Trips & Tours

Day Trips

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

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Self-Guided Chicago Bus Trip

Travel with us 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. (All Ages)

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

CRN	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Self-Guided Chicago Bus Trip
80089	Sat, Dec 14, 2024	8:00 AM - 8:00 PM	Chicago, IL	$60	Sign Up
Bus leaves Promptly at 8am.

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

IT'S TIME TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC
Broadway's Spellbinding Sensation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to Chicago on its first-ever North American Tour. Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking, Tony Award-winning hit, hailed as “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes).

When Harry Potter's head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all - with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It's a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how'd they do that?' for days to come” (People Magazine).

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 3 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. Trip is limited to 50 participants and includes transportation, driver gratuity, show ticket, and bus snacks. Lunch in Chicago and dinner at Portillo's will be on your own. (Ages 10 & Up)

Bus departs SVCC North Parking lot promptly at 8:30 a.m., arriving in Chicago at approximately 10:45 a.m. Bus departs Chicago after the show at approximately 5:45 p.m. and will stop at Portillo's for dinner and arrive back at SVCC at approximately 8:30 p.m.

CRN	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - January 22nd, 2025
80013	Wed, Jan 22, 2025	8:30 AM - 8:30 PM	Nederlander - Chicago, IL	$119	Request Ticket
Seat Location - Upper Balcony

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Experience Wine Country & Galena

Our first stop will be the Wide River Winery & Vineyard in Clinton, IA. Travelers will be able to enjoy a wine tasting of three of their enjoyable wines. Travelers will receive a wine glass and be offered a special discount if purchasing wine to take home. After the tasting, travelers will be able to walk around the vineyard. We will then travel to downtown Galena where travelers can truly experience the essence of Galena and enjoy a relaxing day on their own schedules. Come for the sights, wine, shopping, and food. Trip is limited to 50 participants. Trip includes wine tasting, wine glass, travel snacks, transportation, and gratuities. (Ages 21 & Up)

Bus will depart the SVCC North Parking lot promptly at 10:00 a.m., arriving at Wide River Winery & Vineyard at approximately 11:00 a.m. Bus will depart Wide River Winery & Vineyard at 12:30 p.m. and will arrive in Galena at approximately 1:30 p.m. and drop off on Green Street. The bus will depart Galena at 6:00 p.m. and arrive back at SVCC at 7:30 p.m.

CRN	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Experience Wine Country & Galena
80150	Sat, Apr 12, 2025	10:00 AM - 7:30 PM	Galena, IL	$79	Sign Up

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Moulin Rouge!

Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical! is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

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 35 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. Trip is limited to 50 participants and includes transportation, driver gratuity, show ticket, and bus snacks. Lunch in Chicago and dinner at Portillo’s will be on your own. (Ages 12 & Up)

Bus departs SVCC North Parking lot promptly at 8:30 a.m., arriving in Chicago at approximately 10:45 a.m. Bus departs Chicago after the show at approximately 3:50 p.m. and will stop at Portillo’s for dinner and arrive back at SVCC at approximately 7:30 p.m.

CRN	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Moulin Rouge!
80151	Thu, Apr 3, 2025	8:30 AM - 7:30 PM	Chicago, IL	$99	Sign Up
Cadillac Palace Theatre | Seat Location: Upper Balcony

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Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Be Our Guest at Disney’s newly reimagined 30 th Anniversary production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the breathtaking musical filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love.

This enchanting and timeless tale has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar®-winning and Tony Award®- nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award®-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Matt West, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting design by Natasha Katz. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the beloved musical that will fill your heart with joy and Disney magic.

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. Trip is limited to 50 participants and includes transportation, driver gratuity, show ticket, and bus snacks. Lunch in Chicago and dinner at Portillo’s will be on your own. (Ages 6 & Up)

Bus departs SVCC North Parking lot promptly at 8:30 a.m., arriving in Chicago at approximately 10:45 a.m. Bus departs Chicago after the show at approximately 3:45 p.m. and will stop at Portillo’s for dinner and arrive back at SVCC at approximately 7:30 p.m.

CRN	Day	Time	Room	Fee	Register
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
80139	Sun, Jul 27, 2025	8:30 AM - 7:30 PM	Chicago, IL	$129	Sign Up
Cadillac Palace Theatre | Seat Location: Upper Balcony

 

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.

