Karen Reid
My expertise
I'm based in
Kildare
Let's plan your next travel adventure
As your personal Travel Counsellor and independent travel agent, I create bespoke, tailor‑made holidays based on each client’s individual requirements. Travel is a genuine passion for me. My love of exploring started young and my travel wish list only ever gets longer, no matter how often I travel. I get ridiculously excited about other people’s holiday photos and love nothing more than chatting through trips, destinations and new itinerary ideas at every opportunity.
You might already have heard me on KFM Radio, where I co‑hosted the Travel Slot with Paul Power, sharing travel tips, destination inspiration and holiday ideas. You can catch up on recent episodes in my blog below.
I specialise in designing stress free unique travel experiences, with a strong focus on long‑haul adventures. Whether you are planning a honeymoon, a once‑in‑a‑lifetime bucket list trip, an all‑important family holiday, a ski trip or a fantastic cruise, I will take the hassle out of researching and planning. Together we will create your ideal itinerary, and I will be there to support you before, during and after your holiday.
My own travels have taken me to nearly 40 countries. So far in 2026, I have explored Florence with my dad in April and sailed aboard the beautiful Celebrity Apex in May. This summer our family holidays include an unusual twin‑centre trip to Norway and Italy, plus another chance to hit the waves in September on a Virgin Voyages cruise to the Greek Isles. I even have my first adventure of 2027 booked already: an Alaska cruise, a real bucket list highlight!
Some of my favourite destinations over the years have included Egypt, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Nepal, Tibet, Iceland, Thailand, Italy, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand and Morocco. As a mum of three, I am very familiar with travelling with children and planning the perfect family holiday. My eldest took his first trip at just eight weeks old, he had a great time in Dubrovnik! He also has coeliac disease, so I understand how to make travelling with coeliac disease and other special dietary requirements as smooth and stress free as possible.
I offer flexibility in how and when we can plan your next trip, with appointments available in the evenings and at weekends. Whether you prefer to wait until the children are in bed for an uninterrupted chat, or to sit down with your travel companion outside typical office hours, I can work around your schedule. This is my business, so I am fully invested in the experience every client has on holiday.
Being part of Travel Counsellors gives me access to a global network of travel business partners, backed by award‑winning technology and global buying power. It is the ideal blend of personal service and professional support, so you benefit from both my one‑to‑one care as a travel expert and the support of a global travel business.
While you are away you will have my mobile number and, if needed, access to our 24/7 support team, so you can relax knowing help is always on hand.
If you are ready to start planning your next tailor‑made holiday, honeymoon, family trip or cruise, get in touch today and let’s plan your next travel adventure together.
Travel Tips For Your Summer Adventures
Planning a summer holiday and want to travel smarter, lighter and with less stress? In this handy Q&A I answer some of the questions I’m asked most often: how to pack like a pro, which travel documents you really need, why travel insurance is essential, how to keep everyone entertained on flights and easy ways to keep kids hydrated in hot weather. These simple, practical summer travel tips will he
19 Jun 2026 5 min read
Sailing Celebrity Apex
In May I was invited to sail aboard Celebrity Apex from Lisbon to Southampton. Celebrity is a cruise line I know, love and trust, and which is already a firm favourite with many of my clients, so I was very excited to jump aboard Apex. To say I wasn’t disappointed, is a major understatement. Read of for a glimpse of ship life, Celebrity style.
04 Jun 2026 5 min read
The Travel Slot on KFM radio with Karen & Paul
I am delighted to join DJ Paul Power on the Travel Slot on KFM Radio, where each episode we dive into a new corner of the travel world.
