Karen Young

My expertise

Japan
Thailand
Europe
Adventure Travel
Bali
Canada
Beach
Tailor-made travel

I'm based in

Manchester

Available for new enquiries

Bespoke holidays, beautifully planned and completely stress free

I have always been extremely passionate about travel, so many places to visit, cultures to experience, fun to be had! What is not to love about holidays?! That’s why I genuinely love being a Travel Counsellor, I make it my mission to create tailor made holidays that are as individual and unique as each of my clients.

Whether you are looking for a beach family holiday, a tailor made short city break with friends or that once in a lifetime adventure, I will take the time to listen and understand your preferences, pet hates and previous experiences to ensure that I can create a bespoke, inspiring and memorable holiday that truly resonates with you. If I do not have first-hand experience of a destination I have access to over 2000 Travel agents around the world who can offer their local knowledge and insight.

As your personal Travel Counsellor, you can rest assured, the holidays I will create will offer incomparable value for money and I will provide a first class service. Customer service is paramount to my business and I will be there every step of the way ensuring that your journey is as smooth and as enjoyable as possible.

Travel Counsellors is a globally recognised, award winning, independent business that offers 100% financial protection for your peace of mind. Our service desk is on hand 24/7 from the moment you book until the moment you return home. We also provide real-time updates on your travel plans through our personalised App.

I work flexibly and can work around a time that suits you, so if you want to start planning your next trip with personable human interaction, tailored to you, with no stress, please get in touch!

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Explore my guides and blogs

Why “Coolcations” are the new summer escape for UK travellers

Why “Coolcations” are the new summer escape for UK travellers

As temperatures across Europe continue to creep up, I am seeing more and more of my clients quietly rethink the classic “fly to the Med and flop by the pool” holiday. The appeal of guaranteed sunshine has not disappeared, but 38–40 degrees and above is starting to feel a bit much, especially if you have children in tow. Over the last two summers, I have lost count of the conversations that start

10 Jul 2026 5   min read

Japan through a Client’s Eyes

Japan through a Client’s Eyes

Japan captures the imagination long before you arrive ..neon cities, tranquil temples, impeccable service and a culture that feels wonderfully different to our own. Rather than tell you only what I think, I wanted to share a first‑hand account from my lovely client, Christine, who recently travelled to Japan on a tailor‑made itinerary I arranged for her.

08 Jul 2026 5   min read

Another good reason to travel to Seville

Another good reason to travel to Seville

Seville has always been about orange blossoms, flamenco beats and balmy evenings in tiled courtyards. Now it has added something new to the mix: seriously smart ways of cooling its streets. If you are curious how a historic city can stay gloriously liveable in the heat, Seville is one to watch. Another good reason to travel to Seville right now is to see how it is quietly becoming one of the worl

25 Jun 2026 5   min read

Partial to Padel: My Guide to Padel‑Inspired Breaks in Europe

Partial to Padel: My Guide to Padel‑Inspired Breaks in Europe

I have officially caught the padel bug… what started as “I’ll give it a go” has turned into me planning my working week around fitting in at least one game and buying my own racket. It is such a great social sport when you work from home: you get out of the house, move your body and are properly sociable, all at the same time. I am definitely not going to mention my score, though! If you have not

05 Feb 2026 5   min read

Discovering Vancouver: My Unforgettable Trip With Destination Vancouver

Discovering Vancouver: My Unforgettable Trip With Destination Vancouver

There’s nothing quite like experiencing a destination first hand, and my recent hosted trip to Vancouver with Destination Vancouver showed me exactly why this city is so special. Over a few days, I explored world-class attractions, tasted MICHELIN-recommended cuisine, met incredible tourism partners, and soaked up the vibrant West Coast energy that makes Vancouver one of Canada’s most captivating

09 Dec 2025 5   min read

A Slice of Greek Paradise: Our Stay at Aldemar Olympian Village, Skafidia

Greece

A Slice of Greek Paradise: Our Stay at Aldemar Olympian Village, Skafidia

A Slice of Greek Paradise: Our Stay at Aldemar Olympian Village, Skafidia As a Travel Counsellor, I spend a lot of time helping others plan their dream getaways — but this time, it was my turn! My husband and I have just returned from an unforgettable five-night all-inclusive escape at the Aldemar Olympian Village 5 star Resort, and we had such a fantastic experience. Where is it? Nestled on

