Great Lakes Passage: An Educational Voyage with Washington and Lee University from Milwaukee to Toronto

Dates: August 21-29, 2027

Price: From $9,499 from Milwaukee

Tour Operator: Ponant Explorations

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Explore North America’s Great Lakes

Join fellow Washington and Lee alumni and friends for an extraordinary voyage through North America’s Great Lakes, where history, natural beauty, and cultural discovery come together. Aboard PONANT’s elegant Le Bellot, this eight-night journey travels from Milwaukee to Toronto, exploring the United States and Canada while tracing the waterways that shaped Indigenous cultures, exploration, settlement, industry, and commerce. With included excursions at every port, seamless transfers, and the all-inclusive comfort of PONANT, this thoughtfully curated voyage offers a relaxed and enriching way to experience the Great Lakes.

Discover the Victorian charm of Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage, marvel at the engineering of the Soo Locks, and explore Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island. Visit Detroit and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, witness the breathtaking power of Niagara Falls, and experience the Welland Canal as it connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Along the way, take in dramatic shorelines, picturesque villages, fascinating geological formations, and the rich Indigenous history of the region.

Throughout the voyage, your distinguished Smithsonian Journeys Experts will offer engaging lectures and discussions, providing deeper insight into the history, culture, and landscapes of the Great Lakes. With opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with fellow W&L travelers, this exclusive journey promises an unforgettable adventure where discovery and camaraderie go hand in hand.