About us
This group is for LGBT-friendly food lovers and travelers who don’t want to wait on their friends to finally say “yes” to get out to enjoy some good eats, socialize, and see the world. Life is too short and the world is too big!
The food events in this group are member-driven so if you’d like to host a Meetup in your area (i.e. brunch, cooking class, happy hour, a meal out at a new restaurant, etc), feel free to let me know and I'll help you get it set up in the group!
The trips in this group are usually 90% solo travelers but everyone is welcome, female/male, solo/couple/friends, straight/LGBTQIA+! So let’s travel together with fun, like-minded travelers! If you have an open mind and are kind to fellow travelers, you will fit in perfectly on these trips!
NOTE: The people on these trips are from all over the States but you’ll always be connected with people from the same city on a trip so you can meet up face to face and get to know your future travel buddies prior to the trip. You’ll also be connected to the whole group via email prior to the trip so you can virtually get to know those that are from different areas. On average, the people on each trip are 90% solo travelers but it’s hard to predict the exact demographic for each trip so please keep this in mind.
Feel free to join the Facebook group to connect with past travelers on these trips, see pictures, ask questions, funny travel memes, travel-related articles, etc: https://www.facebook.com/groups/613025845523107
The trips in this group are put on by a tour company called Globe Drifters and they focus on small group trips geared towards solo travelers with the mission of giving new meaning to travel by putting the human experience at the heart of their trips. The groups are small, usually with 12 people maximum per trip and about 90% of everyone on each trip are solo travelers so you’re not stuck being the odd man out on trips with mostly couples. You’ll have the best of both worlds, solo travel with the security of a small group of other solo travelers for some company on your adventure! To contact Globe Drifters directly, you can email [info@globe-drifters.com](mailto:info@globe-drifters.com).
Upcoming events
13
⛪✨ Heaven in Brick & Gold: Inside St. Barbara Catholic Church 🕯️🏛️
St. Barbara's, 2859 S Throop, Chicago, IL, US⛪✨ Heaven in Brick & Gold: Inside St. Barbara Catholic Church 🕯️🏛️
🌿 A Polish Cathedral Masterpiece: An Inspiring Morning Inside One of Chicago’s Grandest Historic Churches ✨
Join us for a special guided visit to St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church, a spectacular and deeply historic Catholic landmark on Chicago’s South Side. Known for its monumental scale, ornate interior, and strong ties to the city’s Polish immigrant community, St. Barbara offers an unforgettable look at faith, artistry, and neighborhood history.
This is a stationary guided church visit — no walking tour — allowing us to slow down and truly appreciate the church’s architecture, artwork, symbolism, and history in a peaceful and reflective setting.
Expect soaring ceilings, dramatic altars, rich stained glass, devotional shrines, and stories that connect Catholic tradition with Chicago’s industrial and immigrant past. ✨
***
🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Saturday, February 14, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church 2859 S. Throop St., Chicago
⏱️ Visit length: ~90 minutes
💰 $15 per person
💵 Cash strongly preferred (Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted as I submit one group donation)⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start and submit payment directly to me so I can provide one group donation to the church.
📸 Photography is allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space and follow any guidance from our hosts.
🎤 Private guided experience arranged for our group.
***
🌟 What We’ll Experience
⛪ A breathtaking historic sanctuary
🎨 Elaborate religious art, murals, and stained glass
🕯️ Side altars, candles, and devotional elements
📜 The story of the parish and Chicago’s Polish Catholic community
🏛️ Architectural details of the Polish Cathedral–style tradition
This visit takes place entirely inside the church and immediate grounds.***
📖 About St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church
Founded in 1910, St. Barbara Parish was established to serve Polish immigrants who settled near Chicago’s booming industrial corridor of rail yards, factories, and stockyards. Named for St. Barbara, patron saint of miners and workers in dangerous trades, the parish became a spiritual refuge for laboring families seeking faith, stability, and community.The current church building, completed in the 1910s, is a stunning example of the Polish Cathedral style — a uniquely American expression of Catholic architecture characterized by monumental scale, classical influences, lavish ornamentation, and an emphasis on beauty as an act of devotion.
Inside, the church is richly adorned with:
- Grand altars
- Painted ceilings and murals
- Sculptural details
- Stained glass honoring saints, sacraments, and Polish religious heritage
Every element was designed to inspire awe, reinforce Catholic teaching, and reflect the pride and sacrifice of the immigrant community that built it.
For generations, St. Barbara served as a cultural, spiritual, and social anchor — hosting baptisms, weddings, funerals, festivals, and daily worship that shaped neighborhood life. As demographics evolved, the parish continued to adapt while preserving its extraordinary artistic and architectural legacy.
Today, St. Barbara remains an active parish and a treasured landmark — one of Chicago’s most impressive examples of early 20th-century Catholic church design.
***
🍽️ Optional Coffee or Lunch After the Visit
Those interested are welcome to join me afterward for coffee or lunch at a nearby neighborhood spot.
