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Beyond the Itinerary: What Makes Elevated Truly Exceptional 

Luxury travel is so much more than a 5 star hotel


Panoramic view of a historic Tuscan hilltop town, likely Montepulciano, Italy, featuring stone and stucco buildings with terracotta tile roofs cascading down a hillside. A domed church (possibly San Biagio) is visible among lush green trees in the middle distance, with rolling Tuscan countryside, cypress trees, olive groves, and distant mountains stretching to the horizon under a partly cloudy sky.

For luxury travelers, an exceptional European vacation is about more than beautiful hotels, private tours, and a perfectly planned itinerary. It’s about how effortlessly every detail comes together—and how cared for travelers feel every step of the way. 

Elevated takes that philosophy one step further, combining thoughtfully crafted itineraries with high-touch concierge support to create travel experiences that feel personal, seamless, and truly unforgettable. 

Whether it’s helping celebrate a milestone, arranging a special moment, or navigating an unexpected change abroad, the Elevated concierge team is there behind the scenes to manage the details—so travelers can stay present, relax, and fully enjoy the journey. 

From Personalized to Truly Bespoke 

Europe Express has long specialized in creating customized European travel, but Elevated was created for travelers who desire an even greater level of personalization, service, and attention to detail. 

Every Elevated journey begins with a personalized discovery session, giving our Senior Europe Specialists the opportunity to understand not just where a traveler wants to go, but how they want to experience it. From there, every element is thoughtfully selected and tailored to create a journey that feels distinctly their own. 

Elevated includes: 

Because true luxury isn’t about choosing from a list of upgrades. It’s about having every detail thoughtfully considered around you. 

Ready to start an Elevated quote?

The Concierge Difference: We’re At Your Client’s Beck & Call 

A thoughtfully designed itinerary sets the stage for an exceptional journey; but, sometimes it’s the moments you can’t plan for that make the greatest difference. That’s where the Elevated concierge team steps in. 

Throughout the journey, the concierge team—including Lakshay Sharma—provides a dedicated layer of support that extends well beyond the itinerary. They are there to anticipate needs, solve problems, and make thoughtful touches happen, often behind the scenes and before a traveler ever has to ask. 

Lakshay shares: 

“One of the most rewarding parts of working with Elevated guests is that we are able to provide a level of personalization and support that goes far beyond a traditional itinerary.” 

Whether travelers need a last-minute restaurant reservation, want to arrange something special for a milestone celebration, or encounter an unexpected change while abroad, the concierge team is ready to help. 

They can assist with: 

The result is a travel experience where clients never feel like they’re navigating Europe alone. There’s a knowledgeable team behind the scenes, ready to step in and make the journey feel effortless. 

For Elevated, concierge service isn’t an add-on. It’s part of the experience. 

Creating Moments They’ll Remember 

Luxury travel isn’t always about the grandest suite or the most exclusive experience. Sometimes, it’s about the small details that make a traveler feel truly seen. 

For one couple celebrating a milestone anniversary in Europe, the Elevated concierge team had the opportunity to make their trip especially meaningful. Working closely with local partners throughout their journey, Lakshay arranged personalized dining experiences, thoughtful room surprises, and special requests tailored to the couple’s individual interests. 

Each detail was carefully coordinated to complement the itinerary and create moments that felt personal rather than predetermined. From the experiences arranged along the way to the thoughtful touches waiting for them at their accommodations, Lakshay remained connected behind the scenes to ensure everything came together seamlessly. 

By the end of their journey, the couple felt more than well taken care of—they felt like VIPs. 

Lakshay explains: 

“What made the experience special was not any single service, but the seamless coordination behind the scenes that allowed the guests to simply enjoy their trip while feeling genuinely cared for.” 

That is the heart of Elevated. Luxury doesn’t always mean extravagance. It means thoughtfulness. It’s knowing what will make a moment more meaningful, taking care of the details before they become requests, and giving travelers the freedom to simply be present and enjoy the experience. 

Luxury Means Being Taken Care Of 

The best luxury experiences often have something in common: they feel effortless. 

Travelers may never see the countless details, conversations, and adjustments happening behind the scenes to make a journey run smoothly. And that’s intentional. The concierge team is there so travelers don’t have to think about what happens behind the scenes—they can simply enjoy what’s happening in front of them. 

That support begins before the journey even starts. 

Before Travel 

Long before travelers board their flight, the concierge team can help bring the finer details of their journey together, including:

During Travel 

Once travelers are in Europe, that personalized support continues. Questions come up, plans evolve, and travelers may discover something they’d like to add along the way. Having a dedicated concierge team available means they have someone to turn to for:

When the Unexpected Happens 

Even the most carefully planned journeys can encounter the unexpected. When they do, travelers don’t have to figure it out on their own. The concierge team can step in to help with:

That sense of reassurance is one of the greatest luxuries Elevated provides. It’s knowing that someone is there when you need them—and often before you even realize you need them. 

An Extension of the Travel Advisor 

Elevated doesn’t replace the Travel Advisor relationship. It strengthens it. 

Behind every Elevated journey is a dedicated concierge team working alongside the Travel Advisor to provide an additional layer of expertise, attention, and support. While you remain at the heart of the client relationship, the concierge team helps bring your client’s vision to life—ensuring the experience continues to feel personal and seamless from the planning stages through the journey home. 

