1,244 islands. Zero regrets.
One country. All the coastline you'll ever need.
Sandals on. Sunscreen applied. Women our age, riding the current.
Turquoise water, cliffside towns, Instagram beauty wall-to-wall. That’s why Croatia is on the top of so many must-visit lists. But here’s why it lands in the never-forget part of our brains: the lace maker on Pag who'll teach you her craft, the family who'll feed you lunch in their island olive grove, and the feeling of raftng the Cetina with only a layer of canvas between you and the rapids.
Here at NextTribe, we believe now — at midlife and beyond — is our moment to shine. To explore, grow, make real friends, and have experiences that remind you exactly how alive you are. That's why NextTribe exists. And Iceland? Iceland is where we're doing it next.
On every trip, bonding is quick and deep. You'll see places and meet people you simply couldn't on your own — because your guide is a worldly, warm woman our age with real local knowledge and real local ties. Not a 26-year-old with a clipboard. One of us.
We keep groups small on purpose — which means this fills fast. Don't be the one who waited too long.
~ Small groups—women 45+ ~ Solo travelers welcome
~ Led by a woman our age ~ Aging boldly since 2017
Visit NextTribe.com to explore all our trips!
As seen in Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, MSNBC, Parade Magazine and Kiplingers.
About half our travelers come alone. Which means you'll land in a group of women who are in exactly the same boat — and that's exactly the point.
No awkward third-wheel moments
Solo travelers aren't an afterthought here — we're built for you. The whole group dynamic works because of women who came exactly like you did.
We handle everything
Logistics, hotels, transfers, most meals — all taken care of so you can show up and just be present.
Rooming that works for you
Single supplements available, or we'll help match you with a compatible roommate from the group.
These are real women. Real trips. Real friendships that started exactly like this.
★★★★★
"This beautiful trip exceeded my expectations--and having traveled with NextTribe eight times now, my expectations are high. In addition to exploring three beautiful Adriatic cities, we enjoyed the hospitality of several local families in unique surroundings, two "water days" (boating and rafting), a picturesque hike, and lots of time to explore on our own. All that, plus a wonderful group of women I now consider close friends. A++++"
--Laura R., New York
★★★★★
"Beautiful country with rich culture. Fun to experience it with such great women. Love the Next Tribe travel vibe!"
— Debbie L., Illinois
★★★★★
"Next Tribe trips offer a great way for women to travel, explore and meet other active women, and to learn about other countries & cultures in a way that is more than surface level."
— Michele M., Texas
★★★★★
"I enjoy the non-touristy experiences, as well as the city walking tours. And it's great that we can skip anything and do our "independent woman" thing."
— Beth S., Colorado
1. The water is the main character. Fresh or salt, it doesn't matter—Croatia's water is somehow more water than water anywhere else. Emerald-clear rivers, an azure sea you can see straight through to the bottom, and Krka's waterfalls: dozens of cascades spilling over moss-green travertine terraces in a wall of white that stretches wider than you can photograph in one shot.
2. We don't just look at the landscape—we conquer it. Canyon hikes flanked by karst cliffs, then a whitewater raft ride down the Cetina River. Adrenaline, meet Adriatic.
3. Real people, not tour-guide small talk—including makers of traditional Pag cheese, a family with a sheep named Mary who thinks she’s a dog, and a couple who have resurrected a hilltop village from ruins and serve a stunning farm-to-table dinner.
4. History you can touch. Split, Šibenik, Zadar, Omiš—cobblestones and palaces old enough that they inspired an author to write Game of Thrones and then Hollywood to film it here.
5. You will eat extremely well. Local honey, Pag cheese, Slavonian sausage, black risotto, and enough local wine to make you forget what a spreadsheet is.
To learn more about this trip, join us for our live Trip After Party with travelers from our 2026 trip.
Do I need to come with someone?
Not at all. Women come with friends, sisters, or completely alone. The group dynamic works beautifully either way — and solo travelers often tell us it's the best decision they ever made.
What fitness level do I need?
Moderate. You'll be on your feet most days, but we pace thoughtfully. There is a 6 mile hike in a national park but we also offer a shorter, gentler hike as an alternative. And there's always the option to sit out anything that doesn't appeal to you — no pressure, no judgment.
Will I know anyone?
