Karon Edmunds - Travel Counsellors, Glossop

Karon Edmunds - Travel Counsellors, Glossop At Award Winning Travel Counsellors we pride ourselves in delivering exceptional customer service and this is why it's the company I want to work with.

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Our India adventure begins.Arriving into the capital, Delhi after an overnight flight.Delhi 2nd largest city with 22 mil...
18/09/2026

Our India adventure begins.

Arriving into the capital, Delhi after an overnight flight.

Delhi 2nd largest city with 22 million people, Bombay has 26 million.

Our first stop was Qutub Minar the first Muslim mosque.built 1152. Sultante architecture the minaret is 72.5m tall making it the tallest brick minaret in the world . Over the years it's been added to by various settlers. Black shoulder kites flew around us as we walked around the gardens

We checked into our hotel, Le Meridien and enjoyed a lunch before heading out for a tour of Old Delhi.

The guided tour started with a Rickshaw ride, a baptism of fire. The streets are heaving with a combination of rickshaw, tuk tuks, mopeds, cars, lorries and even men pulling wagons. Despite the chaos, the constant beeping and the total lack of road etiquette everyone seems to get to their destination. The gaps people got through were miniscule yet there where no bumps, no lack of patience and people seems to shout friendly banter between each other. Def not like rush hour in the UK. Our 2 guides, from the Salaam Balak Trust then took us on a walking tour through some of the markets.

The first market was the largest spice market in the city, where we were issued with face masks to help us with all with the coughing that inevitablely came. Bags and bags of spices everywhere, people buzzing around. We were shown a number of Havelis, original buildings built up around a courtyard, very similar to Riads in Marrakech.

We went through the wedding market where we saw the most stunning wedding dresses and mens cream suits. It's the start of prime wedding season so there were lots of brides visiting.

We ended our tour at the Haveli Dharampura, a restored Haveli which has a restaurant, rooms and rooftop terrace. Stunningly renovated the family owners have done an amazing job with this one and their sister Haveli situated 200m away. Rooms are tradional with with intricate wallpaper or traditional white walls.

The roof top terrace gives wonderful views over the city where you can see the mosque, sikh temple and 2 other religious buildings, the 5th, the Baptist Church not visible due to its flat roof. From the rooftops all around children fly kites, men partake in pigeon racing and women sit chatting, truly wonderful. Our dinner consisted of 7 courses of traditional street food, amazing. The restaurant can be booked individually. Our night was completed with some traditional dancing.

One holiday, three completely different sides of Thailand 🇹🇭This is one of the reasons I love Thailand for a multi-centr...
14/09/2026

One holiday, three completely different sides of Thailand 🇹🇭

This is one of the reasons I love Thailand for a multi-centre. You really don’t have to choose between culture, exploring and a beautiful beach.

You can have all three.

🌆 Start in Bangkok

I’d give Bangkok a few nights rather than treating it as somewhere you simply fly into and leave again. Temples, markets, rooftop bars, street food, boat trips along the river… it’s busy, slightly chaotic and completely different to what comes next.

🌿 Then head north to Chiang Mai

This is where the whole holiday changes. You’ve got mountains, temples, night markets, incredible food and a much more relaxed feel than Bangkok.

I’d also build in some time outside the city here. There are some beautiful countryside stays in northern Thailand and plenty of ways to experience the area without rushing from one attraction to another.

🏝️ Then finish on the beach

And this is where I wouldn’t automatically say Phuket or Koh Samui without asking a few questions first.

The best beach area can depend on when you’re travelling, as Thailand’s weather patterns vary between its coasts, but also on what you actually want when you get there.

Tiny island and switch off completely? Somewhere with restaurants and nightlife? Snorkelling and diving? A gorgeous resort where you barely need to leave?

That final stop should suit you rather than simply being the most famous Thai beach destination.

For a first trip, something like Bangkok → Chiang Mai → beach works brilliantly.

Three stops, but they feel like three completely different holidays.

And after the noise and energy of Bangkok and a few days exploring the north, I think finishing with a cold drink and absolutely nowhere you need to be is a pretty good way to end it. 😂

Cape Town, the Winelands and safari – this is how I’d put them together 🇿🇦For a first trip to South Africa, this is prob...
11/09/2026

Cape Town, the Winelands and safari – this is how I’d put them together 🇿🇦

For a first trip to South Africa, this is probably one of my favourite combinations because you get three completely different holidays without travelling huge distances between them.

I’d usually start in Cape Town and give it at least four nights.

There’s so much more to do than people sometimes realise – Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, the beaches, Cape Point, great restaurants – and I wouldn’t want to squeeze all of that into a couple of rushed days.

Then I’d head into the Winelands for two or three nights.