12 Sept 2025 5   min read

My First Few Months as a Travel Counsellor

My First Few Months as a Travel Counsellor

From Take Off to Today: My First Few Months as a Travel Counsellor Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending our Travel Counsellor conference in Leeds. It was an energising day—full of motivational talks, inspiring success stories, and exciting tech innovations that are set to transform the way we work. I left feeling motivated, inspired, and—most importantly—confident and supported. It also ga

14 May 2025 5   min read

What my customers say

What a wonderful holiday we had.. 4 girls wanting a holiday of relaxation but also some city vibes and culture. Karen recommended a city break in Florence combined with 2 days away at a winery in the Tuscany hills .. it was a perfect combination. Quick easy flights from Manchester plus transfers to the winery with a pool and sun ☀️, tasty food and of course the wine tasting. Luxury rooms and little extras like robes and slippers. We then moved on to Florence via private transfer and stayed at a central location - hotel Baglioni with an amazing rooftop cocktail bar with views of the city and Duomo lit up at night. There was so much to do, Uffizi Gallery, statue of David, Cathedrals and the picturesque Florence Bridge. Karen thought of every detail to make the holiday extra special for an extra special birthday . She booked central locations and ensured that all aspects of the trip were organised and planned the way we wanted it. I totally trusted Karen’s recommendations and choices, she has a keen eye for detail and taylor made the holiday . Definitely one to remember Thank you Karen ! Looking forward to the next !

Helen Clitherow

Warrington

Karen was brilliant from beginning to end, sourcing us a fab hotel in Turkey that met all our requirements and more! The booking process was extremely smooth and no request was too much for Karen. We were travelling as a group and Karen contacted the hotel on our behalf prior to our arrival to sort out restaurant bookings for us all and continued to provide any other support we needed. Seamless experience all round!

Katherine Kibble

Manchester

Karen has been superb from start to finish for our holiday - from providing wonderful options to booking everything and ensuring we have all our documents. It has taken the stress out of booking our holiday. Thank you 🙏

Hilary Minnock

Stockport

Karen provided great service - as always - for our recent trip to Paris. It all feels very personalised and stress free. Any queries - trivial or otherwise - are quickly responded to. We feel completely confident with the whole experience, from beginning to end.

David Beech

St Annes

Karen was really helpful with lots of recommendations for our break. She listened to what we we looking for, suggested some destinations and gave us loads of options for accommodation. She also kept in touch before we went and shared recommendations for things to do and see while we were there which was great. I’d definitely recommend using Karen to help sort your holiday out - it makes life so much easier!

Melanie Carey-Yard

Manchester

Karen made the entire process of finding and booking the trip so easy and stress-free. She was in regular contact with suggestions and updates and added personal touches that were hugely appreciated. I am so pleased I chose Karen and have no hesitation in recommending her to others!

Magda K

Manchester

Just a quick note to say thank you for all you did in sorting out our upcoming trip to Lapland! You really went the extra mile in finding us amazing accommodation and packing our 4 days there full of fabulous activities and trips. We can’t wait to go knowing everything has been so well organised. I will message you when the trip is over to tell you all about it. I definitely recommend using Karen to plan your holiday; she will do everything she can to make your trip perfect!

Jemma Carter

Manchester

Karen immediately understood our requirements. She was very knowledgeable as well as imaginative in her approach and provided a comprehensive service, keeping us well informed at every stage. Overall, Karen is very easy to deal with - and seemingly unflappable. Overall, highly recommended.

Beech David

St Annes

Thank you for arranging our trip to Lapland! The accommodation you have found looks amazing and the schedule you have put together looks so exciting and fun-filled. I know we are going to have a brilliant time. To anyone thinking about using Karen to book your holiday, I will just say that she will go above and beyond to organise you a fabulous trip; I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.

Jemma Carter

Manchester

Thanks Karen for your flexible approach to my request for a tailor-made holiday to Greece - much appreciated. Thanks to your knowledge I have accommodation booked in advance so I can now relax and when the time comes simply enjoy the island hopping . It was great to get the flights that suit my exact needs to take in the conference as well. Well Done.

elisabeth sweeney

High Peak

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Let’s talk through your ideas, no pressure.

0161 515 7309

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Finding your match...

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.