Eine Reise entlang der Großen Seen – mit Smithsonian Journeys

This specially curated post-cruise program is designed to acquaint you with some of the special charms of Milwaukee, a major American city with a proud history created by the labor of waves of immigrants, many from Central Europe. The first day begins with a visit to Milwaukee's first-class art museum and continues with an introduction to some of the culinary delights for which the city is known, while the following day is devoted to a panoramic tour through the city's neighborhoods and landmarks—a perfect ending to your voyage in the Great Lakes.

Day 1 – Disembark |Milwaukee

After breakfast aboard ship, disembark and travel through historic neighborhoods and lakefront parks to the Milwaukee Art Museum for a tour of one of the Midwest's best collections. The Museum is itself a work of art, featuring a dramatic atrium pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava with giant "wings" that open and close to the sky. A docent will lead you through the museum's main galleries with works by artists like Winslow Homer and Claude Monet, as well as a large selection of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. After this guided introduction, enjoy time at leisure to explore the museum on your own, perhaps visiting the modern and contemporary wing with works by Warhol, Miró, Rothko, and Johns.

Leaving the museum, head downtown for lunch at Mader's Restaurant, a landmark of German cuisine since the turn of the 20th century. Following lunch, stretch your legs with a walk through the Deer District, Milwaukee’s buzzing downtown hub, home to the Milwaukee Bucks and public art displays. Continue with a scenic drive along the lakeshore before transferring to the Pfister Hotel to check in for the next two nights. Dinner this evening is independent.

Day 2 – Milwaukee

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide for a panoramic tour of Milwaukee and visits to several of its most important landmarks. Begin with a narrated drive through the city's neighborhoods, stopping briefly for a treat at a historic local bakery before heading to the Harley-Davidson Museum Campus, where you are free to stroll the grounds on your own, learning about Harley-Davidson through interactive displays and seeing legendary bikes, including the original "serial number one." On the way back to the city, stop in at the Hill Valley Dairy Bar to sample their award-winning locally crafted cheeses paired with a small batch spirit cocktail, then continue on to Pabst Mansion, the opulent former home of beer baron Frederick Pabst, and tour the richly furnished rooms that testify to the luxury enjoyed by Milwaukee's brewers in the Gilded Age.

The final stop on the tour is at Milwaukee Public Market, a center of shops, galleries, and food vendors. Grab an independent lunch here topped off with a scoop of the frozen custard for which Wisconsin is known. Return to the hotel, where the balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner is independent.

Day 3 – Milwaukee | Depart

After breakfast and check out, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.

Your hotel:

Since its opening in 1893 in downtown Milwaukee, the Pfister Hotel has been an iconic landmark—"The Grand Hotel of the West." The hotel's lobby is a 3-story atrium with marble staircase, massive fireplace, and frescoed ceiling. In addition to the original building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Pfister features a modern 23-story tower, fitness studio, indoor pool, spa, and a cocktail lounge on the top floor, with views of the skyline and Lake Michigan. The hotel has been awarded AAA's prestigious Four-Diamond status since 1978.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the Pfister Hotel

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on disembarkation day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3

·        Lunch on Day 1

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.

·        Late check-out can be arranged, depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

The Pfister Hotel

424 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Telephone: +1 414 273 8222

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and well worth a day of exploration. Take advantage of a specially designed program to get acquainted with some of the highlights of this vibrant, multicultural city on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Day 1 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Arrive at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Fairmont Royal York hotel. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. In the evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome reception. Dinner is on your own.

Day 2 – Toronto | Embark

After breakfast and check-out, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel to accompany your discovery of Toronto. Begin with a panoramic tour of the central city, including University Avenue, the Legislative Building, the Theater District, and City Hall, ending at the Art Gallery of Ontario, one of Toronto's finest museums. A docent-led tour will introduce you to the museum's preeminent permanent exhibition—the oft-awarded McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art. After the tour, enjoy time to look around on your own or visit the extensive gift shop.

From the museum, drive to Toronto's emblematic CN Tower, where glass-enclosed elevators take you to the top floor for lunch at the 360 Restaurant, which provides constantly changing views of the city from a vantage point more than 1,000 feet above street level, as the restaurant completes a full revolution every 72 minutes. After your meal, enjoy time at leisure to visit the Observation Deck, before returning to the ground to drive along the waterfront to the Toronto Cruise Terminal, where you board your ship.

Your hotel:

The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s landmark hotel, is located in the heart of Old Toronto. Recently revitalized, the Fairmont offers all of the facilities and services one would expect from a luxury hotel in a world-class city, including two restaurants and access to a health club, spa, and pool.

Your program includes:

·        1 night at the Fairmont Royal York

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day

·        Welcome reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Canadian dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

The Fairmont Royal York

100 Front St W

Toronto, Canada

M5J 1E3

Telephone: +1 416 368 2511