Karen Pocock

Karen Pocock

*Managing Director*

Designer Travel Expert

Since July 2021

Hi Iā€˜m Karen, welcome to my page.

I am the co-owner of Designer Travel. Over 15 years ago Amanda and I set out to develop a travel company with a heart - a company that cares passionately about both customers and the team of people we have the privilege in work with.

In addition to having our nationwide team of homeworkers, we also have a beautiful shop in Ramsbottom where you will find a great bunch of experienced travel professionals who not only look after holiday requests but who look after all the documentation our customers will need to have a stress free and super holiday.

Our homeworkers (who we preferĀ to call Business Associates) are located throughout the UK and provide a bespoke travel service for their customers often concentrating on areas of specialisation including weddings and honeymoons or specific destinations that they have a particular love for.

I joined the travel industry straight from school (too many years ago to admit to!) and during the years I have been lucky enough to have travelled far and wide. Although I have enjoyed almost all of the destinations that I have visited, I have a particular soft spot and a love for the Bahamas, the Southern Coast of Italy (a trip to the spectacular Ravello was one of my very first overseas trips and I have been back three times since), Cyprus, Mauritius, the USA - New York, Californian Coast, Arizona and Florida, Paris and the South of France - St Tropez and Monaco, Mexico and I hate to admit it...Las Vegas.

As well as travel, animals are another real passion for me and one of the most amazing places on earth to see wildlife was and is Tasmania - it sure is a long way to go, but well worth the effort.

In common with all my Designer Travel colleagues, if there is anything I can do to help with your travel plans, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Karen's Top Destinations

10 Reasons

To book with Designer Travel

1. We Care
We offer more than a computer, we care about your holiday as much as you do
2. Peace of Mind
Every holiday we sell is 100% financially protected and we are here for you whenever you need us
3. We will save you time
We will do all of the research and come back with options that you might not be able to find yourself, as we know where to look
4. Impartial advice
We are totally independent so can source holidays from hundreds of suppliers to find you the perfect one
5. Experience
We are all obsessed with travel, we can offer personal experience and we have influential contacts all over the world
6. Competitive Prices
We may not always be the cheapest, but we are competitive and we offer so much more than an online faceless company
7. Friendly service
We are delighted to offer a very personal service at a time and way that suits you, our repeat booking levels are industry leading
8. We remember you
We get to know you and your holiday needs, we even think about you without you realising when fab deals come in
9. We are here in a crisis
Proven by COVID-19, we have opened and been available every single day to sort new holidays, offer advice or apply for refunds
10. We are grateful
We never take any business for granted, and we know you have a choice so we will always do our very best for you

Articles

30
28th May 2025
Rest of Europe
Why checking your passport BEFORE you book matters

Itā€˜s all to easy to get so excited about booking a holiday that we forget to do some of the basic ...

28th May 2025
China
Exciting News....

Behind the scenes the team her at Designer Travel have been pulling together an exciting program of ...

12th Sep 2023
Our Sustainability Policy

At Designer Travel we are committed to playing their part in helping to address the climate emergenc...

16th Jul 2023
Rest of Europe
Is a luxury cruise right for me?

I have never liked the sea. Could have been that near drowning incident I had as a child on Shanklin...

17th Apr 2023
Rest of Europe
AMA Waterways

To be an accomplished travel agent you need to live and breathe the products you sell. It’s a perk...

17th Aug 2016
Looking for Funky, boutique, stunning location? What about Madeira?

Finding a destination that's a bit different and not too far away is always a challenge. I had alway...

16th Aug 2016
Dubai's "perfect" boutique hotel Jumeirah's Mina A'Salam

The Mina A'Salam is an amazing place to stay in Dubai.Ā The Mina has none of the pretence of the J...

21st Aug 2015
Grand Hotel Palace, Rome

Are you looking for an amazing hotel in Rome? We may just have a gem of a find for you.... Grand Ho...

7th Aug 2015
What makes an amazing 5* holiday experience?

As I am sitting at my desk working my way through a number of holiday quotes and suggestions for 201...