Probably not going in. Almost certainly yes by day two. It happens on every single trip — that's not marketing, it's just what this kind of travel does.
What's included?
All accommodations, all meals except one lunch, ground transportation, guided excursions, and your NextTribe trip leader throughout. International flights not included.
What if I need to cancel?
Full refund up to 90 days out (except for your deposit, which can be applied to another trip). We recommend trip protection insurance for added peace of mind — and we're happy to point you toward options.
Need to know more? Click here to schedule a discovery phone call with Jeannie Edmunds, our NextTribe COO.
One of the original members of the NextTribe crew, Ellesor Holder is the energetic, extra-friendly leader of our Charleston, Savannah, Peru, and Colorado trips. When she’s not guiding the women of NextTribe around the world, you’ll find Ellesor hiking, biking, working out, and mastering the latest and greatest apps. (Her current favorites are CapCut, Canva, and Storyluxe.)
Since she was born and raised in South Carolina, it was a no-brainer for her to take the reins of the Charleston trip. Being a lover of nature and adventure, the Colorado trip also called to her. “I had never been to that part of Colorado before leading the trip, and now it’s among my favorite spots,” says Ellesor.
Her hunger to explore new places runs strong: Nowhere is too far-flung. “The world is a big place that can also feel very small once you’ve traveled around enough,” she says.
May 22nd - 29th, 2027
Come explore, grow, embrace new friendships, and enjoy new experiences together with NextTribe.
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Questions? Our NextTribe travel expert will respond promptly.
Visit NextTribe.com to explore all our trips.
We land in Split and head straight to Šibenik—a city most tourists skip, which is exactly why we love it. Perched where the Krka River meets the sea, Šibenik has the bay views without the crowds.
Two UNESCO sites anchor the city: the Cathedral of St. James and St. Nicholas' Fortress. We'll climb through four fortresses in all—St. Nicholas, St. Michael's, St. John, and Barone—each one framing a different angle of the sea below.
Then: bags down, forks up. Welcome dinner at one of Šibenik's best restaurants.
Included: Dinner
Located in Sibenik, 500 m from Banj Beach, Heritage Hotel Armerun features accommodations with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a terrace.
All rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, bathrobes and slippers. At Heritage Hotel Armerun the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels.
The accommodations offers a à la carte or gluten-free breakfast.
Car park: Yes
Restaurant: Yes
Swimming pool: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Krka National Park is today's headliner, and its star waterfall—Skradinski Buk—doesn't disappoint. Seven cascades drop 800 feet in a display that photos genuinely undersell.
From there, we trade water for wine: a local producer, a tasting, and lunch in a shady courtyard. The afternoon is yours—wander, nap, or just sit somewhere with a view. We'll regroup for dinner in Šibenik.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today we explore by speedboat—Kornati National Park, an archipelago where cliffs and stone walls look like lace carved by centuries of wind and water. It's a full day at sea: swimming, exploring, and the kind of immersion you can't get from a bus tour.
The highlight: a visit with a couple whose family has lived on this island for generations, keeping bees, fishing, and growing sage in the rocky soil. Their pet sheep, Mary—who is fully convinced she's a dog—became last year's group mascot within about ten minutes. Lunch is fish caught that morning, plus homemade honey and olive oil, eaten in an olive grove.
We're back by late afternoon. Evening is free.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
We drive through the Zadar countryside toward Pag, an island with a landscape so stark and moon-like it looks almost staged. The wild herbs growing in that rocky soil give Pag lamb—and Pag's famous sheep cheese—a flavor found nowhere else.
Pag is also known for salt production and a centuries-old lace-making tradition. We'll visit a lace museum to watch the craft in action, then head to the village of Kolan for a tour of the Gligora cheese factory, home of Paški sir—a hard cheese with a global reputation and an aroma that precedes it. Lunch: a proper charcuterie board stuffed with local cheeses.
By evening we're in Zadar, a city with 3,000 years of history packed into its cobblestones, including a Roman Forum that ranks among the largest in this part of Europe. Along the seaside promenade, we'll catch what Alfred Hitchcock once called the most beautiful sunset in the world—and listen to the Sea Organ, an architectural instrument that turns waves into music. It sounds like the sea talking, because it is.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Situated in the preserved remains of a defensive corner tower on the city’s walls, Hotel Bastion offers a luxurious experience in a place full of palpable history, change and contrast.
