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Getting Married in Paris. The Process Begins…

I have to be honest. I’ve always struggled with how revealing I should be on my blog about my personal life. I’ve shared incredibly personal things from time to time. And other times I’ve chosen to shy away from sharing my life – sticking to travel-related topics. But right now, huge changes are taking place in my world with a delicious travel theme. And I am feeling compelled to share them with you. Today I am writing from Paris, in my friend’s small apartment in the 10th Arrondissement. I’m here on a mission – a mission bigger than I have ever endeavored before. I’m getting married! No, not today or tomorrow, but later this year. My fiancée is French. And…

Kate Thomas Travel Dorset

Exploring the Countryside in Dorset, England #VIDEO

On my last trip to London I took the train to Dorset in the English countryside to explore its charming villages and green, open spaces. Like many, I’ve harbored the dream of experiencing the English countryside for years. In my mind, I held images of rolling green hills dotted with quaint villages and Downton-Abbey-style estates. So I decided to get out of London and into the English countryside to finally see it for myself. And you know what? It was not far from my imagination. The region I visited is called Dorset (which is actually Southwest of London, I misspoke in the video). And Sherborne, one of the many small towns there, is known for having a complex history dating back…

The UK’s Jurassic Coast for Beginners #Video

Along the southern coast of Great Britain in the regions of Dorset and East Devon is the Jurassic Coast. As you can see in the video there are all kinds of fun to be had in this dynamic landscape. In certain areas, you can also go fossil hunting, rock climbing, and horseback riding on the beach. And some locals simply like to hike along the cliffs for miles. If you are hoping to see multiple hubs along the coastline all on the same trip, you’ll want a car. But if you stay in one destination like Bridport you could get away with no car, and simply take a taxi to the beach and to the train station. In the video…

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…

Travel with Kate

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…