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Steven Callas, Travel Agent in NorthBrook, IL

Steven Callas

NorthBrook, IL Travel Agent
Super Agent

Steven Callas

NorthBrook, IL · 3 Years of Experience

Gilded Travels LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(18)
100% Recommended
I never would have picked Mallorca as a vacation destination. My wife likes the beach, I like adventure. Gilded Travels created the perfect one-week itinerary that... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Patagonia, Patagonia, El Calfate, Torres Del Paine, Bariloche

Interests:

Hiking & Backpacking, Adventure, Nature, Bucket List, Luxury

About Me

Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine, Chile

There is a version of Patagonia travel that is stitched together from forum posts and blog guides, and a version that actually delivers. I work here specifically so the second version is what you get.

WHO GETS THE MOST OUT OF A PATAGONIA TRIP

People come here for very different reasons. Here is how I think about each type of traveler.

  • The Milestone Family: The families I take here range from two parents with a ten-year-old to groups that span three generations, and Patagonia holds up across all of them. A twelve-year-old on the Perito Moreno minitrek stands on the same ice as her father. Penguins at knee height on Isla Magdalena. Condors above the open steppe. A Patagonia trip built around the whole family is what people are still talking about years later.

  • The Refined Adventurer: Patagonia suits you if a good day means covering serious ground. The Laguna de los Tres hike out of El Chaltén runs 22 kilometers with a steep push to the Fitz Roy face at the top. The ice traverse at Perito Moreno is a full morning on crampons. Sea kayaking the fjords near Puerto Natales takes you into water that sees very few boats. Eolo and Explora are built for exactly that: a proper dinner, a serious wine list, and a comfortable bed.

  • The Curious Naturalist: Most trips show you things. Patagonia, built the right way, explains them. The rock art at Cueva de las Manos is 9,000 years old and still vivid. The Fossil Canyon hike at Estancia Cristina walks through a seabed lifted by glacial rebound. Patagonia National Park's rewilding has returned pumas and huemul deer to land stripped bare for a century. These are not scenic stops. I build around guides who can actually explain what you are looking at.

  • The Celebratory Duo: Tierra Patagonia puts the Torres del Paine towers directly across Lago Sarmiento from your room window, and waking up to that on the morning of a honeymoon or a major anniversary is hard to match. Eolo, two hours east near El Calafate, rounds the trip out on the Argentine side: a long dinner, a serious wine list, and the steppe at dusk. A horseback ride through the Patagonian countryside fits naturally into a trip like this, and most couples say it was the moment that surprised them most.

  • The Transformation Soloist: A lot of people who travel solo to Patagonia are doing it at a specific moment: a career change, a big birthday, a year that took more than expected. The trip tends to meet that well because the days ask something of you physically, and the scenery is on a scale that makes most problems feel appropriately sized. The pre-dawn climb to Mirador Las Torres, a few days on the W Circuit, and an evening in Ushuaia at the end of the world: it is a lot to sit with, in a good way.

WHY WORK WITH A SPECIALIST PATAGONIA TRAVEL AGENT

A good Patagonia travel agent works this region specifically, so the advice is not recycled from a broader South America practice. Flights between Punta Arenas and El Calafate cancel on wind, and I build the itinerary so a lost day does not collapse an entire leg of the trip. I match clients with guides who specialize in what they actually came to see, whether that is Patagonian geology, the rewilding at Patagonia National Park, or the bird life along the Beagle Channel. For clients who need their travel kept completely private, I have done that for years.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How far ahead do I need to book?
A:
Twelve months out is not too early for peak season. Lodges fill fast and I lock things in as soon as you have dates.

Q: Do I need to be in great shape?
A:
No. That is the advantage of a custom trip. I tailor the activity level to you. You can do a challenging 12-mile trek if you want. You can also explore by boat and vehicle with very little walking. You decide the intensity each morning.

Q: When is the best time to visit?
A:
The season runs from November to March. I personally love November and March because you get the long daylight hours but often with slightly fewer crowds than the peak holiday season.

