top of page
Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Best Circle Island Tour of Oahu by E Noa: Culture, Coastlines & Pure Aloha Spirit
Best comprehensive Oahu tour blends scenery, history, cultural landmarks, island food, personal in an unforgettable day

Cookie & Keller
Apr 167 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


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


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


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! Explore it and have a blast with friends and family
The best hotdog in Honolulu is one of the treats you'll discover aboard the Waikiki Trolley, which offers various tours for discovering this exciting east-meets-west city and Oahu's capital. Here, John's World Famous Hawaii hotdog stand is popular with locals and tourists alike. TAKE THE SCENIC TOUR: HOP ON, OFF WAIKIKI TROLLEY FOR FUN TIME SOAKING UP BEST OF HONOLULU Even on a slightly cloudy day, Waikiki Trolley brings a sunny spin to Honolulu sightseeing. We recommend our

Christene Meyers
Mar 30, 20235 min read


Busy Brisbane: bustling, booming, fun, and a nighttime wonderland
Brisbane's majestic skyline is an impressive, sky-high mix of contemporary architecture, artfully set off by well established trees, and...

Christene Meyers
Mar 23, 20237 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


Spectacular Porto bridge climb yields uphill climb, stunning views
Take your Porto visit to new heights with the Porto Bridge Climb, an unforgettable adventure over the Douro River. Scale the iconic Arrábida Bridge for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, coastline, and vineyards. It’s a thrilling yet accessible experience that offers a unique perspective on one of Portugal’s most scenic destinations.

Cookie & Keller
Oct 27, 20224 min read


Porto Food Tour - Eating a scrumptious trail with history lesson on the side
Our lively "Taste Porto food tour" guide, Ines, walks us through a colorful market, pointing out a bounty of fruits grown near the city, and offering bits of history, architecture and favorite dishes. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Carpe Kiem Kids Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers explore the streets of Porto in a pleasant food and walking tour with top-ranked "Taste Porto." Porto Food Tour - GLORIOUS FOOD! TOUR INCLUDES TASTINGS, HISTORY, WALKING,

Cookie & Keller
Oct 20, 20224 min read


Glorious food enhances a road trip, creates indelible, lasting memories
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you combine open asphalt, a curated playlist, and a cooler packed with delicious secrets. Sure, you can survive on gas station snacks, but why just travel when you can feast? On our latest road trip, we ditched the drive-thru and turned every stop into a culinary discovery—from the best local BBQ tucked away in a tiny roadside trailer to artisanal treats foraged at a farmers market miles from anywhere.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 29, 20224 min read


travel tips Ten Commandments of Travel: Savvy tips to help you savor, remember
A hike above Malta's Blue Grotto offered an opportunity for a picnic and lovely afternoon for Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers. They travel with joy in each new surrounding. PLAN BUT BE FLEXIBLE, EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY, ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, LEARN, MAKE NEW FRIENDS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Plan, but be open to surprise and a spontaneous event. In Tokyo we borrowed umbrellas at a shrine to stroll the gardens in light rain. “I haven't been eve

Christene Meyers
Sep 8, 20226 min read
bottom of page
