Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! PSOP is hosting three excursions in 2021 and 2022 that will create memories to last a lifetime.

Alaska by Land & Sea – Aug. 9-20, 2021
Explore the Alaskan “final frontier.” The seven-night cruise and four-night land adventure leaves Belleville, Monday, Aug. 9. 2021. Highlights of the adventure include visiting Denali National Park; taking a ride on the Alaska Railroad; experiencing a wilderness dogsled ride; viewing the gigantic Hubbard Glacier; visiting the Icy Strait Point; watching whales on the waters of Port Frederick; and all the amenities of the world-class Celebrity Cruises’ Millennium ship at night and much more!

The tour includes airfare, transportation, activities, meals, lodging on land, cruise accommodations as selected, entertainment on the ship, port charges, taxes, government fees, travel insurance and gratuities. Prices start at $5,023 per person, with double occupancy.

Landscapes & Lighthouses of Coastal Maine – Oct. 9-15, 2021
Experience all the beauty coastal Maine has to offer. The six-night trip leaves St. Louis on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Highlights of the trip include tours of historic Boston and America’s oldest ballpark, Fenway Park; taking a scenic Casco Bay Cruise and seeing lighthouses, forts, lobster boats and seals; visiting one of America’s oldest and most photographed lighthouses, Portland Head Lighthouse; experiencing a traditional lobster clambake; traveling to the tallest peak in the Northeastern U.S., Mount Washington and much more!

The excursion includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, six-nights lodging in first-class hotels, nine meals, motorcoach transportation, admissions per itinerary, sightseeing, hotel transfers, baggage handling at hotels, a travel protection plan and a professional tour director. Prices start at $3,599 per person, with double occupancy and the booking discount.

Eastern Caribbean Cruise – Feb. 20 to March 3, 2022                 
This unique island winter escape is jam-packed with things to do and features something for everyone. The 10-night journey leaves Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 and will explore what Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the eastern Caribbean islands, and Celebrity Cruises Millennium cruise ship have to offer. There are many excursion options to choose from including:  exploring vibrant coastal villages and white-sandy beaches; navigating the El Yunque rainforest; tasting local cuisine; shopping at local shops filled with artisanal batik clothing, leatherwork and textiles; riding a narrow-gauge train through breathtaking scenery; snorkeling to view sunken shipwrecked ships; viewing the magnificient Mount Liamuiga, a 3,792-foot-high dormant volcano and more!

The trip includes rountrip airfare and airport transfers; one-night lodging in Ft. Lauderdale with breakfast; 10-night cruise in selected accomodations; all meals and entertainment on the ship; baggage handling throughout the trip; customary shipboard gratuities; all port charges, taxes and government fees; tour-related taxes and gratuities for drivers and bellman and services of a PSOP representative. Guests also get to choose two of the following perks, at no extra cost: classic beverage package, unlimited internet package or an onboard credit of $150 per person for dining, spa, shore excursions and other onboard purchases.       

The deposit to reserve your spot for this excitement-packed excursion is only $500. Prices begin at only $2,999 per person. A passport is required and must be valid through Sept. 5, 2022. A passport card is not acceptable for this trip.

For more information or a brochure, call Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020 or nancy.bauer@swic.edu.

Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! PSOP is hosting three excursions in 2021 that will create memories to last a lifetime.

Spring Training with the Cardinals in Jupiter, Florida – March. 16-19, 2021
Enjoy the beginning of spring with the “boys of summer.” The four-day trip leaves on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Highlights of the trip include a tour of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse; two Cardinals games at Roger Dean Stadium; exploring old-world architecture, beautiful fountains and sidewalk cafes in West Palm Beach; viewing celebrity mansions; looking for alligators while riding through the Everglades Holiday Park on an airboat; enjoying a “Gator” show by the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Team of “Animal Planet” and more!   

