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Northern Michigan

The Ultimate Urban Escape

By Laura Blattner

Crisp, clean country air. Rolling hills with open pastures. Apple orchards dotting the landscape as far as the eye can see. A quaint little general store buzzing with friendly folk from the town. The smells and sounds of nature surround you as you slip comfortably into the ultimate urban escape. Looking for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life? Take the family to Northern Michigan for a vacation that's not only relaxing and rejuvenating, but also fun and entertaining for you and the kids!

We started our Michigan adventure in Harbor Springs, a quiet little town nestled on Little Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan, known as a "hot spot" for shopping, art galleries, dining and entertainment. Instead of staying at one of the many motel chains in nearby Petoskey, we opted to spend our first three nights at the Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs. We were looking for relaxation, and we most definitely found it here! Just driving up to the resort was refreshing as we traveled down peaceful, tree-lined lanes and arrived at the ivy-covered Bavarian-style lodge with a running water wheel and reflecting pond in the front.

Boyne Highlands Resort boasts four world-class golf resorts and 5,000 acres of unspoiled natural beauty in which your family can enjoy hiking and mountain biking. Other amenities at the resort include a fishing pond where the kids can catch rainbow trout, swimming pools, saunas, whirlpool facilities and a tennis and sports center that offers an assortment of lawn games for the family to enjoy. If you need deep relaxation, pop into The Wellness Institute at the resort for a massage, music therapy or even LaStone therapy (a form of massage that incorporates smooth hot and cold stones).