YOUR PATAGONIA TRIP STARTS WITH ONE CONVERSATION

Tell me roughly when you want to go and what kind of trip you are after, and I will tell you what is realistic, what is available, and where to focus.

Additional Languages
Greek

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
18 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 18 reviews

A perfect Mallorca experience
Reviewed By Makis S. - Deerfield, IL | Traveled to Balearic Islands ~ Spain ~ Europe
I never would have picked Mallorca as a vacation destination. My wife likes the beach, I like adventure. Gilded Travels created the perfect one-week itinerary that had us exploring the beautiful beaches, hiking through rustic mountain villages, and dining at incredible restaurants on the island. No day felt too full or too empty. It was the perfect balance. Neither of us felt like we needed a "vacation from our vacation." I definitely recommend Steven and Gilded Travels and will be using them again!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
10/10 recommend- WORTH IT!
Reviewed By Tina K - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Patagonia ~ Argentina ~ South America
Steven was amazing to work with. I’m an anxious traveler and he made the process so easy! I’ve always wanted to go to Patagonia but didn’t even know where to start. Steven took control and created an itinerary for me that I could’ve never done myself. We worked together to tweak it a bit and next thing you know I’m climbing a glacier in Argentina! 10/10 recommend his services- WORTH IT!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Dream Trip
Reviewed By LBACE - Mishawaka. IN | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
My wife and I worked with Steven for a trip of a lifetime in Greece. Steven went out of his way to provide service in recommending destinations, things to do and activities at each island we visited. We enjoyed incredible accommodations while exploring Greek culture, food and beverage. This was a memorable journey, which wouldn't have been so easy without his assistance. we highly recommend Steven for help in planning your getaways!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By Nancy P. - Arlington Heights, IL | Traveled to Europe
My husband and I planned an ambitious European trip and Steven made it happen. He was able to take our wishes and plan an itinerary which we thoroughly enjoyed. He worked with us as we fine tuned our plans, gave us options to choose from, and answered all of our questions. We were grateful that prior to our trip he checked in to be sure we had taken care of the items we needed to handle. During our trip we experienced a train delay which caused us to miss a connecting train and Steven was able to give us guidance so we could reach our destination. It was a pleasure to work with Steven, he showed real interest in our plans, and checked in once we returned. Thanks Steven!
Steven Callas responded
"It was such a pleasure to help craft this trip for you! Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to planning another trip for you in the future!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Gratitude for an excellent experience
Reviewed By Russ H. - Orlando, FL | Traveled to Jordan | Middle East
The balance was perfect; a fantastic mix of planned activities and personal time to explore. The meetings to pre-plan the trip were concise, helpful and relevant. Lots of great moments. Petra and Bethany by the Jordan were both highlights. It exceeded my expectations.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Travel Stories

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Crossing into Patagonia from the Chilean Side

I crossed into Chilean Patagonia from Punta Arenas, taking the three-hour drive north to Puerto Natales. The road narrowed as the landscape opened. Windblown plains, turquoise lakes, and jagged peaks filled the horizon in every direction. I had arranged a private transfer in advance through my lodge, and by the time we reached the outskirts of T...
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Client Testimonials

Steven is your man for Japan!!
Steven was very professional with a great attention to detail. He carefully listened to what we wanted from our first trip to Japan, and he delivered! There were 3 of us traveling and he was able to plan an itinerary that met all our expectations.
Mario H. - Chicago, IL
Dream trip to Greece
My wife and I worked with Steven for a trip of a lifetime in Greece. Steven went out of his way to provide service in recommending destinations, things to do and activities at each island we visited. We enjoyed incredible accommodations while exploring Greek culture, food and beverage. This was a memorable journey, which wouldn't have been so easy without his assistance. We highly recommend Steven for help in planning your getaways!
Larry B. - Mishawaka, IN
Patagonia anniversary success
Steve was great to work with. We planned our trip in late January for November, and he guided us through it all and stayed on top of it following up with us in the fall and even checked in on the trip and after. It was great to have an expert who has traveled there really give us his recommendations. He nailed the whole trip out of the park and was one of the best life changing vacations we have taken. It was extra special because we celebrated our 20th anniversary.
Melissa H. - Riverside, IL
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