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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Hawaii's volcanoes attract worldwide audience of curious tourists
On a blustery but sunny day at Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers take a selfie against the eerie but...

Christene Meyers
Feb 24, 20224 min read


World famous Hilton Waikoloa a Luxury Hotel with art creates intriguing walk-through museum in resort
Our stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village felt like stepping into a Hawaiian paradise. With boats and trams transporting guests across the expansive property, every corner revealed something new—from tranquil lagoons and oceanfront paths to vibrant sunsets over the Pacific. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, this iconic Big Island resort delivers a memorable Hawaiian experience that goes far beyond a typical hotel stay.

Cookie & Keller
Feb 17, 20224 min read



Christene Meyers
Feb 10, 20225 min read


Flying high above Kauai -- splendors in the sky await in airplane tour
Hawaii's fourth largest island, Kauai, is captured from high above the coast in an Air Ventures plane. SMALL PLANE, GREAT NARRATIVE WITH...

Christene Meyers
Feb 3, 20223 min read


Dolphin encounter: Swimming with dolphins a is a treat to cement bond between species
IF YOU YEARN to connect with another species, and have watched the joyful antics of dolphins, there's no better place to bond with these intelligent creatures than a dolphin encounter at Hilton Waikoloa Village's Dolphin Quest.

Cookie & Keller
Jan 27, 20224 min read


Key West Food Tour: Dining delights in munching our way on a tasty, Cuban inspired path through a colorful town
ONE CAN dine like a king, snacking your way through a leisurely few hours in Key West, where the scents and tastes of Cuba and the Caribbean are a very real part of life.
We took a fun foodie's walking and tasting tour and we're going back for seconds!

Cookie & Keller
Jan 20, 20224 min read


Key West legends: Hemingway, Truman shared love of a unique place
THE PRESIDENT who ended World War II and the writer who ran with the bulls in Pamplona loved Key West, Florida. Neither could claim to be a "conch" (native son) -- but each fished the waters and relaxed in the town.
Both men established homes in this laid-back berg, spending treasured days there. Harry Truman escaped Washington D.C.'s cruel winters, spending 11 extended stays during his Presidency,1946-1952. Beginning in 1931, Ernest Hemingway spent a half-dozen years in

Christene Meyers
Jan 13, 20225 min read


Key West charms with activity, history, sun, sand, safety and a fun train to tour the town
With the time, angst and red tape necessary to enjoy foreign travel, U.S. citizens looking for somewhere close can't do better than Key West, Florida.

Cookie & Keller
Jan 6, 20224 min read


Holiday happiness with Family fun and a cherished recipe
Holiday happiness: food, fun, family and a cherished recipe

Christene Meyers
Dec 23, 20213 min read


Morro Bay: play, stay on the bay, with seals, otters and great seafood
Morro Rock stands imposingly and majestically in the waters, as it has for centuries, welcoming tourists and modern-day explorers. The...

Christene Meyers
Dec 16, 20213 min read


Astoria Maritime Museum offers superb look at Pacific Northwest's stormy sea connection
THE MARITIME history of Astoria, Oregon, is one of tumult, terror and triumph.
Many a ship and sailor have been pummeled by the surf -- thrown against the shoals on the treacherous and notorious Columbia River bar.
We learned at this fascinating Astoria maritime museum that the Columbia River has taken at least 2,000 vessels and nearly as many lives.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 9, 20213 min read


Ride the Astoria Trolley to experience culture, fun, food, maritime wonders
Perched where the broad Columbia River meets the Pacific, the historic port town of Astoria blends maritime heritage, artsy charm, and sweeping riverfront views into one unforgettable stop along the Pacific Northwest. Visitors arriving on a voyage with American Cruise Lines often find that the town feels both timeless and lively, where fishing boats, Victorian architecture, and coffee-roasting cafes share the same scenic streets.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 2, 20214 min read


Travel and Traditions: Benefits are family bonding, friendships, global exposure
MY GRANDPARENTS lived next door, so we didn't have far to go to enjoy their guidance and company. Holiday meals at their home were much loved tradition. We sang "Over the River and Through the Woods"with gusto to please Gran Olive, who taught us the melody and her revised lyrics. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Coming shortly after her Nov. 19 birthday, it was an extension of that -- a bonus time together to play music, Scrabble, pinochle and cribbage, to visit, cook a

Cookie & Keller
Nov 25, 20214 min read


Magnificent mariachi band tours, delights, breaks ground for LGBTQ
Founder and band leader of Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, Carlos Samaniego, is a talented, classically trained musician who formed the...

Christene Meyers
Nov 18, 20214 min read


Celebrity Tours - Priscilla Presley: back in Palm Springs, where the couple honeymooned
The Palm Springs home of Elvis and Priscilla Presley is a Celebrity Tours stop. Priscilla Presley talks about the couple's time in the...

Christene Meyers
Nov 11, 20214 min read
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