Meet The Elegance of Travel (Ballantyne)
If you’ve ever day-dreamed about a private villa in Amalfi, a Paddock Club pass in Monaco, or a champagne sunset on a chartered yacht—and then shut the laptop because planning felt like a second job—this Ballantyne-based boutique turns the day-dream into a done deal. Founded by Alberto & Shelley Benitez, The Elegance of Travel designs “UnGoogleable” luxury journeys for discerning couples, pairing white-glove planning with Virtuoso-level perks and VIP access. Located right here in the heart of Ballantyne (Charlotte, NC), they build every itinerary around the way you want to travel—then sprinkle in the delicious extras you didn’t even know to ask for.
Fast Facts & How to Reach Them
- Company: The Elegance of Travel
- Founders: Alberto & Shelley Benitez
- What they do: Bespoke luxury travel design for couples; Virtuoso perks; VIP experiences (think: over-water villas, Michelin tables, private art tours, and yes—F1 Monaco from a private yacht).
- Home base: Ballantyne, Charlotte, NC (independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network; Virtuoso member)
- Email: Luxury@TheEleganceOfTravel.com
- Phone: +1 (980) 485-LUXE
- Consultation: “Book Your Consultation” via site
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET
- Website: theeleganceoftravel.com
- Seller of Travel / Reg. IDs: FL ST39093; CA 2164892-40; WA 603 308 394
(Sponsored) A Quick Word From Our Friends at Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte
When your itinerary reads “first-class flight → cliff-side aperitivo → villa check-in,” the ride to CLT shouldn’t feel like a compromise. Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte (MBSC) is Ballantyne’s luxury pit stop:
- Address: 950 N Polk St, Pineville, NC 28134
- Phone: 704-889-4444
- Website: mbcharlotte.com
- Social: @mbcharlotte (IG/FB/LinkedIn)
- GM: Tom Marcham—43 years in automotive retail; 14 at MBSC; “Luxury isn’t a product line; it’s a level of care.”
- Community: Allegro Foundation, St. Jude, Second Harvest Food Bank, Nourish Up, Classroom Central
- Position: #1 volume MB dealer in a four-state region, five consecutive years
- Brand heartbeat: Integrity over volume; customer relationships that last a lifetime; doing business the right way—every time.
What They Actually Do (and Why Couples Love It)
Precision Planning, Zero Stress
Alberto handles the macro—flight patterns, best-season logic, and routing that saves time without sacrificing delight. Shelley handles the micro—room views, kitchen notes for your favorite sparkling water, and that “just-in-case” late checkout. Every trip is a narrative built around your pace, tastes, and comfort, then leveled up with Virtuoso benefits (upgrades, amenities, and VIP recognition when available).
Signature Escapes (A Few They Highlight)
- Amalfi Coast: Clifftop suites + skipper-led coves.
- Bora Bora: Butlered over-water villas, lagoon days.
- Parisian Romance: Private gallery hours, Michelin tables.
- Monaco Grand Prix: Yacht hospitality + Paddock access.
How to Work With Them
Start with a consult, align on investment, then they assemble your “UnGoogleable” itinerary. You approve, they execute. You just show up—together.
Ballantyne Roots, Global Rolodex
They’re neighbors—parents and grandparents—who design like pros and travel like hosts. They’re graduates of Gifted Travel Network’s Travel MBA and Virtuoso Travel Academy, and they apply nearly three decades of marriage and six kids’ worth of logistics wisdom to every itinerary. The point isn’t just seeing the world—it’s reconnecting with it.
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About the Author
Nell Thomas drinks her coffee the way Ballantyne intended—hot, happy, and handed over at Einstein Bros. Bagels, 13736 Conlan Cir, Charlotte 28277 (drive-thru FTW). Pro tip: grab a Medium Roast or Vanilla Hazelnut with a toasted Asiago (or go seasonal—Oktoberfest Egg Sandwich on a pretzel bagel) and you’ll have enough fuel to storyboard a weeklong Amalfi escape. ☕ 🥯
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© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, “Bespoke Luxury Travel in Ballantyne: Inside The Elegance of Travel’s ‘UnGoogleable’ Journeys,”by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Bespoke Luxury Travel in Ballantyne: Inside The Elegance of Travel’s ‘UnGoogleable’ Journeys”
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)