Karen Thornton
My expertise
I'm based in
Devon
It's Nice To Meet You
My name is Karen, and thank you so much for visiting my page. I live in the beautiful West Country with my husband, our two daughters and our dog, Mabel, and I am proud to be an independent Gold Travel Counsellor, ready to help you with your next adventure.
My love of travel began with a school work‑experience placement in a local travel agency. I was offered my first job there at 16 and, almost 40 years on, I still feel the same excitement I did on my very first day. The industry has changed dramatically over the years, but my passion for creating memorable journeys has never faded. I honestly cannot imagine doing anything else.
I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively and truly believe that travel broadens the mind. In recent years I have specialised in the Caribbean, Maldives and Sri Lanka, and have received awards and recognition throughout my career for my knowledge and commitment to my clients. Some of my favourite memories include landing in the Grand Canyon by helicopter, skydiving over the Namib Desert, listening to lions from my tent on safari in Kenya, snowmobiling over a glacier in Iceland, snorkelling in the Maldives and many more unforgettable experiences, all as part of my job.
I pride myself on offering exceptional, personal service and on taking the time to really understand what you want from your time away. My focus is always on finding the right options for you, every single time, not just any holiday that happens to fit.
Why book with me:
Nearly 40 years of travel industry experience and Gold Travel Counsellor status
Exceptional, personal service at every stage of your journey
I take time to understand you, so the options I present feel right for you every time
Specialist knowledge of the Caribbean, Maldives and Sri Lanka, plus extensive wider travel experience
100% tailor‑made: from complex multi‑centre itineraries to short breaks, everything is designed around you
One dedicated point of contact, available at times to suit you, for total peace of mind before, during and after your trip
As a truly independent travel consultant, I am committed to finding your perfect holiday, whether that is a tailor‑made multi‑centre itinerary, a special celebration escape or a simple weekend break. Your time is precious, so let me take away the stress and do the hard work for you.
I am available at times to suit you, so please do get in touch and let me start creating your perfect trip.
I look forward to hearing from you soon – and remember, don’t forget your daydream.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
How To Make The Most Of Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri & The Amalfi Coast
Real tips from my own 50th birthday trip on using Sorrento as a smart base for Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, with fewer queues, better views and days that still feel like a holiday
11 Jun 2026 5 min read
Honeymoon planning
Your honeymoon is one of the most important trips you will ever take together. It is the moment you exhale after the whirlwind of the wedding, switch off from everyday life and celebrate the start of married life in your own way. With so much choice, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin: when to travel, how much to budget and which destination will genuinely suit you as a couple. In th
05 Jun 2026 5 min read
Falling in Love with Austria: My Action-Packed Long Weekend in Zell am See
I have just returned from the most amazing few days in Austria, exploring Zell am See and Kaprun. In three jam‑packed days we walked miles, rode cable cars into the high mountains, cruised on the lake and discovered just how beautiful, varied and easy this part of Austria is to explore. It has definitely left me wanting more.
05 Jun 2026 5 min read
Namibia: Big Skies, Quiet Roads and an Unforgettable Adventure
Namibia had been on my personal wish list for years. I have arranged many African adventures for clients, but Namibia was always the quietly whispered “one day” destination. In March I finally had the chance to experience it for myself on a small hosted trip, travelling from desert to coast to safari. What I discovered was a country of vast open spaces, big skies, quiet roads and genuinely unforge
29 Mar 2026 5 min read
Lapland Adventure by client Natalie Tindall
We flew in by sunset, wondering at the dark patches in the snow. Would there be enough snow for our planned adventures? As we dropped lower the dark patches transformed into spiky pine forests and the piles of snow that lined the runway we landed on assured us that there would be snow in plenty! The air was crisp and serene and the small airport welcomed us dressed festively in lights and decora
18 Feb 2023 5 min read
Saint Lucia Top 10 from a double award-winning expert!
Having been to Saint Lucia several times, I thought I’d share with you my Top 10 highlights from my favourite Caribbean Island. In no particular order.... 1/. See the Pitons The Pitons are the iconic symbols of Saint Lucia and are a World Heritage Site. They are volcanic plugs rising from the Caribbean Sea, and it is possible to climb Gros Piton (2619ft) with a guide which we did on our most r
18 Nov 2020 5 min read
The Maldives in a nutshell!
When we stop to think of our dream holiday destination, the endless clear blue skies, ‘icing sugar’ sand beaches, turquoise waters and beautifully crafted bungalows on stilts, the Maldives ticks every single one of the boxes and then some. Having been lucky enough to visit myself, I can tell you from personal experience that they are an exquisite paradise, and certainly live up to the hype. Wh
12 May 2020 5 min read
Barbados Break
Barbados break – March 2020 So, as a Caribbean specialist and lover of all things surrounded by water, I thought I’d share with you some thoughts on one of my favourite Caribbean islands. This was my 4th visit to Barbados and as with most Caribbean islands, there are two distinctly different coastlines with the main concentration of hotels located on the west, which enjoys the calm waters of the
03 Apr 2020 5 min read
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Why use a Travel Counsellor
Let's plan your dream trip together
Tailor-made for you
Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
Get in touch