Karen Pugh
My expertise
I'm based in
Dublin
Let's Plan Something Amazing!
Hello! I’m Karen and I specialise in honeymoon travel, luxury travel and bucket list adventures across the globe!
I work one-on-one with you to plan a trip that actually fits you - whether that’s a dream escape to the Maldives, a safari and beach combination in Africa, a fab cruise holiday or a once (or thrice!) in-a-lifetime adventure across Asia, South America or Australasia.
As a honeymoon travel agent, I’ve worked with hundreds of couples over the years to book and plan their dream honeymoon. It’s one of my favourite aspects of working in the travel industry.
Island adventures in the Maldives, Seychelles, Bora Bora, Hawaii or Bali? Foodie and culture tours in Japan or Italy? Hiking in Peru or New Zealand? Road trip in California or South Africa? Wherever is on your list of top honeymoon destinations - I can help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!
Follow me on Instagram for honeymoon inspiration and tips.
My Experience
I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in luxury and adventure travel. I’ve planned trips to over 90 countries (and been to almost half that myself).
Some of my favourite personal travel memories include zip lining off the Great Wall of China, sleeping under the stars at Australia's incredible Whitehaven Beach, cycling around La Digue in Seychelles, watching the sunset in Koh Lanta, Thailand, driving through the snowy landscapes of Lapland, private catamaran day trips off the coast of Ibiza and Santorini, staying at an overwater villa in the Maldives, road tripping through Big Sur in California, and watching samba bands whilst sipping on Caipirinhas in Lapa, Rio De Janeiro.
I’ve been so lucky to travel all over the world and I want you to experience it too!
I'm a certified specialist for Thailand, South Africa and Australia (and even lived Down Under). I love planning 'off the beaten track' trips such as trekking for Gorillas in Uganda, paragliding into your hotel in Oman, island hopping in French Polynesia, exploring the architectural wonders of Uzbekistan, trekking through Bhutan or exploring the wilds of Namibia or Chile.
Bucket list adventures are my passion - Kenya or Tanzania safari? Island hopping in Thailand or Indonesia? Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Sailing the Galapagos? Road Trip across the USA? These are the kind of trips I make easy - from start to finish.
How I Can Help You
From the moment you get in touch, I want your trip to be exciting and straightforward. I promise to give you useful and impartial advice, find you the best value for money and help you make your travel dreams come true!
I can take care of all your travel needs and create the perfect bespoke itinerary, with an emphasis on luxury and unforgettable experiences, especially for you. No two trips are the same or “off the shelf”!
Travel Counsellors is licensed and bonded with the Irish Aviation Authority AND just in case you need us, while you’re away, our 24/7 duty office is always on hand for support.
Let's get planning!
Want to know more about how I work or how to book a call?
CLICK HERE for HONEYMOONS
CLICK HERE for EVERYTHING ELSE
I’m based in my hometown of Dublin and work with clients across Ireland (and sometimes beyond!) so send me a message anytime - I'd love to chat all things travel with you.
P.S. I also love to connect on social - say hi in the links below!
Planning a South Africa Honeymoon or Holiday
South Africa is one of the most varied and exciting travel destinations - in fact it's easily in the top 3 places I plan trips to! And it's easy to see why - safari, beaches, wine, mountains, culture, road trips, history, and incredible people and food all in one trip. Thinking about a South Africa honeymoon or holiday? Let's go!
15 May 2026 5 min read
Planning a Japan Honeymoon or Holiday
Japan is one of the most talked-about travel destinations in the world right now, and it's easy to see why! Thinking about planning a Japan honeymoon or Japan holiday? Let's go!
18 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Big Trip? Start here!
Planning a trip? How exciting! If you're wondering how things work with me, here's everything you need to know. These are the questions I’m asked most often:
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Perfect Cruise Honeymoon or Holiday With Me
There’s a reason cruises are having a moment - they just work so well! They're one of those trips I come back to again and again, both for clients and for my own holidays - every now and then I choose a cruise holiday for my own trip because it’s just such an easy, seamless way to travel. From Caribbean island hopping to sailing around the Greek Islands for a cruise honeymoon, to adventures in A
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Thailand Honeymoon or Holiday
The best of the best of the best. I’m obsessed with Thailand forever. From my backpacking days to getting engaged there to travelling with family, I’ve experienced Thailand from all different angles, and it’s still one of my favourite destinations and a place I'd happily go back to again and again. If you’re thinking about a Thailand honeymoon or holiday, let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning an Oman Holiday or Honeymoon
Oh Oman. Arabian nights, Arabian dreams, and one of the coolest places I’ve experienced! We visited as a side trip from Dubai, but Oman is absolutely a destination in its own right, with a completely different vibe. More traditional, and much more about landscapes and culture but with some stunning hotels, too. If you’re thinking about an Oman holiday or honeymoon, let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Bali Honeymoon or Holiday
Bali is one of those destinations I book again and again, especially for honeymoons! It’s easy to see why. Jungle villas, beautiful beaches, incredible food and a completely different way of life. Bali is incredibly varied with so much to see and do and best of all it’s also one of the best value long-haul trips you can do! Thinking about a Bali honeymoon or holiday? Let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Greek Islands Honeymoon or Greece Holiday
Greece is one of those destinations I never get bored of visiting, or talking about! It’s one of my favourite European travel and honeymoon spots, with that perfect mix of beautiful islands, incredible food, stylish hotels and just the right amount of history and culture if you want it. It's also perfect for families - home to the best family resorts in Europe. If you’re thinking about a Greec
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning an Italy Honeymoon or Holiday
Italy needs no introduction and you might already be obsessed like me… the fashion, the history, the architecture, the museums and the FOOD! It’s one of those destinations I come back to again and again, both personally and for clients. I absolutely love planning Italy honeymoons and holidays because no two trips ever look the same. You can go classic, coastal, foodie, cultural, slow-paced or fa
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Dream Seychelles Honeymoon or Holiday
Seychelles is one of those destinations that had been on my bucket list for as long as I’ve worked in travel, and when I finally visited, it completely lived up to my dreams - one of the most beautiful destinations I've had the privilege of visiting. If you’re thinking about a Seychelles honeymoon or holiday then let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Mauritius Honeymoon or Holiday
Mauritius is one of those destinations that really surprised me. I’d always thought of it as a classic beach destination, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s a place where you can mix beautiful beaches with exploring the island, which makes it a great option if you don’t want to sit still for a full week. If you’re thinking about a Mauritius honeymoon or holiday, let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a South America Honeymoon or Holiday
South America had been on my list for years, and when I finally went, it completely lived up to expectations If you’re thinking about a South America holiday or honeymoon, let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning The Perfect China Holiday
One of the most diverse and fascinating countries I’ve ever visited, China is what travel is all about and I experienced it all… including a stint in a Chinese military hospital. It’s intense, surprising, sometimes challenging, but never boring. If you’re thinking about a China holiday, then let's go!
