Northern Illinois Travel Society /815-756-1547

06/14/2025

A walk in Eastport, Maine. Great lobster lunch.

06/12/2025

Don’t miss the 2026 Arctic Circle & the Northern Lights cruise group departure. 815-756-1547 for details.

06/10/2025

I am home again. :)

06/09/2025

06/09/2025

A highlight of our 2025 trip.

Reviews are coming in hot for Macbeth! 🔥
Robert Lepage resets Shakespeare’s tragedy during the Quebec biker wars and according to The Globe and Mail, it “feels like a movie” and “recreates the expansive magic of film”.

Book your tickets now: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/PlaysAndEvents/Production/Macbeth

📷 Members of the company in Macbeth. Photo: David Hou.
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director and Designer: Robert Lepage
Creative Director: Steve Blanchet
Set and Props Designer: Ariane Sauvé
Costume Designer: Michael Gianfrancesco
Lighting Designer: Kimberly Purtell
Composer, Sound Designer: John Gzowski

06/09/2025

We had major rain storm last night on the ms Volendam about 2 a.m. which flooded the lido deck aft. With 60 knots of high winds, the water came i to the Lido restaurant and all the way to the main pool and mis-ship elevators are out of order. A first for this captain and ‘one for the books’ as they say.

06/03/2025

Christine and Jeff enjoying a visit to a winery in Portugal.

05/31/2025

Best travelers ever!

05/28/2025

Subject Line: Unwrap the Magic of the Danube This Christmas 🌟

Dear Northern Illinois Traveler,

Imagine drifting past fairy-tale villages and grand European cities as twinkling lights reflect off the Danube River. This holiday season, make memories wrapped in magic with a Christmas Markets River Cruise—an unforgettable way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Here’s why your perfect winter escape awaits on the Danube:

🎄 Authentic European Charm
Step into storybook scenes in Vienna, Budapest, and Nuremberg, where cobblestone streets glow with festive lights, the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and local artisans showcase hand-crafted treasures at traditional Christmas markets.

🍷 Delicious Seasonal Treats
Sip warm mulled wine under a canopy of lights, indulge in gingerbread and local holiday delicacies, and toast the season with regional wines and cuisine prepared fresh onboard.

🚢 Stress-Free Travel
Unpack once and wake up each day in a new, enchanting destination. Our luxurious river cruise ship is your floating hotel—elegant, cozy, and filled with holiday cheer.

🎁 The Gift of Experience
Give yourself or a loved one a gift that doesn’t fit in a box: a winter journey filled with culture, celebration, and cherished moments.

Whether you're rekindling your love for Old World traditions or seeking a new way to celebrate the season, the Danube’s Christmas markets offer an experience that glows with warmth, wonder, and joy.

Join the 'waitlist'—reserve your place now for the November 30 - December 8, 2025 cruise and unwrap the magic of the Danube this year. Join Steven on this adventure.

Warmest holiday wishes,
Steven Johnson/Compass Travel/815-756-1547

05/22/2025

Compass Travel owner Scot with a rolls Royce phantom @ winery in the Douro valley’ Portugal.