Elán’s Holiday 2025 Gift Guide
Our team of experienced travel advisors is standing by to match you with exactly the right itinerary to help you achieve your travel dreams, whether aboard a private yacht, staying in a luxurious villa, or jetting around the world. Here we present a select number of exciting options from our worldwide Elán Portfolio. Whether for yourself, your spouse, or your extended family, the gift of travel is a gift that truly lasts a lifetime, creating cherished memories.
Our year has been exceptionally busy—we kicked things off with an extended trip to India, followed by a return to Italy. We attended the Formula One race in Imola, took a trip aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, made a motorcycle trip to the Badlands National Park, visited an astounding Inn located in Newfoundland, jetted off to Marbella, and checked into a magnificent villa in Costa Rica. Lest you think we were just enjoying ourselves (and we can’t deny that we were), all of these trips also involved visits to the properties that we personally vet for our clients
As we look forward to 2026, the calendar is already filling up. We currently have visits to South Africa, Italy and France on the books. And you? It’s certainly time to start thinking ahead…perhaps a gift of travel for your spouse or your extended family? And so, we present you with our Holiday Gift Guide….
Our year has been exceptionally busy—we kicked things off with an extended trip to India, followed by a return to Italy. We attended the Formula One race in Imola, took a trip aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, made a motorcycle trip to the Badlands National Park, visited an astounding Inn located in Newfoundland, jetted off to Marbella, and checked into a magnificent villa in Costa Rica. Lest you think we were just enjoying ourselves (and we can’t deny that we were), all of these trips also involved visits to the properties that we personally vet for our clients
As we look forward to 2026, the calendar is already filling up. We currently have visits to South Africa, Italy and France on the books. And you? It’s certainly time to start thinking ahead…perhaps a gift of travel for your spouse or your extended family? And so, we present you with our Holiday Gift Guide….
Sheldon Chalet, Denali National Park, Alaska
Sheldon Chalet is one of the most wild, luxurious, and unbelievably beautiful destinations on Earth. Located on a mountaintop jutting out of the Ruth Glacier, deep in Denali National Park, the Chalet is offered only on an exclusive buyout basis. Arriving by helicopter, you’ll be greeted by your dedicated concierge, outfitted with top-line outdoor gear, treated to meals prepared by a chef of unrivaled talent, and guided by two experienced and highly qualified guides.
Regardless of the season, you’ll be surrounded by remarkable natural beauty. Pampered in gorgeous accommodations. And given the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most wild and unbelievably gorgeous settings anywhere.
Sheldon Chalet is one of the most wild, luxurious, and unbelievably beautiful destinations on Earth. Located on a mountaintop jutting out of the Ruth Glacier, deep in Denali National Park, the Chalet is offered only on an exclusive buyout basis. Arriving by helicopter, you’ll be greeted by your dedicated concierge, outfitted with top-line outdoor gear, treated to meals prepared by a chef of unrivaled talent, and guided by two experienced and highly qualified guides.
Regardless of the season, you’ll be surrounded by remarkable natural beauty. Pampered in gorgeous accommodations. And given the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most wild and unbelievably gorgeous settings anywhere.
-Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada
Located on the easternmost edge of North America, Fogo Island Inn offers a unique brand of luxury—all of it locally produced—on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The accommodations are equipped with handmade furniture, locally produced quilts, and wood stoves. The level of cuisine is unimaginably creative and delicious, mostly locally sourced. Recently named #6 on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the World’s Best Luxury Hotels, it’s beyond delightful.
Located on the easternmost edge of North America, Fogo Island Inn offers a unique brand of luxury—all of it locally produced—on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The accommodations are equipped with handmade furniture, locally produced quilts, and wood stoves. The level of cuisine is unimaginably creative and delicious, mostly locally sourced. Recently named #6 on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the World’s Best Luxury Hotels, it’s beyond delightful.
-Villa Avellana, Costa Rica
We recently stayed at this beautiful villa, which encompasses over 30,000 square feet of luxurious indoor and outdoor spaces. Accommodating up to 25 guests (on a buyout basis only), the staff of 26 sees to your every need, whether the sumptuous meals prepared in one of their many kitchens, beach activities for the kids, deep sea fishing for the adults, or simply relaxing around the pool.
An all-inclusive experience, Villa Avellana melds the highest level of luxury with every comfort you can imagine. It’s simply gorgeous, the perfect getaway for family or a group of friends.
