ILV Travel Atelier is a family-owned, luxury travel company established in 1964. Their journey from a small family business to an award-winning luxury travel atelier showcases the company’s passion for forging wonderful memories for its global clientele.

In this interview, we delve into the world of ILV Travel Atelier, exploring how they go beyond the brochure to offer extraordinary adventures tailored to your deepest desires. From adrenaline-pumping safaris in Africa to soul-soothing retreats at world-renowned wellness centers, ILV specializes in designing bespoke experiences that cater to every whim.

Join us as we speak with the Managing Director, Mr. Ico Inanc, and uncover the secrets behind their success, their exclusive partnerships, and the personalized service that sets them apart in the world of luxury travel.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: ILV Travel Atelier has been a family-owned company since 1964. How have the company’s heritage and family values influenced its approach to creating luxury travel experiences?

Mr. Ico Inanc:  The core family values of ILV Travel Atelier, founded in 1964, include tradition, passion for travel, excellence in service, integrity, and sustainability. These values profoundly shape the company’s approach to crafting bespoke luxury travel experiences. Tradition and experience drive meticulous attention to detail and high-quality service. A passion for travel inspires innovative and unique itineraries. Excellence in service ensures personalized and exceptional customer care. Integrity fosters trust and reliability, while a commitment to sustainability promotes eco-friendly practices and social responsibility. Together, these values ensure each travel experience is not only luxurious but also meaningful and responsible.

LLA: ILV Travel Atelier was recently awarded the title of Best Luxury Authentic Travel Experience in Italy by Luxury Lifestyle Awards. What do you believe sets ILV apart from other luxury travel companies in Italy?

II: Compared to other Italian tour operators, ILV Travel Atelier sets itself apart by offering fully customized journeys and experiences for its travelers. We do not offer pre-packaged tours or fixed itineraries; instead, we engage in a dialogue with the client to uncover their passions, interests, and desires to craft the perfect travel experience for them. We are also very active in communication, publishing a dedicated travel and lifestyle magazine and themed newsletters. We collaborate with two International Schools to create travel brochures for families, and we have several websites focused on our key destinations and specific types of travel, such as short breaks or wellbeing trips.

LLA: Your company is known for going beyond typical vacation packages to create extraordinary adventures. Can you share an example of a particularly unique or memorable experience you’ve designed for a client?

II: We built a camp in the Canadian Arctic for a family of 4 to track polar bear mothers and cubs. It took 3 weeks to fly in all the materials and assemble the camp: 5 cabins in total. It was a logistical challenge because travelers wanted to visit in springtime around mid-march

LLA: ILV Travel Atelier offers exclusive access to unique accommodations such as private villas and historic castles. How do you select these locations, and what criteria must they meet to be included in your offerings?

II: At ILV Travel Atelier, we select exclusive accommodations like private villas and historic castles based on their uniqueness, luxury, and exceptional service. Each location must offer distinct charm and reflect the local culture, providing a memorable experience. We prioritize properties with top-tier amenities, stunning views, and convenient access to attractions. Privacy and exclusivity are key, to ensuring a serene environment for our clients. Additionally, we choose accommodations with a proven record of excellent hospitality and a commitment to sustainability. This careful selection process guarantees that our clients enjoy unparalleled luxury and unique travel experiences.

LLA: You provide travel experiences in diverse destinations, from the Maldives to Japan to the Arctic. How do you ensure that each destination offers a unique and authentic experience for your clients?

II: My Travel Designers and I devote a significant portion of our time to visiting and discovering the locations and hotels we recommend to our clients. Only through direct contact with the heart and soul of each property, by personally experiencing the services and offerings, can we accurately assess whether a hotel will meet the expectations of our discerning and demanding clientele.

LLA: The “State of Mind” experiences focus on wellness and rejuvenation. Can you elaborate on how these experiences are designed to promote relaxation and well-being for your clients?

II: In our offerings, we aim to curate wellness experiences that cater to the needs of various types of travelers, regardless of age. Some of the properties we recommend function as full-fledged clinics where medical treatments are provided. Here, clients can entrust themselves to the care of professional teams, capable of diagnosing and addressing any health issues. For those who simply need a break from daily life to relax, we offer true sanctuaries of peace and tranquillity, designed to nurture not just the body, but also the mind and soul.

LLA: Personalization and exclusivity are key components of the ILV experience. How do your expert travel consultants work with clients to create bespoke itineraries that reflect their individual passions and interests?

II: After the initial email contact, the Travel Designers at ILV Travel Atelier arrange actual meetings with travelers, either in person or by phone, to fully understand their requests, desires, and passions. This allows them to create a travel proposal that fulfills all their dreams. The initial proposal can then be discussed with the client, in an ongoing dialogue that extends beyond the planning phase and continues throughout the stay and even after the trip. The goal is to establish a true relationship of trust for future experiences as well.

LLA: Please tell us a bit more about the exclusive partnerships that you have, and what these mean for your company.

II: ILV Travel Atelier is honored to boast partnerships with some of the leading players in the luxury travel sector, granting us access to exclusive advantages and allowing us to offer our clients a range of exclusive benefits available only when booking with us. These collaborations not only help us continuously enhance our reputation within the luxury travel segment but also enable us to add significant value to our travelers’ experiences. Our clients rely on us for our expertise and for the detailed attention that sets us apart.

LLA: ILV Travel Atelier has received numerous accolades, including your recent win for outstanding destination knowledge in the Serandipians Awards. How do these recognitions impact your company, and what do they mean to you personally as Managing Director?

II: These achievements hold great significance for the company and for me personally, as they are the tangible result of the hard work and dedication that everyone at ILV Travel Atelier puts into their activities. They allow me to reflect on the company’s past and future, the direction we should take, and to assess our strengths and weaknesses.

Thank you for spending time with us today, Mr. Inanc. We are excited to see what lies ahead for ILV Travel Atelier.

Visit https://ilv.travel/ to book your next magical travel experience today.