Creating journeys long before “authentic travel” became a marketing phrase.
Grassroots Adventures has been creating small-group journeys since 1994.
Founded by Fay Schaw, Grassroots grew quietly through word of mouth — no big advertising campaigns, no mass-market tour model. Just carefully designed journeys, loyal travellers, and trips that felt less like joining a tour and more like travelling with good friends.
Today, Grassroots is entering a new chapter under Fay’s daughter, Adriana, and her husband, Jayson. Together, they bring fresh energy to the business while continuing the personal, down-to-earth style that has always made Grassroots different.
Fay remains closely involved as an ambassador and traveller, enjoying the Grassroots community she built over decades.
A travel company built through real journeys.
For more than 30 years, Grassroots has grown through word of mouth, repeat travellers, and the kind of shared experiences that bring people back.
The Grassroots Way
Grassroots trips are personal, relaxed, and carefully considered.
We are not interested in rushing people from landmark to landmark or packing itineraries with tourist stops. Our journeys are built around real places, good local connections, thoughtful pacing, and shared experiences that make travel memorable.
We look for places with character, locally owned accommodation where possible, routes that make sense, meals that feel connected to the destination, and guides and suppliers who care.
A New Chapter, Still Personally Led
Grassroots is still a small, family-led travel company.
That matters because the people shaping the journeys are close to the details: the pace of each day, the quality of accommodation, the reliability of transport, the personality of local guides, and how the group will actually feel as the journey unfolds.
Adriana and Jayson now lead Grassroots into its next chapter, bringing fresh energy, practical business focus, and a lifelong connection to the Grassroots story.
Fay’s original spirit remains at the heart of Grassroots, and she continues to be involved as an ambassador, traveller, and source of knowledge built over decades.
Judy and Graeme also remain part of the Grassroots story, leading selected journeys and sharing the warmth, experience, and down-to-earth style that long-time travellers know well.
Meet the Team
Adriana Hayde
Adriana now leads Grassroots Adventures into its next chapter. Having grown up around the business and travelled with Grassroots groups over many years, she understands both the practical detail and the personal feel that make these journeys work.
Adriana brings warmth, energy, organisation, and a genuine love of people and places to every itinerary she designs and leads.
Jayson Hayde
Jayson brings a strong business background and fresh development focus to Grassroots Adventures as the company moves into its next chapter.
Working alongside Adriana, he is involved in shaping the future direction of the business, helping expand the range of journeys, strengthen operations, and create more options for travellers while keeping the personal Grassroots style intact.
He will also join and lead selected tours, bringing a practical, steady presence and a genuine interest in helping travellers experience places in a relaxed, thoughtful, and well-supported way.
Fay Schaw
Fay founded Grassroots Adventures in 1994 after a lifetime of travel and a desire to create a more personal, authentic style of group journey.
Her approach shaped what became the Grassroots Way: relaxed, curious, well-researched, and grounded in real travel experience. Fay has always believed that a good journey should show travellers the best of a country — its landscapes, culture, people, food, history, and everyday life — without feeling rushed, commercial, or overly touristy.
Fay remains an important part of the Grassroots story. She continues to join selected tours and travel widely, always looking for new ideas, meaningful routes, and destinations that feel right for Grassroots travellers.
Judy Oates
Judy has been part of Grassroots from the very beginning, first as a traveller and later as a much loved leader.
With her background in farming, teaching, and outdoor adventure, Judy brings warmth, practicality, and a deep love of exploration to the journeys she leads.
Graeme Hutchings
Graeme has travelled with Grassroots since 2005 and began leading tours in 2012. Known for his easy-going nature, practical experience, and love of wildlife and the outdoors, Graeme continues to bring energy, knowledge, and good humour to selected Grassroots journeys.
Where We’re Going
Grassroots has always offered a carefully chosen collection of destinations rather than trying to be everywhere at once.
That will continue.
As we rebuild and expand, we are slowly adding new journeys that fit the Grassroots style: places with depth, culture, landscape, warmth, and enough room for genuine discovery.
Some destinations will be familiar favourites. Others will be new. All will be personally considered, practical, and designed for travellers who want more than a standard package tour.
Who Travels With Us
Grassroots travellers are curious, open-minded, and good company.
They tend to enjoy local life, conversation, scenery, food, culture, and the unexpected moments that happen between the planned highlights. Many are repeat travellers. Some arrive not knowing anyone and leave with lifelong friends.
Our groups are small because small groups travel better. They move more easily, connect more naturally, and allow for a more personal experience.
This is for travellers who want depth and comfort without the feeling of a commercial package tour.
Why Grassroots
Choose Grassroots if you want travel that feels thoughtful, human, and real.
Not luxury for the sake of it. Not backpacking. Not mass tourism. Not a checklist holiday.
Just well-designed small-group journeys, led with care, shaped by experience, and built around the belief that the best travel feels personal.
Travel feels different when it’s personal.
Explore small-group journeys shaped by experience, local connection, and over 30 years of Grassroots travel.