• Private coach transportation
• 4 nights of accommodation
• Local professional guides and all entry fees and park passes

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• McMichael Gallery and guided tour 
• Art Gallery of Sudbury and guided tour
• Canadian Bush Plane Museum tour plus dinner in the hanger 
• Group of Seven Presentation by Canadian explorer Joanie McGuffin 
• Lake Superior Coastal Driver with a local guide 
• Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site 
• Sunset Dinner Cruise 
• Chi-Cheemaun Ferry to Tobermory

Art History with the Specialists

At the McMichael Gallery, view the works of the Group of Seven before we visit their places of inspiration.  This tour provides insight into the lives of the Group of Seven and visits many places where the artists themselves have set foot. See presentations and hear stories from knowledgeable local experts.  

Beautiful Scenery

Breathe in the beautiful, rugged landscape.  Depending on the season, the palette of colours on display could be a study in shades of green with outcroppings of rock, but more likely from August to October, the palette will shift, incorporating vibrant yellow, gold, orange, scarlet, red, and purple.  In addition to autumn foliage, we’ll see geological wonders carved by glaciers and prehistoric waterfalls.  Tobermory, lakeside on the spectacular Bruce Peninsula, boasts 400-million-year-old rock formations!

Surprisingly Delightful Side Trips

From the Canadian Bushplane Museum, to historic sites, to a visit to Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island, we’ll explore some interesting places in Northern Ontario!

This itinerary provides a few customization options:

COMBINE WITH ANOTHER TOUR SEGMENT

• this itinerary could be combined with other signtseeing segments in Southern Ontario
• the tour could provide a more immersive experience by including a few days in the beautiful Muskoka region.  This would include Oxtongue Lake for the Outdoor Exhibit & Plaques of Honour.  Visitors are encouraged to walk around the lake, stopping to see the same views that inspired the Group of Seven artists about a century ago.  
• There is also a “Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery” with nearly 100 murals spread across Muskoka, with over 30 of these murals in Huntsville!  

Day 1: Travel to Sudbury

The adventure begins with a guided tour of the McMichael Gallery, home to a permanent collection of over 6,500 artworks including the works of Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Next, we travel along the Niagara Escarpment, making our way to the unspoiled wilderness of Northern Ontario. In Sudbury, a welcome dinner with fellow guests will be enjoyed.

Stay: Sudbury, ON

Nights: 1

Day 2:  Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie

Visit the Art Gallery of Sudbury.  Established as a Canadian Centennial project, the gallery is housed in a century-old mansion which was once home to a lumber baron. Learn about the history of bushplanes on a guided tour of the Canadian Bushplane Museum and have dinner in the hanger among the planes. Our group is in for a treat with an exceptional presentation about the Group of Seven by Joanie McGuffin, Canadian explorer, and conservationist.

Stay:  Sault Ste Marie

Nights: 2

Day 3: Lake Superior Coastal Drive

Today you’ll enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Northern Ontario.  Embark on a Lake Superior Coastal drive with a local guide and visit the Lake Superior Interpretive Center which highlights the park’s cultural history and natural features.

Day 4: Sault Ste Marie to Little Current

This day starts with a visit to Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. Here you will take a step back in history with a tour of two of the oldest stone buildings, located northwest of Toronto: the Ermatinger Old Stone House and the Clergue Blockhouse. With costumed interpreters, the site depicts the life of the prominent residents from the 1800’s, showcasing period rooms and gardens, interweaving the story of the Ermatinger family with the story of Canada. The day will be beautifully concluded with the fresh Manitoulin air and magnificent scenery on a sunset dinner cruise.

Stay: Manitoulin Island

Nights: 1

Day 5:  Journey Home

After breakfast this morning, you’ll board the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry to make your way to the tranquil lakeside town of Tobermory.  The journey does pause for a farewell dinner and then continues homeward.

May 2020 was the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Group of Seven’s first public show. 

Appropriate footwear may be needed to access some of the waterfall sites.

There are a couple of boat tours on this itinerary.  Although for most people medication is not required, there may be some who may want to bring along a remedy for motion sickness.  You don’t want to let a little thing like that spoil these amazing experiences.

Become reacquainted with the Group of Seven

The landscapes painted by The Group of Seven, are an important part of the heritage of Canada, and it may enrich the experiences on this trip to be re-acquainted with their story and their work.