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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Best Food Tours in Japan: Exploring Kyoto's Cuisine and Culture with Ninja Food Tours
Kyoto is known around the world for ancient temples, quiet gardens, and centuries of tradition — but after sunset, the city reveals another side entirely. Narrow lantern-lit alleys fill with the aroma of sizzling yakitori, steaming ramen, handcrafted sweets, and dishes that most visitors would never discover on their own. That’s where Ninja Food Tours transformed our evening from a simple dinner outing into one of the most memorable travel experiences of our Japan journey.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 45 min read


Waikiki Secret Food Tour: A Delicious Walk Through Paradise in Hawaii's shops, cafes
Why Take a Waikiki Food Tour?
Waikiki has hundreds of restaurants, cafes and snack shops. It can be overwhelming. A guided Honolulu food tour takes the guesswork out of the experience and introduces you to places you might walk past, without realizing what you’re missing.
Secret Food Tours Honolulu
with our savvy local guide, Stella, we explored hidden corners, learned about Hawaiian history, and tasted seven carefully curated stops each representing a different flavor of the

Cookie & Keller
Apr 28 min read


Arizona Food Tours: Eating Your Way Through Old Town Scottsdale in a Fun, Flavor-Packed Adventure
Old Town Scottsdale is a food lover’s playground, blending Southwestern flavors, modern culinary creativity, and vibrant desert culture. On an Arizona food tour, you’ll stroll historic streets while sampling Sonoran specialties, chef-driven small plates, and local sweets. From lively taco spots to craft cocktail bars, each stop reveals a taste of Scottsdale’s past and present one delicious bite at a time

Cookie & Keller
Jan 226 min read


Brisbane food tour - Take a tasty bite on a fun, enlightening & history tour
Brisbane’s food scene is a vibrant blend of fresh local ingredients, global influences, and relaxed riverside charm—making it one of Australia’s most underrated culinary destinations. On a Brisbane food tour, every stop feels like a discovery, from bustling markets filled with tropical produce to tucked-away eateries serving everything from modern Australian cuisine to authentic Asian flavors. What makes this experience special is the food and stories behind it, shared by pas

Cookie & Keller
Jul 10, 20255 min read


Visiting Maui's Surfing Goat Dairy: A Fun Farm Experience in Upcountry Maui
IF YOU LOVE goats, you will be in billy goat heaven at Maui's lively Surfing Goat Dairy.
It's an appealing place to spend a few hours. We toured with manager-owner Jay Garnett, who bought the business from a German couple in 2023. They retired, leaving a legacy of goats, surf boards, and a successful dairy which Garnett is expanding in creative ways including chocolate and cheese production.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 26, 20255 min read


Jambalaya - Give thanks, share and kick your meal up a notch with something new
Jambalaya is a tradition for Thanksgiving in many southern homes. Cajun appetizers also make Thanksgiving special. We'll share an easy...

Christene Meyers
Nov 28, 20244 min read


Tirano's treasures: a charming inn, gourmet restaurant, mountain views
The view from our room at the lovely Ostello del Castello, where we spent a few peaceful nights before boarding Bernina Express for a...

Christene Meyers
Aug 15, 20243 min read


Make it a carpe diem summer: go camping, take the cruise, plan a trip
Veteran cruisers, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller have made travel and cruising the world a priority. They offer enthusiastic...

Christene Meyers
Jun 13, 20245 min read


Things to do in Uruguay - mate the national drink infuses energy, ritual and tradition
Discover why mate is more than a drink in Uruguay. Experience the country's warm hospitality, coastal charm, and one of South America's most treasured traditions

Cookie & Keller
Apr 11, 20244 min read


Oscar's Palm Springs drag show marks ten years of fun and community service
Discover why Oscar's Palm Springs is one of the city's most iconic entertainment venues, where great food, unforgettable shows, and community come together

