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Musings and Misc

Travel with Kate Town hall Paris

On the winding road to my Paris wedding

So the good news is, all went well with my appointments at the Paris town hall and the US Embassy. That is, everything BUT that the town hall refused to give us a wedding date! Long story short, our town hall has a stipulation that once a dossier is submitted, there is an additional step before you are fully approved. It is an antiquated process that is just plain silly. Basically, they must publish an announcement that is visible to the public for two weeks stating our plans to be married. It is called “La publication des bans.” I guess it comes from the idea of allowing community members the chance to object in the case that there is knowledge…

The Women’s Travel Fest 2015 #VIDEO

This month I attended an event in San Francisco that was created entirely to empower and encourage women to travel. The Women’s Travel Fest is open to the public for anyone who wants to learn more about travel, how to plan their next trip, and to meet other courageous women who want to journey the world. I went to last year’s event as a speaker and returned this year to cover the event for Expedia in the video above. And I have to say, it is truly a coming-together of like-minded women yearning to make their travel dreams come true. The energy and camaraderie was electric. On stage were knowledgeable women who have created careers in travel as journalists, magazine…

Reconnecting in Romantic Budapest, Oh yes!

This is a picture of the beautiful and surprising city of Budapest, a place that served to rekindle the flames of my long distance love affair. I’m currently in my third year of long distance with my boyfriend who lives in London. The over 5,400 miles that often separate us (I live in Los Angeles) are a real test of our bond. There is a distinct bittersweet quality to it all. Our meetings are so full of joy and passion. But our time apart can be agonizing. The distance seems to slow down the days, weeks, and months. When we are in the same place, we visit each other in our respective cities and meet up in destinations around the…

The First Step to Achieving your Dreams

This time of year I find myself at parties and gatherings reconnecting with old friends and family. In these interactions people ask “what’s going on in your world. You are doing travel, right?” I tell them about Travel with Kate, my work with my clients and my adventures. Their reply is inevitably, “wow, so you are living the dream!” It is true. I am certainly living my dream. But there are many wonderful dreams to be had. Maybe you dream of a life like mine, often on the road, traveling to new destinations. Or perhaps, you dream of creating your own local business. Or you may hope to succeed as a screenwriter or as a doctor. The number of dreams…

Kate Thomas

Kate’s Travel Rating System

I always explore my destinations far beyond the touristy parts of town and often through the eyes of native friends who can show me around. I am a local traveler. And just as there are all kinds of locals, there are all kinds of local travel experiences to be had. It just depends on which sides of a destination one chooses to discover. Personally, I like to jump around. I don’t simply want to eat at the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall restaurant or that trending food truck with amazing cuisine. I also want to have upscale dining experiences popular among locals. Sometimes I want to stay in a charming Airbnb listing. Other times I’ll opt for a lovely bed and breakfast. And…

Kate wins 2nd Place in USA TODAY Contest for Best Travel Videographer Online!

Making art or pursuing any creative endeavor requires, above all, a passion that burns within you to make your soul’s desire a reality. It is scary as all hell to put yourself out there and say, Hey! This is me and this is what I could give today. It can be a very vulnerable experience. And at the same time, doing what you love can be immensely rewarding regardless of what the outside world thinks. This month, USA Today and 10Best ran an online contest. It was for a people’s choice award naming the top 10 video travel bloggers online. And I was listed among the 20 nominees. I have been creating my travel web series and blog to share…