12 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Vietnam Honeymoon or Holiday
Where to start with Vietnam, a country that, like Ireland, really punches above its weight. The history, the food, the scenery, you think you know what to expect, and then you arrive and it still surprises you. My biggest regret? Not having nearly enough time. If you want to see Vietnam properly, you need at least 3 weeks. We had 2, and it flew! Thinking about a Vietnam holiday or honeymoon? Le
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Cambodia Holiday or Honeymoon
Cambodia is one of those destinations that really stays with you. I travelled here as part of a wider Southeast Asia trip, crossing overland from Vietnam into Phnom Penh, and it's fascinating how different they are. There’s a depth to Cambodia, shaped by its recent history, but also a real sense of energy and change. Thinking about a Cambodia holiday or honeymoon? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Laos Holiday or Honeymoon
One of my favourite trips of all time started with the Indochina loop from Thailand into Laos, and it’s a part of the world that really stayed with me. We boarded a long boat in northern Thailand for a slow journey down the Mekong River, which stretches all the way from China to the south of Vietnam. Thinking about a Laos holiday or honeymoon? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Australia Holidays and Honeymoons
Where to start with arguably the most fun country on earth?! One of the best things I've done in my life so far was spending over a year living in Melbourne and before I came back to Ireland - we took the iconic Ghan train from Adelaide to the Red Centre and backpacked our way through Queensland and New South Wales. Australia is huge, and while you might not see it all in one trip, even a fracti
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a California Honeymoon or Holiday
California is definitely my favourite US state and I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few times. Every trip is up there with my all-time favourites, I even spent part of my honeymoon there and have been back as a young family. Thinking about a California holiday or honeymoon? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Mexico Honeymoon or Holiday
Because sometimes in life, only a 5* adults-only all-inclusive will do! Mexico is one of my most requested honeymoon destinations, especially for couples looking for beautiful beaches, great food and a really easy, relaxing trip. I was lucky enough to spend a week at one of the gorgeous Secrets Resorts on the Riviera Maya, and it completely lived up to expectations. If you’re thinking about a Me
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Lapland Holidays for Couples and Families: The Best Winter Escape
Lapland holidays are some of the most popular winter trips I plan for both couples and families, and having travelled there myself, I know exactly why it’s so special. Thinking about a Lapland holiday and want to know more? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
New York Holidays and City Breaks
New York New York - concrete jungle where dreams are made, and one that never gets old! I’ve been over half a dozen times, for my honeymoon, family trips and with friends, most recently in 2024, and every visit is different with so much to see and do! Thinking about a New York holiday? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Dubai Holidays and Stopovers
Dubai can be a bit like marmite but it’s a place that has really grown on me over the years... I’ve stopped here multiple times, usually on the way to somewhere else, and it’s one of those destinations that works so well whether it’s a short stopover or as a holiday on it's own! Thinking about a Dubai holiday or stopover as part of a bigger trip? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Las Vegas Holidays and Honeymoons
I’m partial to a good hotel, a bit of fun and finding the best places to eat, so Las Vegas is very much my kind of place! I’ve been a few times, including as part of my own honeymoon, and every visit is completely over the top in the best way. Thinking about a Las Vegas holiday or honeymoon? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Orlando Holidays: Fun in Florida
I’m a big kid, I confess! I absolutely love theme parks and water parks. Disneyland California, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World Florida… yes, I’ve done them all. Universal Islands of Adventure? Yes, that too. Orlando is hard to beat if you love them too! Thinking about your own Orlando holiday? Let's go!
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Planning a Dream Maldives Honeymoon or Holiday
The Maldives is one of those trips that looks incredible online and I can confirm it's just as magic in real life (Yes, I'm obsessed!). It's one of the most popular destinations I get asked about. But what many people don’t realise is how different each island and resort is and it can make or break your experience - whether you're a couple, family or even a group! Some islands are tiny and ultra
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Plan A Dream Safari Honeymoon or Holiday With Me
There are some holidays and honeymoons my clients ask about again and again, and an African safari is right at the top of that list. With nearly 20 years in travel, and almost a decade as a Travel Counsellor, I’ve planned many many safaris (for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike!). One thing is always the same: people come home completely hooked. If you are curious about a saf
08 Mar 2026 5 min read
Plan Your Dream Honeymoon With Me
It’s honeymoon planning time - yay - Congratulations! If you're wondering how it all works with me, here's everything you need to know. As a honeymoon travel agent, these are the questions I’m asked most often...
12 Jan 2026 5 min read
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