THE BUBBLE IS HERE. All Hail The Bubble!

So here we are – April, 2021. And the Bubble has Burst.
As of 19 April, 2021, we will be able to have Quarantine Free travel between New Zealand and Australia.
This has been a long time coming – over 12 months. Imagine that.
12 months of not visiting loved ones; family and friends. 12 months of not getting on a big jet plane. 12 months of not seeing new pastures.
Kind of crazy really.
But now we are free to pop on over to Australia, and they are free to pop on over to see us. 

So I have taken my time out. I spent time with my family. Reflected A LOT. Gained a lot of perspective. Did a lot of deep thinking.
Drank a lot of tasty NZ wine and supped a wee bit of NZ Gin too.. And I wandered around New Zealand. 

Aotearoa is truly, amazingly beautiful. If you want stunning, then really, there is no need to look no further. From sea to mountains to sounds / fiords to plains to historic towns and re-healing cities. God Damn you are fine New Zealand. And how lucky are we that Aotearoa is so fabulous, because we were not going anywhere else for a long time were we!

It’s fair to say 2020 didn’t turn out how any of us thought. And it is fair to say that 2021 is not working out the very best either.
The world is a very different place to this time last year, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our desire to explore it. If anything, being stuck at ‘home’ for the last year has us all desperate for a change of scene. And people are excited about the prospect of travelling again. Maybe with slight trepidation, but there is a definite itch. And don’t we want to scratch it?

Ah, travel. Taking a million photos of laneways and doorways. A beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail in a local bar at the end of a hot day. Watching the sunset from the balcony of a café overlooking an iconic river. Buying amazing souvenirs from fabulous & innovative social enterprises. Meeting incredible people and seeing incredible sights.

I also took time to think, really think about our future travel —that it will be regenerative, restorative, impactful, conscious, intentional. I truly believe we need to be measured in how we travel, how often we travel, who we travel with and what we leave behind. We also need to remember that where we travel is home for other people; living, breathing communities. They are not simply destinations to tick off a list. 

I have said it before: I want a world where we travel better, slower, deeper, and with more meaning. Travel where we can re-energize; where we can re-connect; where we stay longer so we contribute more; where we stay longer so we can learn more.

And learning is what I am aiming for in 2021. Learning new skills, learning more about myself, learning more about others.
So Mai Journeys – and our amazing Partners – are working on offering trips where we ‘learn’, where we ‘re-energize’, where we really ‘immerse’.
And I fam once again really, really excited…..

So join us to eat, laugh, drink, do, rest, breathe, meet, immerse, learn and create. It is going to be so much fun…..

Below are tasters of some of our brand new 2021 Trips. And they are beauties – I promise you! 
See you all soon. x

WOMEN ON THE FLY – WANAKA
NOVEMBER 2021 – 4 nights.   BOOKING UP…

Fly-fishing rod in hand, knee-deep in crystal clear water, surrounded by waterfalls and mountains chasing trophy-sized trout; this is not an ordinary fly-fishing trip. A luxury ‘Women On The Fly’ adventure with a group of amazing women, an expert guide and fabulous (with a capital F) accommodation.
We have a world-class fly-fishing expert  as our guide whose expertise,  insider knowledge and laser-focused eyes are primed to spot even the most cunning of fish. And yes, this trip absolutely caters to any ability level.
We will be taken to hidden gem spots, giving us absolute insider’s access to the incredible beauty of the South Island’s wilderness.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that includes a stay at either a luxury 5 Star lodge or luxury town apartments, remote and jaw-dropping locations, the best trout fishing in the world, the finest cuisine and the best guide possible.
Believe me when I say – this is a trip you will never forget. The 10 November 2021 trip is now open for Booking. 

Wanaka Homestead Lodge

Women Only Fly Fishing

SYDNEY & BOWRAL – JUNE, 2021 – 7 nights.   NOW ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT!

A reminder of our first ‘International’ Escape of 2021 is set in Sydney & Bowral. NOW ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT!!
This divine Escape is all about nurturing your mind, body & soul in stunning surroundings with a small group of amazing women. We spend 5 nights at Springfield Estate in Bowral in the Southern Highlands, top and tailed by the sophistication of the Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
This totally gorgeous Escape has been created to rejuvenate in a way that suits you and your mind-set, in a retreat for our exclusive use. This is all about nourishing your body and your mind; discovering the healing power of rest, taking time to simply and quietly reconnect with nature, and enjoy a farm-to-table dining experiences. Treat yourself with new experiences and designed to enhance your creativity and wellbeing. Have fun, laugh and learn with friends, old and new.

Springfield Farm

From the moment you land in Queenstown, you are hit with an overwhelming sense of excitement as soaring white-capped mountains greet you as you step out of the plane. There is a majestic ambience blanketing Queenstown, and it is easy to see how you are going to have a fabulous time here. And this Women Only Queenstown Escape will make you fall in love with this sublimely divine part of New Zealand.
This Queenstown Escape comprises of good company, great food, incredible wine, boutique accommodation, fabulous pampering, a bit of adventure and pure relaxation. We visit some of our favourite Cellar Doors for Wine Tasting, we have reservations at the best restaurants Queenstown has to offer, and we will be pampered by the best in the business. This is an Escape not to be missed…

QT Hotel Queenstown

Te Kano Estate

Queenstown Hill

SO How do I join??

Jemma and the Mai Journeys team