History

The History...of Viking Travel...
Viking Travel Service, L.P. opened its doors in La Grange, Illinois in 1971. Present president, Margaret (Peg) Haskins, CTC joined the company as a Travel Consultant in January 1973. Three years later, on July 26, 1976, Peg and John Haskins purchased the agency and began to concentrate on their goal of offering expert and varied travel services to an upscale clientele.

In 1983, the Group Department (now referred to as Shared Adventures), was formed to serve the senior market in the immediate and surrounding areas. Word of mouth and client loyalty soon helped the department grow into the Division it has become today. Shared Adventures now works with senior, affinity and specialty groups throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, the surrounding suburbs and towns in all directions, Northwest Indiana, Wisconsin and Texas. They offer group tours, cruises and soft adventure experiences throughout the world.

The original location for the second agency in Naperville, Illinois was opened in the lobby of a Savings & Loan in 1983. Soon needing more space, we purchased our own building in Naperville and opened our doors.

In the late 80's we realized the "partnership" between airlines and travel agencies was very rapidly changing. We took this opportunity to purchase an existing "cruise only" business, took on their location, staff and clientele...thus The Cruise Shop was incorporated into both the La Grange and Naperville locations.

After nearly thirty years of growth, the home office in La Grange became too small, so with that, we relocated to our present office in Westmont, Illinois in June of 2000. The location as helped us develop an even stronger image and reputation for serving and maintaining loyal discriminating travelers.

Today, Viking Travel Service consists of seven Divisions, all staffed with specialists; each working individually and also in unison, to provide the finest services to the most wonderful places in the world.