Najwa Klostermann isn’t just a frequent traveler, she’s a super frequent traveler. She’s done seven trips with NextTribe in the last year and a half, with Turkey coming up next month and Argentina and South Africa in 2027! That’s in addition to all of her other travels: solo, with family and friends, and sometimes with new friends she’s made on NextTribe trips.

Born in the US, her parents immigrated from Iraq in the 1950s. She’s happy to live here, but the more she travels, she says, she’s tempted to eventually make her home overseas. She’s not sure where. As a kid, she says, she traveled to Europe and the Middle East and remembers thinking to herself, “Why aren’t we going to Disneyland?”

NextTribe creates small group travel experiences for women 45 and over. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start going, we’d love to have you along. Check out all our trips here.

She has traveled a lot domestically with her ex-husband and son. After her divorce she felt this was the time to really see the world; as she points out, she’s not getting any younger. Working at a lab testing company, she met many new employees who had come from all over the world, which further heightened her interest in exploring other cultures.

She’s a live music fan. Her favorite style of music is rock, and last year she traveled to Austin for Austin City Limits, staying with Jackie Burnsike (who is leading our Ecuador trip next year). Najwa and Jackie were put together as roommates on her first NextTribe trip (to Cuba), and they’ve been friends ever since.

She’s in multiple writing groups and keeps a journal going at home as well as on the road.

Her son who lives nearby, studying for his master’s degree in counseling. He just adopted two kittens, which Najwa has taken advantage of. “Since I travels so much I can’t have pets,” she says, “so I go over to his house for her fix of animal love.” She also helps care for her parents who live in the Chicago area as well, sharing responsibilities with her brothers.

Where do you live?

Northwest suburb of Chicago for the last 4 years. In the central Chicago before that.

Marital status?

Divorced and enjoying this new chapter of life.

Occupation?

Retired from family laboratory business. I helped run medical and food testing labs. Now I take drum lessons (looking to play with others), am in writing groups, help out my parents who live nearby and TRAVEL!

What’s. your favorite thing about traveling in a group of all women? 

Meeting like-minded women from all over who love to travel. I have met so many fascinating, interesting women. I have kept in touch with many and made some closer friendships. The Vietnam travel group is tight and we keep in contact routinely.

As far as travel, I am in my go-go years, and hope I am traveling into my 80’s. 

I still remember the first NextTribe trip I took, where I heard a couple of great lines that have stuck with me. Someone said, “For travel, your 60’s are your go-go years, your 70’s are your slow-go years and your 80’s are your no-go years.” I am in my go-go years and hope I am traveling into my 80’s. There are so many places to see! 

What’s your favorite place to visit and why?

This is hard to answer. Every place I visit I love something about it. I would say recent trips to Ecuador, Galapagos Islands and Japan were wonderful. Ecuador had the Andes, the Amazon, spectacular food and culture. The Galapagos Islands had wondrous nature and animals and meeting the indigenous people was magical. Japan had a kind, quiet calmness. I would love to go back and explore more.

Every place I visit I love something about it.

What’s your dream travel destination?

There are so many! I am looking forward to upcoming trips to Turkey, Argentina and South Africa. I would like to explore more of Spain, Switzerland, Croatia, New Zealand, Australia, and South America.

What type of travel are you looking for when you book a trip?

I like when someone else has done the research and planning. I like to have activity (I do a few yoga retreats every year), culture, music, art, good food and comfortable accommodations.

Do you believe in wearing sweatpants on the plane? If not, what’s your go-to travel outfit?

There are nicer “sweatpants” out now. They are comfortable and look tailored. Pact has nice travel pants that I really like, especially for long flights.

Do you have a favorite souvenir from your travels?

I have gotten many beautiful pieces of art from all over. I get art framed when I get home and hang in the house. I love to say I got this in Cuba, and this is from Vietnam. It reminds me of the trip and when I bought it.

Do you have any travel rituals or tips you swear by?

I always carry on. I have lost luggage enough times to know that carry on is best. I am able to fit everything needed and bring a folded duffel bag for what I buy on a trip and check a bag going home. If it is lost going home, that is ok, I will eventually receive it and I am home.

I wish that everyone had the opportunity to see other countries. There is too much fear of the unknown.

I love to travel, it has opened my eyes to the world. I wish that everyone had the opportunity to see other countries. There is too much fear of the unknown. 

As Anthony Bourdain said, “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s ok. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully you leave something good behind.”