Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Valenca, in the far north of Portugal, offers a relaxing, artistic place to visit for a few days. Sturdy, stunning buildings date back to...

Hooray for Hollywood, where the famous letters stand in a well preserved forest near Griffith Observatory.  A day on the road with...

The views from the top floor of "Hop on and Hop Off" buses are usually splendid. Here, the bus passes under a beautiful ceiling of trees...

High atop Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge, with the iconic Sydney Opera House at the far right, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce...

Luiz, our fine Brazilian born guide in Porto, Portugal, took us around the city to its hidden corners as well as exploring its famous...

Architect's imagination and reverence for nature highlight his 'La Pedrera,' in Barcelona STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy a moment of reflection outside Gaudi's Casa Mila, or "La Pedrera." The curved "attic" of Casa Mila is a museum on its own, with drawings, exhibits and models showing the profound influence nature had on Gaudi's life's work. WHEN THE brilliant architect Antoni Gaudi was struck by a tram on a

In Amsterdam, your canal tour boat will slow down so that you can actually see seven bridges lined up.  Bruce Keller took this photo at...

Victoria, British Columbia, is a wonderful place to stroll, look and eat! The top-ranked food tasting tour in Canada is waiting for you on your next visit to this charming, ethnically varied city.  CULINARY WONDERS AWAIT -- FROM HISTORIC PUB TO FRENCH PATISSERIE TO A GOURMET HOLE IN THE WALL STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Our tasting tour began at Roast Meat and Sandwich Shop, where we devoured delectable meatballs in a satisfying sauce. WE ALWAYS look for

Before the restaurant opened  to the public, our small tasting group was invited in to El Siboney, a small, family-run eatery part of an enjoyable food tasting tour in Key West, Florida.   Conch fritters are on the menu at Mangoes, a lively fish eatery in Key West. The walking tour features five fun restaurants and lots of local history. Pork, beans and rice are a staple of the Cuban diet here served casually at El Siboney.  CUBAN FOOD, VINTAGE CARS, MUSIC, COFFEE SCENERY SUG

A helicopter weaves through the rocks of Sedona's fabled landscape. Passengers number only six, plus the pilot. It's an exciting way to...

A grey whale's breech brought gasps and cheers this week aboard Flagship's Marietta in San Diego. The family owned company offers a...

"Thare she blows" and then there she goes after taking a breath of air. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Boarding a boat bound for whale watching is one of life's loveliest pleasures. We've watched whales here in California and around the world, and love the opportunities around Oxnard, Calif. One of our favorite California boating enterprises, Island Packers, successfully weathered the Covid storms of a few years and is thriving with some of the world's best

Donkey Tours of Barcelona boasts one of the most engaging guides two veteran travelers have experienced in decades of globe trotting. ...

The glories of the Amalfi Coast come alive with Can't Be Missed Tours, known for intimate exposure to the landscape. The personalized...

A young fireman, James Brian Ganner, rings the bell and gives thumbs up for a delightful family-oriented tour. A beautiful vintage fire...

SAN DIEGO WHALE WATCH OFFERS FINE CLOSE-UP VIEWS OF WHALES AS THEY PASS BY PROVIDING THRILLS FOR WHALE WATCHERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

UNIQUE AUSTRALIAN ARTWORK JAZZES UP MELBOURNE'S HIDDEN VENUES The variety and caliber of Melbourne's graffiti varies greatly, but the center portrait especially caught our eye. Bruce Keller poses with an enchanting mural painted on a Melbourne, Australia, alley wall.  Above right, Cookie listens while a guide shares fascinating tidbits about her city.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WE ALL  know the sadness and frustration of seeing a beautiful wall, bridge

Cookie hamming it up with temp Maori tattoo SLICE OF MAORI LIFEREMAINS WITH TRAVELERSIN MEMORIES OF GENTLEPEOPLE, HOMEMADE GOODIESAND BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN Okains Bay encourages families to live there, providing cheap lodging in exchange for children learning the Maori language. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER We left historic Akaroa, founded in 1840 by the French, for a 50-mile plus drive.  We were met by a group of school children who welcomed us with song and

DANISH ARCHITECT UTZON'S VISIONARY BUILDING IS A TRUE MASTERPIECE Tourists from around the globe tour Sydney Opera House, enjoy tastings and see plays, dance and concerts in many venues. After the tour, enjoy dumplings, oysters,  shrimp; Below, the "sails" from under them. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IT RANKS  with the architectural wonders of the world. The Sydney Opera House is like no other building. Famous for its gorgeous shells -- resembling the sh

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER It’s  spring  in San Diego!  The dolphins  are racing, the whales are heading south...