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A Spectacular Hike above Los Angeles #Video

Hiking is one of the most spectacular ways locals in Los Angeles enjoy their city on a regular basis. And there are SO MANY options! With Nick Phillips of Hikesyoucando.com, I got to experience one of the many beautiful hikes throughout Los Angeles county and Malibu county. And that is the hike to Sandstone Peak. This trail is extra special because it takes you up to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Come summit LA with us in this video! To get to Sandstone Peak you’ll have to drive about an hour north of the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica into Malibu. These are the directions according to Nick: Heading north along the Pacific Coast Highway, on…

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…

A Glimpse of Koreatown in Los Angeles #photos

I love spending Sunday afternoons in Koreatown in Los Angeles. Roughly situated between W 3rd Street and Olympic Blvd, and Western and Vermont Ave – this part of town has its own flavor and culture that will make you feel like you’ve traveled to a place far away. I am fascinated by the many inviting malls, coffee shops, authentic Korean restaurants and spas to explore. Check out these pictures below to get a feel for Ktown LA. And read my guide to the neighborhood on Expedia Viewfinder: Koreatown Rising. There is no shortage of things to buy. Buy. Buy. You can get yourself a little Seoul fashion… Find inexpensive home goods from Daiso…   Pick up Korean beauty products from…

How I Experienced Tunisia Like a Local

Nine years ago, while studying in Paris, I made a group of Parisian friends who became my passport to a travel experience far beyond the landscape of France. Many of the young men in the group came from the “Dix-neuvième”, the 19th Arrondisement of Paris, home to the majority of the city’s North African immigrants. Some of the guys — with musical names like Walid, Ouissem, Mouldi, Anis and Sami — were born in France to parents from Tunisia. I was 22 years old when I met them. Embarrassingly, I wasn’t even sure I’d ever heard of the country before, let alone contemplated going there. Eventually, however, I learned about Tunisia: that its cuisine sounded delicious — savory lamb dishes,…

Berners Tavern at The London Edition

Date Night in #London at Berners Tavern

As you may have noticed, I travel to London frequently. These trips are not for work nor just for play. More specifically, they are for love. My boyfriend lives in London. I suppose it was inevitable that I would end up with someone across the globe with all the travel I do. But I’ll admit long distance relationships are tough even if (or especially if) you have found the love of your life. When I visit my boyfriend in London from Los Angeles the pressure is on to make every minute together count. When I’m in town we explore the city, creating beautiful memories. The best ones are made from impromptu moments like when we shared an ice cream in…

Posh Cocktails in The Punch Room #London

Looking for a posh night out in London? If so, I have you covered! On a recent trip to my favorite city, I headed over to The London Edition which proved to be an elegant and hip destination for dinner and drinks. The hotel is located near Oxford Circus but far enough off the main drag to be out of sight of the average tourist. Upon entering the lobby, the tall, ornate ceiling, the large bar glowing with back-lit bottles of spirits, and the chic crowd were all telltale signs I’d found a popular spot for hip and upper-class London locals. On Travel with Kate, I have a rating system to review hotels, restaurants and other travel experiences. And I…