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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:

Bali, Ubud, Nusa Dua Bali, Sanur Bali, Komodo Island

Interests:

Wellness, Honeymoons, Luxury, Couples & Romance, Scuba

About Me

Kelingking Beach, Bali
Kelingking Beach, Bali

A Bali vacation takes more upfront thinking than most trips, mostly because the island is bigger and more varied than people expect. Uluwatu and Ubud feel like completely different countries. Canggu and Nusa Dua draw entirely different crowds. Knowing which part of Bali fits how you actually travel makes a real difference in whether the trip lands.

THE BEST HONEYMOON PLACES IN BALI START WITH KNOWING WHICH BALI YOU WANT

Bali works for a lot of different types of travelers. Here's how each kind of trip tends to come together.

  • Couples & Honeymooners: The Bali honeymoon decision that matters most is where you base yourself, because Uluwatu and Ubud are genuinely different trips. Uluwatu is clifftop villas and ocean views. Ubud puts you in the jungle with the Ayung River below your terrace, and that's the one most couples remember longer. Komaneka at Bisma is worth the stretch, and a water blessing at Tirta Empul doesn't feel like a tourist activity once you're there.

  • Families: Nusa Dua is where families tend to land, and for good reason. The beaches are calm, properties like the St. Regis have enough space that kids aren't constantly underfoot, and a day in Ubud for a batik workshop or a walk through Tegallalang is what younger travelers actually bring up when they get home.

  • Remote Workers: Bali travel for remote workers basically means Canggu as a starting point. Dojo coworking is the most established space in the area and the fiber is reliable. The surf at Batu Bolong is a five-minute walk from most accommodation, so surf then laptop in the morning is genuinely doable. Pererenan just north is quieter and less expensive.

  • Wellness Travelers: Ubud is the right call, and length of stay matters more than people expect. COMO Shambhala Estate runs structured programs with actual medical oversight rather than spa menus dressed up as wellness, and seven nights is where most people feel a real shift. There are also smaller centers around town for yoga, sound healing, and Ayurvedic nutrition.

  • Adventure Travelers: Most people fly into Bali and head straight south, but the best diving is up in Amed on the northeast coast. The USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben is one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world, and Nusa Penida is worth a day trip for the cliff views at Kelingking Beach and the open-water manta rays at Manta Point. If you're based in Ubud, the Mount Batur sunrise hike is a 3am start that's worth every minute of it.

WHY WORK WITH A BALI SPECIALIST

A lot of the best options in Bali do not show up through standard searches. The villa that books out by word of mouth, the guide who actually knows their part of the island, the restaurant the hotel concierge recommends to people they like. Having direct contacts at properties like the Capella Ubud means I get real availability and straight answers. For clients planning a luxury trip to Bali with specific needs around privacy or complex logistics, that access makes the whole process faster and less frustrating.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How long should American travelers spend in Bali to make the flight worth it?
A:
Twelve to fourteen days is where it starts to feel right. That gives you time to properly settle into two or three parts of the island. If you only have ten days, two areas done well beats trying to cover everything.

Q: How does the Balinese calendar affect temple visits?
A:
Some ceremony days restrict access or have specific dress requirements. It's nothing to stress about since I check the calendar against your travel dates before the itinerary is finalized.

Q: Is Komodo Island worth adding as an extension from Bali?
A:
For the right traveler, yes. Three nights in Labuan Bajo covers the Komodo dragons plus outstanding reef diving, and the flight from Bali is under ninety minutes.

LET'S PUT YOUR BALI TRAVEL PLANS INTO MOTION

The difference between a good Bali trip and a great one usually comes down to a handful of decisions made early. If you're ready to start planning, reach out and we'll put together a routing that actually fits how you travel.

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

Finding inner peace at Tirta Empul temple, Bali

A Quiet Corner of Bali

I arrived at Denpasar in the late afternoon, where a driver from my hotel was waiting with cold towels and bottled water. Traffic near the airport was slow, but once we passed Sanur and started climbing toward the central highlands, the air cooled and the road turned green on both sides. My destination was Capella Ubud, a tented retreat surround...
Read more

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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