For generations, Michigan has been recording its rich history as a summer travel destination. In those early years, visitors escaped the heat of the city by traveling north on ferry boats and trains, then later by personal vehicles, seeking out quiet retreats along the lakes and rivers, under canopies of towering forests.

It’s no secret…I LOVE Michigan! I love the winding back country roads, the Mighty Mackinac Bridge and the thriving urban centers. I love the sitting outside on the deck savoring smoked salmon that I caught myself on Lake Michigan, paired with a glass of Michigan wine. I love reading books by local authors and listening to the sounds of local bands. I love our many, diverse festivals and events.

Michigan-made Valentine Vodka has been awarded a gold medal ranking during the Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI) 2010 International Review of Spirits Competition – the largest and most prestigious annual spirits competition in the United States. The BTI game Valentine Vodka a rating of 90 in the “Unflavored Vodka” category.

Even the label art for Cabin Fever, a toasty brown ale from New Holland Brewing Company, is as inviting as a crackling fire.

My favorite holiday tradition is giving the gift of Michigan to family and friends. The catalog of “Made in Michigan” products is growing daily, providing countless opportunities to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list. Giving always makes me smile…but giving a gift crafted by one of the dedicated people of Michigan just means so much more.

Tucked away in the southwest corner of Michigan’s mitten is a quaint collection of towns affectionately known as Harbor Country. A thriving mecca for summer travelers for generations, Harbor Country also boasts a wealth of winter activities along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Wildly recognized as a prominent fixture on the HGTV and TLC networks, remodeling- and design-icon Carter Oosterhouse is even more at home in Traverse City – where he was born and raised…and where his heart remains.

Few destinations embrace their full history – including lingering spirits – the way Mission Table at Bowers Harbor Inn on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City does.

What is it about lighthouses that seem to attract spirits – most often than naught, the ghosts of former keepers? Maybe it is a never-ending passion for what was more of a lifestyle than a job. These keepers often lost their lives during their service, protecting the sailors on the inland seas from the dangerous and rocky shores of the Great Lakes.

Some might think it’s crazy to take up residency in a former mental institution, but the rooms which once housed patients suffering a multitude of ailments are now being converted into some of the most unique, chic and coveted condos in Traverse City.

No other architect in the country holds the level of recognition and prominence as Frank Lloyd Wright. Born in 1867, he undoubtedly is the most noted American architect and interior designer of the 20th Century.

Interest in Michigan as a culinary tourism destination is growing. It only makes sense given the agriculture is the state’s second leading industry at more than $394 billion and tourism is third, at $18.5 billion. Michigan also proudly ranks no. 2 in the nation for agricultural diversity, second only to California.