Firstly it was invented modern river cruising. Then, it got redefined ocean cruising. Now, experience all the comfort and elegance of award-winning fleet with an expedition ship built specifically to explore the world's most remote destinations and allow you to immerse yourself in these regions.
Day 1 Toronto
It’s been called “a city that works.” As the capital of Ontario and Canada’s largest city, Toronto has become a dynamic cosmopolitan hub known for entertainment, culture, sports, high fashion and big business. The city boasts more than 20,000 retail stores and restaurants. Yet for such a large city (current population is 4.4 million) it is miraculously clean, safe and friendly. Tourists are drawn to the charm of the Lake Ontario waterfront district, the high-rise splendor of the popular Yonge Street, and the trendy shops and quaint cafés along College Street and Queen Street. With a flourishing music and performing arts scene, Toronto is very popular with young people.
Day 2 Welland Canal
The Welland Canals' various locks make it possible for large ships to navigate through the North American-Canadian border, bypassing the Niagara Escarpment that makes passing from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie impossible. Visit Lock 3 to see this in action, peruse the gift shop, listen to a presentation or stroll through the St. Catharine's Museum, which has rotating art and history exhibitions.
Day 2 Port Colborne
Day 3 Point Pelee
Day 4 Detroit
Detriot has historic landmarks, museums, sightseeing, shopping, and accommodations to fit every budget. It is filled with history, culture and modern sophistication all at the same time. The new casinos bring Las Vegas thrill, and the Great Lakes cater to the water enthusiast usually headed to a coastal destination. Detroit has attractions and activities for a family on vacation, someone visiting for business, or a couple searching for romance. Boating tours, museums, historic shopping, fine dinging, and educational attractions including: The Henry Ford Museum, Detroit Science Center and the City of Troy Museum are all within minutes from anywhere in Detroit. Detroit offers culture, sophistication, old world charm, new world excitement and glamour.
Day 5 Alpena
Day 6 Mackinac Island
Visit Mackinac Island and experience the sites and sounds of a bygone era. Located between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas, the Island offers unforgettable natural and historical treasures surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of Lake Huron. From romantic weekend getaways to fun filled days with the family, Mackinac Island has something for everyone. Ride a bicycle around the 8-mile lakeshore path, or enjoy the quaint Victorian architecture from a leisurely ride in a horse drawn carriage.
Day 7 Milwaukee
Most visitors associate Milwaukee with Harley Davidsons and beer. But this city is sure to surprise many first-timers. Milwaukee has a thriving and well-supported arts community, including the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. There is also a fabulous historical museum and lots of fabulous summer festivals, including Asian Moon, Irish Fest, Bastille Day and Indian Summer.
Day 8 Milwaukee
Most visitors associate Milwaukee with Harley Davidsons and beer. But this city is sure to surprise many first-timers. Milwaukee has a thriving and well-supported arts community, including the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. There is also a fabulous historical museum and lots of fabulous summer festivals, including Asian Moon, Irish Fest, Bastille Day and Indian Summer.
Day 9 Mackinac Island
Visit Mackinac Island and experience the sites and sounds of a bygone era. Located between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas, the Island offers unforgettable natural and historical treasures surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of Lake Huron. From romantic weekend getaways to fun filled days with the family, Mackinac Island has something for everyone. Ride a bicycle around the 8-mile lakeshore path, or enjoy the quaint Victorian architecture from a leisurely ride in a horse drawn carriage.
Day 10 Killarney, Ontario
Day 11 Lake Superior/Georgian Bay
If you want to get a look at some of Ontario's better natural vistas without getting too far away from civilization, this drive along Lake Superior should fit the bill. It skirts the lake's shoreline and then takes you for a tour of the green islands of Georgian Bay. We recommend the tour for travelers who like the outdoors and who gravitate toward camping, fishing, canoeing and the like. Those who take more of an interest in shopping and sightseeing may find that this drive does not suit them.
The following route begins on Highway 61 at the border with the U.S. near Grand Portage, Minnesota, and moves east.
The first point of interest is Kakabeka Falls, a scenic cascade that measures 128 ft/39 m (get there by taking Highway 11/17 west off Highway 61) and is considered "The Niagara of the North" for its size—in this case, the vertical drop. Next, head east on Highway 11/17 into Thunder Bay, Canada's sixth-largest port.
Visit Sleeping Giant Provincial Park for hikes and bird sightings; then take a cruise of the harbor and visit Old Fort William, a living-history museum with costumed re-enactors skillfully depicting the fort's heydays when it was known as the North West Company during the fur trade more than 200 years ago. If you have time, visit the amethyst mines, where you can hunt for your own gemstones, or see the International Friendship Gardens or Mount McKay (1,000 ft/300 m tall).