28th Oct 2014
Conrad Rangali Resort, Maldives

In the travel industry there are certain destinations that have rightly earned a reputation for bein...

14th May 2014
The Sunwing Waterworld Makadi Hotel

Family holidays are all about keeping the children happy, and if it's a winter holiday you are plann...

14th Mar 2014
Le 'beautiful' Bristol Hotel in Paris

Maybe working in travel has spoilt me. I have the opportunity to visit quite a few hotels each year...

14th Feb 2014
The Amirandes - Fancy discovering some magic in Greece?

Greece has always been something of an iconic destination for me. The place where Mama Mia was filme...

30th Aug 2013
Asimina Suites, a secret getaway strictly for adults only

Taking a break in Europe during the spring and summer is always a joy. We have visited a number of E...

19th Jun 2017
Mauritius
Why the UK doesn’t have to be your only option for a perfect wedding!

When you were growing up did you dream about having the perfect wedding? Was it all about veils and ...

15th Jun 2017
Mauritius
From diva to dodo!

From Diva to Dodo ….. Ā  If you really want to find out just how friendly a country is and how w...

17th Jan 2017
Seychelles
Is this really the perfect two centre holiday option?

"We need a break, we need something perfect" That was the conversation I had with my husband back i...

24th Apr 2016
Turkey
It's nearly Time......for Turkey......

Since Designer Travel started trading nine years ago, Turkey has long been one of our most popular a...

9th Mar 2016
Corfu
Why ā€œmy family and other animalsā€, the upcoming new ITV show, is sure to be a winner

...

12th Aug 2015
Dubai
Did ITV's Travel Guide program portray Dubai in a fair light?

ITV's program Travel Guide featured Dubai on this weeks program. five different groups of travellers...

8th Jan 2015
Abu Dhabi
The Beautiful City of Paris.....

The beautiful city of Paris with it's magnificent architecture, fine museums and galleries and abund...

7th Jan 2015
Abu Dhabi
Necker Island... Pure luxury with a friendly touch!

If you managed to catch up with any TV on Tuesday evening (6th Jan) you may have stumbled across the...

30th Sep 2014
Dubai
The Atlantis, Dubai

Before we arrived at The Atlantis, Dubai I knew very little about it. I knew it had a huge aquarium,...

14th Mar 2014
Las Vegas
Glitz, Glamour, Gaming and Gaiety

It's hard to remember why Las Vegas always had such an attraction. It might have been those old movi...

11th Mar 2014
My top five favourite cities ever.........

When I look back at my travels I realise just how many parts of the globe I have been fortunate enou...

10th Mar 2014
Australasia & Pacific
Where should you visit when you travel Down Under?

My first visit to Australia, nearly twenty years ago took me to the west coast of Australia and the ...

10th Mar 2014
Dubai
Have you been to Dubai yet?

I have visited Dubai on a number of occasions, the first time over ten years ago. On my first visit ...

10th Feb 2014
Singapore
Fabulous cities in the Far East

I was reflecting on my travels to the Far East and at first thought I hadn't really managed to visit...

7th Feb 2014
Which worldwide city stole my heart?

As we approach another lovely Valentines I spent a little time today reflecting on a recent conversa...

27th Aug 2013
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
If it was good enough for Johnny Depp I knew I would love it!

Choosing my summer break is never easy. The world is full of beautiful and very exciting places all ...

Accommodation Recommendations

30
Dubai
Honeymoon Destinations
Palazzo Versace Dubai

Palazzo Versace Dubai certainly delivers a ā€˜wow’ factor with an expansive lobby featuring smooth...

Dubai
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Travellers seeking a chic and elegant beach resort with luxury rooms and suites and a good choice of...

Halkidiki
Family Holidays
Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort

This superb five-star resort has so much to offer with the beach just a few steps away where you can...

Rest of Spain
Granados 83, Barcelona

The hotel is located in a former hospital dating from the last century and has an interesting interi...

Rest of Spain
Hotel Claris, Barcelona

Hotel Claris is located in Barcelona’s central Eixample neighbourhood, beside Passeig de Gracia wh...