The trip includes roundtrip local airport transfers and airfare; deluxe motor coach transportation; three-nights lodging near the beach; three breakfasts and two dinners; all activities and admissions as listed in the itinerary; all tour-related taxes and gratuities and baggage handling. Prices start at $2,229 per person, with double occupancy.  

The Magnolia Trail & The Heart of Texas – April 24-28, 2021
Experience all the heartland of Texas has offer! This four-night trip leaves Saturday, April 24, 2021. Highlights of the trip include tours of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, President John F. Kennedy sites and locations, Perot Museum, AT&T Stadium, the western historic Fort Worth Stockyard District, Waco City and a guided tour of homes featured on the HGTV series “Fixer Upper.” Also included is shopping at the Magnolia Market at the Silos, viewing a cattle drive and much more!

The tour includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, four-nights lodging infirst-class hotels, six meals, motorcoach transportation, admissions per itinerary, comprehensive sightseeing, hotel transfers, baggage handling at hotels, a travel protection plan and a professional tour director. Prices start at $2,699 per person, with double occupancy and the booking discount.
    
Iceland Explorer – June 2-8, 2021
Discover picturesque landscapes created by volcanoes and glaciers, and learn about Viking heritage. The trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, motorcoach transportation, eight meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, five nights lodging, hotel transfers, travel insurance, international air departure taxes and fuel, baggage handling at the hotel and a professional tour director. A valid passport is required.

Highlights of the adventure include visiting several museums such as Iceland’s National Museum, Skogar Folk Museum and the Viking Ship Museum. Also, view the Skogafoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country; swim in a geothermal pool in the center of a large lava field called the Blue Lagoon; explore Thingvellir National Park; view hot springs and mud pots; explore five original Viking ships from the 11^th century and visit Bessastadir, an ancient site and home to Iceland’s president. Taste “Hot Spring Bread” which is cooked using the heat from geothermal activity; learn Viking history and culture; and much more. The cost starts at $4,799 per person, based on double occupancy and with the booking discount.  

For more information or a brochure, call Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020 or nancy.bauer@swic.edu.

Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! Plan to attend the Travelogue program on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville.

The meeting will highlight the following excursions:

Iceland Explorer – June 3-9, 2020

Discover picturesque landscapes created by volcanoes and glaciers, and learn about Viking heritage. The seven-day, six-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, motorcoach transportation, eight meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, five nights lodging, hotel transfers, travel insurance, baggage handling and a professional tour director. A valid passport is required.

Highlights of the adventure include visiting several museums such as Iceland’s National Museum, Skogar Folk Museum and the Viking Ship Museum. Also, view the Skogafoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country; swim in a geothermal pool in the center of a large lava field called the Blue Lagoon; explore Thingvellir National Park; view hot springs and mud pots; explore five original Viking ships from the 11^th century and visit Bessastadir, an ancient site and home to Iceland’s president. Taste “Hot Spring Bread” which is cooked using the heat from geothermal activity; learn Viking history and culture; and much more.

The cost starts at $4,739 per person, based on double occupancy.

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise – Sept. 29 through Oct. 6, 2020

Have you been dreaming of tropical sands, coral reefs and island blue water?

Join PSOP for a journey to explore five islands and all the MV Galapagos Legend cruise ship has to offer. This unique excursion is jam-packed with things to do and features something for everyone. The eight-day, seven-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, round trip motorcoach transportation, 17 meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, roundtrip airport transfers, two excursions per-day, professional tour director, baggage handling and a travel protection plan. A valid passport is required.

Highlights of the activities include visiting the “middle of the world” in Quito, Ecuador; snorkeling; viewing land iguanas, giant tortoises, pelicans, sea lions, penguins and other sea and wildlife, plus the flightless cormorants, found only in Isabela Island;. Also, visit a pirates hideout; view stunning volcanic landscapes; visit Jesuit Church of the Society of Jesus, one of the most significant examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America; swim with sunfish and sea horses; visit a black volcanic beach and a red sand beach; and much more.

