Perfect Seattle Weekend
At a Glance
Trip Description
From Whale-Watching to Glass Blowing and Hot Tub Boats
While much of the U.S. endures the typical heat and humidity of August, the Pacific Northwest keeps its cool. That’s why we put together this refreshing summer escape to Seattle. NextTriber Dee Quiggle helped us design this trip, and she is thrilled to show you some highlights of her hometown.
Want to learn more? Join our live information session on Wednesday, February 19th at 6:30 ET. RSVP here. All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win $200 off the cost of the trip.
After traveling with NextTribe, Dee knows the kind of experiences we love–the ones that take you beyond the typical tourist attractions. Yes, we’ll embrace some lovely must-dos in Seattle, but we’ll also go off piste to get a deeper understanding of what makes Seattle so livable. and lovable.
NOTE: NextTribe members receive a $100 discount on the price.
5 Reasons We Love This Trip
- The inside track. We’ve consulted women who’ve lived and played in Seattle for decades and infused this itinerary with their clever ideas.
- Getting out on the water. We’ll spend a good chunk of one day out on the sound looking for whales and other sea creatures. Brace for exhilaration. We’ll also get out on Lake Union in the funkiest means of water transportation–boats that are fitted out with hot tubs. Only in Seattle!
- Glass, glass baby! We’ll experience the sensational Chihuly Gardens–where the work of famed glassblower Dale Chihuly is displayed–and we’ll take a glass-blowing class. Those sea breezes will be a strong contrast to the heat blast from the “glory hole” where the glass is fired.
- Food Fun. We’ll dig into some wonderful Seattle-style meals and take a food tour of Pike’s Place Market, introducing us to the types of food that the Pacific Northwest has become known for.
- Great women. We’ll get the chance to meet some wonderful local women, including a NextTriber who will open up her home in the prestigious Queen Anne neighborhood for a cocktail party. You’ll also join a band of lovely, like-minded women from other parts of the country (and beyond)! You may start the trip as strangers, but you’ll leave with new friends and a new appreciation for Seattle.
Meet Your Guide: Dee Quiggle
Dee Quiggle has lived in the Puget Sound area since 1975 and in Seattle since 1990. She’s a retired full colonel from the Army/Army Reserves (35 years service) with a few combat deployments and overseas assignments but, as she says, “nowhere tourists want to go!” She retired from the City of Seattle in Risk Management so she has a few “lawsuit tour” funny stories to share as we see the sights of Seattle. She went to Scotland last summer with Next Tribe and “had a blast,” she said. She’s going to Ireland with us next May and is forward to meeting people in Seattle next August.
Photos
Map
Sample Itinerary
Friday, August 22nd
Arrive at the Kimpton Palladian Hotel by 2:00 PM to drop your bags.
We'll take an underground tour of Pioneer Square, the city's first neighborhood, and explore the 1890’s architecture that still remains under the present-day city.
We'll then take in the expansive view of mountains and sea from the observation deck of Columbia Tower. We'll head back to the hotel to check in and change before dinner.
Welcome Dinner
SATURDAY, August 23rd
In the morning we'll head to Chihuly Gardens for a walk through this mind-blowing wonderland.
Brunch at Chihuly Gardens.
Glass Blowing Experience. Here we can let the morning inspiration inform our own designs in a well-supervised session in front of the glory hole.
Hot Tub Boats on Lake Union. We'll soak in the Seattle skyline as we simmer in hot water that is actually part of the boat. Six to a boat. We can take turns driving.
Dinner
SUNDAY, August 24th
We'll spend the day on Puget Sound looking for whales, seals, otters, and shore birds. A magnificent way to appreciate nature, which is truly the star of the Northwest.
Cocktails at the home of a NextTriber in the lovely Queen Anne neighborhood.
Dinner
MONDAY, August 25th
Pike Place Market tour with a local chef. We'll explore the best of Seattle gastronomy at its original farmer's market, tasting some of the delicious, local and aritsanal foods that put the Pacific Northwest on the culinary map. A delicious send off to the weekend.
