Great Lakes Discovery with Victory

After enjoying your complimentary airport lounge access, you’ll fly out to Toronto. Arriving the same day, you’ll be met at the airport by a private driver who’ll see you on to your central accommodation; from the pool and sun-deck you can even see the city’s iconic CN. Of course, for the best views, take your dinner in the half-kilometre-high revolving restaurant. You’ll then have two days to explore what is the world’s most multicultural city, something showcased across its vibrant markets, contemporary galleries and fantastic dining scene. Don’t also miss out on a trip to a theatre, or its Victorian districts and Gothic Revival castle.

Stay: Chelsea Hotel (Superior)

After some further time for exploration, you’ll be met again by a private driver today, who’ll see you aboard your boutique ship. Host to just 202 guests, it’s delightfully intimate, with staff serving up gourmet full-board dining and free-flowing drinks with typical American cheer. Each day, you’ll even be treated to pre-dinner canapés and cocktails, while the meal service ranges from regionally inspired classics to innovative hot-rock cooking, where dishes are prepared to perfection on pure volcanic lava rock. At the end of it all, settle into your plush stateroom to enjoy the ocean views and daily fresh fruit.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

Thanks to your ship’s intimate size, you’ll be able to sail the green-dappled Welland Canal, dipping through eight locks to arrive into Port Colborne. Here, you’ll disembark for the first of your included shore excursions, driving out through the vineyards of Niagara Wine Region to reach the falls themselves, where you’ll board the famous Hornblower Cruise. And, after sailing right under the misty spray, you’ll be treated to a scenic drive along Niagara Parkway, taking in a majestic overlook of the falls. It all culminates in a sumptuous lunch in a local restaurant followed by a special wine tasting in a nearby vineyard.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

You’ll be welcomed into America by Cleveland, where your included touring will showcase its turn-of-the-century golden age. Indeed, its manufacturing heritage is evidenced across the likes of the city’s oldest publicly owned market and the great William G. Mather steamship, now part of the Great Lakes Science Center. There’s also the chance to visit the stately Cleveland Museum of Art, or tap your feet at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

Sailing from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, you’ll call into either Detroit or Windsor, depending on port schedules. However, just across the river from one another, you’ll enjoy the same touring in both, taking in Detroit's superb Henry Ford Museum. Long a Wexas-specialist favourite, it’s much more than an exhibition on the country’s automotive history. An expert guide will lead you among nine acres of design heritage, with exhibits ranging from giant steam locomotives to a 1950s McDonald’s. Lincoln’s theatre chair, Rosa Parks’ bus and the limousine that carried JFK on that fateful day are all special highlights.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

You’ll enjoy a scenic sailing of Lake Huron today, dipping in and out of its 30,000-strong collection of islands. There’s plenty of opportunity to educate yourself with the complimentary talks by onboard experts. Of course, you’ll also be able to indulge with the included wines, beers and spirits – accompanied by the tinkling ivories of a grand piano.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

This morning, we’ll cruise though the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay, sometimes called the sixth Great Lake. Your destination is Manitoulin – the world’s largest freshwater island and the home of the Ojibwa people. As the largest population of First Nations people in continental North America, it’s the chance to immerse yourself in a world of birch-bark canoes, wild-rice cultivation and pictographic bark scrolls.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

Transiting the Soo Locks, you’ll dip into Lake Superior, where you’ll be welcomed to Sault Ste. Marie. A historic city split between Canada and America, it wears its heritage on its sleeve, its canal lined with red sandstone buildings. Your shore excursion here includes a visit to a museum on the Great Lakes’ seafaring past, housed on a historic freighter. You’ll also stop off at the Soo Locks viewing platform before learning about their historic importance at the visitor centre.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

It’s time for a true trip highlight today – Mackinac Island. All weatherboard houses and quaint churches, it’s a step back to 19th-century America. And, you’ll have to step – cars are banned from the island. Luckily, you’ll be treated to the most evocative way of seeing it all with a trip on a horse-drawn carriage, taking in the 18th-century Fort Mackinac and the Victorian-era Grand Hotel. It’s where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

With a final day’s scenic sailing, you’ll explore Lake Michigan – the world’s sixth-largest lake. There’s also plenty of time to enjoy the complimentary afternoon teas, or simply soak up the rays on the sun deck with a good book. Perhaps also enjoy a treatment at the beauty salon and spa, or make use of the complimentary WiFi. It’s all capped off with a special captain’s reception.

Stay: Victory I (Superior)

After a final breakfast onboard, you’ll end in Chicago. And, you’ll have two days to explore what is one of America’s city greats, staying in a central boutique hotel that’s host to designer rooms, a superb restaurant and one of the city’s finest rooftop bars. From here, you’ll have all of Chicago’s delights on your doorstep. Perhaps take a stroll in the next-door Lincoln Park, take in the superb Art Institute of Chicago or marvel at the iconic sculptures of Cloud Gate. Of course, the architectural high-flyers are truly special, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s great whimsies to the sky-scraping Willis Tower. Perhaps also consider catching a sports game.

Stay: Hotel Lincoln (Superior)

You’ll be met today by an included private transfer, bringing you to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.