Hello Dear NextTriber:

Last month, I had the pleasure of welcoming my niece into NextTribe. It’s hard to believe—I still picture her as an adorable baby—that she’s 45 now. (The logical extension of that thought: damn, how old does that make me?!) 

I’m thrilled she can finally go on a NextTribe trip, and she is too. She’s been eyeing our itineraries for years, but rules are rules, even for family.

Our travelers range from 45 to 65 (my age) and well beyond, so I design trips to suit a wide range of activity levels. I want the most active among you—young or not-so-young—to feel challenged and exhilarated. And I want those who’d rather ease into a slower pace to feel just as at home.

That’s why every trip gets an activity rating, 1 through 5. Our Himalayan hike this November is a 5, and I can’t wait to return to that spectacular part of the world. Mongolia next summer rates a 4.5, not because it’s physically demanding, but because we’ll spend four nights in yurts with shared bathrooms.

Most trips incorporate alternatives. On last year’s Iceland trip, a couple of women skipped the 4-mile hike to a hot spring up on a ridge and explored Reykjavik instead. In Croatia, which we’re offering again next year, we split a national park hike into a longer, steeper route and a shorter, gentler one—though a few travelers opted out entirely and spent the day soaking up the oceanfront in Zadar.

Other trips build in plenty of lolling. In the heart of Italy, we take excursions to magical medieval hill towns, but our home base is a 13th-century villa so exquisite that some travelers skip Assisi entirely just for more time on its vast terrace with spectacular mountain-top views of the Tiber River valley below. Our nearly sold-out Costa Rica trip pairs daily yoga with surfing or paddleboarding lessons—but the pool is always right there for anyone who’d rather just float on any given day.

The point is: we know our travelers have different capabilities, and we accommodate them without judgment—and we ask everyone on the trip to do the same. What I’ve found is that NextTribe groups offer each other something rare: grace. Most of us have picked up an empathy that comes with age, an understanding that life hands out hard knocks, physically and emotionally, and that we’re all just doing our best to grab as much sweetness out of these years as we can.

No matter the itinerary, certain things remain constant: camaraderie, joy, an open-arm welcome, and genuine curiosity about each other and the world.

Last year in Ecuador, we were fortunate to have a 45-year-old with us. “I didn’t know what to expect, since I figured I was going to be the youngest,” says Suzanne Dodson from Broken Arrow, OK. “But I couldn’t have been more impressed by the other women in the group. They were interesting, accomplished, funny, active and enthusiastic about experiencing new things. Even the women who were decades older than me seemed young.”

What unites our travelers—what we look for—is a zeal for life, a willingness to try new things, a positive spirit. Oh, and one other requirement: you have to be able to handle your own luggage.

So keep an eye out—you’ll likely meet my fabulous niece Laura Goodwin on an upcoming trip! And why not invite an appropriately aged niece—or daughter, or mother—to travel with you?

 Cheers and hugs—

Jeannie Ralston
Founder and CEO

For all its raw, elemental beauty, Iceland also offers refined Nordic sophistication—world-class restaurants, striking architecture, cutting-edge art, and excellent shopping. It's a place of wonderful contradictions: wild yet welcoming, remote yet remarkably progressive (hello, most gender-equal country in the world).

All the details here.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is Conde Nast Traveler's #1 Travel Destination in the World and a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The vibrant colonial architecture and cobblestone streets create an enchanting atmosphere—the perfect setting for discovering rich Mexican culture and exploring the shops, sites, and restaurants that are uniquely San Miguel.

The trip takes place during Mexico's Day of the Dead festival, which can truly change your perspective on mortality. Day of the Dead is a lively, life-affirming holiday when Mexicans make ofrendas to commemorate loved ones who have passed and visit cemeteries to sing to and party with those dear but departed.

We make our own offering at the hotel and spend time discussing our loved ones who have passed. It's moving and cathartic—and, we’ve found, something our travelers truly appreciate at this time in their lives.

All the details here.

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