Even if you’re not hugely into wine, places like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are gorgeous. Beautiful scenery, brilliant food, lovely hotels and a much slower pace after the city. It’s also one of those places where I think staying overnight makes a massive difference rather than just doing a quick day trip from Cape Town.

And then I’d finish with the safari.

I tend to like putting safari at the end because it feels like such a special finale to the trip. Early morning game drives, evenings around the lodge, completely different scenery again… and after a busier first half of the holiday, it’s actually quite nice having your days organised for you.

So for around 10–12 nights, I’d be looking at something like:

4 nights Cape Town → 2–3 nights Winelands → 3 nights safari

If you’ve got longer, even better. I’d slow it down rather than automatically adding another stop.

That’s what I love about South Africa. You can have city, food, scenery, wildlife and some incredible hotels all in one trip, but it never feels like you’re having the same holiday for two weeks.

And I’d definitely rather do these three properly than try to squeeze half of South Africa into one itinerary.

A family holiday doesn’t have to mean a huge all-inclusive resort ☀️There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a big all-incl...
10/09/2026

A family holiday doesn’t have to mean a huge all-inclusive resort ☀️

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a big all-inclusive. For some families, having everything on site, plenty for the children to do and knowing most of the spending is taken care of is exactly what makes the holiday relaxing.

But it isn’t the only way to do a family holiday.

I think sometimes people assume that once you’re travelling with children, you need waterparks, kids’ clubs, entertainment from morning until night and a buffet the size of a small village. 😂

You really don’t.

I love finding smaller hotels, apartments and villas in places where you can actually walk out in the evening. Somewhere with a beach nearby, a few restaurants to choose from and enough going on that you don’t feel tied to the hotel.

The Greek islands are brilliant for this.

You could have a lovely pool and beach for the days when nobody wants to do very much, hire a car for a couple of days, find little villages and beaches, and wander out for dinner in the evening rather than eating in the same hotel restaurant every night.

And for some families, that’s far more relaxing than a huge resort.

It really comes down to how your family likes to holiday.

Some children would spend seven days on the same waterslide and consider it the best week of their lives. Others are happiest exploring, swimming in the sea and choosing where to go for an ice cream after dinner.

And the adults are allowed an opinion too. 😂

So when someone asks me for a family holiday, I don’t automatically start with the biggest family resort I can find.

I’d much rather find out what your family actually enjoys first.

If you’ve already done Dubai, I’d seriously consider Oman next 🇴🇲Dubai is brilliant at what it does — big hotels, incred...
09/09/2026

If you’ve already done Dubai, I’d seriously consider Oman next 🇴🇲

Dubai is brilliant at what it does — big hotels, incredible restaurants, shopping, beaches, skyscrapers and everything made very easy for visitors.

But if you’ve been and loved the Middle East, and next time you want something that feels a little more adventurous, I’d look at Oman.

Muscat has beautiful hotels and beaches, but you’ve also got mountains, wadis, desert camps, old forts and some absolutely stunning scenery once you get out of the city.

And that’s probably how I’d plan it.

A few nights in Muscat, then head inland for the mountains and villages, spend a night out in the desert, and finish somewhere lovely on the coast.

It gives you that bit of luxury and sunshine people often want from a Middle East holiday, but with much more of a sense that you’re actually exploring somewhere.

I think that’s what appeals to me about Oman.

It’s not trying to be Dubai.

It feels quieter, more traditional and much more about the landscapes and the journey between places.

So if Dubai worked for you, but you came home thinking next time I’d like something a bit different…

Oman would absolutely be on my list.

What would you do if you were stuck in this situation? Well the good news is if you book through a travel professional l...
08/09/2026

What would you do if you were stuck in this situation?

Well the good news is if you book through a travel professional like myself this is where we shine!

Things can and do change with travel plans. Book with a reputable agent who’s available 24/7 and you gave someone who cares about you.

I’ve been in touch with clients and we are monitoring the situation and making sure they’re re booked and looked after.

Anyone can book a holiday! But you need someone who knows what to do when things go wrong!

#𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭

Before you choose a Maldives island, I’d look at these four things first 🌴I think the Maldives is one of those destinati...
08/09/2026

Before you choose a Maldives island, I’d look at these four things first 🌴

I think the Maldives is one of those destinations where it’s very easy to look at the photos and think, well… they all look incredible, how different can they really be? 😂

Actually, choosing the right island can make a huge difference to the holiday.

These are four things I’d be looking at:

✈️ 1. How do you get there?
Some islands are reached by speedboat from Malé, others need a seaplane or a domestic flight followed by a boat. I actually think the seaplane can be part of the experience – the views are incredible – but transfer times and international flight times need to work together properly.

🐠 2. What’s the house reef like?
If you picture yourself putting on a mask and snorkel and swimming straight from the beach to see marine life, this matters. Not every island has fantastic snorkelling directly offshore, so I wouldn’t assume they’re all the same.

