Jeannie's Journal at NextTribe

It’s hard to believe the books are closed on 2024. How does time pass so quickly? I guess it’s to be expected when you love your work the way I do.

At this time of year, it’s normal to look back at the year before and look ahead at the 12 months to come. I don’t think of myself as very normal, but here goes. 

My Best Moments of 2024

The heady joy of gliding through Havana in the backseat of a cherry red convertible from the 50s. The heart squeeze at the look on the Cuban kids’ faces when we presented them with suitcases full of goodies we’d brought for them. Dancing to the salsa beat all over town.

Heading out into the woods for a foraging expedition—mushrooms, greens, berries--on our inaugural trip to Asheville (my beautiful, resilient hometown). We’ll do it again this coming April.

Meeting Johanne McInnis for the first time on our first trip to Scotland and being blown away by her warmth, goofiness and deep love for the country. She’ll guide our trip this coming June and once you meet her you’ll see what I mean. Oh and dancing at a traditional Ceilidh.

Blowing glass with Dee Quiggle, who I met on our Scotland trip, in her hometown of Seattle, where I was scouting for our August 2025 visit to the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. (Dee will be our guide, just as she was for me.)

Seeing Pink at Solider Field with a bunch of Chicago friends, including Christine Foley, who will be the guide on our August trip to the Windy City. And dancing in the aisles.

Hitting it out of the park (if I do say so myself) on our first visit to Portugal. I couldn’t have picked a better hotel than the one we stay in at the Douro Valley. And I couldn’t have had more fun than, uh…yes, dancing on a boat in the middle of the Lisbon harbor. (You have the chance to experience it all this September.)

Getting all hikers over Dead Woman’s Pass on our Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu—defying the altitude (14,000 feet) and the terrible weather (hail and sleet). What a celebration we had when we finally reached our destination (so much gratitude) at our ridiculously sumptuous hotel. (We’re offering a modified version this October—without the altitude or extreme weather threat.) 

Gasping at the beauty of our welcome at my friend’s ranch outside of San Miguel de Allende—a 12-piece mariachi band and 7 young women in pink on horseback—and breaking down in sobs at the realization of how much I missed Mexico. And dancing at the best Dia de Los Muertos party in town. (We have availability on only one of our three trips to San Miguel in 2025.)

What I’m Looking Forward to in 2025

Riding a camel and camping in Bedouin tents in the Sahara—a bucket list experience for me—as part of our upcoming trip to Morocco. (Spots still open on our 2026 Morocco trip.)

Pedaling bikes on one of the Aran islands—a place preserved in time, which is why the producers of The Banshees of Inisherin filmed there—on our May visit to the Wild West Coast of Ireland.

Exploring the old town of Cartagena with Victoria Reyes, a Colombia native and our guide on our trip there in July.

Soaking in an assortment of hot springs all over Iceland on our August visit.

Dressing up in a Regency gown for the re-creation of the Netherfield Ball at the Jane Austen Festival, as part of our visit to the author’s home region and the Cotswolds in September.

Riding horses and finding creative inspiration on the island of Hydra, a no-car Greek paradise in October.

Plus…

Opening up our fall trip to Italy, based in a drop-dead villa in Umbria, where we’ll harvest olives and hunt truffles. Coming soon!

Planning new offerings for 2026, including South Africa, Japan, Ecuador and the Galapagos, and Croatia.

Dancing in all of the above locations.

Meeting as many of you as possible.

Thanks for a fabulous 2024 and helping us take NextTribe women farther and wider in the world in 2025.

Jeannie Ralston, CEO and Co-Founder

P.S. Want to know what kind of women travel with us, check out this video I made that explains it all.

Upcoming Info Sessions

Join us on the following dates to learn more about each of these trips we’ve carefully planned for you. Also, you’ll be eligible to win a discount on each trip just for attending.

Tuesday, Jan. 7th: The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu RSVP here. 

Tuesday, Jan. 15th: Perfect Charleston Girls Trip RSVP here.

Monday, Jan. 27th: Insider Asheville Weekend RSVP here.

Wednesday, Feb. 5th: Downtown NYC Insider Tour RSVP here.

Wednesday, Feb. 19th: Chicago Summer Escape RSVP here.

Wednesday, Feb. 26th: Rocky Mountain Adventure Trip RSVP here. 

Tuesday, March 4th: Perfect Seattle Weekend RSVP here.