Flights out after 1 PM
Logistics
Fly into and out of Seattle Tacoma Sea Tac (SEA)
Please arrive at the hotel by 2:00 PM on Aug. 22nd and book your departing flight after 1:00 PM on Aug. 25th so you can enjoy the full itinerary
Airport transfers are not included. Transportation options include:
Uber or Lyft: about 30 minutes by car to the hotel
Train: One train from airport to hotel, about 45 minutes and a 5 minute walk from the station to the hotel
Taxi: About 30 minutes to the hotel
Town Car: The hotel can arrange a car to pick you up. $65 per car. They will track your flight and pick you up at arrivals.
Before the trip, we will gather for a Zoom meet and greet, and you will also get a schedule of everyone's flights. That way you can see if another traveler is on your flight so you can share a taxi from the airport.
We ask everyone going on the trip to download WhatsApp (LINK: https://www.whatsapp.com/download/). We use it for communication before and during our trip so we can keep track of flight delays, meetup times, etc.
We believe in being as eco-friendly as possible, so we don't hand out printed itineraries. We use this app to give you important updates during the trip, so it is essential. You can always delete it later if you want to.
If you have questions, please direct them to Marcy Mitchell, our travel manager, travel@NextTribe.com.
What's Included
- 3 Nights Lodging
- 3 Dinners
- 2 Lunches
- Daily Breakfasts
- Whale Watching Tour
- Glass Blowing Workshop
- Pike Place Market Food Tour
- Chihuly Gardens Entry
- Pioneer Square Tour
- Columbia Tower Observatory
- Hot Tub Boat Rentals
- Cocktail Hour at Local Woman's Home
- Transportation to all activities
What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Alcohol (unless specifically mentioned in an itinerary activity)
- Tips
- Any transport during the trip if you want to travel separately from the group (i.e. you'd rather take a cab than walk).
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff, travel insurance, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees and items not expressly listed as included.
Additional Add-Ons
Hotels
Our travelers love us (yay!)
Colleen M., California
What I love about the NextTribe trips is that there is so much camaraderie of other women that are like you, and then the fabulous things that the organizers puts together to give you that viewpoint, it’s awesome.
”Courtney M., Texas
What I love about NextTribe trips is that you get the experience from an insider’s perspective—someone that has ties to the community and focused on building relationships from the start. I’ve been on a trip with another women’s travel group that dropped a guide in, not personally knowing anything about the locale, traditions, or culture. She was there to make sure you showed up on time, got on the bus, etc. With NextTribe, you feel like you’re having a personalized experience with your best girlfriends.
”Donna B., Washington
I didn't know anyone going on the trip but that didn't stop me from signing up. I have learned that some of my life's greatest adventures have come from taking a risk and jumping in feet first. So glad I did with NextTribe! I may not have known anybody at the start, but now I feel like I know everybody.
”Connie B., Pennsylvania
I love to meet and interact with strong, mature women from across the country as we learn together.
”Leslie M., Georgia
I always come by myself on NextTribe trips because I like to meet super fun and interesting women. We're always doing fun and interesting things in great cities that you couldn't do on your own because you wouldn't know the people or places or the insiders.
”Teresa S., Kentucky
NextTribe fills the need I have to travel with older interesting women who are curious about the world and want to share the journey.
”We write articles about all our trips. Read about these special experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
What’s different about your trips?
We curate trips specifically for curious, engaged women over 45. You’re pretty well assured that your fellow travelers will be a lot like you–since you’ve all responded to the idea of “aging boldly.”. That means built-in compatibility in your small group, including the woman who is leading the adventure.. In addition to specializing in group travel for people who don’t normally like group travel, we also pride ourselves on creating experiences that allow you to interact with local women or get deeper into the culture than you would if you planned the trip yourself.
Where do you go?