🍽️ Options will be shared closer to the date.
⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks.***
👟 What to Bring
• Camera
• Respectful attire
• $15 tour fee (exact change appreciated)***
🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is easy and encouraged.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/***
🚗 Parking
• Street parking available nearby (check posted signs)
• Metered parking on nearby main streets
• Residential side streets often available
• Area can be busy — arriving early is recommended
• SpotHero or ParkWhiz may be helpful***
📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel promptly if plans change
❌ Repeated no-shows may affect future event participation***
✨⛪ Join us for a meaningful Valentine’s weekend experience exploring Catholic faith, immigrant history, and sacred art — all inside one of Chicago’s most awe-inspiring neighborhood churches. ✨
4 attendees
Cuba Trip! - Mar 2026
Location not specified yet• Dates: March 14 - 22, 2026 (9 days / 8 nights)
• Cost: $2700 (per person, excluding flights)
• Single supplement: $450
• Detailed itinerary, visa info, FAQ, etc: https://globe-drifters.com/trip/cuba-march/See photos from previous trips here: CUBA TRIP PHOTOS
For more information or if you have questions, please email info@globe-drifters.com
Cuba travel, legal and local… Thanks to the small group size, we avoid the big, government-run establishments, most of which US travelers aren’t allowed to patronize. As a small group, we can also dine at privately owned restaurants to support everyday citizens. Our groups of 12 travelers or less can visit smaller, more off-the-beaten-path places for more meaningful interaction with locals. Below are some of the things that make our small group trips to Cuba unique:
Authentic, local interaction: Your own dedicated Cuban trip leader throughout the trip will be your friend and show you Cuba through the eyes of a local.
Playa Larga: A sleepy beach town on the Bay of Pigs to escape the hordes of travelers at the major tourist hotspots. It’s a great place to witness everyday Cuban life in a typical Cuban town.
FAC: The Fábrica de Arte Cubano is a great place to mingle with Cubans over a drink while listening to live music and admiring works of art by local artists.
1 attendee
Portugal Slowcation! - Apr 2026
Sintra, PT• Dates: April 9 - 19, 2026 (11 days / 10 nights)
• Cost: $4450 (per person, excluding flights)
• Single supplement: NONE!
*Room upgrades available for premium rooms.
• Details: https://globe-drifters.com/trip/portugalslowcation/Check out pictures from previous trips to see what we do, where we go and who goes on the trips: PORTUGAL PHOTOS!
If you have any questions, please email info@globe-drifters.com.
What is a slowcation? Click here to find out: https://globe-drifters.com/slowcations/
Experience the magic of Portugal at your leisure on our slowcation… Explore Sintra’s fairytale castles, verdant hills, and charming cobblestone streets returning each day to a dreamy 19th-century estate. Then, head to Porto for wine tasting, golden sunsets aboard private sailboats, and strolls through colorful, lively neighborhoods. With hands-on experiences, unforgettable meals, and time to truly connect with each place; this is Portugal at your pace!
Portugal like a local: Step off the tourist trail into authentic Portuguese traditions. Learn the art of cheese making at a family-run dairy farm, paint your own azulejo (traditional tile), and wander through the unique landscapes of a working cork plantation.
Fairytale castles: Roam through Sintra, where enchanting palaces, lush gardens, and picturesque streets reveal centuries-old legends and hidden gems at every turn.
Douro Valley delights: Sail in style down the Douro River and indulge in the finest wines at exclusive quintas nestled in the scenic, rolling hills of Portugal’s award-winning wine country.
1 attendee
Sicily Slowcation! - Apr 2026
Location not specified yetSICILY SLOWCATION!
• Dates: April 22 - May 1, 2026 (10 days / 9 nights)
• Cost: $5400 (per person, excluding flights)
*NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!
• Trip details: https://globe-drifters.com/trip/sicily-slowcation/Email info@globe-drifters.com if you have questions!
Explore Sicily, one of Italy’s best-kept secrets on our laid-back slowcation… Stay in Syracuse and Palermo, two beautiful Sicilian cities where you’ll take in the region’s unparalleled beauty, rich history, and unique traditions. And true to our slowcation style, we’ll take things slow so you can have time to really experience the vibrant streets, expansive piazzas, exquisite architecture, and bustling markets — Not just check them off a list. Taste authentic Sicilian flavors, enjoy farm life experiences, and soak up the local culture at a relaxed pace. This is your chance to live the dolce vita and savor every moment, one cannoli at a time!
In the heart of it all: Centrally located hotels in Syracuse and Palermo mean easy walks to cafés, markets, must-see landmarks, and Sicily’s hidden gems. No taxis or rental cars needed!
A taste of Sicily: Street eats, a countryside cooking class, a chocolate workshop, and farm-fresh lunches — Discover the real flavors of Sicily, one bite at a time!
Conversations with a contessa: Step inside one of Palermo’s oldest private homes and hear first-hand stories from the Contessa who still calls it home.
1 attendee
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