Just outside of town is the Terry Fox Monument, a tribute to the courageous marathoner who tried to cross Canada after losing a leg to cancer. His quest ended near this site in 1980. Fox made it halfway across Canada on one leg, raising funds and awareness for cancer research and has since raised more money for cancer than any other individual. Each September, on the second Sunday after Labor Day, Canadians from coast to coast participate in the Terry Fox Run to continue raising funds.
From Thunder Bay, take Highway 17 east to Marathon, where you'll pick up Highway 627 south to Pukaskwa National Park for a walk along the shores of Lake Superior. There's a lengthy trail if you want to take an overnight hiking trip, and there's plenty of canoeing in the rivers feeding into Lake Superior. Quetico Provincial Park (west of Lake Superior on Ontario's southern border) preserves one of the greatest concentrations of Native American rock paintings on the continent. There are more than 28 sites in and around the park.
Back on Highway 17, look for the big goose (you'll know it when you see it) as you drive through Wawa. Not long afterward, you'll pass straight through the heart of Lake Superior Provincial Park. Stop to see the Indian Pictographs at Agawa Bay (which may have been the inspiration for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha). South of the provincial park, you'll leave Lake Superior as you head into Sault Ste. Marie. This is one of Canada's major industrial and shipping centers, which lies across St. Mary's River from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Take a cruise of the canal and locks that allow ships to move from Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
While you're in the area, don't pass up one of the most interesting and scenic rail outings in Canada, the Agawa Canyon train trip. This moderately priced tour, which runs late spring through fall, is usually taken as a day trip. It passes through gorgeous countryside, and during the summer, a two-hour stopover allows you to get closer to the trees, waterfalls and mountains (in the fall, the changing leaves look stunning). There's also an overnight tour that operates during the summer.
From Sault Ste. Marie, head east on Highway 17 to Espanola, and then go south on Highway 6 to Manitoulin Island—the world's largest freshwater island. Lots of little ports and villages and 1,000 mi/1,600 km of coastline comprise the island. There's not all that much to do on the island, but we think it's fun to explore the beaches and do some fishing.
From the southern tip of Manitoulin Island, take the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry to Tobermory, which is home to two unusual attractions. At Fathom Five National Marine Park, you can go scuba diving around 20 sunken ships. If you don't scuba dive, you can still see the wrecks by snorkeling or via glass-bottom boat. (The boat will take you to Flowerpot Island, where you can see some strange rock pillars with trees growing on top.) Drive south on Highway 6 to Hepworth, where you'll take Highway 70 southeast to Owen Sound. The Grey County Museum documents life in the 19th and 20th centuries and houses an exhibit dedicated to native culture.
Next, take Highway 26 east to Wasaga Beach, Highway 92 northeast to Elmvale, Route 19 northeast to Moonstone and Highway 400 north to Honey Harbour, where you can take a water taxi to Georgian Bay Islands National Park, a beautiful collection of 59 islands. When you're back on the mainland, conclude the tour by heading south on Highway 400 toward Toronto.
Day 12 Fathom Five National Marine Park
Day 13 Benjamin Islands
Day 14 Sault Ste. Marie
Welcome to the world of The Great Waters – Nature’s Adventure Where Huron, Michigan and Superior Meet. Where nature, culture, and history collide to create an extraordinary place of quiet woodlands, rushing waters, native arts, and the stories that encapsulate them all. Three driving trails capture 33 waypoints that serve as your passport to unique and exhilarating experiences. Explore ancient shorelines by kayak, trek undisturbed forests on foot, or search rocky beaches for a glimpse at Earth’s treasures. The Great Waters showcases the best of nature in the only place on the planet where three Great Lakes come together.
Day 15 Algoma
Day 16 Chicago
Chicago offers everything anyoen could look for in a vacation destination including: historic landmarks, museums, sightseeing, shopping, and accommodations for every budget. Chicago is considerably different from many other vacation spots in the U.S. It is filled with history, culture and modern sophistication at the same time. Chicago has attractions and activities for a family on vacation, someone visiting for business, or a couple searching for romance. Scenic tours, amusement and fun centers including DisneyQuest, ESPN Zone, and Six Flags Great America, are here to thrill. Museums, shopping, fine dinging, and educational attractions including: The Hancock Observatory, The Shedd Aquarium, and the Chicago Academy of Science are here to entertain.
Day 17 Milwaukee
Most visitors associate Milwaukee with Harley Davidsons and beer. But this city is sure to surprise many first-timers. Milwaukee has a thriving and well-supported arts community, including the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. There is also a fabulous historical museum and lots of fabulous summer festivals, including Asian Moon, Irish Fest, Bastille Day and Indian Summer.