Chile Travel Specialist | Custom Itineraries

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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 >
About
Reviews
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Chile, Atacama Desert, Easter Island, Santiago, Valparaiso

Interests:

Nature, Adventure, Luxury, Bucket List, Bespoke Travel

About Me

Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island, Chile

Chile is a long country, and the travelers who get the most out of it go in with a clear sense of what they want. Patagonia is the headline for most people, but the Atacama, Easter Island, the Lake District, and Colchagua wine country all deserve consideration depending on your travel style. My job is to figure out which combination makes sense for you, get the right lodges locked in, and build a routing that doesn't waste your time.

CHILE VACATIONS AREN'T ONE SIZE FITS ALL

Who you are shapes where you should go and when.

  • Hikers and Outdoor Travelers: The day should feel genuinely hard and the evening genuinely comfortable. Awasi and Tierra Patagonia deliver that, with trails in Torres del Paine followed by a real dinner looking out at the same mountains. Getting the best time to visit Chile right depends on puma activity, trail conditions, and lodge availability.

  • Couples and Honeymooners: The Atacama delivers a strong sense of place, real days, and nights worth staying up for. Chile stargazing through the programs at Alto Atacama or Explora is hard to replicate anywhere else. A few nights in Valparaíso, where every hillside street rewards a wrong turn, rounds it out well.

  • Families with Kids: The experiences that land best have genuine substance. Climbing a volcano in Pucón, kayaking the Lake District, and standing in front of a Moai while a local researcher explains the engineering are things kids talk about years later.

  • Food and Wine Travelers: Chile does not always come up alongside Napa and Bordeaux, but in the Millahue Valley it belongs in that conversation. In the Millahue Valley it does. Vik Chile produces wines that hold up to serious comparison, and the Lastarria restaurant scene deserves a dedicated evening.

  • Remote Workers Extending a Business Trip: Already heading to Santiago for work, staying longer makes sense. Las Condes and Vitacura have the infrastructure and restaurants for a comfortable extended stay, and Valle Nevado or Zapallar are both within 90 minutes.

  • Once-in-a-Lifetime Travelers: Very few places still feel genuinely remote and Easter Island is one of them. The draw is Rapa Nui itself, the cultural depth, and the archaeological work led by local researchers. Chiloé offers something similar closer to the mainland.

PLANNING A TRIP TO CHILE: WHY THE DETAILS MATTER MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE EXPECT

Most of what makes a Chile trip work well happens before you get on the plane. Lodge availability in Patagonia moves fast, and the difference between the room you want and whatever is left comes down to timing. My relationships with the teams at Explora, Awasi, and Tierra mean I hear about openings before they go public. For specific requests like an observatory session in the Atacama or fly fishing in Chile on the rivers of Aysén, having the right person to call is what gets it done. For clients who need the full scope of their travel handled with discretion, that side of things is sorted from the first conversation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can Patagonia and Easter Island fit on the same trip without feeling rushed?
A: Yes, with the right sequencing. Fly Santiago to Punta Arenas for Patagonia first, then connect to Hanga Roa on LATAM. Most itineraries run 12 to 14 days.

Q: When is the best time to visit Chile for someone doing both Patagonia and the Atacama?
A: Patagonia peaks October through February when trails are clear and days are long. The Atacama works year-round, so pairing both in that window is logical. Sequencing them so neither feels rushed is exactly what I plan for.

Q: How far in advance should I start planning a Chile trip?
A: Six to twelve months is not excessive for Patagonia. Top lodges fill fast and waitlists are real. If Easter Island is part of the trip, flight availability adds another variable. The earlier we talk, the more options we have.

CHILE IS A BIG COUNTRY. LET'S NARROW IT DOWN FOR YOU

If you have been going back and forth on Chile for a while, a single conversation usually settles it. Reach out and we will figure out if it is the right trip for you right now.

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.

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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