The Ballantyne Shortcut to “How Did You Pull This Off?”
You know the moment. One of you says, “Let’s plan something unforgettable.” The other opens a spreadsheet and the magic slips out the door. Enter The Elegance of Travel, a Ballantyne-based boutique that designs first-class, “UnGoogleable” trips for couples who would rather reconnect than research. Our full partner profile is here: Partner Profile: The Elegance of Travel.
This isn’t a booking site with pop-ups. It’s a local team that interviews you like a tailor, then builds an itinerary that fits. They are Virtuoso-affiliated and an independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network, which unlocks real-world perks like upgrades when available, breakfast for two at select properties, and the kind of VIP recognition that makes a welcome feel personal.
Sponsored Stroll Stop: Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte
Before the spritz in Sorrento, there is the drive on I-485. Make that part of the trip, not the chore. Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte (MBSC) is our neighborhood’s luxury pit stop with a service philosophy that reads like a promise.
- Address: 950 N Polk St, Pineville, NC 28134
- Phone: 704-889-4444
- Website: MBSC
- Social: @mbcharlotte
- GM: Tom Marcham
- Position: #1 volume Mercedes-Benz dealer in a four-state region, five consecutive years
- Heritage: Founded by Felix Sabates, acquired by Roger Penske in 2021, customer-first culture intact
Browse our features: MBSC, Your Luxury Car Dealer in NC and MBSC, Sales Leader With a Community Engine.
Why This Team Belongs in Your Ballantyne Rolodex
Alberto and Shelley Benitez are the husband-and-wife architects behind The Elegance of Travel. They build trips with the kind of precision that makes a day feel inevitable in the best way. Think private villas on the Amalfi Coast, after-hours art in Paris, over-water villas in Bora Bora, or taking in the Monaco Grand Prix from a yacht. That kind of access isn’t lucky; it’s the result of training, relationships, and a process that keeps your preferences at the center.
What Working With Them Looks Like
- Consultation. Short, focused, and about you.
- Proposal. Custom options that match your pace and priorities.
- Refinement. Edits until it feels right.
- Execution. They confirm every piece. You pack.
Their contact details are published plainly, which we appreciate. Email: Luxury@TheEleganceOfTravel.com. Phone:+1 980-485-LUXE. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET. Visit their Ballantyne home page for a consultation and the fine print.
Local Roots, Global Rolodex
This is a Charlotte story with a global range. The shop is located in the heart of Ballantyne, and it operates as a Virtuoso member and independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network, which means they marry local accountability with international clout. You get neighbors you can call and a network that opens doors.
What “UnGoogleable” Looks Like In Practice
- Amalfi Coast with a skipper who knows the quiet coves.
- Paris with a private hour in galleries you have only ever seen crowded.
- Bora Bora with a butler who gets the coffee right on day one.
- Monaco where watching the Grand Prix means the view from a deck, not a feed.
Quick Contacts
- Email: Luxury@TheEleganceOfTravel.com
- Phone: +1 980-485-LUXE
- Consultation / Contact: Contact The Elegance of Travel
- Learn More: Services • Investment
- Regulatory: Florida ST39093, California 2164892-40, Washington 603 308 394
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About the Author
Nell Thomas is a senior writer at The Charlotte Mercury and a frequent wanderer for Strolling Ballantyne. She writes with a notebook in one hand and coffee in the other, usually from Einstein Bros. Bagels, Ballantyne at 13736 Conlan Cir, Charlotte 28277. Current recs: a Baker’s Dozen to split, the seasonal Oktoberfest Egg Sandwich on a pretzel bagel, and a walk-friendly Morning Mocktail for the cool-down lap back to the office. Einstein Bros. Bagels
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© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, “Bespoke Luxury Travel in Ballantyne: The Elegance of Travel’s ‘UnGoogleable’ Itineraries,” by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Bespoke Luxury Travel in Ballantyne: The Elegance of Travel’s ‘UnGoogleable’ Itineraries”
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)