Island Hop The Great Lakes!

Viking River Cruises recently made a very big announcement: Beginning in the Summer of 2022, they are expanding their operations and will make expeditions to the Great Lakes! You’ll be able to discover natural wonders: from outstanding beauty to historic cities and a deep connection to nature, the Great Lakes are an undiscovered treasure, boasting stunning national parks best explored via tranquil kayaking and hiking. This area is also rich in culture, with world-class museums, vibrant cities and areas steeped in First Nations traditions.

Viking Expeditions will be doing three different 8-Day itineraries: The Great Lakes Explorer (Milwaukee to Thunder Bay); Undiscovered Great Lakes (Thunder Bay to Milwaukee) and Niagara & The Great Lakes (Toronto to Milwaukee). There is also a 13-Day Itinerary called The Canadian Discover which departs from New York City and goes to Toronto.

Here is one of their itineraries, the Great Lakes Explorer:

During this amazing vacation, you’ll island hop the Great Lakes while you discover the maze of granite islands that comprise Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve while hiking and kayaking through its tranquil beauty and admiring sweeping vistas. Experience Victorian charm on Mackinac Island and venture into the boreal forests of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior’s northern shore. Explore coastal wetlands replete with birdlife, comb pristine beaches and get acquainted with native cultures of the northern Great Lakes.

Day 1: Milwaukee, WI — Arrive and embark your ship

Day 2: Mackinac Island, MI — Explore this car-free island by carriage, bicycle or on foot; paddle a kayak along the shoreline.

Day 3-5: Georgian Bay, Canada — Discover some 30,000 islands that comprise this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Day 6: Scenic Cruising: Soo Locks Transit — Pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron via this 1850’s-era engineering marvel.

Day 7: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada — Hike boreal forests, watch for wildlife and learn about Anishinaabe First Nations heritage.

Day 8: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada–Disembark your ship for your return flight

Highlights of the Great Lakes & Canada:

America’s Great Lakes are a little-known, unspoiled wonderland, boasting diverse natural beauty, scenic wildlife and some of the most interesting cities in North America. Over 750 miles across with 10,000 miles of coastline, the Great Lakes cover an area twice as large as Pennsylvania. Glide silently by kayak past otters in Georgian Bay, hear the roar of Niagara Falls, hike through verdant old forests or visit Canada’s prominent museums to marvel at art inspired by these shores. Here are some highlights you may experience during your journey:

Explore the largest freshwater ecosystem on earth—the Great Lakes
Watch for wildlife, from bald eagles to moose, bears and beavers
Hike through stunning forests in this pristine environment
Learn about Canada’s colonial past and the St. Lawrence River
Kayak in stunning Georgian Bay—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
View the world-class collection of the Milwaukee Art Museum
Explore tranquil, scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Transit engineering marvels like the Welland Canal and Soo Locks

The Wildlife of the Great Lakes — The great lakes are an ideal animal habitat with vast swaths of protected shoreline and an array of natural parks and wilderness areas. Here, a diverse ecosystem exists surrounded by spruce, fir, pine and maple forests, with steep granite cliffs and flat coastal wetlands.

Are you interested in the Great Lakes? Viking recently began taking reservations for Summer 2022. Booking now is the best way to make sure you get the itinerary/dates/cabin category you would like! You can email me at kenneth@moderntravelpros.com for more information!

Here are the other three Great Lakes itineraries:

The 13-Day Canadian Discovery