Hello!
WELCOME TO MAI JOURNEYS
Mai Journeys is a women’s travel community that organises small-group trips, hosted journeys, retreats, escapes and workshops for women who want to explore the world safely, in the company of like-minded female travellers.
It exists for one simple reason: travelling well can be hard to do alone.
Finding the right people, the right places, and the confidence to say yes to something new isn’t always easy, and that’s the gap Mai Journeys was built to close. We create safe, welcoming spaces where women can see the world, meet other adventurous spirits, and be introduced to the people and cultures that make travel unforgettable.
Mai Journeys is for women who are curious about other cultures, keen to learn something new, and looking to connect with people who genuinely understand why travel matters — whether that’s a first-time solo traveller or a seasoned adventurer looking for her next tribe.
Just think Tribe, Trust, Self, Nature, Curiosity, Art, and Community – pick any of these and we can attribute them to what we are aiming for with Mai Journeys.
I learned early in my travel career that when women from all walks of life come together, something extraordinary happens — real bonds form, fast. That discovery became the foundation of everything we do, and of what I think of as our Pillars of Connection: Tribe, Trust, Self, Nature, Curiosity, Art, and Community. Every trip we design traces back to one or more of these pillars, and everyone loves a good pillar — they’ve been holding things up for eons, after all.
At the heart of what we offer are our Hosted Journeys: immersive group trips for women, built around aesthetic beauty, cultural immersion, delicious food, and genuinely intimate encounters with the places we visit. Alongside these, our Escapes, Retreats and Workshops give travellers dedicated time with other curious minds — both fellow guests and the inspiring local collaborators we work with along the way — designed to help you learn a new skill, slow down, and reconnect with yourself.
Over the years, Mai Journeys has grown into a genuine community, one full of friendships and supportive relationships that were forged simply by experiencing new environments together. That’s what happens when women travel together and share completely new experiences side by side.
Travel has always been my greatest teacher. It calms me and unsettles me in equal measure. It shows me who I am, pushes at the edges of what I think I know, and stirs up more emotions than I know what to do with. It slows me down and speeds me up. It nourishes me and makes me breathe deeper than anything else in my life. Quite simply, it makes me feel alive — and that’s what I hope every Mai Journeys trip gives you too.
So again, welcome to Mai Journeys, a travel community built for women, by women. We are really looking forward to seeing our fabulous past guests again, and to meeting those of you joining us for the first time, somewhere fabulously amazing.
Until then.
Jemma x
Founder, Mai Journeys
FOLLOW MAI JOURNEYS: @mai_journeys
What to expect from our small-group Women's tours?
OUR SMALL GROUP TOURS are designed to bring you close to new places and new people. Mai Journeys runs small-group travel tours for women, and each itinerary blends hands-on cultural experiences — artisan workshops, local market visits, and visits to storied landmarks and heritage sites — with light, easy-paced adventure like scenic walks and nature trails. At the heart of every trip is the chance to spend real time with interesting, like-minded women.
Who travels with Mai Journeys? Age is just a number here; we welcome women at every stage of life — single, married, widowed, retired, working, or running a household. What brings our travellers together is a shared love of travel, culture, and lifelong learning, not a particular age bracket or life stage. Women who join us tend to be curious and open-minded, drawn to experiential travel, local cuisine, and genuine cultural connection. They’re adaptable, adventurous, and ready to embrace wherever the day takes them.
Every Mai Journeys itinerary is THOUGHTFULLY CURATED, NEVER GENERIC — custom-designed to broaden your perspective and deepen your connection to each destination. No two days look alike, and nothing is locked into a rigid schedule. You’ll have plenty of unstructured time to relax on your own terms, alongside generous time for great food, good wine, memorable shopping, and even better company.
Above all, travelling with Mai Journeys means TRAVELLING LIKE YOU’RE AMONG FRIENDS. A Mai Journeys tour is a nurtured experience from beginning to end. Our guides and hosts work to make sure you feel like you’re travelling with friends, not strangers — creating a small-group women’s tour you’ll remember for years to come.
MEET THE WOMEN WHO MAKE IT WORK:
We work with people who share our love of travel, and together we put together amazing trips for women looking for something a little different. Mai Journeys and our partners choose inspiring destinations, build authentic journeys, and keep finding new ways to help you experience the world.
TANYA AITKEN
Flight Guru
Tanya joined the travel industry to travel, and 25 years on, above all else, that is still what she loves to do, but now mostly with her family.
Travelling for as long as you can, as far as you can, is a mantra she lives by.
Travel fuels her soul: the experiences, the opportunities, the cultures, the adventures.
She has been lucky enough to have a career that is a labour of love. Planning holidays with a high degree of skill, attention and knowledge has become her trade mark.
Tanya is the Owner/Operator of House of Travel Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and The Crossing. Tanya books and looks after all the flights for our Mai Journeys guests; easy or complicated, she is genuinely the Flight Guru.
ANDREA POWIS
Collaborator
For Andrea, a wonderful travel industry career that has spanned over 30 years has led to a life-long passion for travel which has never abated. Many happy years have been spent exploring the 4 corners of the earth and she still finds there is not enough time to see it all.
