Jeannie's Journal at NextTribe

Just What I Wanted to Hear on Thanksgiving

I was woken up on Thanksgiving morning by a call from Paris. It was the manager of the hotel where our groups stay. After we’d dispensed with a financial matter related to one of our trips, she said this: “I have to tell you that I love what your company does. I watch your groups of women coming in and out of the hotel and they’re all so happy. It’s like they’re teenagers again.”

OMG. It means so much to hear an observation like that, completely unsolicited. I mean, I see this on all our trips: women brimming with age-defying energy and wide-eyed enthusiasm. And such joy. And when others notice, I am truly over the moon.

At Thanksgiving dinner that evening, before a clink of glasses, this was what I said: “I’m so grateful to have a job I love that seems to make a difference.”

Thanks to all of you who support NextTribe by reading our newsletters, building a community, traveling on our trips, and telling your friends about us.

Rebuilding in Asheville

Another thing I expressed gratitude for in my Thanksgiving toast, was “the way Asheville is rebuilding after the storm.”

Many of you were so kind to reach out after Helene ripped through Western North Carolina. I am glad to report that life in general is getting back to some type of normal (of course it never will for those who lost loved ones, sigh).

Now that my travel schedule for 2024 has eased, I wanted to pitch in for the rebuilding effort. I got a chance when Mike’s studio (Trackside Studios) requested volunteers to paint. As you may have read, the River Arts District suffered major damage in the storm. Some artists, such as collagist Li Newton—photographed with me above—lost almost everything.

With the help of scores of volunteers, Trackside will be opening again this week. And Li will start the long effort to rebuild her body of work. We’re trying to help there as well. On NextTribe’s long weekend in Asheville in April, Li will be offering a mini-collage workshop. She’s just one of the many talented women our group of travelers will meet on the trip.

If you want to help artists like Li recover, consider doing your holiday shopping at the River Arts District website.

Or perhaps you’d like to buy a deck of card or a book featuring 52 works of art lost in the storm. All proceeds go to artists in need.

I’ll cross my fingers that I’ll get to see you in Asheville in April. I’d love to show you my beautiful—and resilient—hometown.

Not so far in the future are these chances to see each other via Zoom:

Dec. 3rd: Info Session on our October Greek Island Adventure: RSVP here.

Dec. 4th: Info Session on our September Portugal trip. RSVP here.

Dec. 9th: Info Session on our September Jane Austen and the Cotswolds tour. RSVP here.

Thanks and Happy Holidays—

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.

Trips on My Mind

I’ve done the very challenging four-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu three times, and I’m relieved to report that I won’t be doing it a fourth time. We’re changing up our trip to Machu Picchu to make it more accessible and comfortable so more of you can experience it.

In 2025, we’ll be on the Inca Trail for only 6 miles (one day). We retain the best parts of the previous hikes–-including the magic of first glimpsing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate–-but give you a real bed to sleep in, avoid the highest altitudes and the wear-and-tear on your body. Suhweet!