 

Iceland's Magical Northern Lights

Experience the “land of fire and ice” and chase the aurora borealis across an ethereal wonderland. In the dark of the night, search for the northern lights as you drift along on an evening starlit cruise. Travel the “Golden Circle,” home to renowned natural wonders, and spend time at Thingvellir National Park, gaze at Gullfoss waterfall, and see the explosive geothermal fields at Geysir. Explore Skógar Museum and see traditional turf-built homes. Walk on a black volcanic sand beach. See Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Relax in the warm, mineral-rich water of the Blue Lagoon. Spend your days surrounded by natural wonders and your nights in search of the elusive dancing lights. Travelers can view the itinerary and purchase their tickets online at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1191721. For more information call 815.835.6212. (14 seats remaining)

Trip dates (7 days): Tuesday, November 12 - Monday, November 18, 2024
Cost: $3,699 (double/per person); $4,299 (single person); $3,649 (triple)
11 meals included (6 breakfasts, 5 dinners)
Included in price: Round trip air from O'Hare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel reservations.
Not included in price: Cancellation waiver and insurance is an additional $449 per person.
Deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation.
Prices go up $250 per person after May 12, 2024
Final payment due September 12, 2024

 

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Tropical Costa Rica
Discover Costa Rica's pura vida on a rendezvous with exotic fauna, lush rainforests, and endless coastlines.

Lush forests and stunning waterfalls…rumbling volcanoes and endless coastlines…Costa Rica is a paradise teeming with exotic plants and incredible animals. Enjoy the tranquil views of Arenal Volcano from your hotel. Explore part of the 20,000-acre nature preserve of Cano Negro on a riverboat adventure. Spend two nights in Monteverde's lush cloud forest. Experience the forest canopy on your choice of a hanging bridges nature walk or an exhilarating zip lining tour. Luxuriate at a resort for two nights at Playa Carrillo, Guanacaste, known for its breathtaking beauty and fine sandy beaches. You will find a slice of paradise and so much more.

Trip dates (10 days): Saturday, February 22 - Monday, March 3, 2025
Cost: $3,299 (double/per person); $4,164 (single person); $3,259 (triple)
15 meals included (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners)

Included in price: Round trip air from O'Hare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel reservations.
Not included in price: Cancellation waiver and insurance is an additional $479 per person.
Deposit of $698 per person is due upon reservation.
Prices go up $100 per person after August 16, 2024
Final payment due December 25, 2024

Must-See Inclusions:

• Enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding Arenal Volcano.
• Spot indigenous wildlife while on a Cano Negro riverboat cruise.
• Learn about Costa Rica's vegetation on a guided walk in the cloud forest.

 

Cultural Experiences:

• Enjoy soaking in geothermal pools at your hotel during your 3-night stay in Arenal.
• Put your feet up and relax during a 2-night stay in Guanacaste known for the country's most beautiful beaches.

 

Culinary Inclusions:

• Discover the history of coffee in Costa Rica during your visit to a coffee plantation.
• Learn about local farming practices and learn to make tortillas while having lunch at Don Juan Finca Educativa.

Travelers can view the itinerary and purchase their tickets online at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1246650. For more information call 815.835.6212. (Trip is limited to 32 travelers)

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Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise
Traverse the Pacific coast by land and sea on this breathtaking journey through Alaska.

Traverse the Pacific coast by land and sea aboard one of Holland America Cruise Lines' lovely ships on a breathtaking journey that takes you from Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise the Sternwheeler Discovery and encounter Alaska's diverse culture and rich history. Enjoy local dishes and a lively musical performance at the Denali Dinner Theater about the first brave men to summit Denali. Ride a luxury domed railcar from Denali to Talkeetna, soak in views of the incredible landscapes from glass-ceiling railcars and open-air observation platforms as guides provide expert commentary. Travel deep into Denali National Park for the best opportunities to view the region's wildlife. Cruise through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, taking in rugged natural wonders. Explore Alaska's gorgeous capital, Juneau. Visit Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” This is Alaska as you always imagined.

Trip dates (12 days): Wednesday, June 11 - Sunday, June 22, 2025
Cost: $6,229 (inside double/per person); $8,829 (single person);
Cost: $6,829 (ocean-view double/per person); $9,829 (ocean-view single person);
Cost: $7,729 (veranda double/per person); $11,329 (veranda single person);

26 meals included (11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners)
Included in price: Round trip air from O'Hare Intl Airport, Air Taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel reservations.
Not included in price: Cancellation waiver and insurance is an additional $599 per person.
Deposit of $898 per person is due upon reservation.
Prices go up $100 per person after December 4, 2024
Final payment due February 11, 2025

Travelers can view the itinerary and purchase their tickets online at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1243932. For more information call 815.835.6212. (Trip is limited to 32 travelers)