THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board Atlas, a 1975 VW Microbus, for a private, customizable 4–6 hour tour of Old Mission and Leelanau wine country. Enjoy panoramic views, curated tastings, and unique photo ops while a licensed chauffeur handles the route.
Board Atlas, a 1975 VW Microbus, for a private, customizable 4–6 hour tour of Old Mission and Leelanau wine country. Enjoy panoramic views, curated tastings, and unique photo ops while a licensed chauffeur handles the route.
Book with Wander with Direction
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Wander with Direction · Lake Ann, Michigan
Climb into Atlas, a vintage 1975 VW Bus, and set off across Northern Michigan’s Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas. Based out of Lake Ann, Michigan, this private VW Bus tour from Wander with Direction loops scenic wine trails, shoreline overlooks, and sleepy villages a short drive from Traverse City. The vehicle itself is the attraction: Atlas’s 23 windows, fold-back moonroof and white leather interior make panoramic views part of the ride, while manual transmission and the vinyl bench seats preserve the authentic 1970s driving experience.
The region’s geology and cultivated landscape come into view as you roll past limestone bluffs, vineyards clinging to gentle slopes, and beaches scraping the clear waters of Lake Michigan. Keep an eye on the shoreline for Petoskey stones—fossilized coral unique to this stretch of coast—and on the hills for cherry orchards that have shaped local culture and economy for more than a century. The tasting rooms and craft distilleries you visit showcase cool-climate viniculture and small-batch spirits that helped shape Traverse City’s reputation as a Northern Michigan tasting destination.
Wander with Direction frames each tour as a custom boutique day: choose 4-, 5-, or 6-hour private itineraries for up to six guests, and the operator will build a plan after you complete an adventure planning form. Options range from classic wine-tasting loops through Old Mission and Leelanau to non-alcoholic outings—think shoreline yoga at sunrise, a plein air watercolor stop, or a guided search for Petoskey stones along the beach. Included in the booking are pickup and drop-off service, transportation, a licensed chauffeur, gas, route planning, and reservation services; tasting fees and food are not included.
Practical realities are front and center: Atlas has no heat or air conditioning, no power steering, and requires basic manual-gear familiarity; blankets are available, and guests should bring layers, hats, and ponytail holders for open-roof moments. Tours are adults-only; all guests must be 21 or older and sign a liability waiver at pickup.
What makes this an especially memorable way to explore Northern Michigan is the combination of slow, social transport and hands-on local curation. It’s not just about stops on a map—it’s about a single small-group experience where a vintage vehicle, regional geology, and a knowledgeable guide fold together into a day that feels like a local story you helped write.
Book a late-afternoon loop to catch golden light over vines and the lake edge, or schedule a spring outing for blossoming orchards and tasting rooms. For photo-minded groups, the fold-back moonroof creates sky frames and Atlas’s large windows make candid portraits easy. The combination of transport, local routing and chauffeur frees you to focus on tasting, photographing, and sharing a slow, convivial day that defines Northern Michigan summers.
easy.
4–6 Hours.
Light—this is a seated, scenic tour with short on-foot stops; able-bodied mobility recommended for tasting-room steps.
All guests must be at least 21 years old; tours are adults-only.
No, winery tasting fees and food are not included in the tour price.
No—Atlas has no A/C or heat; the operator provides blankets when needed and recommends dressing in layers.
Atlas accommodates up to six guests across two bench seats; four tends to be the most comfortable group size.
Yes, all guests must sign a liability waiver at pickup; a QR code will be provided by the driver.
Yes—Wander with Direction tailors itineraries after you complete an adventure planning form and will handle reservations along the route.
Petoskey stones found along these shores are fossilized coral (Hexagonaria percarinata). The region’s fruit and wine industries shaped local culture across the 20th century.
Respect private vineyards and stay on public access points; practice Leave No Trace on beaches and support small tasting rooms to sustain local business.
Wander with Direction is a Lake Ann, Michigan-based experiential company offering private guided outings and seasonal sound-bath events. The business operates a vintage 1975 VW Bus named Atlas and a restored VW Microbus used for private tours that travel Northern Michigan wine trails, peninsulas, county routes, and charming towns.\n\nTour listings include Private VW Bus Tour - Traverse City; Private VW Bus Tour - Old Mission Peninsula; Private VW Bus Tour - Leelanau County; and Private VW Bus Tour - Benzie County. Each VW Bus tour description highlights scenic views, vineyard stops, nostalgic styling aboard a vintage Microbus, and personalized routing to suit small-group preferences. Trip summaries specify experiences such as sipping local wines, panoramic viewpoints, and curated drives through regional landscapes.\n\nWander with Direction also presents seasonal Wolf Moon Sound Bath events that use crystal bowls and handpans to create guided sound sessions. A rescheduled Wolf Moon Sound Bath option is listed when event dates change. Trip and event summaries are published to help prospective guests select the right experience—whether a private VW Bus cruise or a calming sound-bath gathering. Based in Lake Ann, Michigan, the business focuses on regional travel experiences in Northern Michigan and provides clear descriptions of vehicles, routes, and event formats to help visitors make informed booking decisions.
Book with Wander with Direction