Also enjoy the naturalist MV Galapagos Legend cruise ship, a luxury vessel which offers all the amenities of a large cruise liner without sacrificing the intimacy of a small sailing craft. The luxurious Legend is equipped with five decks, mouth-watering dining options, a swimming pool, a library, exercise equipment, international phone/fax/internet, 24-hour pay medical service, the most technologically advanced safety system in the archipelago and much more.

The cost starts at $7,555 per person, based on double occupancy

For more information or to reserve a seat to the Travelogue program, contact Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020.

Have you been dreaming of tropical sands, coral reefs and island blue water? If so, then let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons make it a reality in 2020!

This unique excursion is jam-packed with things to do and features something for everyone. Join PSOP Feb. 15-23, 2020, for an eight-night journey to explore Tampa, Florida; Costa Maya, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico and all the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship has to offer.

The adventure begins with a one-night stay in Tampa before boarding the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship. Once aboard the ship, there are numerous amenities and activities to choose from including live entertainment, spa treatments, a casino, swimming pools, mouth-watering dining options and more.

Highlights of activities available while visiting some of the locations include traveling 100 feet below the sea in a submarine; exploring an underwater protected marine park; visiting stunning beaches; exploring ancient Mayan ruins and learning secrets of the Mayan culture. Other activities include: viewing the beautiful coral reef on a glass bottom boat tour; tasting local cuisine and indulging in sweet treats; seeing dolphins; snorkeling in sparkling waters or alongside stingrays; ziplining over the Caribbean Sea; taking a ride in a dune buggy or catamaran; strolling through a jungle canopy on a suspension bridge; catching a tuna fish; golfing on a championship course; relaxing at a private pool-side cabana; taking a scenic drive for photos; shopping at local craft markets; viewing the stunning sites of Tabyana Beach; discovering how the Mayans made chocolate and more.

The eight-night trip leaves Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The trip includes local roundtrip airfare and airport transfers; motor coach transportation in Florida; one night lodging in Tampa with breakfast; baggage handling throughout the trip; gratuities for local and Florida motor coach drivers; seven-night cruise in selected accommodations; ALL meals and entertainment on board the ship; all port charges, government taxes and fees; customary shipboard gratuities; services of SWIC PSOP travel representative. In addition, there is also your choice of two of the following FREE amenities: FREE unlimited beverage package, FREE specialty dining package, internet package, $50 shore excursion credit (per port, per stateroom), or a photo package.

The deposit to reserve your spot for this once-in-a-lifetime, excitement-packed excursion is only $500. Prices begin at only $2,349 per person. A passport is required and must be valid through Aug. 24, 2020. For more information or a brochure, call Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020 or nancy.bauer@swic.edu.

Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! Plan to attend the Travelogue program on Monday, Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville.

The meeting will highlight the following two excursions taking place in 2019:

Spectacular Yellowstone in Winter – Feb. 12-17

Experience the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park during the most spectacular time of year. The six-day, five-night trip leaves Belleville, Tuesday, Feb. 12. The tour includes airfare, transportation, sightseeing, 10 meals, six nights lodging, travel insurance, gratuities and fees. Highlights of the adventure include the famous attraction Old Faithful, Grand Teton National Park, viewing wildlife such as bald eagles and elk in their natural habitats, National Wildlife Art Museum, a sleigh-wagon ride through the National Elk Refuge, a performance by the world-famous Tabernacle Choir and more.

Scotland & Northern Ireland June 18-28

Discover all the history Scotland and Ireland have to offer! Enjoy tales of the Loch Ness Monster and breathtaking views of the Emerald Isle and majestic castles. The 10-day, nine-night trip leaves Fairview Heights on Tuesday, June 18. The tour includes airfare, transportation, sightseeing, 17 meals, travel insurance, activities, gratuities, taxes and fees. Highlights of the adventure include Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, a scenic coastal journey along The Antrim Coast Road and more.

For more information or to reserve a seat for the program, contact Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020.