peninsula – Marquette
driving distance: 340 mi./540 km.
Travel into Michigan and explore the picturesque Keweenaw Peninsula. See historic Fort Wilkins and visit the Delaware Copper Mine before continuing by the L’Anse Indian Reservation to Marquette.
Hotel: Best Western Country Inn or similar

Day 07 | Marquette – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore –
St. Ignace
driving distance: 200 mi./320 km.
Follow scenic State Route 28 to Munising. Cruise boats go past the Pictured Rocks celebrated in Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha.” This stunning area is revered as the nucleus of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Continue past the two striking Tahquamenon Falls to St. Ignace.
Hotel: Harbour Pointe Lakefront or similar

Day 08 | St. Ignace – Mackinac Island – St. Ignace
Take the ferry to the timeless resort island of Mackinac, where cars are prohibited, and bicycles and horse-drawn carriages rule the roads. Visit Fort Mackinac, perched on a bluff overlooking the harbor, and enjoy the view from the magnificent veranda of the elegant old Grand Hotel. Return to St. Ignace in late afternoon.

Day 09 | St. Ignace – Colonial Fort Michilimackinac – Cherry Orchard Drive – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Traverse City
driving distance: 160 mi. /256 km.
Cross the impressive bridge over the straits and visit Colonial Fort Michilimackinac. Then continue to one of the world’s largest cherry growing regions and see some of the largest sand dunes along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Overnight in the resort town of Traverse City.
Hotel: Days Inn and Suites or similar

Day 10 | Traverse City – Ann Arbor – Detroit
driving distance: 295 mi./470 km.
Drive across the state of Michigan to the university town of Ann Arbor and on to Dearborn, where you may visit the Henry Ford Museum. Arrive in Detroit, the nation’s automobile manufacturing center, where the Civic Center and resurgent downtown core rise beside the river.
Hotel: Best Western Greenfield Inn or similar

Day 11 | Detroit – Niagara Falls
driving distance: 240 mi./384 km.
Cross into Canada and drive through the province of Ontario to one of America’s great natural wonders, Niagara Falls.
Hotel: Days Inn Lundy’s Lane or similar

Day 12 | Niagara Falls (Toronto)
A full day to enjoy the staggering power and beauty of Niagara Falls. A ride on the Maid of the Mist brings visitors close to the thundering waters. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Horseshoe Falls from vantage points at the Table Rock Scenic Tunnels. Another option would be a day trip to the Canadian metropolis of Toronto.

Day 13 | Niagara Falls – Pittsburgh
driving distance: 242 mi./389 km.
Return into the United States and drive past Buffalo, through New York, and into Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Central Greentree or similar

Day 14 | Pittsburgh – Cleveland
driving distance: 140 mi./225 km.
Enter the Buckeye State and discover the “New American City” of Cleveland, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Select City Center or similar

Day 15 | Cleveland – Sandusky – Indiana Amish Country
driving distance: 250 mi./400 km.
Today continue on scenic Route 6 along Lake Erie by Vermilion to Sandusky, then enter Indiana. Discover the colorful and historic northern part of this state, home of the third largest Amish community in the country, and have a glimpse into the daily life of this extraordinary cultural group. Overnight in Nappanee, in the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country.
Hotel: Inn at Amish Acres or similar

Day 16 | Indiana Amish Country–Chicago Departure
driving distance: 50 mi./80 km.
Drive along scenic U.S. 12 back into Illi

nois and to Chicago, the beginning and end of the Great Lakes tour. Return the car at the airport before the departure flight.

Self-drive includes an Alamo Compact size rental car and 16 days hotel / motel accommodation Prices are in £ per person
	Duration	Child	Double
The Great Lakes	16 days	Free	£659

Oneway drop off fee applies - please call for details.  Single prices on request. Child 11 Years and under with 2 adults sharing existing bedding.