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Custom Itineraries • Cruises • Safaris • Europe • Active Travel • Sports Events

Custom Travel, Perfectly Designed

Bespoke itineraries, insider access, and seamless planning — tailored to your travel style, priorities, and pace.

Start Planning My Trip Meet Eric
Eric Bender
Luxury Travel Advisor • Independent Affiliate of Fora Travel

Trusted partnerships. Insider access. Effortless travel.

From luxury cruises and Europe to safaris, active travel, and milestone journeys, every itinerary is designed around your priorities, style, and pace.

  • Preferred hotel and cruise partnerships
  • Destination matching, pacing, and logistics handled with care
  • Personal support from planning through departure
  • BBB Accredited Business — committed to trust and transparency
Why clients work with me

Trusted planning, insider access, and a more seamless way to travel.

Preferred access

Access to curated hotels, cruise lines, and travel partners, with preferred perks and added value where available.

Tailored itineraries

Every trip is built around how you actually want to travel — not a template and not a generic package.

White-glove coordination

From inspiration and planning through final details, everything is managed with clarity, care, and precision.

Featured experiences

Journeys curated for how you love to travel.

Luxury overwater bungalows above turquoise water

Luxury Resorts

Iconic resorts, private villas, and polished escapes tailored to your style.

Cruise ship with Mediterranean backdrop

Cruises

Ocean, river, and expedition sailings with seamless planning and elevated access.

Luxury travel destinations across Europe and Asia

Europe, Asia, The World

Custom journeys across Europe and beyond with private guides and exceptional stays.

African safari landscape with wildlife

Safaris & Beyond

Premier lodges, expert guides, and seamless logistics from start to finish.

Cycling and sports event travel experiences

Active Adventure & Sports Events Travel

Active journeys and exclusive access to sought-after sporting events worldwide.

See All Experiences →

Personalized planning

Every trip is designed around your pace, preferences, priorities, budget and travel goals.

Preferred perks

Enjoy elevated amenities and perks with curated hotels, cruises, and travel partners around the world.

Seamless experience

From inspiration to itinerary to travel support, every detail is handled with care.

Planning a trip like this?

Let's turn the right idea into the right itinerary.

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About Eric

Personal travel experience, professional planning, and a sharp eye for what makes a trip exceptional.

Eric Bender

Eric Bender is the founder of Luxury Travel Connection, LLC and a luxury travel advisor independently affiliated with Fora Travel.

He has traveled extensively throughout his life, both personally and professionally, and brings that perspective to every itinerary he helps create. His often-repeated statement that "Travel has been a defining part of my life—not only as a passion, but as a craft" speaks volumes about his commitment and dedication to the craft of travel planning and to his clients.

His approach combines thoughtful planning, strong communication, and a genuine love of exceptional travel. Whether the goal is a celebratory getaway, a refined beach escape, a cruise, or a custom international journey, the focus is always on creating a trip that feels effortless, personalized, and memorable.

Exceptional travel isn't about doing more. It's about doing it right. As a Backroads Travel Specialist, and with deep relationships with every major cruise line, luxury hotel group, sports travel specialists, and safari outfitters, he is uniquely qualified to create amazing journeys for you and your family.

Certifications & Specialties

Backroads Specialist Viking Rivers Certified Expert Royal Caribbean Master
Start Planning My Trip Learn more about Eric → View Full Advisor Profile
Santorini luxury travel experience
Luxury travel specialties

Expertise across the journeys clients ask for most.

What I help plan

  • Luxury resort vacations and overwater villa escapes
  • Ocean, river, and expedition cruises
  • Custom Europe itineraries and Mediterranean journeys
  • Honeymoons, anniversary trips, and celebration travel
  • Family travel, milestone getaways, and private experiences
  • Active cycling and multi-adventure trips
  • Sports events including professional sports, tennis tournaments and Grand Slam events, NCAA and finals
  • Family reunion gatherings
  • Corporate retreats and award travel

Popular luxury travel searches

Clients often come to Luxury Travel Connection for milestone trips, elevated resort stays, custom cruise vacations, safari planning, active adventures, and multi-stop itineraries that need careful coordination. The focus is on matching the right destination, hotel or ship, pacing, logistics, and special touches to the way you want to travel.

