LGBT Food, Fun, Travel, & Social Group

THAILAND TRIP!

• Dates: January 5 - 19, 2026 (15 days / 14 nights)
• Cost: $5200 (per person, excluding international flights)
• Single supplement: $875
• Trip details: https://globe-drifters.com/trip/thailand/

See who goes on these trips and what we do & see: THAILAND TRIP PHOTOS!

If you have questions, email info@globe-drifters.com.

Travel around Thailand on a small group, 15-day trip and explore its temples, jungle, and beautiful beaches! From island hopping on a long-tail boat to jungle trekking in one of the oldest rainforests in the world, you won’t be disappointed in the Land of Smiles. Thailand’s stunning landscapes and laid-back vibe make it the perfect getaway! Thailand’s breathtaking landscape, mouth-watering food, relaxing massages, and laid-back vibe make it the perfect travel destination. Did we mention a massage is only $8?! No matter your style, Thailand has something for everyone.

Shop like a local: Visit Bangkok’s largest and most authentic fresh market, where locals buy their daily ingredients—from fresh fruits and vegetables to creepy-crawly delicacies—before learning to cook authentic Thai dishes with a local chef.

Picture perfect beaches: Visit the laid-back town of Railay, accessible only by boat and pedestrians. The beaches here are straight from a postcard!

Sleep in a treehouse!: Stay the night in a teak forest in treehouse bungalows. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that not many tourists get to see.

✨⛪ Faith & Legacy: A Guided Tour of the Mother Cabrini Shrine ✨🙏

🌿 An Inspiring Morning at Chicago’s National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini ✨

Join us for a special private, docent-led tour of the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, a serene and historically rich sacred space nestled in the heart of Lincoln Park. This immersive experience explores the life, legacy, and mission of Mother Cabrini, America’s first canonized saint, whose work transformed Chicago’s immigrant and Catholic communities forever.

This is a stationary guided church tour — no walking route, no neighborhood stroll — allowing us to slow down, reflect, and truly absorb the stories, artwork, architecture, and spiritual significance of this remarkable site.

Expect beautiful sacred art, historic artifacts, relics of Mother Cabrini, and powerful stories of compassion, service, and perseverance — all brought to life by a knowledgeable docent. ✨

***

### 🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost

📅 Saturday Afternoon 1/17/26 @ 12pm
📍 National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini – 2520 N Lakeview Ave, Chicago
⏱️ Tour length: ~90 minutes
💰 Cost: $15 per person donation
💵 Cash strongly preferred
(Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted if needed so I can submit one group donation)
⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start of the tour and submit payment directly to me so I can give to the church

📸 Photography is allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space.

🎤 Private docent-led tour arranged exclusively for our group.

***

### 🌟 What We’ll Experience

⛪ The beautifully restored chapel and shrine spaces
🎨 Religious artwork, stained glass, and devotional details
📜 Exhibits highlighting Mother Cabrini’s life and mission
🕊️ Stories of faith, immigration, service, and social justice
🙏 Time for quiet reflection and appreciation of the space
This is not a walking tour — everything takes place inside and on the immediate grounds of the Shrine.

***

### 📖 About the Mother Cabrini Shrine

The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini honors the life and legacy of Mother Cabrini (1850–1917), founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Responding to the needs of immigrants, especially Italian newcomers, she established schools, hospitals, and orphanages across the United States — including several in Chicago.

The Shrine stands on the former grounds of Columbus Hospital, one of Mother Cabrini’s most important institutions. Today, it serves as a place of prayer, education, and inspiration, continuing her mission of compassion, dignity, and service to others.

Mother Cabrini’s legacy resonates far beyond Catholic history — her work shaped Chicago’s social services, healthcare systems, and immigrant advocacy at a pivotal moment in the city’s growth.

***

### 🍽️ Optional Lunch After the Tour

After the tour, those interested are welcome to join for lunch at a nearby Lincoln Park restaurant.
🍽️ Options will be shared closer to the date.
⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks.

***

### 👟 What to Bring:

• Camera for photo ops
• Water bottle
• $15 tour donation (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)

🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is easy and recommended.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking

• Free and metered street parking nearby
• Generally easy to find during daytime hours
• Always check posted signs

***

### 📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy

✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel if your plans change
❌ Repeat no-shows may result in removal from future events

***

✨⛪ Join us for a meaningful, enriching visit to the Mother Cabrini Shrine — a space filled with history, faith, service, and inspiration. ✨

✨⛪ Guided Church Tour: Faith, Art & Architecture @Holy Trinity Cathedral 🏛️

🌿 An Inspiring Afternoon Inside a Louis Sullivan–Designed Chicago Landmark ✨

Join us for a special guided visit to Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a designated Chicago Landmark and one of the city’s most extraordinary sacred spaces. Designed by legendary architect Louis Sullivan — often called the “father of skyscrapers” — this church is one of his few religious commissions and a true architectural treasure.

This immersive experience explores Orthodox faith, symbolism, immigrant history, and Sullivan’s architectural vision, all within a richly decorated, awe-inspiring interior.

This is a stationary guided church visit — no walking route or neighborhood stroll — allowing us to slow down and truly absorb the art, architecture, iconography, and spiritual atmosphere of this remarkable landmark.

Expect vivid murals, traditional Orthodox icons, gold accents, incense, and powerful stories of faith and immigration — all shared in a respectful and informative setting. ✨

***

🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Saturday, January 24, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3 PM
📍 Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral 1121 N. Leavitt St.,
⏱️ Visit length: ~90 minutes
💰 Cost: $15 per person
💵 Cash strongly preferred
(Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted if needed so I can submit one group donation)

⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start of the tour and submit payment directly to me so I can give to the church

📸 Photography is typically allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space and follow any onsite guidance.

🎤 Private guided experience arranged for our group.

***

🌟 What We’ll Experience
⛪ The stunning sanctuary designed by Louis Sullivan
🎨 Traditional Orthodox iconography and hand-painted murals
🕯️ Candles, incense, and sacred ritual elements
📜 The history of the parish and its immigrant roots
🏛️ Architectural details that blend Orthodox tradition with Sullivan’s design philosophy

This visit takes place entirely inside the church and its immediate grounds.

***

📖 About Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church
Founded in 1903, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church is one of Chicago’s oldest Orthodox parishes. The building was designed by Louis Sullivan, a pioneering American architect best known for shaping modern architecture and mentoring Frank Lloyd Wright.

Unlike Sullivan’s commercial work, Holy Trinity reflects his ability to adapt architectural form to religious meaning. The church’s simple exterior contrasts dramatically with its richly ornamented interior, emphasizing spirituality over spectacle — a deliberate and powerful design choice.

Designated a Chicago Landmark, Holy Trinity stands as both a sacred space and an architectural masterpiece. It represents the perseverance of immigrant communities who preserved their faith, culture, and traditions while shaping the city’s cultural landscape.

Today, the church continues to serve a diverse Orthodox congregation and remains one of the most visually striking and historically significant religious buildings in Chicago.

***

🍽️ 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 (if permitted)
• Respectful attire
• $15 tour fee (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)

***

🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is easy and encouraged.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

🚗 Parking
• Free and metered street parking nearby
• Generally easy to find during daytime hours
• Always check posted signs

***

📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel promptly if your plans change
❌ Repeated no-shows may result in removal from future events

***

✨⛪ Join us for a rare opportunity to experience a Louis Sullivan–designed Chicago Landmark — where faith, immigration, and architecture come together in one unforgettable space. ✨

CUBA TRIP!

• 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.