Field Notes

From the Field

When I recommend a destination, it’s because I’ve been there. These are three of the trips that have shaped how I think about travel, and what I want for every client I work with.

Each one is bookable. If any of these speaks to you, reach out and let’s talk.

Antarctica South Africa Fairbanks, Alaska

January 2026

Antarctica

HX Expeditions • MS Fridtjof Nansen • 11 Nights

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Penguins everywhere. Whales and orcas in their natural habitat. The polar plunge. Hikes on land. And then the camping: falling asleep on the ice while the glacier calved in the distance, and waking up to nosy penguins investigating our camp. To be in their world, even for a small moment in time. That’s what Antarctica does to you. It changes something.

This was the trip that reshaped how I think about expedition travel, and about what I want for my clients.

The Journey

Jan 8

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hilton Buenos Aires • 1 Night • Arrival and pre-departure briefing

Jan 9 – 19

Antarctic Peninsula • MS Fridtjof Nansen

HX Expeditions • Expedition Suite • Full board, premium beverage package, included activity package. Charter flight Ushuaia to Buenos Aires on return.

Expedition Highlights

Twice-daily shore landings on the Antarctic Peninsula

Overnight camping on the ice, a rare add-on experience

Polar plunge into Antarctic waters

Wildlife encounters: penguins, whales, orcas, seals

Guided hikes on the Antarctic continent

Expert onboard naturalists and expedition guides

April 2026

South Africa

Johannesburg • Sabi Sand • Cape Town • Hermanus • Franschhoek • 10 Nights

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Cape Town stole my heart: the city, the seaside, the winelands. But the whole journey was extraordinary from the moment we landed. From the raw power of a safari at Cheetah Plains in the Sabi Sand, to cliffside sundowners at Birkenhead House, to a silent disco wine tasting in Franschhoek. South Africa is not one destination. It’s five in one trip.

The Itinerary

Apr 19 – 20 • 1 Night

Johannesburg • Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff

Arrival, site inspection, and welcome dinner at Flames Restaurant. A beautiful hilltop oasis in Johannesburg, perfectly positioned for an overnight before heading to the bush.

Apr 20 – 23 • 3 Nights

Sabi Sand Nature Reserve • Cheetah Plains

Private villa in the Sabi Sand, fully exclusive and fully immersive. Twice-daily game drives in electric land cruisers, guided bush walks, fireside dining under the stars. Full board with a private chef and premium wines included. This is safari done properly.

Apr 23 – 26 • 3 Nights

Cape Town • One&Only Cape Town

Right on the V&A Waterfront. Private guide for Cape Point and Peninsula, Table Mountain via cable car, Boulders Beach penguin colony, and the Winelands. Dinners at Sevruga, Kloof Street House, and ROOI at the One&Only.

Apr 26 – 28 • 2 Nights

Hermanus • Birkenhead House (The Royal Portfolio)

Cliffside above Walker Bay, whale watching country. Coastal pathway walks, surfing, ocean-to-table dining. Fully inclusive including meals, wines, and spirits. One of the most relaxed and beautifully situated properties I’ve ever stayed in.

Apr 28 – 29 • 1 Night

Franschhoek • La Residence (The Royal Portfolio)

A 30-acre private wine estate surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz vineyards. The silent disco wine tasting at Black Elephant Vintners en route was a highlight. Sunset cocktails on the terrace. Dinner beneath chandeliers in the baronial dining room. The perfect final night.

Highlights Worth Noting

Private game drives in electric vehicles at Cheetah Plains

Chapman’s Peak coastal drive, one of the world’s great drives

African penguins at Boulders Beach and Stony Point

Premium wine tasting in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl

Whale watching from the cliffs at Birkenhead House

Silent disco wine tasting at Black Elephant Vintners

February – March 2026

Fairbanks, Alaska

Professional Immersion • Travel Alaska Industry Event

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This wasn’t a leisure trip. It was an immersive deep-dive into Alaska as a destination. I was there as part of a professional travel industry event, spending days alongside Travel Alaska specialists, learning the destination from the inside: the experiences, the operators, the logistics of what it actually takes to plan Alaska well. Plus I got to stand under the northern lights, which never gets old.

When I recommend Alaska to a client, this is the foundation that recommendation comes from.

The Experience

Feb 26 – Mar 1

Pre-Event Exploration • Sophie Station Suites

Arrival in Fairbanks and independent exploration of the city and surrounding area before the formal event began.

Mar 1 – 5

Travel Alaska Industry Event • Wedgewood Resort

Hosted by Travel Alaska. Educational sessions, one-to-one supplier meetings, Alaska Adventure Series, Dine Around Fairbanks, and hands-on excursions including ice fishing, local brewery visits, and the Alaska Bowl Company.

What This Means for Your Alaska Trip

Direct relationships with Alaska’s top operators and suppliers

Firsthand knowledge of Fairbanks in winter, northern lights country

Understanding of Alaska’s unique seasonal rhythms and logistics

Local dining, culture, and experiences beyond the standard itinerary

Does one of these speak to you?

All three are trips I can plan for you, with the firsthand knowledge to do it right. Let’s talk.

Get in Touch

j.schwan@dreamvacations.com · (484) 301-5646