Journey Beyond Destination

Welcome to my world of soulful travel and deep culture.
If you're a curious traveler or a wanderer seeking authentic experiences off the beaten path, you've come to the right place.

Hi, I'm Zani.

Hi, I'm Zani, the founder of Journey Beyond Destination, a soul-centered travel company dedicated to slow, culturally immersive travel.I believe that embracing diversity through firsthand experiences can build bridges of understanding, lead to lifelong friendships, and make our world a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.

My Background

Growing up in a multicultural family
and having lived in 5 countries on four continents, I've always been a bit of a nomad.
I speak four languages, and I’m endlessly drawn to the richness of cultural diversity
and the lessons it teaches us.I have a rich and diverse cultural heritage. I grew up in a bilingual home, where both English and Spanish were spoken. My mother is from Panama, with a mix of Scottish and Caribbean ancestry, and my father, a native of the US, had Hispanic and Native American roots. Although I was born and raised in the US, the delicious home-cooked meals
we enjoyed at the kitchen table and the music that was played on our record player
reflected my parents' cultural background more than the culture just outside our door.This cultural mash-up shaped my upbringing. And though I often felt odd and isolated during childhood and adolescence, it taught me to appreciate my uniqueness and stay true to myself while also fitting in with the world around me. From a young age, I learned the importance of cultural sensitivity and respecting cultural differences,
as I was often the one who stood out as different.
(btw...I'm the little girl in the photo below on the right, sitting next to her daddy).

My Wanderlust

My wanderlust was sparked early on during family road trips to visit extended family across the US. My parents had a frugal approach to travel: we'd rise with the sun, enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack a lunch, and either eat in the car or have a picnic in a national or roadside park along the way. Then we’d continue driving until dusk or destination,
whichever arrived first.Dad was an expert at navigating with road maps, often finding interesting places
off the beaten path to visit along our route. Mom's role was that of the ever-accommodating
"flight attendant," ensuring my sister and I had enough snacks and beverages
to keep us from getting restless. And my sister's imagination kept us occupied and entertained during the long hauls.My dad taught me to appreciate the beauty in the details as I watched the scenery pass by from the car window. My mom taught me how to prepare and pack enough food and essentials to last the journey. I also learned the art of adaptation and simply enjoying the ride when travel days stretched longer than our intended itinerary
or took an unexpected turn.Our family trips were indeed more about the journey and hardly ever about the destination.

My Expanded Mind

At age 7 my world expanded, my horizons broadened, and my life changed forever when my family moved to Brazil. I spent the next four years of my childhood growing up in a remote, lush village in northeast Brazil, in the province of Pernambuco. There, my young eyes witnessed poverty, scarcity, disease, and death firsthand. But I also witnessed compassion, resilience, and breathtaking natural beauty and experienced some of the most joyful, transcendent moments of my life. It is said that the mind, once expanded, can never go back to its original limited perspective. And that is what happened to me at age 7.

My Childhood Epiphany

I could go on and on about my childhood years in Brazil, as they were, and are to date, the most significant years of my life. However, I don’t want to entertain you any longer.
What I will share with you are the life lessons I learned there at a tender age.They are as follows:

Wealth has nothing to do with money. Those who have the least, share the most.
Death is ever present, shows up unannounced, and has no mercy. So, appreciate those you love, tell them often, and live in joy and harmony as much as possible.
Health and well-being are privileges, though they shouldn't be. They are everyone's birthright.
Time in nature can teach you everything you need to know about life. There's balance and order in wild nature that can rarely be found in any "civilized" place.
The ordinary becomes extraordinary when observed closely. The wonder is in the details
Resilience is a choice. You never know how strong you are until you have no other options.
People aren’t always who you think they are. So give them time to show you their truth.
Compassion, kindness, music, dance, and laughter are universal languages and can be shared generously.

These lessons became my values that in turn formed my character, my perspective,
and my lens on life.
And it is with these that I continue to journey on.

My Moroccan Journeys

Travel With Me

Journey Beyond Destination hopes to inspire your next
unforgettable adventure in Morocco.Choose from themed journeys focusing on music, artisans, and local craftsmen to nature adventures that take you off the grid. I specialize in organizing intimate experiences for small groups of no more than 8 travelers at a time.
These soulful adventures are designed for individuals who crave hands-on cultural experiences and aren't afraid to mingle with local communities, embracing their traditions with open arms.I understand the importance of privacy, tranquility, and personalized attention,
which is why the accommodations are carefully selected,
small to medium-sized boutique hotels, many of which are nestled within historic sites steeped in rich history.Through my many years of experience living and traveling in Morocco,
I’ve fostered strong, trusting partnerships with local certified guides, drivers, shopkeepers, artisans, café owners, and restaurateurs, ensuring that you, the traveler, will always receive exceptional quality, service, and value throughout your journey.It would be my pleasure to lead you on your next unforgettable adventure in Morocco, where our vision extends beyond simply reaching a destination;
it's about welcoming the adventure that unfolds beyond it.

Journeys in 2024

Journey with me to Morocco, November 14–24! Click on the link for details.

November Trip!

Get In Touch

If you have any questions, or if you'd like to have a chat about
personalized itineraries in Morocco, please get in touch.