Magellan Awards | Beyond The Journey

Cazavia: Where Travel Becomes Transformation

In 2019, a chance meeting in Morocco sparked something powerful.

Jill Hurd and Germaine van den Berg connected over a shared love of culture, curiosity, and human connection. Both had spent years building travel companies of their own. But together, they envisioned something different: a new kind of travel—one that gives back, moves slowly, and leaves a meaningful mark.

Cazavia was born from that moment. Today, it remains a purpose-driven travel company with one mission: to reshape the intention behind travel.

Travel That Uplifts

At Cazavia, we believe travel should be more than movement. It should be a catalyst—for transformation, cultural exchange, and sustainable impact.

Every journey we craft is designed to:

Support micro-economies and women-led initiatives
Preserve cultural heritage and community identity
Build ethical, lasting partnerships with locals
Leave travelers changed, not just relaxed

We don’t just visit destinations—we invest in them.

Give Back, Together

We’ve learned that the most meaningful way to give back is to do it together—with our travelers guiding where that energy flows.

On a recent journey to Southern Africa, our group chose to help fight period poverty by donating underwear to a local school. What started as a small gesture turned into something unforgettable.

First, we delivered the donations in person. We sat with each student, took portraits, listened to stories, and laughed together. Then we learned their top student wasn’t in school—absent due to the very need we were trying to meet.

So we visited her home, met her family, and purchased handmade crafts to support them directly. Before we left, we stopped at a tiny village shop and bought out their entire stock of school supplies— and delivered them to the school, leaving behind joy and hope.

And when we returned home, we mailed every student their portrait with a handwritten message on the back.

This is what it means to give with intention. Not from a distance—but with presence, humility, and heart.

The Next Generation of Travelers

Cazavia’s journeys have always transformed women—helping them return home more grounded, more aware, more inspired. That power made us ask: what if we started even earlier?

That question led to Next Gen, our youth division dedicated to mentoring young travelers in how to explore the world with empathy and purpose.

At the heart of it is Bella Teixeira, our Next Gen Designer and Technology Lead. Bella doesn’t just build the digital framework of Cazavia—she builds bridges between young changemakers and the world they’re stepping into.

Through curated experiences focused on cultural exchange, sustainability, and service, Bella is helping shape a new kind of traveler—one who doesn’t just visit, but belongs.

The Spark Behind Cazavia

Born from a Moment, Built with Purpose

Cazavia was founded after a chance encounter in Morocco between two women who shared a passion for culture, transformation, and connection. What began as a conversation became a calling—to reshape travel into something more meaningful. Every journey we create is rooted in that origin: thoughtful, slow, intentional travel that empowers both guest and host.

Designed by Youth, for the Future

With our Next Gen initiative, we’re mentoring young changemakers to explore the world with empathy and purpose. At the helm is Bella Teixeira, our Youth Designer and Technology Lead, who is helping shape trips that reflect the values of the next generation—sustainability, creativity, and connection. It’s not just where they go—it’s how they grow.

Bella’s Vision, Cazavia’s Future

Young Minds, Big Impact

At just 23, Bella Teixeira is doing more than supporting Cazavia—she’s helping shape what travel can become. As our Next Gen Designer and Technology Lead, Bella bridges innovation and intention. She’s played a central role in developing our digital presence and designing trips that reflect the values of her generation: sustainability, creativity, and conscious connection.

But her influence runs deeper than design. Bella brings a perspective rooted in curiosity and care—reminding us that travel is as much about how we show up as where we go. With every journey she helps craft, Bella is leading a movement that invites young people to see themselves not just as travelers, but as changemakers.

Client Testimonial

“I came home changed.”

I didn’t expect to cry while sitting cross-legged with schoolchildren in Zimbabwe. Or to laugh so hard with women I’d just met. I didn’t expect to feel so deeply connected—to a place, to people, and somehow, to myself.

Traveling with Cazavia wasn’t just about where we went—it was about how we moved through the world. With purpose. With presence. With heart.

I thought I was going on a trip.
But I returned with a deeper understanding of what it means to show up, to give back, and to belong.

This wasn’t vacation.
This was transformation.

- Gloria Kim

Travel Weekly Magellan Awards