Debbie Rackard Travel

What does the most ultra-private, most exclusive island resort in Southeast Asia actually look like? This.

Amanpulo sits on Pamalican Island in the Philippines, in the Sulu Sea, accessible only by chartered flight from Manila. Here's what you can expect at one of the world's most exclusive addresses:

42 private casitas spread across the island, a house reef you can snorkel directly from the beach, dive sites with some of the most remarkable visibility and coral cover in Southeast Asia, and not a single day visitor in sight. The beach is yours, the schedule is yours, and the only transportation on the island is a golf cart.

This is one of the most exclusive trips I plan. Reach out if you'd like to be next.

South Africa is one of the most itinerary-flexible destinations in the world. Here's how I recommend experiencing it:

Cape Town first. It's one of the most visually striking cities on earth, and the design hotel and restaurant scene here has matured significantly. Table Mountain, the Atlantic Seaboard, the Cape Peninsula. Most clients who go for a few days wish they had more.

For wildlife: the private reserves around Sabi Sands share an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Big Five sightings are among the most consistent on the continent, and the private reserve experience means dramatically fewer vehicles per sighting than in the public park.

For wine: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are genuinely world-class. The estate stays in Franschhoek in particular, with long lunches, cellar visits, and mountain scenery that doesn't match most people's image of Africa at all.

Most itineraries I design for South Africa cover all three. If Africa is on your travel bucket list, let's talk through what makes sense for your trip.