See All Specialties →
How it works

Simple, personal, and designed around you.

1. Share your plans

Tell me where you're thinking of going, when, and what kind of trip you want.

2. Review your options

I help shape the right itinerary, hotels, cruise, or destination fit for your priorities and budget.

3. Travel beautifully

Once the details are in place, you travel with a smoother plan and far less stress.

Enjoyed working together? A review means the world.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you're wondering about working with an advisor.

What does a luxury travel advisor do?

A luxury travel advisor designs, coordinates, and refines your trip — from destination ideas and hotels to cruises, active adventures, private experiences, and itinerary flow. Unlike a booking engine, an advisor brings personal expertise, supplier relationships, and ongoing support from first inquiry through departure.

What types of travel do you help plan?

Luxury Travel Connection helps plan custom cruises, resort stays, safari journeys, active adventures, sports-event travel, honeymoons, anniversary trips, milestone trips, family reunions, corporate retreats, and complex multi-stop itineraries worldwide.

How do I get started?

Use the inquiry form on the website to share your trip ideas and timing. Submissions go directly to Eric Bender for personal follow-up. You can also reach out directly by email at eric@luxurytravelconnection.com.

Does it cost more to book through a travel advisor?

No — in most cases it costs exactly the same as booking directly, and often less. Hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators pay advisor commissions directly. Clients booking through Luxury Travel Connection frequently receive additional perks — room upgrades, resort credits, complimentary breakfast, and early check-in — that are not available when booking directly.

Is it safe to book my flight through Luxury Travel Connection?

Yes — completely. When I book your flight, I'm working directly in the airline's own reservation system, the same one used by the airline's reservations team and every accredited travel agency. Your ticket carries the airline's own confirmation number and appears in your frequent flyer account exactly as it would if you'd booked it yourself. Luxury Travel Connection is IATA-accredited (CST #2151995-50) through its affiliation with Fora Travel, and there's no markup on your fare — you pay the same price as booking direct, plus a small ticketing issuance fee. The difference is in the service: I handle the research, seating, and any changes or disruptions on your behalf, so if a flight is delayed or cancelled, you have someone to call instead of sitting on hold.

What is Fora Travel and why does it matter?

Fora Travel is one of the most respected luxury travel host agencies in the industry. As an independent affiliate, Eric Bender has access to preferred partnerships with the world's finest hotels, cruise lines, and travel suppliers — translating into exclusive perks and benefits for clients at no additional cost.

What cruise lines do you work with?

Luxury Travel Connection works with all major cruise lines including Viking, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, AmaWaterways, Explora, Princess, Disney, Oceania, and Four Seasons. Eric Bender holds certifications as a Royal Caribbean Master, Viking Rivers Certified Expert, and AmaWaterways and Explora specialist.

Do you plan safaris?

Yes — safari planning is one of the most requested services. Luxury Travel Connection designs safari experiences across East and Southern Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, working with premier outfitters and independent lodges to match the right camp, timing, and ecosystem to each client.

Can you help with sports event travel?

Yes. Sports event travel is a specialty — combining premium ticket access, exceptional hotel placement, and seamless logistics for events including Grand Slam tennis tournaments (Wimbledon, US Open, French Open), The Masters, Super Bowl, NCAA Finals, Formula 1, and the Ryder Cup.

Plan your trip

Start planning your next journey.

Share a few details and your inquiry will go directly to Eric Bender for personal follow-up. Even if your plans are still taking shape, this is the easiest way to start.

  • Ideal for custom luxury vacations, cruises, safaris, and milestone travel
  • Personalized recommendations based on your goals, style, and budget
  • Thoughtful planning support from first ideas through departure

A clear destination idea, timing, and budget range help create better recommendations from the start.

Luxury sunset travel experience
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A clear budget range and trip vision help create better recommendations from the start.
You'll hear back personally from Eric.

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