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Sunset Sail

I’m on my way to Cabo!

This week I’m headed to Cabo to dip my toes into the Pacific Ocean, South of the border! I’ll be experiencing Cabo having booked entirely through Expedia. It’s not just my flight, I’m also booked at a hotel on Expedia.com, The Cape – A Thompson Hotel. And I’m scheduled on what look like really fun tours. I’ll be horseback riding on the beach and through the desert. I’ll be taking a Sunset Cruise with Tequila Tasting. I’ll be taking a tour of the city and getting up close to sea life. All these tours and many more worldwide can be booked on the Expedia Local Expert® page or in the “Things to do” section when you are booking hotels and…

Kate Thomas Dorset Summer Lodge

The Summer Lodge: English Countryside Luxury #VIDEO

In this video, I feature my experience at the Summer Lodge, a small, luxury hotel in the rural region of West Dorset an easy train ride from London. It was chilly and oh so cozy! I am still dreaming of that delicious multi-course meal.Staying here made me feel connected with the local culture, the land, and its history. Undoubtedly, the Summer Lodge Hotel falls into my hotel ranking category of Local Luxury with a top score. The property is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a boutique hotel group of “seventeen luxury, award-winning, family-owned and run boutique hotels…in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA.” Summer Lodge is also a Relais & Châteaux hotel – known for…

Livret de famille

What is a Livret de Famille?

This blue velvet, gold-embossed gem is a Livret de Famille or family booklet. And if you are getting married in France, you’ll get one too. The Livret de Famille holds your new family’s official records of births and marriage information. And for the rest of one’s marriage, one must record all big family events in their book: the birth of children, adoption, any deaths in the immediate family, divorce, or separation. All families in France must hold onto their family booklet as it is required for official matters. For example, if you enroll your children in school, if you apply for some visas or citizenship, or if you buy property you’ll be asked to produce it. I’ll tell you one thing. I…

La Belle Juliette Paris Travel With Kate

La Belle Juliette: A Romantic Hotel in Paris

Tasked with finding a hotel steeped in Parisian style for my wedding guests and high on romance for me and my husband, I discovered La Belle Juliette. A few days before my wedding in Paris, the plan was to have my parents, my sisters, and their spouses join us in town. And so, I had the task of finding wedding accommodations in Paris that were up to my expectations in my neighborhood of choice: St Germain des Pres. I wanted a hotel on a quiet street, tourist-free, and close to shops and restaurants that would give my family a sense of living in Paris. I also wanted the amenities at the hotel to be modern and the interiors to reflect Parisian…

City Gender Paris

If your city had a gender, what would it be?

I must be in a weird mood. But walking around London today I couldn’t help but muse about how interesting this city is with it’s mix of bustling city life, historic and modern architecture, fashionable denizens, and animated foodie scenes. And all that contrasts the tranquil parks and calming canals. I sighed to myself, “London, I do love her.” But then I wondered, “wait, how did I come to the conclusion that London was a female?” Then that got me thinking, do cities have genders? I know…. Weird question. Certain cities have distinct genders to me. New York is undoubtedly male. Somehow it seems to have a permanent five-o’clock shadow. The subways and streets are dirty. Living there is no…

Local travel tools

5 Local Travel Tools Make Local Travel Easy

In a recent Conversation Starter post, we were discussing the feasibility of getting a real immersive experience and making local friends even when on a short trip. Undoubtedly, this can be a dilemma, especially as the number of vacation days can be small and our expectations great. I think the solution can be found with the many companies and apps out there that are superb local travel tools. Here are five such local travel tools to catapult you toward local life in your destination. 1.Tours by Locals (PAID) I love this company. If you read my site or have seen my videos (or signed up for my newsletter lately), you’ll know it. Their platform provides a worldwide database of trusted…