She loves sharing her passion for travel with her guests and clients whenever and wherever possible. Her commitment is to Escort high-quality and stylish tours that give women the opportunity to discover new places or maybe some old favourites; meet new friends or reconnect with old friends; and provide the space to indulge in some much-needed ‘you’ time.
Whether travelling with girlfriends, family or solo, Andrea provides an environment that takes care of everything and allows you to experience, rejuvenate and connect. And she also makes sure there is plenty of time for a glass of bubbles and a cocktail or 3 throughout!
SARAH HOYLAND
Collaborator / Tour Host
Sarah’s passion for globetrotting began early, traveling with her parents who instilled in her a spirit of adventure.
On graduating from college with a degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism she winged her way to India and on to Africa where she spent 7 months traversing the continent, followed by a stint backpacking through Europe. When the money ran out, she returned to Australia and joined the team at The Classic Safari Company in Australia, becoming a Director in 2002. Sarah has helped build a formidable company that creates exceptional itineraries for discerning travellers.
Over the years, Sarah has travelled to all seven continents, visited over 58 countries, and honed her haggling skills to perfection worldwide. She is happiest when shopping in an Indian bazaar and sharing her vast knowledge and fervent love of exotic destinations with clients.
YORIKO
Local Guide / Partner – Japan
Yoriko was born and raised in Kyoto but spent over 20 years living in the UK and the US. ‘Living abroad was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to experience life in a different culture, but it also deepened my appreciation for the beauty and culture of my hometown.’
One of her greatest passions is mountain climbing. She is also a cooking instructor with a love for food. Lastly, she is passionate about sewing kimonos by hand and wearing them. Learning about the kimono makes her feel proud to be Japanese.
‘Kyoto is a magnificent place filled with breathtaking architecture, delicious food, fascinating people, and rich history. Every tiny detail is a piece of art; & I am always thrilled to show it to you.’
We would be lost in Japan without Yoriko.
AHMED
Local Guide – Morocco
This is Ahmed. He is from Agadir, a city in the Atlantic Ocean between Casablanca and the big Sahara. He is married and has a daughter named Ikhlas (13 of age in 2023).
‘I do love my job which was actually my father’s, so I am following in his footsteps. I have been guiding for over 20 years, and I always enjoy showing people my home land and sharing with them the culture of my country.
Each tour is a new experience, and each place has something special; but the places I most love are Essaouira, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara and the two imperial cities Fes and Marrakesh where you can experience the exoticism of the Orient, the order in the chaos, and admire the architecture and visit the colorful souks.’
Ahmed is very much loved by all our Guests!
ZOE THOMAS
Tour Host
Zoe was born in Scotland but grew up in Bahrain, Canada, and England.
In her twenties, she taught English to children in a tsunami-affected village in Sri Lanka, where she fell in love with the people, culture, food, and way of life. She made the island her home for several years, designing exquisite tailor-made holidays for families, small groups, and incentives.
When not on the road, Zoe dedicates her time to meaningful projects. She has worked on numerous NGO initiatives and is currently living in Malawi, Africa, where she is coordinating a seminar event for young refugees.
As a mother of a 4-year-old daughter, she is keen to keep exploring and pushing the boundaries of travel to influence the next generation.
marie COLES
Tour Host
Marie grew up in the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island and now lives in the North Island. She has been lucky enough to explore every corner of Aotearoa and many countries worldwide.
India holds a special place in her heart, and she has had the privilege of visiting many times. The vibrant culture and warm hospitality make India a place like no other.
She feels extremely fortunate to live and breathe her passion daily, creating unforgettable journeys that appeal to women.
Over the years, she has connected with and formed a trusted network of local guides. These fantastic connections help her create lovely, everlasting memories for our valued guests.
JEMMA WILSON
Founder / Tour Host
I’ve been travelling with my family since I was a child, then as a backpacker in my late teens — a one-way ticket to America took me from New York to New Orleans to Mexico, through Central America and Cuba, and eventually on to Europe.
That travel changed the direction of my life. It led me into the travel industry, where I started as a guide in Latin America before moving to England to work for specialist tour operators. Over the years I’ve worn a lot of hats — travel agencies, tour operators, designing itineraries from the ground up, hosting trips as a contract host — all before starting Mai Journeys.
My approach to travel has evolved over time. I still relish days full of surprises, but my nights have taken on a new preference — a good hotel! I appreciate comfort, good food, and good wine, and I build these into every tour I design: eventful days and luxuriously comfortable nights.
DONNA HIPGRAVE
Tour Host
Donna, affectionately known by her sons as The Escape Artist, has a lifelong passion for travel. Inspired by her father’s naval journeys and stories, she has spent her life exploring the world—from India and Sri Lanka to Europe, the USA, Morocco, and Peru.
She loves seeking out authentic experiences, whether it’s dinner on a rooftop in Jodhpur or a meal shared in a local home. Italy is an old favourite, Portugal a new love, and art and architecture are constant inspirations.
At home in Brisbane, Donna was a volunteer guide at the Queensland Art Gallery, where exhibitions often sparked her next adventure. With a background as a pediatric physiotherapist—including volunteer work in Vietnam—caring for others comes naturally, and it’s something she brings to every tour she leads.