Where should we take you next?

Hi reader,

I was a little surprised and a little horrified when I saw a story about an airline asking for volunteers to weigh themselves at the gate (so they can better balance the load). The blowback has been predictable. I’m not one of those people who frets about her weight but you wound’t catch me volunteering for this, and I hope other airlines are watching the public response. Not a good look for their brand.

Also, did you see this about carry-on bags? It’s behind a paywall (GRR!!) but if you have a subscription to the Atlantic it’s worth a read. And let’s face it, the Atlantic is a great magazine so maybe it’s time to get a subscription. 

The gist of the article is that airlines are going to start cracking down further on carryon size limitations, so if you’re thinking about that buying that Bigger Carry-on from Away, don’t do it! 

Besides, the overhead compartments on smaller regional carriers, especially overseas, are sometimes not even big enough for a small duffel! As much as I encourage our travelers to carry on, maybe that will be less of an option in the future. 

Double GRRR!!!

Now on to the fun stuff. Dream destinations.

Time Running Out to Book Vietnam

Last night, we had a gathering on Zoom to learn all about the NextTribe trip to Vietnam in Nov. 2024, meet our guide Ann Hillers and also meet some fellow travelers on the trip. We know November seems a long way off, but not for a trip like this to such an exotic destination.

Because of logistics we need sign-ups for this trip by Friday, March 15th. We have only a few slots left (many NextTribers on our gathering last night signed up right away).

You can watch the recording of our info session here and find out all the booking details here.

In a New York State of Mind

I love New York. For so many reasons. I’ve lived there twice. Once right after college in my 20s. Again right after my divorce, which I call my second 20s.

And I love showing it off to people, and by people, I mean women.

We’ve got a weekend getaway coming up in June, and it includes the greatest places I found during the 18 months I lived in the East Village before moving to Asheville last year. It’s a real insider’s look, with visits to a speakeasy and a glorious restaurant hidden behind a pawn shop. We’ve got visits to New Yorkers’ apartments to hear from some cool women.

We even put on a show—filled with humor and age-appropriate entertainment. This photo (below) was taken during last year’s trip—at the show at a small theater. We look like we’re auditioning for A Chorus Line, but there was mostly laughing, rather than dancing.

I’m Finally Taking my Bucket List Trip!

I also love places I’ve never been, because I’ve conjured up the travel experience in my mind and I can’t wait to go there! This especially includes getting to see the Gorillas in Rwanda. There’s only one spot left in our 2025 trip. Claim it before someone else does.

This article in Forbes makes it sound so exciting, and I can’t wait. I always wanted to go there with my boys, but it wasn’t meant to be. Now I’m taking my girls, and we’re going to have so much fun!

Where would you like to go next?

We’re almost finished filling out our 2024 travel schedule. Look for excursions to Marfa and Big Bend in Texas and Christmas in Tuscany coming soon (both in December). Now, we’re looking at trips to add for 2025, so it would be so helpful to know what destinations intrigue you most. Please take a moment to answer our question here so we can create a dream trip for you!!

Hasta la vista, as in Buena Vista Social club, where we were last month!!

Jeannie Ralston
Co-Founder and CEO

Oh yes, one more thing. Please join me on March 26th to learn about my former hometown, which happens to be one of the most beloved destinations in the world: