Mexico Travel Agent | Custom Trips Specialist

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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:

Mexico, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas

Interests:

All Inclusive, Beach Vacations, Family Vacations, Historical Sites, Luxury

About Me

Day of the dead celebration in Mexico
Day of the dead celebration in Mexico

A lot of people come to me having already decided on Mexico but not quite sure which Mexico. That gap is actually where the interesting work happens. Cabo and Oaxaca are technically the same country but they ask completely different things of a trip. So does the Riviera Maya versus the Pacific Coast, or a week in CDMX versus three nights in a Mérida hacienda. The itinerary starts with an honest conversation about what you're actually after.

HOW I APPROACH PLANNING A TRIP TO MEXICO FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELER

Most travelers fall into one of these categories:

  • Families Looking for a High-End Beach Resort: The property does most of the work on a family trip, so getting that choice right matters more than anything else. A well-matched resort puts good food, a solid kids' club, and a cenote afternoon all within easy reach, whether that lands at Andaz Mayakoba, Grand Velas, or something quieter on Isla Mujeres.

  • Couples Celebrating a Milestone: A plunge-pool suite, a coastline that looks the way the photos promised, and nothing to organize once you land. Los Cabos, Punta Mita, and the quieter parts of the Riviera Maya all have adults-only properties that can deliver that. Knowing which ones actually do is where the value is.

  • History, Culture & Colonial Mexico Travelers: Planning a trip to Mexico through this lens is about pacing as much as destinations. Sunrise at Chichén Itzá before the crowd buses arrive, a weaving workshop in Teotitlán del Valle outside Oaxaca, three nights in a converted hacienda near Mérida. The interior rewards people who slow down.

  • Food, Art & City Travelers: Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, and Mérida are serious food and design cities right now. A reservation at Pujol, the Friday art walk through San Miguel's historic center, a family comedor in Oaxaca's Central Valleys. If you already have a list, the trip gets built around it.

  • Adventure & Active Travelers: Sayulita, Careyes, Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Escondido draw a different traveler than the Cancun corridor. Surf, whale watching, deep-sea fishing, and casitas built into the hillside above the water. The routing takes more thought, but it's a different trip entirely.

  • Wellness & Retreat Travelers: A Temazcal ceremony in Tulum's jungle, a structured program in San Miguel de Allende, or a few nights on Holbox where the lack of cars and crowds does the heavy lifting. The wellness market here has gotten crowded, and knowing which operators are actually worth your time makes a real difference.

WHAT A GOOD TRAVEL ADVISOR FOR MEXICO BRINGS TO THE TABLE

My connections at properties like Rosewood Mayakoba and Hotel Mousai go beyond the booking level. These are direct relationships with people who can take care of requests that don't have a standard answer. My knowledge covers both coastlines, the colonial interior, and CDMX, so the recommendation fits the actual traveler rather than just the destination's top search results. Clients with demanding schedules or specific privacy needs get the same level of attention as any other part of the planning. For luxury villas in Los Cabos specifically, I work from direct supplier access rather than what surfaces in a public search.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How far ahead do I need to book for peak winter travel?
A:
Six to nine months for the December through April window, especially at the villa and suite level. Most Mexico travel at the higher end moves faster than people expect, and properties like the San Miguel de Allende Rosewood book out well ahead regardless of season. Tell me your target dates and I'll tell you where the real pressure points are.

Q: How do I think about safety across different destinations?
A:
It varies a lot by region. Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Punta Mita, San Miguel de Allende, and CDMX's Roma and Condesa neighborhoods all have solid track records with international travelers. I'll give you a straight answer on wherever you're considering.

Q: Can a cultural stop and beach time work in the same trip?
A:
Often yes, and it usually makes for a better trip. A few nights in Oaxaca or Mexico City followed by a coast finish travels well as long as the routing stays clean between legs.

LET'S TALK THROUGH YOUR TRIP TO MEXICO

Drop me a note with your dates and what's pulling you toward Mexico right now. That's usually enough to get started.  

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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