Trips & Tours

Day Trips

Travel and explore with Sauk Valley Community College's Community Education Department.

---

Lake Michigan Lunch Cruise

Step aboard the Lake Michigan Lunch Cruise for a memorable two-hour journey featuring the best views of Chicago’s skyline. Relax with a delicious buffet lunch as you cruise along Lake Michigan, with unlimited coffee, tea, and soda to enjoy throughout. With stunning views, onboard entertainment, and a relaxing atmosphere, this cruise is the perfect way to enjoy Chicago from the water. This experience includes convenient round-trip transportation to and from Navy Pier, giving you time to explore its vibrant attractions after the cruise. The trip is limited to 50 participants. Trip includes motorcoach transportation, cruise ticket, lunch, driver gratuity, and travel snacks. (Ages 13 & Up)

Motorcoach departs SVCC North Parking lot promptly at 8:30 a.m. arriving at Navy Pier at approximately 11:00 a.m. Boarding for the Odyssey Lake Michigan Lunch Cruisewill begin at 11:30AM. Motorcoach departs Navy Pier at 5:00 p.m. and will arrive back at SVCC at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Class ID	Day	Time	Location	Fee	Register
Lake Michigan Lunch Cruise
2226	Thurs, August 27	8:30 AM - 7:30 PM	Chicago, IL	$129	Sign Up

 

---

Jersey Boys

They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Beggin’” and “Working My Way Back to You.”

Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award®-winning, original Broadway sensation, JERSEY BOYS. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s too good to be true.

Advisories: Flashing probe lights, loud gunfire, theatrical haze, herbal cigarette smoke and authentic, profane Jersey vocabulary are special effects used in this production.

All ticket sales are final; however, a substitute may be sent in your place. The show is a 1:00 p.m. matinee and the tickets are located in the balcony. The run time of the show is 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. Travelers will have time to shop and/or eat lunch once we arrive in Chicago. There are places to shop and eat near the theater. The trip is limited to 48 participants and includes motorcoach transportation, driver gratuity, show ticket, and travel snacks. Lunch in Chicago and dinner at Portillo’s will be on your own. (Ages 12 & Up)

Motorcoachl departs SVCC North Parking lot promptly at 8:45 a.m., arriving in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre at approximately 10:45 a.m. Motorcoach departs Chicago after the show at approximately 4:00 p.m. and will stop at Portillo’s for dinner and arrive back at SVCC at approximately 7:30 p.m.

 

Class ID	Day	Time	Location	Fee	Register
Jersey Boys
2311	Wed, Nov 18	8:45 AM - 7:30 PM	Chicago, IL	$99	Sign Up

 

---

Self-Guided Chicago Trip

Travel with us in person to enjoy the sights and sounds of Chicago. Explore the city’s museums, shops and eateries. This self-guided trip allows you and your friends to enjoy the city without bothersome schedules, stressful driving, and parking hassles.Trip is limited to 50 participants. Trip includes transportation, driver gratuity, and bus snacks. (All Ages)

Motorcoach departs SVCC North parking lot promptly at 8:00 a.m., arriving at Water Tower Place (North side of building) at approximately 10:30 a.m. Motorcoach departs Chicago at 5:00 p.m. and will arrive at SVCC at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Class ID	Day	Time	Location	Fee	Register
Self-Guided Chicago Trip
2215	Sat, December 12, 2026	8:00 AM - 8:00 PM	Chicago, IL	$65	Sign Up

 

 

If you have suggestions or ideas where we should travel, please contact Brenda Helms at Brenda.helms@svcc.edu.

Extended Trips

Stop dreaming and start doing! Join Sauk Valley Community College on an upcoming trip through our travel partner Collette. Begin your adventure today! For more information about trip previews or to request a detailed trip itinerary, contact Brenda Helms at 815.835.6212.