You can enjoy your stay in many ways, all tailored to nourish your spirit. Zadar’s old recipes and excellent homemade food, accompanied by a selected choice of premium quality wines are the best welcome when you visit restaurant Kaštel, located in the picturesque remains of a 13th-century fortress.
The elegant Castello wellness centre offers a variety of luxury beauty treatments and fitness activities, from chromotherapy to steam baths and beyond, all meant to nourish your body, soul and mind.
Restaurant: Yes
Swimming pool: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Included: Private transfer, local guide, entrance fees, dinner , bed & breakfast service, tour leader.
Another day, another spectacular national park. This morning we hike into Velika Paklenica, a karst canyon beneath the Velebit mountains, through forests, crystalline streams, and rock formations that look otherworldly.
Choose your own adventure: a challenging hike with sweeping views and a hearty stew lunch at a mountain hut, or a shorter, gentler route with the same scenery and less strain on the knees. Either way, you'll earn the view.
Included: Breakfast, lunch
Time to get wet—in the good way. We raft the Cetina River, descending six miles and over 1,200 feet through canyons the river carved over thousands of years. No whitewater experience required, just basic swimming skills and a willingness to get splashed.
Once we're dry again, we head to a remote hilltop village for a home-cooked lunch made by a local family—the kind of meal that doesn't come with a menu. From there, it's on to Split, arriving at our hotel by late afternoon.
Included: Breakfast, lunch
Located in the center of Split, just a 2-minute walk from the UNESCO- protected Diocletian's Palace, Cornaro Hotel offers a rooftop terrace with a hot tub and a bar, as well as free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk.
All modern hotel rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, air-conditioning, a seating area, mini bar and city views. Some rooms have their own tablet. The bathrooms are fitted with walk-in showers.
Guests can relax on the shared terrace and lounge area.
Restaurant: Yes
Swimming pool: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Split is where 1,700 years of history live in one walkable old town. At its center: Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and quite possibly the most impressive thing you'll see all trip.
Founded as a Greek colony over two millennia ago, Split later belonged to the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and Venice—and you can see all three eras layered into its streets. We'll wander the labyrinth together, then close out the trip with a farewell dinner.
Included: Breakfast, dinner
Time to say goodbye—to a country that surprised us at every turn, and to the new friends who made the trip what it was.
Included: Breakfast
Arrival: You will arrive in Split on Sunday, May 22nd. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Sibenik (one hour drive). We are fine tuning pick up time. It will most likely be in the afternoon. I will update as soon as I have more details.
Departure: You can depart Split any time on Sunday, May 29th
Airport transfers are provided both ways.
Passport & Visa: Please make sure your passport is valid for 3 months after the last day of the trip. No Visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting Croatia.
You may have heard of a new travel requirement called ETIAS. This does not go into effect until late 2026 so does not apply to your trip.
Cancellation: The last day to cancel this trip and receive a refund is February 17th, 2026. Your deposit is non-refundable but can be applied to another NextTribe trip booked within one year.
Insurance: NextTribe requires travel insurance for all international trips. We strongly encourage you to add trip protection as well, just in case! Scroll down for more details about insurance.
Legal Stuff: For complete terms of service, see below
Inclusions:
7 Nights Lodging
4 Dinners
4 Lunches
7 Breakfasts
Airport Transfers, Both Ways
All Ground Transportation
All Activities Noted on the Itinerary
Exclusions:
Airfare
Alcoholic Beverages
Personal expenses such as laundry etc.
Travel insurance
Tips to our trip guide, drivers, maids and hotel staff - NextTribe covers most other tips and we will provide more details closer to the trip.
Final note
We reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email support@gowanderwell.com. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
On this trip, we require evacuation insurance. We are also an affiliate of Global Rescue. They offer comprehensive evacuation insurance if you feel you need more than what your standard policy will cover. This is extra coverage, in addition to your travel insurance.
For most of history, women past child-bearing years were basically put out to pasture. This was happening even in our mothers’ time. We call bullshit on that. We believe we are at a peak in so many ways and are devoted to helping women our age live the richest, most kick-ass lives possible.
We do that by informing, promoting and connecting women–through our magazine, through our member community and through the transformative experiences of travel.
So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
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