Great Lakes and Georgian Bay 11 nights, multiple departures August 2016 and 2017 The Great Lakes form the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth with a melding of natural wonder and majestic beauty. Cruise through four of the Great Lakes (Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, & Lake Michigan) and Georgian Bay and discover grand landscapes filled with indigenous wildlife. Witness geographic history as retreating glaciers have left their footprint along the shores with unique rock croppings and water falls. The most popular cropping is Flowerpot Rocks, located at the entrance to Georgian Bay. You ll visit Niagara Falls, one of the largest and most dynamic water fall in the world. Step back in time on Mackinac Island. No mechanized transportation is allowed on the island, so horse and buggies and bicycles will allow you to explore this pristine island with its quiet streets adorned with opulent gardens and homes. Stretching over 150 km, the Bay is considered the sixth Great Lake and contains tens of thousands of islands. It was named Georgian Bay by Lieutenant Henry Wolsey Bayfield of the Royal Navy in 1822. Fill your days with exploration and discovery or simply relax and enjoy the view, either way, this cruise has it all. Trip Highlights: o o o Revel in the immensity of Niagara Falls by boat or from one of the many vista points at Niagara Falls State Park. Home to the only authentic Dutch windmill in the U.S., Holland still holds onto its roots made when Dutch immigrants arrived in the mid-1800s. Visit Sainte-Marie among the Hurons near Midland for an interactive glimpse into Ontario s first European Community. Pearl Mist
Deck Plan Category Price Category G $7,420 Category H $7,900 Category K $8,490 Category L $8,580 Category R $9,790 Category S (Single) $10,040
Tour Itinerary Day 1 Toronto, ON Originally a native Indian settlement and a French Fur trading post, Toronto is a delight to explore from Eaton Centre Shopping Mall, where you can find anything available in the world, to the north end s Chinatown, to the Bata Shoe Museum. Discover Inuit Indian artifacts, the modern sculptures of Henry Moore and Pop Art in the Art Gallery of Ontario. Throughout the city there are art museums and exhibits to fulfill every art lover s dreams. Shoppers will delight in Queen Street West, where chic boutiques replaced this old warehouse area and Kensington Street, where retro bargains abound. Day 2 Cruising the Welland Canal The Welland Canal connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, forming a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Made up of 8 locks, the canal raises (or lowers) cruise ships a total of 328 ft. The journey through the locks is a breathtaking experience as you travel through the city of Welland. Of all the cities in the Niagara Peninsula, perhaps Welland best represents the cultural mosaic that truly is Canada. Known colloquially as the Rose City, you ll see a beautiful town as you cruise through on the Welland Canal. Day 3 Niagara Falls, ON Established in 1892, Niagara Falls is shared by both Ontario and New York, each laying claim to half of this area. Three waterfalls Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls comprise Niagara Falls, which stands at 165 feet tall. Aboard the Hornblower Guardian, get up close and personal with the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. This intimate experience brings guests as close as possible to the powerful mists of the falls for an exhilarating experience not to be missed. Day 4 Windsor, ON Known as The Rose City or City of Roses for its several large parks and gardens on its waterfront, Windsor is Canada s southernmost city, located directly south of Detroit, Michigan, across the Detroit River. Although known as the Automotive Capital of Canada, the city maintains 3,000 acres of green space, 180 parks, and 40 miles of trails. Tourist attractions include a lively downtown, Little Italy, the Art Gallery of Windsor, the Odette Sculpture Park, and the nearby Point Pelee National Park. Also not to be missed is the Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain which actually floats in the Detroit River and has a colored light display at night. The fountain in the largest of its kind in North America and symbolizes the peaceful relationship between Canada and the United States.
Day 5 Midland, ON Midland is the main town and economic center of the area located at the southern end of Lake Huron s Georgian Bay s 30,000 Islands. Points of interest in or near Midland include the Jesuit mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a living museum depicting 17th century missionary life. Also, one can visit the Huronia Museum and the adjacent Indian Village. For bird lovers, the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is a habitat for Trumpeter Swans, Black Terns, and Least Bitterns. By the harbor there is a large statue of the trumpeter swan, considered the symbol of Midland. Day 6 Parry Sound, ON Parry Sound is located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron. It is the world s deepest natural freshwater port. The body of water that gives the town its name was named after the Arctic explorer Sir William Edward Parry. The modern townsite was established in 1857 and in the late 19th century rail service reached Parry Sound making it an important depot along the rail lines to Western Canada. The town was important during the First and Second World Wars with its explosives and munitions factory. The birthplace of hockey legend, Bobby Orr, the town also is known for its annual sailing regatta and performing arts festival. Day 7 Little Current, ON Little Current is a community in the town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands. The main town is on the northeast side of Manitoulin Island, a large island located at the northern end of Lake Huron and northwest of Georgian Bay. Manitoulin is the world s largest freshwater lake island. Little Current is known for its swining bridge, a one-lane bridge and the only vehicular access to Manitoulin Island except for a daily passengervehicle ferry that runs from late spring to October. Day 8 Sault Sainte Marie, ON Located at the mouth of Saint Mary s River, Sault Saint Marie was originally established by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. The rapid of Saint Mary s River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron and have provided trade access between the United States and Canada for hundreds of years. The combination of the native Ojibwa with the French and English settlers paint a unique and diverse cultural portrait to visitors. Day 9 Mackinac Island, MI Located in the Straits of Mackinac, where the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan meet, Mackinac Island is a living Victorian town. Personal motorized vehicles are prohibited all those visiting or living on the island travel by horse or horse drawn carriage, bicycle, or walking. While Mackinac Island is known for its opulent Victorian homes and hotels it has had a long history. Anishinaabe-Ojibwe tradition holds that the island was a sacred place populated by the first people and was home to the Great Spirit
Gitchie Manitou. Because of its location, it was a Native American gathering place. Since then it has been the site of French missionary churches, a center of the fur trade, and later, the fishing industry, before becoming dependent on tourism to fuel the local economy. Day 10 Muskegon / Holland, MI Muskegon boasts a rich history coupled with an inviting lakeshore culture. Referred to as The Riviera of the Midwest, Muskegon has grown from a fur trading and lumbering town to a vacationer s paradise. The town preserves reminders of its industrious history through museums such as the USS Silversides Submarine Museum and the Muskegon Museum of Art. One of the most exciting landmarks in town is Heritage Landing, where the boardwalk hosts musical performances and dazzling fireworks shows. Through historic ships and lighthouses to restored mansions built by Muskegon s most famous lumber barons, the history and scenery of this quaint Michigan town is nothing short of impressive. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland is a delightful town you cannot help but fall in love with. Hundreds of Dutch immigrants settled throughout the region in the 1800s in hopes of escaping religious and economic oppression. The genuine Dutch culture in Holland is a unique, vibrant, and exciting experience for all who visit. Day 11 Chicago, IL Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, located at the southwestern tip of Lake Michigan. With its many attractions it attracts 33 million visitors a year. One can find upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile. The 3,000 foot long Navy Pier is home to retail shops, restaurants, museums, exhibition halls, and auditoriums. Other museums and galleries in Chicago include The Museum of Science and Industry, The Oriental Institute (part of the University of Chicago, with an extensive collection of Egyptian and Near Eastern artifacts), The Chicago History Museum, and Hyde Park Art Center among many, many more. Chicago is also a sports town, named best sports city in the United States by The Sporting News in 2006. It is also well known for its gritty urban blues music.