Extended Trip Discover European Christmas Markets

Set out on a holiday adventure through the iconic capital cities of Central Europe – Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Tour the magnificent Prague Castle and explore its famous Christmas market at the Old Town Square. Experience the world’s oldest Christmas market in Dresden. In Vienna, learn the secrets of confectionary at a candy workshop, and indulge in dinner at the famous Marchfelderhof. Travel via train from Vienna to Bratislava. Explore Budapest’s outdoor markets aglow with lights, where stalls of crafts and delicacies abound. Along the way, immerse yourself in festive Christmas markets, experience cultural traditions, sample local cuisine, and glimpse this region’s rich history. Visit gateway.gocollette.com/link/1288389 to view the online trip itinerary. For questions or to complete your reservation in person call Brenda at 815.835.6212. 

Must-See Inclusions:

• Visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, a summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty.
• Discover Budapest’s iconic sights through the eyes of an expert.
• Experience the world’s oldest Christmas market in lovely Dresden, Germany.

Cultural Connections:

• Tour the majestic Prague Castle.
• Be whisked by train from Vienna to Bratislava.
• Visit 5 different countries filled with the holiday spirit.

Culinary Inclusions:

• Experience how to make typical Hungarian strudel.
• Learn the secrets of Viennese confectionary during a candy making demonstration.
• Dine at the famous Marchfelderhof, an iconic restaurant with a rich Viennese tradition.

Trip dates (9 days): Friday, December 4 – Saturday, December 12, 2026

Cost: $4,099 (double/per person); $4,799 (single person); $4,049 (triple/per person)

Activity Level 3 - Active

Included in price: Round trip air from O’Hare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel reservations and 11 meals included (7 breakfasts, 4 dinners).

Not included in price: Cancellation waiver and insurance is an additional $549 per person, flight upgrades, and any gratuities.

• Deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation.
• Prices go up $350 per person after May 29, 2026
• Deposits are refundable up until June 5, 2026
• Final payment due September 5, 2026

---

Class ID	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Extended Trip Preview for Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria
2239	Tues, Sept 15, 2026	6:00 PM - 7:00 PM	Hellmich Riverview Conference Room, 1H16	FREE	Sign Up

 

Extended Trip Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria

Journey through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque cities as you experience three Alpine countries. Spend four nights in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bern and three nights in the charming Alpine city of Innsbruck. Get a taste of Switzerland when you meet a local alphorn maker & yodelers and enjoy a fondue lunch. Explore Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Visit Mozart's birthplace and the Mirabell Gardens, featured in The Sound of Music, during your time in Salzburg. The hills are alive on this enchanting journey across Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria. Visit gateway.gocollette.com/link/1288865 to view the online trip itinerary. For questions or to complete your reservation in person call Brenda at 815.835.6212. 

Must-See Inclusions:

• Spend a day exploring Salzburg's historic past and charming old town.
• Enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne's Altstadt (Old Town).
• Tour Linderhof Palace and its beautiful gardens.

Cultural Connections:

• Witness the creation of Alpine music during an alphorn and yodeling demonstration.
• Experience a Tyrolean Folklore show in Innsbruck.

Culinary Inclusions:

• Savor lunch at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter's Restaurant, Austria's oldest.
• Experience a fondue lunch in a picturesque alpine town.
• Dine on Tyrolean cuisine at a local restaurant.

 Trip dates (10 days): Wednesday, April 21 – Friday, April 30, 2027

Cost: $5,299 (double/per person); $5,899 (single person); $5,249 (triple/per person)

Activity Level 3 - Active

Included in price: Round trip air from O’Hare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel reservations and 13 meals included (8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners).

Not included in price: Optional cancellation waiver and insurance is an additional $549 per person, flight upgrades, and any gratuities.

• Deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation.
• Prices may increase after October 15, 2026
• Deposits are refundable up until October 22, 2026
• Final payment due January 21, 2027

---

Magical Rhine & Moselle Rivercruise

Glide along the enchanting Rhine and Moselle Rivers on a leisurely journey to the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Join a local expert for a tour of Amsterdam. Experience the storybook town of Cochem and the historic Reichsburg Castle, perched high above the banks of the Mosel River. Cruise past charming panoramas as you get to know the culture and deep history of the region. Visit https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1340497 to view the online trip itinerary.