Menorca
Adult Only Holidays
Artiem Audax

If you like to keep busy while you’re on holiday, this is the perfect place for you – there’s ...

Gran Canaria
Family Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
Riu Palace Oasis

This is a popular resort which holidaymakers choose to return to year after year. It’s prime locat...

Gran Canaria
Family Holidays
Radisson Blu Resort, Gran Canaria

There’s only the best facilities and amenities at this 5-star resort – 4 swimming pools containi...

Lanzarote
Family Holidays
Kamezi Boutique Villas

The resort has a range of two to five bedroom villas providing excellent accommodation for groups, f...

Lanzarote
Adult Only Holidays
Boutique Holidays
Hotel Villa VIK

This boutique property offers well-appointed guest rooms, an Ć  la carte restaurant, bar, outdoor sw...

Lanzarote
Family Holidays
VIK Hotel San Antonio

The beautiful beach and seafront at Playa de los Pocillos, Puerto del Carmen awaits at VIK Hotel San...

Lanzarote
Family Holidays
Seaside Los Jameos Playa

Seaside Los Jameos Playa is a lovely contemporary resort set in 20,000 sq m of landscaped gardens. G...

Dubai
Family Holidays
Jumeirah Mina A'Salam

This stunning five-star property lies at the heart of Madinat Jumeirah Resort with the golden sands ...

Algarve
Family Holidays
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

The resort has a choice of generously sized one, two, three and four bedroom luxury villas – perfe...

Algarve
Family Holidays
PortoBay Falesia

The hotel has an outdoor pool which is close to the lush, fragrant gardens. There’s also a childre...

Algarve
Family Holidays
Vilalara Thalassa Resort

The resort has over 25 acres of gardens filled with lush trees, bushes, plants and flowers. A relaxi...

Algarve
Family Holidays
Ria Park Hotel & Spa

Just 800 metres from the hotel is the Garrao beach – one of the most exclusive beaches in the Alga...

Algarve
Family Holidays
Real Marina Residence

Real Marina Residence has blocks of 8 apartments with each block having a delightful roof top terrac...

Algarve
Real Marina Hotel & Spa

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and extensive sunbathing terraces from which you can enjoy de...

Santorini
Honeymoon Destinations
Boutique Holidays
Grace Santorini

One of the best things about this hotel is the uninterrupted sea views and the amazing sunsets that ...

Rhodes
Family Holidays
La Marquise Luxury Hotel Resort

The Blue Flag awarded beach of Kallithea is a perfect spot for relaxing besides the sparkling clear ...

Vietnam
Honeymoon Destinations
Boutique Holidays
Boutique Hoi An Resort

Situated in historical Hoi An, this hotel is the perfect setting to discover the secrets of this cha...

Rest of Italy
Bauer Palazzo, Venice

The hotel an expansive lounge area with Art Deco furnishings, striking glass sculptures and chandeli...

Amalfi Coast
Honeymoon Destinations
Il San Pietro di Positano

This five-star hotel is a jewel on the Amalfi Coast and the views are simply beautiful. Each room an...

Arizona
Family Holidays
Hotels with Waterslides
The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort

The Phoenician is an extensive resort offering style, elegance and superb standards of service. Surr...

France
Family Holidays
Le Bristol Paris

The hotel was originally built in the twenties and has undergone major refurbishment to offer accomm...

Maldives
Honeymoon Destinations
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

There are two spas at Conrad Rangali offering one of the widest choices of treatments in the Maldive...

Paphos
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Weddings
Ambassador Hotel Collection
Asimina Suites Hotel

The Asimina Suites has a beautiful sandy beach, two outdoor swimming pool, heated indoor pool, flood...

Bahamas
Honeymoon Destinations
Pink Sands Resort

You will enjoy privacy and relaxation at this exclusive resort. Of course, thereā€˜s the famous beac...

Bahamas
Family Holidays
Kamalame Cay

Kamalame Cay is a family run private island hideaway which has just 36 rooms, suites and villas. The...

Mutli Award Winning Travel Company

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