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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…

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…

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…

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…