We have a wide range of weekend jaunts here in the U.S. for those who want a quick getaway. We also love taking women to Mexico, where founder Jeannie Ralston used to live. We’re always talking about pushing boundaries, and we’re doing that in the geographic sense too. For those with more time, we offer trips all over Europe, to India, Vietnam, Peru (for a hike on the inca Trail to Machu Picchu). Soon, our travelers will be getting passport stamps in even more countries on six continents. Be saving those frequent flier miles!
What do you mean by transformational travel?
NextTribe is affiliated with the Transformational Travel Council, an international group of travel professionals dedicated to making the world a better place, one trip and one traveler at a time. We recognize that travelers, especially post-pandemic, are looking for more than just a date and a destination. They can shop for that anywhere online. Our community honors the intention behind a traveler’s investment in a trip. Our travelers want to have fun (we do too!) and to travel with a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide ways for women to self-select by reading the articles in our magazine and the content of our website. If you like what you see, you’re likely to be a NextTribe traveler, and we look forward to seeing you on a trip soon!
What if I travel solo?
If you really prefer to book your travel yourself and go it alone, we applaud you. That’s brave and bold and we would never try to talk you out of it. But our trips are designed so that even a woman who’s used to traveling alone, or someone shy about meeting new people, will feel comfortable in our group. Our trip leaders are there to “read the room” and make sure everyone feels included and respected.
What if I don’t like group travel?
We don’t either! Not the way most groups do it. If you feel like doing what the group is doing, great! Join us for dinner or just some of the activities. All the benefits of solo travel and the comfort of being with a group. Our groups are small (normally around 12 to 14 women) and in most situations, you are free to opt out of an activity. We figure you’re grown-ass women who know what’s best for you.
What’s the price range of your trips?
We are committed to providing what we call “affordable-luxury” travel. Don’t expect
the Four Seasons, but who wants to stay in a gilded bubble anyhow? We always look for good value and offer wonderful hotels and memorable experiences that won’t break the bank and will get you closer to how locals live. Our prices depend on the length of the
trip and the destination. We offer domestic trips for under $2,000 for a shared room, which we encourage. If you don’t have a roommate we will match you with someone. Sometimes this has resulted in lasting friendships with new travel buddies., Some of
our longer trips–two weeks in India or Vietnam, for example–will cost between
$4,800 and $6,000.
What’s included in the price?
Our trips cover most everything you’ll need to dive into a destination. Hotels and most meals, plus special experiences such as hands-on classes and sessions with local artists, writers or entrepreneurs are almost always included, but each trip is different so please be sure to read The Experience and the itinerary. We occasionally have an add-on for an extra price, but those are clearly designated. What’s not covered as a rule are airfare, alcohol and tips.
Do you have payment plans?
We sure do. It’s easy to pay for our trips by setting up automatic credit card charges at regular intervals, interest free. Think of it as the layaway plan to feed your soul.
How do I get trip discounts?
Our NextTribe members get a discount on every trip. Plus, members are the first to hear about new trips and receive upgrades on rooms if they’re available. Check out our three different membership levels here.
What’s the average age of women on the trips?
We welcome all women over 45, but most of our travelers are in the 50 to 65 age range. More important than age is the spirit of the traveler–her curiosity about the world, and her eagerness to embrace new opportunities. We’ve found women of any age with those qualities fit in well with our groups.
What’s the activity level of the trips?
Most of our trips are geared for active travelers who like to walk–a rating of 3 on our 1-5 rating scale. Here are some examples of how we rate. A designation of 1 would be our beach trips, where it’s up to you if you’d like to stroll down the beach, or play in the waves or walk around the small town. Trips where we have dedicated transportation for much of the time (such as India) are a 2; Paris is a 3 because we believe the best way to appreciate a city is to view it on foot. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 4, because you’ll be walking up some hills (at 6,000 feet altitude) and occasionally on cobblestone sidewalks. Our Inca trail trip is a 5, as are our more adventurous outdoor trips.
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