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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
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Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Morocco, Marrakesh, Casablanca, Fez, Agadir

Interests:

Arts & Culture, Historical Sites, Adventure, Culinary & Foodie, Luxury

About Me

The beautiful city of Chefchaouen, Morocco
The beautiful city of Chefchaouen, Morocco

Morocco covers more ground than most first-time visitors expect. Putting together Morocco trips that actually work means choosing between Atlantic surf towns, Saharan desert camps, the Atlas Mountains, and imperial cities where a plain door opens onto a riad courtyard that looks nothing like the street outside. Part of what I do is figure out which version fits, then build around that.

TRIPS TO MOROCCO FOR EVERY WAY OF TRAVELING

Here is how a trip takes shape depending on what you are looking for.

  • Couples celebrating a milestone: If this trip is marking something real, a honeymoon or a significant anniversary, Morocco delivers. A riad suite in a walled Marrakech palace, dinner in the Agafay desert, or two nights at a camp near the Merzouga dunes are the moments I build a milestone trip around. The properties that deliver are not the ones that show up first in a search.

  • Families with kids who want history that sticks: Children who visit Morocco tend to remember it. A tile-work workshop in the Marrakech medina, a morning above the Fez tanneries, a bread-baking session in a traditional kitchen. These land differently than a museum. I match families with guides who are good with kids, not just knowledgeable about history.

  • Couples who travel for design and craft: The Majorelle Gardens, the YSL Museum, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and coastal Essaouira give travelers who care about architecture and craft a lot to work with. Chefchaouen, the blue-walled hill town in the Rif Mountains, fits naturally for those willing to extend north. I know how to pace this kind of itinerary so it feels like a cohesive trip rather than a checklist.

  • Groups chasing active days and social evenings: Taghazout on the Atlantic coast is serious surf and kitesurf territory. The High Atlas has multi-day trekking routes without technical requirements, and the road south passes through Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO kasbah worth an overnight stop before the Sahara. A well-run desert camp in Erg Chebbi rounds out the trip with a real Sahara sunrise.

  • Travelers who want to slow down: Morocco does not have to be a rush. A traditional hammam in Fez, unscheduled hours in a Marrakech courtyard, an afternoon with a master ceramicist in Safi. The country rewards travelers who build in time to sit with a place, and that is the itinerary I enjoy putting together.

MY MOROCCO TRAVEL SERVICES AND WHAT SETS THEM APART

The relationships I have built with local fixers, riad owners, and regional specialists change what is possible on the ground. When you are planning a luxury trip to Morocco, the difference often comes down to which suppliers I call directly, which properties hold rooms for my clients, and which guides I trust to match your interests rather than run a script. For clients wanting something beyond the standard medina circuit, I arrange private excursions in Morocco into areas most travelers never see. For those with complex schedules or confidentiality requirements, that coordination happens in the background.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How many cities should we cover in 10 days?
A: Three is the sweet spot: Marrakech, Fez, and one regional focus, the Sahara, the Atlas, or Essaouira. I build the routing around your priorities, not a standard template.

Q: Does timing around Ramadan matter for our trip?
A: More than most travelers expect. During Ramadan, many restaurants open only after sunset, daytime activity slows, and the medinas feel quite different. For some travelers that is genuinely interesting. For families with young children, it is worth planning around. I factor this in from the start.

PLANNING YOUR TRAVEL TO MOROCCO FROM THE USA

When you are ready to move past the research and have a real conversation about what your trip should look like, reach out and we will work through the details together.

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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