🍹 3. What’s actually included?
This is a big one. Two resorts can both say “all inclusive” and include very different things. Restaurants, drinks, excursions, watersports and even minibar inclusions can vary, so I’d always look beyond the board basis written on the quote.

🏝️ 4. What do you actually want to do when you get there?
Some people want a tiny, peaceful island where the biggest decision of the day is beach or pool. Others would be bored senseless by day three. 😂

There are larger resorts with several restaurants, activities, watersports and plenty going on, as well as tiny islands where switching off is really the whole point.

And that’s why I don’t think there’s one “best resort in the Maldives.”

There’s just the one that suits you best.

The beautiful beach and turquoise water are almost the easy bit. It’s everything else that determines whether you’ve picked the right island.

There’s one thing I always notice within the first hour of arriving somewhere new…The atmosphere.And I know that sounds ...
07/09/2026

There’s one thing I always notice within the first hour of arriving somewhere new…

The atmosphere.

And I know that sounds like something that’s almost impossible to describe, but I think you get a feeling for a place incredibly quickly.

It might be the noise when you step outside the airport. The heat. The smell of food from somewhere nearby. How busy the streets are. Whether everyone seems to be rushing around or whether life feels like it’s moving at half the speed you’re used to.

I remember arriving in places and immediately thinking, “Oh, I’m going to like it here.”

And sometimes it’s been the complete opposite. 😂

That first hour is actually one of my favourite parts of travelling. You’ve seen all the photographs and read about where you’re going, but suddenly you’re actually there and noticing all the little things that never make it into a brochure.

It’s probably why I love travelling somewhere completely different to home. I want that feeling of knowing I’m somewhere new.

Sri Lanka definitely gave me that. South Africa did too. And New York surprised me because I’d convinced myself for years that I wouldn’t particularly like it… then I arrived and completely changed my mind.

Funny really, because sometimes you spend months planning a holiday, and then within an hour of arriving somewhere you already know whether it’s got you.

Have you ever arrived somewhere and instantly loved it?

Three places I’d consider for an October escape 🍂✈️October is one of those months I really like for getting away.Summer ...
04/09/2026

Three places I’d consider for an October escape 🍂✈️

October is one of those months I really like for getting away.

Summer crowds have started to disappear, you can often explore without feeling like you’re melting, and if you choose carefully, there’s still a very good chance of finding some sunshine.

If I were looking at an October escape, these three would be high on my list:

🇪🇸 Seville
This is exactly the sort of city I’d rather visit outside the height of summer. You can wander through the old streets, stop for tapas, visit the Alcázar and actually enjoy being outside without Seville’s July and August temperatures. Perfect for a few days away when you want food, atmosphere and plenty to explore.

🇲🇹 Malta
I think Malta works really well if you’re not quite ready to give up on summer. You’ve got Valletta, Mdina, little fishing villages, boat trips and plenty of history, but you can also build in some proper downtime. I’d probably split my time rather than staying in one place for the whole trip – no surprises there. 😂

🇬🇷 Crete
If sunshine is the priority, I’d be looking towards the southern Mediterranean, and Crete would definitely be in the running. I love that you can make it as relaxed or as busy as you want – beaches and lovely hotels, but also Chania, mountain villages, tavernas and plenty to explore if you hire a car.

Three completely different trips, really.

Seville for a proper city break. Malta for sightseeing with some sunshine. Crete for that last little taste of summer.

I think I’d struggle to choose between them though… which one are you picking?

I’d choose a brilliant 4-star hotel in the right location over a 5-star in the wrong one every time.I love a gorgeous ho...
03/09/2026

I’d choose a brilliant 4-star hotel in the right location over a 5-star in the wrong one every time.

I love a gorgeous hotel as much as anyone, but I’ll be honest, the star rating is never the first thing I look at.

Location is.

You can have the most beautiful 5-star hotel, but if you’re spending half your holiday getting taxis backwards and forwards because everything you actually want to see is miles away, I’m not convinced the extra star is doing much for you. 😂

Especially on a city break or a multi-centre trip.

If I’m only somewhere for two or three nights, I want to be able to walk out of the hotel and feel like I’m there. I want restaurants nearby, somewhere to wander in the evening and easy access to the things I’ve actually travelled there to see.

I’d much rather find a really lovely 4-star in a fantastic neighbourhood and spend the difference on a great meal, an experience or even upgrading another part of the trip.

There are absolutely holidays where the hotel is a huge part of the experience. If I’m spending a week by the pool in the Maldives, I’m going to care a lot more about the resort itself.

But three nights in Rome? Bangkok? New York?

Give me the right location every time.

It’s one of those things that can look less impressive on a quote – 4-star instead of 5-star – but can actually make the holiday much better.

And that’s why I’d never choose a hotel by its star rating alone.

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