For Travel Advisors, that means: 

As Lakshay puts it: 

“What truly sets Elevated apart is the human element.” 

That human element is what makes the concierge team such a valuable extension of the Travel Advisor. They’re not stepping into the advisor’s role—they’re working alongside them, providing the additional support and destination expertise needed to deliver an exceptional client experience. 

The Travel Advisor creates the vision. Elevated helps bring it to life. 

Together, they give travelers something that’s difficult to replicate: the personal relationship of a trusted Travel Advisor paired with the around-the-clock feeling of having a dedicated team behind their journey. 

Custom vs. Elevated: Finding the Right Fit 

Europe Express gives Travel Advisors multiple ways to create exceptional European vacations, and both Custom and Elevated are built around personalization. The difference comes down to the level of luxury, service, and support your client is looking for. 

Custom 

Custom gives Travel Advisors the flexibility to create a trip tailored to each client’s interests, priorities, travel style, and budget. From selecting the right hotels and experiences to coordinating transportation and managing the details from booking through departure, Custom makes personalized European travel accessible across a wide range of client needs. 

Elevated 

Elevated takes that customized approach a step further, pairing bespoke itinerary design with a more elevated level of luxury and dedicated concierge support. Designed for travelers who expect exceptional accommodations, private and curated experiences, and high-touch service, Elevated creates an experience where the details aren’t simply personalized—they’re thoughtfully anticipated. 

Custom Elevated 
Personalized itineraries Bespoke itineraries 
Flexible travel styles and budgets Luxury-focused travel 
Customized hotels and experiences 4.5- and 5-star accommodations 
Europe Specialist itinerary planning Senior Europe Specialist itinerary planning 
TA Success support from booking to departure Dedicated concierge support before and during travel 
Broad range of tours and experiences Private tours and curated experiences 
Designed around the client’s needs Designed around the client’s preferences and expectations 
No stated daily minimum $750 per passenger/day, land only 
Flexible trip length Four-night minimum 

So, Which Is Right for Your Client? 

For clients looking for a personalized European vacation with flexibility, Custom offers the expertise and support to bring their vision to life—whether they’re looking for a specific destination, a particular travel style, or a trip that fits a defined budget. 

For clients who want a luxury experience with an extra layer of personalization, attention, and concierge-level care, Elevated offers something truly distinctive. It’s designed for travelers who value exceptional accommodations, private experiences, thoughtful details, and having dedicated support throughout their journey. 

Both put the traveler at the center. Elevated simply adds another level of luxury, access, and human support around the journey. 

The Elevated Difference 

The Elevated difference isn’t defined by a single hotel, tour, or transfer. It’s defined by how every element comes together—and by the people behind the scenes who make sure the experience feels effortless. 

From the first personalized discovery conversation to the final day of the journey, every detail is thoughtfully considered around the traveler. Exceptional accommodations, private experiences, seamless transportation, and curated moments come together to create something that feels cohesive rather than simply customized. 

And behind it all is the Elevated concierge team, providing the human connection that turns a well-planned vacation into a truly elevated experience. They’re there to anticipate needs, navigate the unexpected, add thoughtful touches, and provide peace of mind—all while working alongside the Travel Advisor to bring their vision for the client’s journey to life. 

That is ultimately what Elevated is about: not simply planning a better trip, but creating a better way to experience it. 

For travelers, it means feeling cared for from beginning to end. For Travel Advisors, it means having a dedicated team behind them to help deliver an exceptional level of service. 

Every detail is elevated. Every moment is personal. And every journey is designed around the traveler.  

Give Your Clients More Than a Trip 

With bespoke itinerary design, luxury accommodations, exceptional experiences, and dedicated concierge support, Elevated gives Travel Advisors the expertise, resources, and support to create European vacations their clients will never forget. 

From the first conversation to the moments they’ll remember long after they return home, Elevated helps you deliver a level of personalization and care that goes beyond the itinerary. 

Ready to create something truly elevated for your clients? 

About the Author

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Aly McAlister is the Marketing Coordinator at Europe Express, where she supports social media and content production while also managing the company’s Travel Advisor Facebook community. Prior to joining the marketing team, Aly spent more than three years in the TA Support Department, building strong relationships with travel advisors and gaining extensive knowledge of the travel industry. Before transitioning into travel, Aly worked in hospitality with companies including Disney Experiences and the Biltmore Estate. She also has experience creating content in both personal and professional settings, combining her passion for storytelling with her love of travel and community engagement. Aly holds a bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, and Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Beau, going on long nature walks, travelling to new places, coffee shop hopping around her hometown of Asheville NC, and pursuing her passion for reading and writing.

About the Author

Author profile picture
Lakshay Sharma is a Luxury Trip Concierge with more than seven years of experience across travel, hospitality, reservations, and guest service. With a Master’s in Hospitality Management, he has built his career around creating seamless, highly personalized journeys and making sure every detail feels thoughtful, effortless, and memorable. Passionate about travel, exceptional hotels, and memorable dining experiences, Lakshay especially enjoys discovering the places and experiences that make a trip feel truly special. Whether it is finding the right hotel, recommending a standout restaurant, or solving an unexpected issue behind the scenes, he takes pride in helping travelers experience a destination at its very best.

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