Must-See Inclusions:

• Cruise the famous canals of Amsterdam.
• Stroll Cologne’s Old Town during a walking tour.
• Explore the picturesque town of Cochem and Reichsburg Castle.

Cultural Experiences:

• Set out on a 7-night cruise along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.
• Discover lovely Strasbourg on a guided tour and cruise its’ canals.
• Experience Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities.

Culinary Inclusions:

• Enjoy a Captain’s Gala Dinner aboard your ship.
• Sample famous Kölsch beer in Cologne.
• Enjoy unlimited regional wines with every dinner on board.

Highlights

• Amsterdam
• 7-Night River Cruise
• Rhine and Moselle Rivers
• Cologne
• Cochem
• Lorelei Passage
• Mannheim
• Speyer
• Strasbourg
• Breisach
• Freiburg

Trip dates (9 days): Tuesday, September 28 – Wednesday, October 6, 2027

Cost: $5,599 (lower outside double/per person); $7,599 (lower outside single); $6,299 (stateroom double/per person); $8,799 (stateroom single); $7,299 (deluxe stateroom double/per person); $10,299 (deluxe stateroom single); $9,599 (suite double/per person); $14,999 (suite single)

Activity Level 2 - Moderate

Included in price: Round Trip Group Transportation to O’Hare Airport, Round Trip Air from O’Hare Intl Airport, Hotel Transfers and 20 meals included (7 breakfast, 6 lunch, 7 dinners).

Not included in price: Optional cancellation waiver and insurance of $699 per person, flight upgrades, and any gratuities.

• Deposit of $898 per person is due upon reservation.
• Prices go up $50 per person after September 22, 2026
• Deposits are refundable after September 29, 2026
• Final payment due May 31, 2027

---

Extended Trip Preview for London & Paris

Join us for a preview of the amazing upcoming extended trip to Magical Rhine & Moselle Rivers. A Collette representative will showcase the trip and answer questions. RSVP online at svcc.edu/trips or call 815.835.6212.

Class ID	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Extended Trip Preview for London & Paris
TBD	TBD	6:00 PM - 7:00 PM	Hellmich Riverview Conference Room, 1H16	FREE	Sign Up

 

London & Paris

From cosmopolitan London to romantic Paris, cross the English Channel via the Eurostar train and take in the best of these iconic cities. Take a walking tour to Westminster to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Personalize your stay in Paris by touring the “City of Lights” on a relaxed panoramic drive or on a walking tour of the hilltop Montmartre district. Enjoy ample free time to discover Paris independently. Glide down the Seine on a romantic river cruise. Revel in the allure of the city and take in its spectacular sights, history, architecture, art, and cuisine, and finish with dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Visit https://gateway.gocollette.com/en/link/1457175 to view the online trip itinerary.

Must-See Inclusions:

• Take a "flight" on the iconic London Eye
• Cross the English Channel aboard the Eurostar train. 

Cultural Connections:

• Walk around London amid the city's iconic buildings with a local expert by your side.         
• Spend a reflective moment at the Paris American Cemetery.
• Learn the secrets of perfume making during a hands-on workshop in Paris.    

Culinary Inclusions:

• Dine on traditional pub food in the heart of London.
• Savor an exclusive dinner at the Eiffel Tower, featuring delicious cuisine and breathtaking views.
• Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in bustling Covent Garden.

Trip dates (9 days): Wednesday, March 29 – Thursday, April 6, 2028

Cost: $7,399 (single person); $6,199 (double/per person); $6,099 (triple/per person)

Activity Level 3 - Active

Included in price: Round trip air from O’Hare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel reservations, and 13 meals included (7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners)

Not included in price: Optional cancellation waiver and insurance is an additional $599 per person, flight upgrades, and any gratuities.

• Deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation.
• Prices may increase after September 23, 2027
• Deposits are refundable up until September 30, 2027
• Final payment due December 30, 2027