Karan Dempsey - TravelManagers

21/06/2026

20/06/2026

Just arrived in the USA Flew Premium Economy from Melbourne to LA with Qantas, such a great way to travel long haul.

Priority check-in and boarding, extra seat pitch and recline, a multi-level footrest, larger entertainment screen, and attentive service all made the journey much more comfortable.

A bonus surprise was how quickly I got through immigration and customs at LAX before connecting onto American Airlines, and I had a tiny dog travelling beside me.

Finished the day with a stunning sunset landing into Chicago.

For travellers wanting more comfort, Premium Economy can be well worth the extra investment.

03/06/2026

Melbourne weather got you dreaming of somewhere warmer? 🌞
 
The Maldives is calling! Save up to 55% on selected stays when you book by 30 June.

Paradise might be closer than you think. 🌴

☎️Contact me for details

BucketListTravel

11/05/2026

A beautiful morning at sea ✨

My clients woke up to this incredible view, currently sailing aboard Le Bellot with Ponant on voyage 'The Herbrides and the Irish Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys, the stunning White Cliffs of Dover glowing in the morning light.

Moments like these are why we travel. 🌊

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms today , past, present, soon-to-be moms, and those no longer with us but forever in our hearts. 💐

Today has me reflecting on just how much my own mom shaped the path of my life.

As soon as I could, I wanted to leave school, Mom only allowed this if I learnt a skill, so off I went to secretarial college for a year.

I learnt typing, shorthand (which I only used once in my first job.. then went back to my desk and couldn’t read my own shorthand notes 😂 From then on, we did dictation), telex, which few would not even have heard of, bookkeeping, and telephonist training (the receptionist role of today!).

Those skills eventually led me into the travel industry… and here I am, 40 years later.

Over those four decades, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the globe, but more importantly, help plan thousands of trips for thousands of wonderful people. None of it would have happened without my mom’s guidance, encouragement and belief in me.

Sadly, I lost my beautiful mom to ovarian cancer when she was only 57. But her unconditional love, strength, wisdom, and zest for life and travel continue to live on through me every single day.

Today, alongside my three beautiful girls, whom I am so incredibly proud of. We took part in the Mother’s Day Classic to help raise funds for breast and ovarian cancer research.

I wanted to share a few photos of my mom, and of my girls who continue to make me proud every day.

Life is precious. Make every day count, cherish your people, and live this beautiful life to the fullest. ❤️

03/05/2026

Should I stay or should I go? ✈️🌍

It’s the question on everyone’s lips as we head into Europe’s peak season.

The good news? We’re seeing more flights resume each day, particularly with Middle Eastern carriers, which many Australians rely on due to their extensive networks and seamless connections throughout Europe. Operations are steadily increasing (currently sitting around 60–70% on some affected routes).

Even more encouraging, countries like Germany have recently removed “do not travel” warnings for several Middle Eastern transit hubs. Australia still has these advisories in place for now, but we’re hopeful this will evolve soon.

So, what does this actually mean for you?

If you have a tour, cruise, conference or special event booked, the reality on the ground is that things are continuing as planned. From my own recent time in Europe, it really is business as usual. (pic of me in Rome just before boarding the Sapphire Princess for a Mediterranean sailing in March,)

Of course, there can still be occasional disruptions, but that’s where I come in.

Right now, 98% of my clients travelling to Europe are continuing with their plans, and having an experienced agent in your corner means you’re supported every step of the way if anything changes.

If you’re feeling unsure about your upcoming trip, reach out I’m here to guide you through it.

💬 Your travel plans deserve more than guesswork.

17/04/2026

Throwback moment! ✨
Who remembers getting a hand written ticket for a coach?
Guess I might be showing my age here 😄
This week I visited the MOVE Museum and came across these old beauties (no… not me in the pic 😉) a vintage APT coach from the 40s and a Pioneer from the 50s.

Seeing them took me back to when I first started in the travel industry, when everything was handwritten… even coach and flight tickets!

These coaches are even older than my time, but they definitely brought back some fond memories. Thought I’d share a little slice of travel history with you all ❤️

30/03/2026

Bites & Highlights walking tour and Tip toe through the Tulips

28/03/2026

Romancing the Rhine 🤎

28/03/2026

All aboard! About to be Rhined & Dined on Avalon Envision for 8 Day Romantic Rhine River Cruise...excited