Elán

03/03/2025

More adventures in Delhi…

It was a sunny, warm day here in Delhi, reaching about 80º F. The early part of the day was relatively sedate, but by the time late afternoon rolled around, the streets became busier, with cars, vans, and scooters all seemingly competing for the same bit of pavement. Our driver nonetheless guided us effortlessly and Puneet ensured that the day proceeded seamlessly.

We first toured the embassy area and the neighborhoods where millionaires’ homes line the streets. Then it was on to Humayan’s tomb, which is the final resting place of one of India’s Mughal rulers. This imposing edifice features a double dome and is set in a beautiful park with numerous fountains and pools.

From there it was on to see some of the impressive government buildings, albeit from afar, since access is strictly limited as a result of security concerns.

We went on to visit one of India’s most venerated sites, the monument to Mahatma Gandhi, which documents his extraordinary life and traces his final minutes before his assassination on January 30, 1948. The site features a number of dioramas devoted to some of the most significant events of his life, from the time of his training in London as a barrister to his time in South Africa, and ultimately to the period during which he left the Indian independence movement. An amazing life.

Our return to the Leela Palace was marked by a visit to the Library Bar and dinner at Megu, an asian fusion restaurant named as one of the finest in India.

A huge day in an incredible city.

28/02/2025

There have been a lot of epic journeys, but this one promises to take the cake.

Our bags are packed and we’re about to head out the door. However, because of the length of this trip we’re doing things a bit differently. Rather than composing an article at the end of our journey, we are going to update this article every day or two. We invite your comments, both here and in the comments section of our website, which you’ll see towards the bottom of the page where this article is located.

Friday, 28 February 2025 Generally we wait until we’re back home from a trip to toss together an article here, but we’re doing it a bit differently this time. We are on our way to India and over...

21/02/2025

Our latest blog article, discussing travel with pets….

Elán Travel

17/02/2025

It only seemed right that we should partner with K9 Jets, recommended by Sophie, The Official Dog of Elán.

Watch for our upcoming blog article on Sophie’s visit to the Four Seasons Chicago.

https://youtu.be/K4uRbeqUyhQ?si=3OofeHuRaYGmRnhO

03/02/2025

Personally, we’re members of the Carry On Baggage Club….

“Usually the worst-case scenario of not having everything is really not as catastrophic as it feels.”

03/02/2025

Delayed repeatedly, it now appears that the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel will actually go into effect on May 7, 2025. This means that you will need a Real ID-compliant state ID or a passport to fly within the United States. https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.

If you’ve been skating by with your old noncompliant ID, now’s the time to fix that situation.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

31/01/2025

Lap dogs come in many sizes.

31/01/2025

Another of our great friends and professional colleagues has been recognized for professional excellence. Nicola owns Noteworthy, our trusted local partner in London, where we often turn for a hand in planning travel to Great Britain for our most discerning clients. Congratulations, Nic!

30/01/2025

Sophie, the Official Dog of Elán, has arrived….

27/01/2025

Congratulations to Andrea and her incredible team at IC Bellagio!

We’ve worked with Andrea for years (decades, actually), a relationship built on friendship and trust in the fact that she will always provide incomparable experiences for our clients traveling to Italy.

Congratulazioni!

We are beyond thrilled to share that Andrea Grisdale has been once agan recognized on the prestigious 2025 WOW List as one of the top 102 local travel fixers worldwide!
Being included in this list is no small feat-it is a testament to Andrea’s unwavering passion, dedication, and exceptional ability to craft truly unforgettable experiences in Italy.
Andrea and the entire IC Bellagio team are deeply honored to be part of such an elite group of travel professionals who continue to redefine extraordinary travel. A heartfelt thank you to all our travelers who trust us with their Italian dreams and share their incredible feedback-it is because of you that this recognition is possible.📣🇮🇹✨❤️

26/01/2025

At Elán we monitor airline alerts, travel restrictions, State Department alerts, and other sources of information to keep our clients’ travel experiences uneventful. We now also have the ability to monitor flight conditions in the continental USA in real time. Informative. Plus, it looks cool.

20/01/2025

With 2025 upon us we are about to embark on another whirlwind year of travel. Our first trip, to San Diego, will be to attend a very special family celebration for the grandson of dear friends who are also revered in the travel industry.

Shortly after that Victoria will be on to Japan for a Marriott Luxury Brands board meeting, returning to the States to swap bags for our upcoming visit to India.

We just received a wonderful gift—a book focused on Tiffin cuisine—from our friends at Micato Safaris, who are handling our travel arrangements within India. This thoughtful gift is a reminder of why we often turn to Micato for our clients’ travels to Africa and India; their attention to detail is unrivaled.

Join us at https://www.elantravel.net/travel-beyond to follow our travels, recommendations, and tips.

Information and advice from the leading voices in luxury travel.

17/01/2025

Celebrating 5 Years of Elán - Thank You! -

Elán is Five Years Old… We began this journey in January of 2020, when Victoria decided to leave Corporate America to form Elán. She dragged Mike, kicking and screaming, out of his retirement from the USDOJ and amazingly we found ourselves in the black within weeks of opening shop. That was not ...

03/01/2025

We’ve just returned from La Crosse, Wisconsin after picking up Sophie from finishing school, where she spent the last month. What an incredible transformation for The Official Dog of Elán.

Rick and Joane Pederson took on a slightly naughty (though always angelic) Sophie and returned a pup with amazing manners and obedience skills. In just one month Sophie passed three key AKC tests for obedience and behavior, a nearly unheard of accomplishment.

Rick has told us that Sophie is in the top .1% of the dogs he’s trained and he is so confident in her abilities that he is moving her on to Service Dog training when she returns in March.

Our little superstar. 🌟

Rising Starr K9: https://www.facebook.com/share/15y6c9UumB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

27/12/2024

Our Sophie, the Official Dog of Elán, is presently with an excellent trainer, Rick Pederson of Rising Starr K9. He just published this excellent article on traveling with your dog.

We can certainly help with planning your travel with your canine companion, but the most fundamental principle is that traveling with a well-behaved dog will make your trip far more enjoyable (come to think of it, that applies to human travel companions as well).

Wanderlust with Your Pup: Creating Seamless Adventures Together Hello, fellow dog enthusiasts! It's Rick Pedersen, your trusted dog trainer and the proud owner of Rising Starr K9. As we wrap up t

22/12/2024

Seasons Greetings from Elán -

May your holiday season be filled with happiness, elegance, and extraordinary experiences. Here's to crafting unforgettable journeys and cherished memories in the year to come.

18/12/2024

Seven countries, two and a half months. Join us for a recap of our recent travels:

In this post you’re getting two trip reports: We have just done two back-to-back trips and wanted to share some highlights with you below. The first trip was an extended journey aboard Explora II,...