Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

The Bluewater Boathouse, near Hotel del Coronado stands stately on a recent rainy evening.  The restaurant mimics the beautiful Hotel Del architecture, lovely by day or night. Hornblower Cruises offers a lovely dinner cruise, passing under the majestic Coronado Bridge with a view of  The Del and the Boathouse. Consider Hornblower for its popular Sights and Sips. 'THE ISLAND' HAS CHARM, EXCITING DINING, GREAT THEATER, A CLASSIC CALIFORNIA HOTEL STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS

Penelope Margaret and James Brian Ganner prepare their take off for a day of frolic at Legoland, north of San Diego. Ready for their...

Peggy Sue's diner is a classic '50s diner, with fine food and a treasure trove of  movie memorabilia collected by its owners. Dine with...

The high-energy cast of "Beachtown" includes Jason Heil as Steve Novak, mayor of Beachtown, Lee Ann Kim as Susan Suhiro, town archivist....

Cookie's favorite royal, the late Queen Mum, sported a jaunty hat when she joined journalists and travel writers for her daughter's 1977...

Sean Murray's Fredrik Egerman and Karole Foreman's Desiree Armfeldt create a believable, touching couple in Cygnet Theatre's marvelous...

Dublin's famous Temple Bar was a pub stop on a memorable tour of Ireland with Cookie's late mother, Ellen, who played piano there and...

The Louvre Museum stands proud into the centuries, photographed from the Seine on a recent trip. And don't  miss our favorite Musee d"orsay nearby.  Housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900, it houses many well known works of a more contemporary vein.  The Pont Alexandre is one of the world's most lavish bridges, and a much photographed Paris icon. MONUMENTS, MUSEUMS, MUSIC AND MEMORIES LURE LOVERS BACK TO THE LORE, ROMANCE,

All aboard for a fabulous time aboard the charming St. Kitts Scenic Railway -- into the lush tropical Caribbean environment. ALL ABOARD...

Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on St. Croix is the longest stretch of beach in the U.S Virgin Islands. This beautiful beach is a...

Santorini's rugged hillsides are shaped by volcanic eruptions of more than 3,000 years ago. A tram offers a pleasant ride up. Close-up of...

A gray whale breaches off San Diego's Point Loma.  The action isn't completely understood, but may be "spy hopping" to get a physical...

Five versatile actors deftly portray 42 colorful characters in a delightful production of "Around the World in 80 Days" held over at...

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is known worldwide for its dramatic bridge towers.Since 1941, it has been featured  in a wide range of...

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