Cruise Leelanau in a Restored VW Samba: A Private, Artist‑Led Day on the Lake

Climb aboard Atlas—the restored 1975 Volkswagen Type 2 Brazilian Deluxe Kombi that powers Wander with Direction’s Private VW Bus Tour—and you’ll find a different rhythm to exploring Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula. Based in Lake Ann, these four-to-six hour private drives are built around what you want: boutique wineries, lakeside overlooks, small artist studios, or a food-and-flavor crawl through harvest country. With room for up to six guests, a licensed chauffeur, and door-to-door pickup within roughly thirty minutes, the trip feels like an invitation from a local friend rather than a scheduled tour. The Leelanau Peninsula’s defining features are easy to see from the bus’s low, panoramic stance: rippling vineyard rows on glacially scoured soils, wind-brushed shoreline of Lake Michigan, and quiet county roads lined in cherry orchards and sugar maple. Stops are flexible—park at a tasting room, walk a shoreline spit, or pause at an M-22 pullout for lake-light photos. The bus itself is part of the show; Atlas is a 23-window Samba-style Kombi restored and imported from Brazil, with a manual gearbox, open moon roof, and vintage quirks that shape the day. Wander with Direction bundles logistics into one smooth experience: pickup and drop-off service, routing, reservations, gas, and a chauffeur who knows local makers and viewpoints. Tasting fees and food are paid separately, and note that no open alcohol is permitted on the vehicle. Tours are adult-focused—wine tours require guests 21+, non-alcoholic tours accept 18+, and children under 18 aren’t hosted due to insurance and seating constraints. Where larger buses and rental cars can’t linger, the microbus lets you savor short walks, unhurried tastings, and artist meet-and-greets. That small-group format highlights local businesses—from family-owned vineyards on rolling benches to lakeside cafes and independent galleries—so your visit directly supports the region’s outdoor-recreation economy. Practical quirks matter: Atlas has no air conditioning or heat, so layers and a wind-friendly hat make the ride comfortable; blankets are supplied when cool. Whether you want a sunlit vineyard crawl, a photography-focused shoreline circuit at golden hour, or an afternoon spent sampling cheeses and ciders off the beaten track, this private VW bus tour delivers an intimate, intentionally paced way to experience Leelanau. It’s a reminder that travel can be casual, curated, and small enough to leave room for surprise. Deb Lanning, a local artist and licensed chauffeur, weaves creative stops into each itinerary—gallery visits, plein-air viewpoints, or hands-on mini workshops when requested. The company asks all guests to sign a waiver at pickup; tours run one per day so schedules stay flexible, and extra time can be added when available for a fee. Because Atlas is a vintage vehicle with limited power, the six-guest cap keeps rides efficient on Leelanau’s rolling hills, and memorable.