Cookie & Keller
Mar 6, 20244 min read


Savannah food tour mixes history, tastings, parks, monuments and more
SAVANNAH FOOD TOUR OFFERS DELECTABLE TASTINGS, LIVELY COMMENTARY, HISTORY, FACTS, AND WALKING TO WORK IT OFF

Cookie & Keller
Feb 4, 20244 min read


Cruising the light fantastic on NCL's Viva, a floating resort, a fun 'city' with so much to do
VIVA HAS IT ALL: VITALITY, GLITZ, STYLE, OLD WORLD DECORUM, WITH SPIRIT AND MODERN TOUCHES TO APPEAL TO FAMILIES, ROMANTICS OF ALL AGES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" EACH TIME we book a ship, we research the architecture, art and design. It's important for us to be surrounded by intriguing artwork and inviting spaces to explore on these floating resorts. Set your sights on something new, daring and exciting for the new year. Here we

Christene Meyers
Jan 4, 20244 min read


Fun new food, fireworks, family ring in New Year in celebrations around the world
This recipe for Char Siu came from a sweet old Vietnamese woman we met on a bike tour in Vietnam. Ba Diem didn't have specific measurements (like my Irish grandmother.) So improvise and use your best judgment. Here's her ancient and delicious recipe.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 28, 20234 min read


Good grub includes barbecue, gator bites on Cocoa Beach foodie trek
Cocoa Village boasts a super food tasting experience with entrepreneur Halim Urban, who runs his popular tour with wife Jessica. With 20...

Christene Meyers
Oct 26, 20233 min read


Honolulu's Spam Jam fest celebrates canned treat beloved in Hawaii
Four happy Spam Jam patrons head for a picnic table after choosing their dining fare SPAM, SPAM, SPAM....CELEBRATING POPULAR PRODUCT IN HAWAIIAN FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND FUN STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Even Honolulu's doggies get in the "Spam Spirit." SAY WHAT you will about Spam, that pink, salty staple of soldiers in World War II, and a favorite part of every Hawaiian's diet. Spam has longevity, large appeal and love behind it. Nowhere is that affectio

Cookie & Keller
May 4, 20235 min read


Waikiki Trolley in Honolulu, happy place! and things to do - Explore it and have a blast with friends and family
Looking for one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to explore Honolulu? The Waikiki Trolley lets you experience Waikiki, Diamond Head, historic downtown, Pearl Harbor, and more without the hassle of driving, parking, or navigating unfamiliar streets. Hop on, hop off, and discover Oahu at your own pace while enjoying colorful open-air trolleys and entertaining local narration along the way.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 30, 20235 min read


“Brisbane Australia travel guide” bustling, booming, fun, and a nighttime wonderland
Sunny, creative, and effortlessly relaxed, Brisbane blends riverfront beauty with world-class dining, cultural districts, and outdoor adventure. From rooftop bars and art galleries to koala encounters and scenic ferry rides, Queensland’s capital offers travelers a vibrant Australian experience without the crowds of Sydney or Melbourne.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 23, 20235 min read


Vegas food tasting tours offer a royal flush of fun, history, yummy bites
A Taste Buzz Food Tour of the Arts District in Las Vegas offered a fun outing for Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers. Consider...

Christene Meyers
Jan 19, 20234 min read


Road Trip and Holiday delights: try fun and new foods whether home or on the road
Enjoy each day and celebrate holidays with a trip to the beach -- or a favorite restaurant. Here, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers kick holidays up a notch in Vietnam. FOOD, FUN, FINDING A NEW PLACE HIGHLIGHT HOLIDAYS ON THE ROAD and our recipe for holiday jambalaya This Vietnamese meal was prepared for a special holiday gathering at our hotel in then Saigon. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Shopping and schmoozing in the Caribbean, Cookie made a n

Christene Meyers
Dec 29, 20226 min read


Thanksgiving pledge: Let us give thanks for health, happiness, travel, family, food, nature
Thanksgiving pledge: Let us give thanks for health, happiness, travel, family, food, nature

Christene Meyers
Nov 24, 20224 min read
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