27 Feb 2026 5 min read
Maximising Your Annual Leave in 2026
Want to turn your annual leave into more travel adventures? I’ve worked out the best dates to book around public holidays so you can stretch your time off like a pro! Share this handy guide with your travel buddies, and start planning those adventures. But don’t wait for the January rush, by planning ahead you can secure better value and variety on flights, accommodation, and experiences… and mos
18 Nov 2025 5 min read
Vienna Christmas Market With My Mum
My Mum and I take a weekend every year to visit the Christmas markets. Christmas 2024’s destination was Vienna, a city renowned for its beauty and grandeur, and a perfect spot for Christmas markets. Vienna actually has about 10 Christmas markets but there is no need to visit them all, as it can get a bit ‘samie’. Our favourite was the Christkindlmark at Rahausplatz, this is the biggest and set ag
22 Sept 2025 5 min read
Cruising the Med with Royal Caribbean
In April, I was lucky enough to be invited to experience the newly amplified Allure of the Seas first-hand. This Royal Caribbean fan favourite has undergone a $100 million upgrade, and I was among the first guests to sail aboard they newly improved ship from Barcelona to Rome. Now offering over 35 dining and drinking spots, Allure is bursting with both thrills and chills. There’s a stunning adult
26 May 2025 5 min read
Marrakech Adventure
I finally ticked Marrakech off my bucket list – its been on it for years, but with direct flights with both Ryanair and Aer Lingus it was time to sort that out! It's just a short 3.5 hour flight to Marrakech yet you are transported somewhere wonderfully different. A place full of genuinely warm smiles, beauty, incredible architecture, sooooo many beautiful doors and tiles, along with great food
19 Mar 2025 5 min read
Sri Lanka Adventure Part 1
Words can’t capture the magic of my recent adventure to Sri Lanka! From the breath-taking beauty, the diversity of both the people and the scenery, the incredible food to the genuine warmth of everyone we met, this country has kept a piece of my heart! I will try and do the trip justice for you, without writing a 20,000-word essay! I travelled to Sri Lanka on an educational trip, so we had just 1
03 Dec 2024 5 min read
Sri Lanka Adventure Part 2
Part 2... We departed the Ceylon Tea Trails on the morning of day 6 and headed south. This was our longest travelling day as its a 6 hour journey from Hatton to Yala National Park, but it was broken up with a visit to Nuwaya Eliya and a journey on the fabulous Calypso Train. You can also transfer by sea plane from Castlerea Reservoir to the Yala which will save you hours and offer incredible vie
28 Nov 2024 5 min read
Italian Family Fun
For the past few years our family holidays have taken us to Italy. We have returned 3 years now, I am not normally someone to go back to the same place but for Italy I would definitely make an exception, especially traveling to different areas. The Italians do campsites on a scale like no one else, they can be very large, but this means excellent facilities and with 3 young children we loved the
25 Aug 2024 5 min read
Croatian Adventures
In May we returned to Croatia for the 4th time. To say I am in love with this country is an understatement. The sea really is as blue as the photos on Instagram, the people are incredibly kind with a similar humour to the Irish and at every turn there is another break taking sight. This year we spent 3 days in Zadar. Just under 3 hours from Dublin, Zadar Airport is a pleasure to travel through a
13 May 2024 5 min read
Nepal and Tibet Adventures
Nepal and Tibet had been on my bucket list since childhood. The hubby wasn’t that keen on the trip so myself and my friend Martha jumped at the chance of a girl’s adventure. We spent 8 days in Nepal, taking in the mesmerising city and valleys of Kathmandu. The highlights of Kathmandu included Boudhanath Stupa, Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and trying to catch a glimpse of the Kumari at Kuma
29 Feb 2024 5 min read
Egyptian Travels with my Dad
Last year my dad and I realised a long-held dream to visit Egypt together. For years we had talked about exploring the pyramids of Giza and the valleys of Luxor. If Covid thought us anything it was the importance of spending time together with those we love and that sometimes you just have to seize the day. So, myself and my then 77-year-old Dad took off on our Egyptian adventure. We fly with Eg
29 Feb 2024 5 min read
A 45 second tour of Celebrity Apex
Take a quick tour of Celebrity Apex with me. This beautiful ship is the ideal cruise for adults who enjoy a refined cruise experience with exceptional food.
05 May 2026
Escorted Tours
Find out all about the different types of Escorted Tours to help you explore the world with support
21 Apr 2026
Large Family Group Holidays
How to plan your perfect multi generational family holiday - bring the grandparents, parents & grandkids
23 Mar 2026
Travel Hints & Tips
Travel Hints & Tips. Why its so important to book with a travel professional
09 Mar 2026
Episode 4 Solo Travel
In Episode 4 we chatted about Solo Travel, and all the different ways people can enjoy a solo adventure
23 Feb 2026
Episode 3 Bucket List Trips
Episode 3 of the Travel Slot was all about Bucket List Trips and making them happen. You can listen to the full podcast on www.kfmradio.ie
16 Feb 2026
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