We recently stayed at this beautiful villa, which encompasses over 30,000 square feet of luxurious indoor and outdoor spaces. Accommodating up to 25 guests (on a buyout basis only), the staff of 26 sees to your every need, whether the sumptuous meals prepared in one of their many kitchens, beach activities for the kids, deep sea fishing for the adults, or simply relaxing around the pool.
An all-inclusive experience, Villa Avellana melds the highest level of luxury with every comfort you can imagine. It’s simply gorgeous, the perfect getaway for family or a group of friends.
-Micato Safaris (Africa and India)
We’ve traveled extensively with Micato, and earlier this year we spent three weeks touring India in the company of their esteemed Tour Director, Puneet Dan. The experience defies description in mere words. We stayed in incredibly beautiful palace hotels, ate sumptuous meals, and toured cultural sites like the Taj Mahal with a level of access that only Micato can provide. At every step Puneet and others from Micato deftly handled every aspect of our time in India. Even being as experienced as we are in traveling the world, it truly set the bar for excellence.
Similarly, we have traveled on Safari in Africa with Micato. Throughout our experiences there we have been paired with unrivaled guides and had wildlife encounters that stretch the bounds of what we thought were imaginable. And, at each step, whether staying in a luxurious tented camp or transiting the continent by bush plane, the level of care and professionalism were astounding.
Whether you want to follow one of Micato’s set itineraries or create a completely customized experience, there is simply no substitute.
We’ve traveled extensively with Micato, and earlier this year we spent three weeks touring India in the company of their esteemed Tour Director, Puneet Dan. The experience defies description in mere words. We stayed in incredibly beautiful palace hotels, ate sumptuous meals, and toured cultural sites like the Taj Mahal with a level of access that only Micato can provide. At every step Puneet and others from Micato deftly handled every aspect of our time in India. Even being as experienced as we are in traveling the world, it truly set the bar for excellence.
Similarly, we have traveled on Safari in Africa with Micato. Throughout our experiences there we have been paired with unrivaled guides and had wildlife encounters that stretch the bounds of what we thought were imaginable. And, at each step, whether staying in a luxurious tented camp or transiting the continent by bush plane, the level of care and professionalism were astounding.
Whether you want to follow one of Micato’s set itineraries or create a completely customized experience, there is simply no substitute.
-Discover the Dolomites with Elán
As we have mentioned, our most recent trip to Italy included a visit to Imola, where we met with local dignitaries and were privileged to enjoy viewing the spectacle from the most coveted venue within the race course, a tower overlooking the track at the start/finish line. We followed this with a visit to Florence and Rome.
We’re going back to Italy in September of 2026. We’ll be visiting Lake Como, Florence and Tuscany.
Separately, you are invited to do the same on a trip that will retrace the steps of Andrea Grisdale’s acclaimed Italian Routes series as she visited the Dolomites. We’ve created a customized itinerary patterned after this outstanding series. On this trip, once you arrive in Italy, you’ll be met for a VIP escort through customs and immigration, gather gather your bags and travel on to beautiful the Dolomites.
We (Victoria and Michael) are excited to also be leading a personally escorted visit to the Dolomites in 2027, which will be strictly limited to a very small number of guests, and focused on exquisite experiences that are undiscovered by most. The accommodations, experiences, and food will be unique and outstanding. Super limited availability, so contact us now: [email protected].
As we have mentioned, our most recent trip to Italy included a visit to Imola, where we met with local dignitaries and were privileged to enjoy viewing the spectacle from the most coveted venue within the race course, a tower overlooking the track at the start/finish line. We followed this with a visit to Florence and Rome.
We’re going back to Italy in September of 2026. We’ll be visiting Lake Como, Florence and Tuscany.
Separately, you are invited to do the same on a trip that will retrace the steps of Andrea Grisdale’s acclaimed Italian Routes series as she visited the Dolomites. We’ve created a customized itinerary patterned after this outstanding series. On this trip, once you arrive in Italy, you’ll be met for a VIP escort through customs and immigration, gather gather your bags and travel on to beautiful the Dolomites.
We (Victoria and Michael) are excited to also be leading a personally escorted visit to the Dolomites in 2027, which will be strictly limited to a very small number of guests, and focused on exquisite experiences that are undiscovered by most. The accommodations, experiences, and food will be unique and outstanding. Super limited availability, so contact us now: [email protected].
These experiences are just a sample of the many travel opportunities available through Elán…all personally vetted and planned with the utmost attention to detail. But, as we mentioned, after a relatively quiet summer period, travelers are once again clamoring for time at our most coveted properties. If you are looking for a special experience for you or your loved ones, now is the time to start planning.