The idea for Journeywise first took shape during an overland trip through northern Spain. After years of working in the travel industry, our founder Maya Bennett noticed that many guided tours offered one of two extremes: rigid schedules packed with rushed sightseeing, or loosely organised trips that left travellers managing too many details themselves.
She imagined something different.
The first Journeywise departure was a small-group journey through Spain and Portugal, created with the help of local guides, independent hotels and family-run businesses. It combined major landmarks with quieter experiences: a market visit before opening hours, an afternoon with a local ceramicist and an unplanned village festival that became the highlight of the trip.
That first journey shaped the way we still travel today.
Since then, Journeywise has grown to offer tours across six continents, but our approach remains deliberately personal. We continue to build each itinerary with care, work closely with people who know their destinations intimately and choose experiences for their value rather than simply filling a schedule.
We may have travelled further since our first departure, but we are still guided by the same question: what will help our travellers experience this place in a more meaningful way?