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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Fairfield Park Inn Montana: A Peaceful Stay Surrounded by Big Sky Beauty
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Montana, Fairfield Park Inn offers travelers a relaxing retreat and road trip with easy access to nature, small-town charm, and unforgettable Big Sky views. It’s the perfect base for exploring Montana’s rugged beauty while enjoying comfort and convenience.

Christene Meyers
Oct 17, 20144 min read


Helena bed and breakfast offers history, pride, piano, family ties, fun and location
The Barrister Bed and Breakfast in Helena offers a warm, history filled stay in a stately mansion near the cathedral. BROTHER AND SISTER ACT MAKE THE BARRISTER B&B A HAPPY, HISTORIC HIT Beverages are available in the dining room, which sports a portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II. The Barrister takes its name from its owner's law career. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Special touches and an artful eye mark each Barrister guest room. THE BARRISTER B&B is th

Christene Meyers
Oct 14, 20145 min read


Jackson Hole Wyoming Travel Guide: Road Trip Fun, Western Charm & the Jackson Hole Playhouse Experience
A stop in Jackson, the heart of Jackson Hole, delivers the perfect mix of mountain scenery, Western charm, and lively entertainment. From strolling the iconic town square to enjoying a hilarious dinner show at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, it’s a road trip destination packed with unforgettable fun.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 30, 20143 min read


Queen Mary turns 80 this week, and we're all invited to her birthday in Long Beach
Commodore Everette Hoard welcomes the public aboard the Queen Mary this Friday for an 80th birthday party. HAIL AND LONG LIVE THE LOVELY QUEEN MARY Guests still check in as they did decades ago, in a glamorous lobby. Aboard the Queen Mary, a sea gull may be attending Friday's party! HISTORIC OCEAN LINER HAS PROUD HISTORY, IMPRESSIVE ROSTER OF LINER-LOVING CELEBRITIES STORY BY CHRIST

Christene Meyers
Sep 23, 20144 min read


Red Lodge retreat: glorious haven and the Pollard's the place
HISTORIC HOTEL LURES VACATIONERS FOR A DAY, A WEEK OR A FINE MEAL The venerable Pollard, with the year's first snow, welcomes visitors from around the world. Below, a sampling of its atmosphere, where diners sip cocktails, and await the feast. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER RED LODGE – Since the Pollard Hotel began a serious spiffing up more than a decade ago, its inviting atmosphere continues to lure vacationers, locals and regulars for fine food and a s

Christene Meyers
Sep 12, 20143 min read


Why visit Lisbon: alive with art, sailing lore, food, fun and frolic
Lisbon, Portugal delightful city awaiting your discovery and our stay in the renowned Altis Belem Hotel in the Belem district, near famed Belem Tower.

Cookie & Keller
Aug 1, 20144 min read


Hearst Castle California coast tour shows off one man's dream -- his eclectic artistic vision
Perched high above the Pacific Ocean, Hearst Castle is a dazzling blend of opulence, history, and coastal beauty. From its grand rooms filled with European art to sweeping ocean views along the rugged California coastline, this iconic estate offers a glimpse into a world of luxury unlike any other.

Cookie & Keller
Jul 11, 20144 min read


Travel tight rope: take a road less traveled,but balance planning with spontaneity
TRAVELER'S BALANCING ACT: HAVING A GOOD TIME MEANS ENJOYING THE MOMENT, BUT BEING READY TO BE SPONTANEOUS, SMELL THE ROSES One of the continent's largest markets was a surprise find for our travelers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS The rugged Costa Brava provided a scenic vista with surprising views. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER MY GRANDFATHER said, "When a plum falls from the sky, open your mouth." Thanks for the wisdom, gramps. I've enjoyed many a "plum" on yo

Christene Meyers
Jun 14, 20144 min read


Fort Lauderdale by water taxi - a relaxing way to see the sights, homes, foliage
THE WATER taxis glide by the town's exciting nightlife, outdoor eateries, the famous shops of Las Olas Boulevard, beautiful beaches, yacht clubs and majestic cruise ships traveling in and out of Port Everglades. Nothing worldwide compares to Fort Lauderdale's Intracoastal Waterway. Its lovely canals are so unique and beautiful, they have earned Fort Lauderdale the moniker “Venice of America.” Water Taxi is the best way to see them!

