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Swain Travel Journal

Stories, field notes, and posts from the road.

A living archive of destination insight, first-person dispatches, and the details that shape thoughtful travel.

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Read the latest travel writing, destination notes, and first-person dispatches from the Swain team.

  1. In New Zealand, Wellness Happens NaturallyFrom Swain Destinations Team · New ZealandIn New Zealand, wellness does not have to mean spending every day at a spa. It can be built around the landscapes, experiences, and lodges you choose throughout the trip.Read the post
  2. Destination Specialist Spotlight: Cathi's South Africa SafariFrom Cathi Landowski · South AfricaAfrica Specialist, Cathi, shares her experience in Cape Town and on safari in South Africa.Read the post
  3. Middle-earth: A New Zealand Travel Guide for Lord of the Rings FansFrom Swain Destinations Team · New ZealandNearly twenty-five years after The Fellowship of the Ring first appeared in theaters, you can still stand beneath the Party Tree, walk the forests of Rivendell, and follow the river that became the Anduin. Read the post
  4. Top Helicopter Tours Across Australia & New Zealand: Above the Reef & FjordsFrom Swain Destinations Team · Australia & New ZealandWhether it's a scenic flight, a remote landing, or an unforgettable arrival, these are some of our favorite helicopter tours across Australia and New Zealand. Read the post
  5. Five Days in South Australia: The Moments What Stayed With meFrom Jaden Hardesty · South AustraliaSwain's field marketer, Jaden, visited Australia for the first time while leading an educational journey through South Australia. Read the post
  6. Our Favorite Helicopter Tours in Africa: Over the Delta, Falls & BushFrom Swain Destinations Team · South Africa, Zimbabwe, ZambiaFrom the Okavango Delta to Victoria Falls to a rhino sanctuary in South Africa, these are our favorite helicopter tours in Africa.Read the post
  7. One Journey, Two Countries: Planning an Australia & New Zealand VacationFrom Swain Destinations Team · Australia & New ZealandCombining Australia and New Zealand on one trip is the classic long-haul journey. Here is how to route it, how long it takes, and when to go.Read the post
  8. Luxury Travel in New Zealand: A Complete GuideFrom Swain Destinations Team · New ZealandLuxury travel in New Zealand has a way of slowing you down. Few destinations pair such extraordinary landscapes with such intimate places to stay. Read the post
  9. Planning a Safari in South Africa: A Complete GuideFrom Swain Destinations Team · South AfricaThis guide explores South Africa's leading safari regions, the luxury lodges that make your stay even more memorable, the best time to visit each, and how safari pairs with beautifully Cape Town, the Winelands, and beyond.Read the post
  10. Luxury Travel in Australia: A Complete GuideFrom Swain Destinations Team · AustraliaLuxury travel in Australia is about choosing the right destinations at the right time of year. From the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback to celebrated wine regions and luxury lodges, here's how Australia's finest experiences fit together.Read the post
  11. The Land of a Thousand HillsFrom Ian Swain · Volcanoes National Park, RwandaIan's first-person dispatch from Rwanda explores gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorilla conservation, and the people of the land of a thousand hills.Read the post
  12. NFL 2026 Season Kicks Off in Melbourne, Australia: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ersFrom Swain Destinations Team · AustraliaIn a historic moment for global sports, the National Football League is heading Down Under. For the first time ever, a regular season game will be played in…Read the post