Our story
Two decades of getting it right
Elaine's Travel Team was built on a simple belief: that the best travel experiences don't happen by accident. They're designed, with care, by people who know the world intimately.
20+
Years of expertise
400+
Journeys planned annually
60+
Countries covered
98%
Client return rate
How it began
A passion for the perfectly planned journey
In 2005, Elaine Hartwell returned from a trip to the Amalfi Coast that had gone spectacularly wrong — wrong hotel, wrong transfers, wrong timing. She knew she could do better. So she did.
What started as a small consultancy helping friends and family plan their holidays grew into one of the most trusted boutique travel agencies in the country. Today, Elaine's Travel Team plans over 400 bespoke journeys a year, from intimate honeymoons to multi-generational family expeditions.
Our philosophy has never changed: every detail matters. From the thread count of your sheets to the timing of your arrival at a temple at dawn — we think about it all so you don't have to.
The people behind your journey
Meet the team
Every member of our team is a seasoned traveler first. We only recommend places we've been, hotels we've stayed in, and experiences we'd book for ourselves.
Elaine Hartwell
Founder & Lead Travel Designer
With over 20 years in luxury travel, Elaine has personally visited 78 countries and maintains relationships with the world's finest hotels and private guides. She specializes in Europe, the Middle East, and bespoke honeymoon design.
Sarah Chen
Asia & Pacific Specialist
Sarah spent three years living in Tokyo before joining the team, and her knowledge of Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific is unmatched. She's the person you want planning your Kyoto ryokan stay or Maldives villa escape.
Marcus Osei
Africa & Adventure Specialist
Marcus has led safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa, and has a deep network of private conservancy contacts that gives our clients access most travelers never see. He also designs Patagonia and Andean expeditions.
Priya Nair
Client Experience Director
Priya ensures that every journey runs flawlessly from the moment you depart to the moment you return. She manages our 24/7 concierge service and is the calm, expert voice on the other end of the phone when anything needs attention.
Why clients trust us
Credentials that matter
Virtuoso Member
As a Virtuoso member agency, we have access to exclusive amenities, upgrades, and rates at the world's finest hotels — benefits unavailable through standard booking channels.
ASTA Verified
We are fully accredited by the American Society of Travel Advisors, holding ourselves to the highest standards of ethics and professional practice in the industry.
Preferred Partner Network
Two decades of relationships with hotels, airlines, and private guides means our clients receive priority access, room upgrades, and experiences that simply aren't available to the public.
24/7 Emergency Support
Travel doesn't stop at 5pm, and neither do we. Our team is available around the clock for any situation — from missed connections to last-minute itinerary changes.
"We don't just know the world — we know how to show it to you."
Ready to travel with people who care?
Let's start with a conversation about where you want to go.