Christene Meyers
May 27, 20144 min read


Cabo San Lucas travel guide -- with wowing rocks, top beaches, glass blowing, shopping and a peaceful mission
Looking for the perfect mix of beaches, adventure, and nightlife? This Cabo San Lucas travel guide covers why this Baja destination is a must-visit from iconic views to unforgettable ocean experiences. And don't miss a side trip to Todos Santos and Hotel California

Cookie & Keller
May 16, 20144 min read


Costa Rica's allure includes howler monkeys, old trees, sky bridges
Costa Rica's allure includes howler monkeys, old trees, sky bridges. This well educated country attracts ex-pats from abroad for its natural wonders.

Cookie & Keller
May 9, 20143 min read


Puerto Vallarta's pleasures: sprinkled with sand, laced with movie lore
FANCY YACHTS sway at anchor in Puerto Vallarta's beautiful marina, while vacationers stroll the harbor's boardwalk, pausing to browse in boutiques, photograph the port's famous boy-sea horse sculpture, or sip a cool drink.

Cookie & Keller
May 6, 20144 min read


Renting a car for foreign travel can be fun with advance planning
AVOID TROUBLE BY DOCUMENTING EVERYTHING, PHOTOGRAPHING DAMAGE, OBSERVING LOCAL SIGNS Renting a car abroad -- here in Sardinia -- calls for advance planning. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER RENTING A CAR while traveling abroad can be unnerving. Daunting questions arise: What do you do about a bang or a ding noticed before you take the car out of the lot? How will you transcend a language barrier? Do you book at home before you go, or wait and take your cha

Christene Meyers
Feb 18, 20144 min read


Long live the Queen (Mary) for her lore, lure and romance
The Queen Mary has a long, proud history and was saved from the scrap heap by the city of Long Beach. The revelry aboard the Queen Mary includes vintage dress for special events. WORLD'S ONCE GRANDEST LINER LIVES A LIVELY LIFE IN LONG BEACH Keller and Cookie flank Commodore Hoard on Queen Mary. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ABOARD the Queen Mary, there's always adventure. If you want to schedule it, you can, on a series of entertaining tours which take in

Christene Meyers
Feb 14, 20144 min read


Queen Mary floats on with flair, history, as a legend in Long Beach
VISIT TO GRAND DAME SHIP REKINDLES DREAMS OF HER GLORY DAYS The Queen Mary is aglow with lights and a special Diana Exhibit, along with her hotel and dining options. Parties are a Queen Mary tradition; these two "put on the Ritz." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IN MY DREAMS , I'm holding my grandmother's white-gloved hand as we enter the reception area of the Queen Mary. It's the 1950s and I'm a little girl. We're setting off on a glamorous Atlantic cro

Christene Meyers
Feb 11, 20144 min read


Dali Museum Figueres: Road trip delights with originality, love of landscape, analytical thinking, playful theatrical sense
Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí at his most personal and imaginative creation—the Dalí Theatre-Museum. Located in his hometown of Figueres, this museum is more than a gallery; it’s a living work of art that blurs the line between dream and reality.

Christene Meyers
Dec 17, 20135 min read
Dine and drink well, but preserve your liver and waistline
A BIT OF CONTROL HELPS AND YOU STILL INDULGE ON YOUR HOLIDAY Dining and drinking are pleasures of travel, here new friends! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" SO YOU'RE loving your Caribbean cruise, Spanish parador, Rio hotel, Mexican casita, or Cotswolds B&B. Maybe you're with your favorite cousins exploring San Francisco. Hiking across Spain. Or enjoying a theater marathon in New York. Eating is one of the great pleasures of life, and

Christene Meyers
Nov 16, 20133 min read
Documentation, fake jewels and ruthlessness make for savvy packing
TRAVEL LIGHT: DON'T LUG BOTTLES OR TAKE WHAT YOU CAN EASILY BUY 'OVER THERE' Nearly everything you might forget can be easily purchased, usually cheaply, while on holiday. So don't stress. This ship stateroom may be furnished with duty free beverages, so avoid bulky, heavy bottles in your baggage. Pick up a bottle or two of wine at your destination. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" REMEMBER , the globe is shrinking with technology and t

Christene Meyers
Nov 8, 20134 min read


Alpenhof Lodge Grand Teton, a European chalet in the American West
Europeans love the Alpenhof Lodge, tucked against the spectacular Grand Teton Range in Wyoming.
The inn has the ambiance of a Swiss or Austrian chalet, with flowers in the window boxes, a full hot breakfast, and Old World hospitality. It even has a yodeling website!

Cookie & Keller
Oct 9, 20134 min read


World's top hotels deliver service, quality, attention, special touches
Oversized European soaking tubs, eco-friendly products, robes and slippers await at Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle. Room with a view,...

Christene Meyers
Oct 5, 20135 min read
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