Three Founders. One Vision for Luxury Travel.
Luxury Alps brings together international perspective, deep local roots and nearly two decades of luxury travel expertise. Amy, Tessa and Dominik share how their different backgrounds shaped Luxury Alps and why the Alps deserve a specialist of their own.
You’ve all lived internationally. How has that changed the way you see the Alps?
Tessa : It only really became clear to me once I'd been away for a long time, how beautiful home actually is. Within such a small area, there are so many cultures, landscapes, and unique details.
Amy: I was born and raised in the USA and moved to Bavaria ten years ago, to my husband’s childhood village, where we’re raising our family. I still see the Alps through American eyes, but now with the perspective that comes from living so close to them. Our children are growing up between two cultures, and watching them move between those worlds has made me appreciate how much there is to understand beyond simply visiting a place. Travel isn't just about seeing new places – it's about understanding them.
» Travel isn't just about seeing new places – it's about understanding them. «
How did Luxury Alps come to life?
Dominik: For more than ten years, I had dreamed of sharing the beauty of my home with travelers. Amy and Tessa provided the decisive spark to bring the project to life. It is a perfect match!
Amy: It all came to life when we realized how well our different backgrounds complemented each other. Dominik and Tessa grew up here in Neubeuern and returned after working internationally; I moved here from the US and made it home. Together, we had the local knowledge, international perspective and luxury travel experience to create something we all believed in: a more personal way to introduce travelers to the Alps.
With roots in Bavaria and the US, nearly two decades of luxury travel experience through Elegant Travel, and a deep connection to the region, we created Luxury Alps to share our perspective on the places we know best.
Why do you believe the Alps deserve their own specialist?
Dominik: Because you need to understand the people, the regions, and especially the complex logistics. The Alps cross borders, and every area works a little differently. We have the knowledge and expertise to make it happen.
Amy: We’ve been welcoming guests to the Alps for years, and we hear some version of the same thing again and again: “I had no idea this existed.” So much of what makes this region special isn’t obvious from the outside. It is the small places, the local traditions and the experiences you only discover by spending time here. This is especially true when planning for families, where the right pace, the right places and the right experiences can make all the difference. That’s where knowing the region personally really matters.
» For me, luxury is a feeling, not a formula. It's when everything is anticipated and taken care of before you even have to ask, so all that's left is to simply arrive. «
What does luxury mean to you today?
Tessa: For me, luxury is a feeling, not a formula. It's when everything is anticipated and taken care of before you even have to ask, so all that's left is to simply arrive. To be present with your family, to have time, and to actually enjoy it. There's no clock attached to it. It's just a feeling.
Amy: Luxury is time. Time with the people you love, time to stay a little longer over a meal, or to change the plan because you’ve discovered somewhere you don’t want to leave. For me, luxury is the freedom to enjoy a journey at your own pace.
» The Alps are not simply a once-in-a-lifetime destination, but somewhere worth returning to again and again. Their diversity is unmatched, in both summer and winter. «
Dominik Babel Founder of Luxury Alps
What do you hope travelers take away from one of your journeys?
Dominik: I hope they realize that the Alps are not simply a once-in-a-lifetime destination, but somewhere worth returning to again and again. Their diversity is unmatched, in both summer and winter.
Tessa: The Alps combine beautifully with destinations across Europe, but there's also enough variety to build an entire journey within the region. Every area feels different, and there are always new places and experiences to discover.
One place you never tire of?
Dominik: Berghuus Radons – a hidden luxury gem high in Graubünden, Switzerland.
Tessa: The Dolomites. Unique hotels, unique hospitality, mountains mixed with Italian flair. Best of the best.
Your Partner on the Ground
Many of our journeys are created in partnership with luxury travel advisors around the world. We work as an extension of their team, combining local knowledge, seamless operations and trusted relationships across the Alps.
From itinerary design and hotel selection to private guides, experiences, transportation and on-the-ground support, we manage every detail while protecting the advisor-client relationship.
One local favorite you always come back to?
Amy: Kaiserschmarrn. One of the things I discovered after moving here and now love.
Dominik: The original Wiener Schnitzel is simply unmissable.
Tessa: Bavarian Brezen. A taste and feeling of home, and something I always missed whenever I was away.
What does this region mean to you?
» Home. Roots. Where everything begins.«