Stay-Eat-Do

Mom Life

Musings & Misc

Latest Blog Posts

Seeking Romance in Southern Spain #VIDEO

In Sevilla, there is such a wealth of beauty that it’s hard not to fall in love with the city and maybe even with another! This video uncovers a few of the many romantic nooks and crannies of this alluring destination. Come take a wander with me. If you’d like to visit any of these locations for yourself there is a list below. OR you could simply go to NotJustaTourist.com and get Mahsa to either take you around or organize a romantic itinerary for you! Here’s the list: 1. River bank near the Isabel II bridge (technically of the Canal Alfonso XIII that is an off-shoot of the Rio Guadalquivir.) Here’s the link to a google map pointing out the…

Notes from the Road: Sevilla, Spain

Sevilla is a city in Southern Spain, a one-hour flight or two-hour-and-20-minute train ride from Madrid. It is best visited in Spring and Fall (and best avoided in summer because of the heat.) This city is quite special. If you are coming to Spain, Sevilla and the greater Southern region of Andalucia can be a rather magical addition to a trip. While I was there, creating my videos for Travel with Kate, I sat in a cafe with an Iberian ham sandwich and a fresh squeezed orange juice. And I jotted down a few thoughts in my notebook… “This city squeaks. Many of the streets are narrow and winding. No grid layout here. Many of the smaller roads are paved…

Delicious Tapas in Triana, Sevilla #VIDEO

As promised here is my first full Travel with Kate episode from Sevilla, Spain chasing my passions and my storybook vacation with Expedia. Tapas and Spain go together like baguettes and France. In this video, a local, David Ciudad of the website Notjustatourist.com, showed me his most beloved restaurant in the Triana neighborhood of Sevilla. Triana is a bustling part of town that is markedly different from the rest of the city. The concentration of historic architecture and manicured gardens found across the river in Sevilla are replaced here by a vibrant local scene. Triana has it™s own festivals and is a hub of Flamenco culture. In fact, many who live in Triana identify as Trianeros rather than Sevillians. Whether…

My Trip to Spain Was Out of a Storybook (VIDEO)

This Travel with Kate video showcases my recent travels to Spain, a trip a long time coming. And it was made possible because of Expedia. This summer they are running a campaign called Find Your Storybook. The idea behind the campaign is that travel can make your wildest imaginations a reality. So what do you think? Do you want to go to Sevilla yet? I’ll be posting a video once a week on Wednesdays for four weeks following this post. The teaser video points to a trip all about Flamenco. But the coming videos will show off the local food as well as a very romantic side to the city of Sevilla. And of course, I’ll post my videos about…

Escape to London with Me Right Now (VIDEO)

Escape with me to London for less than 30 seconds! I took this video yesterday evening on a walk along the Thames River in Central London. It was a magical moment during a beautiful Spring day in my favorite city. The light was shinning in that special way that it does here after it rains. The sky, bright blue and full of dense white clouds. Londoners and visitors were strolling and commuting with these transcendent views of bridges, water and old world charm. And that music was ambient music, a street performer playing some sort of homemade instrument! This is a rather new idea for me–these short videos giving a quick glimpse into a moment while traveling. Let me know what you think! Should I…

Rediscovering Los Angeles with my Fellow Locals

Living in one place for many years, gives us the impression that we have a holistic view of our own hometown. But the truth of the matter is our experiences, our family, our friends, and even the address of our home all impact our understanding of our cities. And I am currently learning this lesson in a big way. Last year, I moved back to my hometown of Los Angeles after living in New York for five years. At the time, I braced myself for some intense culture shock. Despite the upgrades in weather and certain facets of life “ I was concerned that the LA I knew would not hold my attention as had New York. I am not going to next tell…