Do you long to travel again, but cautiously? After being cooped-up so long, do you feel like exploring beautiful & authentic places, but with social distancing considerations? Then hop in your own car and join our art-and-nature tour of Michigan’s magical and mystical playground where there have been very few COVID cases, the remote Upper Peninsula (U.P.) !
Let Tiny World Tours plan and craft a flexible itinerary of this geographical and culturally unique destination that takes your safety seriously. We’ll organize contemporary art conversations, studio visits, hikes, and meals in places with stunning natural beauty and and down-home charm, while focusing on the safety and fun of our guests.
Your adventure begins on Friday, July 17 at 2:00 pm when we convene and visit Fayette Historic State Park. After our ~90 minute visit, we’ll drive north in order to check-in around 6:00 PM at the Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast (about 45 minutes north of Marquette). We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together at a nearby local area restaurant’s Friday night fish fry. On Saturday you can enjoy a very leisurely day centered on rest and relaxation or optionally visit Pictured Rocks. On Sunday we will move as a group to Copper Harbor for two nights followed by two nights in Houghton, and spend our final night in Marquette. The tour ends upon breakfast and check out on July 24 in Marquette.
The final itinerary plan is still being shaped, and highlights will likely include the following variety of curated activities, unique lodging, and memorable culinary experiences:
Two nights in a Lake Superior lighthouse adjacent to the Kcymaerxthaere marker for Tumbles of Tlapak (impressively heavy yet recently briefly misplaced)!
Enjoy a traditional Friday Night Fish Fry (included)
Visit several settings where the celebrated literary and cinema classic “Anatomy of a Murder” took place
Two nights at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor on Lake Superior, the northernmost mainland point of the state of Michigan + dinner al fresco (weather permitting) at the the Harbor Haus restaurant (included)
Private visit at an artist home/studio, the Eagle Harbor General Store Museum and the Eagle Harbor Social Aid & Pleasure Club
Visit the Jam Pot Bakery affiliated with Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite, Poorrock Abbey next door with onion domes.
Two nights in a bank that was recently renovated into The Vault Hotel in Houghton (swanky)!
Opportunity for a variety of walks / hikes in select UP parks & preserves (with recommendations)
Opportunity to go on a Pictured Rocks Cruise or Kayak Adventure (at additional charge, and pending availability at the time of registration) - NOTE: the kayak option is not especially strenuous, offers better social distancing, and close-up viewing of Pictured Rocks.
Opportunity to visit Fayette Historic State Park
Opportunity to visit Calumet and other Keweenaw Historic Sites operated by the National Park Service
Opportunity to tour the historic Quincy Mine in Hancock, MI
Last night at the Marquette Hampton Inn Waterfront (or the option to extend / spend your last night at The Vault Hotel in Houghton if you wish, pending availability). Dinner al fresco at Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette.
Cost per person $1,400 (double occupancy)
Please inquire about single supplement for those solo travelers requiring a private room (if available).
What is included?
Seven nights lodging (Six breakfasts included)
Four dinners including (at establishments with social distancing practices (and often al fresco)
Exclusive coordinated/curated opportunities including an artist studio private visit/tour
Most park and attraction fees
What is not included?
Personal items
Meals other than the four mentioned above (NOTE: recommendations with descriptions will be provided for you)
Alcoholic drinks
Pictured Rocks Cruise or Kayaking
Maximum tour group size (including tour leader): 10
Tour Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 9th
Although unlikely, this itinerary is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances / opportunities.
Note: Guests are responsible for providing their own ground transportation. The drive from Grand Rapids to Fayette is about ~6 hours (counting ~20 minutes for stops). There is daily air service to Marquette (Delta via Detroit) and Houghton (United via Chicago) and both Marquette and Houghton airports have car rental companies. Tiny World Tours will be delighted to advise pre-trip and post-trip activities based on your interests.
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask mark@tinyworldtours.com!
More detailed information will be provided to tour registrants.
Tour Highlights
Michigan U.P. Gallery
