People ask me all kinds of things about our trips — why we pick certain destinations, the pace, how it all comes together. But usually what they're really curious about is the other women in the group: who they'd be sitting across from over a long dinner, who they'd be leaning on for the last stretch of a hard hike, who they'd be soaking beside in a hot spring at the edge of a mountain, after a day neither of them will forget.
A temple visit in Jaipur turned into an impromptu joyous celebration. We're returning in December.
It's a fair question, and one I think about constantly. As a small business, we've made a deliberate choice, and it's this: we'd rather be excellent for a specific kind of traveler than adequate for everyone. We call her the El Camino woman, and she is not your ordinary traveler.
She's the reason behind almost every decision we make:
the destinations we choose to go to next
who we partner with on the ground
the type of networks we tap into to get you real access
the pace and flow of the itinerary itself
So let me introduce you to her, and to your future trip mates. If you've traveled with us before, you'll probably recognize her immediately. ;)
WHO IS THE EL CAMINO WOMAN?
She's usually the first among her friends to go somewhere. Not because she's trying to prove anything — it's just how she's wired. She'll take the harder trek, the less-charted region, the dish nobody else at the table will order.
The geysers of Southern Bolivia, this is the less-charted region she'd pick over anywhere easier. We're going back in 2027.
She's not looking to live the same life in a different location — the same comforts, the same access, just with a better view. She wants to be stretched, pushed past what's familiar, awed by something bigger than she expected. She travels to be stimulated — culturally, intellectually, creatively — to come home with new questions, not just new photos.
She understands and appreciates that she's a guest — in the country, and being welcomed into a private kitchen that's usually just for family, in an artist's studio, in a weaver's workshop where a craft has been passed down for generations. She doesn't take that lightly. Being welcomed in means something back from her too — real attention, real presence, not just showing up to "gaze."
After a cooking class on Senegal's national dish, we ate with our hosts in shared platters, seated on the floor, exactly how they eat at home.
She seeks the guide who's genuinely passionate about their country — who wants to talk about what makes it complicated, not just what makes it beautiful. She asks questions. She wants the history and the context, the parts that aren't always easy to sit with. She doesn't need a place made more palatable for her. She wants it as it is.
On the walk to our farewell dinner in Tbilisi we passed through this peaceful demonstration, thousands of Georgians in the streets evening after evening protesting Russian influence. We found out later that our own hosts would go out into the streets each night after dropping us back at the hotel, often out until the early morning hours to be in solidarity with fellow Georgians during one of the most significant moments in their country's recent history. We had no idea. Every morning they showed up with so much energy and such a big smile, we only found out at our farewell dinner. This is what we mean when we say we don't travel to make things palatable for us.
She's not chasing a version of the world that's been made easy for her. She's chasing the real one — even when it's harder, slower, or less comfortable than she expected.
Especially then.
And she'd rather do this in community — surrounded by women who are seeking the same thing.
If this sounds like you, we'd love to meet you. Reply and introduce yourself.
— xx, Katalina
If you want to dig in further, check out our traveler values. Twelve years and thousands of travelers later, this is everything we've learned about what actually makes a group trip gel. [Read them here.]
Curious about upcoming trips in 2026 and 2027? Keep reading below.
A FEW SPOTS LEFT FOR 2026
We're down to our last spots for the year — and we won't be returning to any of these destinations in 2027.
Vietnam: 4 spots left
Kerala: 1 spot left [this trip is over Thanksgiving]
We'll be sharing more about 2027 publicly in the coming month. But if you filled out our destination survey, you already know what's on the docket — where we're going, and when.
You'll also get first access to book, ahead of the general public.
That's our thank you to everyone who took out time proactively to share your input. As a small business, this helps us move more nimbly, more thoughtfully, and more strategically — so we can pour more energy into the details that make a trip actually special, while negotiating better with our various partners on the ground. It means a lot.
Hope to meet you in a beautiful corner of the world of ours.
✈️ Interested in joining a small group trip or custom trip planning? Apply here.
As Seen in AD, Vogue, and CNT
"The design and aesthetic are a 10/10—every detail is beautiful... The private courtyard and plunge pool were a favorite. After hot days exploring, it was the perfect place to cool off and recharge."
Casa Violeta is our sister property — a tropical oasis in the colorful colonial town of Granada, Nicaragua, featured in Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, Domino Magazine, and Vogue.
New on BoE: A Mechanical Engineer's Take on Luxury Travel
Most people in luxury travel talk about the dream. Becky Harris talks about the machinery underneath it — how a travel business actually gets built and stays standing.
BoE is our B2B publication exploring the future of hospitality, travel, culture, and experience-driven brands. Discover thoughtful insights, industry conversations, and ideas shaping how people connect with the world today.
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