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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Holy Week in Jerusalem: Pilgrims flock to renovated tomb of Jesus
Believer or not, it's easy to be moved by the religious history of the splendid city of Jerusalem. Here, Cookie pauses enroute to the Church of the Holy Seprelcre to see the now complete and laborious restoration of the tomb of Jesus. ANCIENT SACRED SITE GETS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FACELIFT TO USHER IN HOLY DAYS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Associated Press JUST IN TIME for Passover and Easter, a crack Greek restoration team unveiled an elabora

Christene Meyers
Apr 14, 20173 min read


Seattle based Candere Cruising offers delightfully different day on the waterways
Cruising Lake Union and Lake Washington, and Sailing the Puget Sound are the most unique things to do in Seattle. After 10 years, our reputation speaks for itself. Join us for Seattle's best boat tours and create memories to last a lifetime. Our intimate experiences include private Seattle Sailing charters on the Puget Sound, Sightseeing and Floating home boat tours on Lake Union, and adventures to Blake Island for day hikes and overnight camping!

Cookie & Keller
Mar 31, 20174 min read


Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, San Diego a treasure and imaginative homage to the sea
SMALL BUT MIGHTY La JOLLA AQUARIUM CHARMS WITH ITS FINE COLLECTION, EXCELLENT DISPLAY, WITH USER-FRIENDLY CONSERVATIONISM SHOWING OFF LOCAL SEA WONDERS

Christene Meyers
Mar 24, 20173 min read


Anza-Borrego spring wildflower bloom is a bonanza frenzy takes the town
Mother Nature makes artful bouquets by the thousands on the desert floor of Anza Borrego State Park. The white blooms of the desert chicory poke up through the lavender of the sand verbena.

Christene Meyers
Mar 17, 20174 min read


Clifton's in Los Angeles - an eccentric wonder world of food, art, kitsch, tradition
Clifton's in Los Angeles "It's unlike anything you might imagine," said our friend Sue, a native Angelina. She grew up as a Clifton's patron, coming to the cafeteria with her family and still enjoying the occasional Clifton's foray today. She was right. Nothing like it.

Christene Meyers
Mar 10, 20174 min read


Flagship Grey whale watch: wondrous creatures of the deep visit our 'back yard'
When the grey whale "breathes," it's through his blowhole, the equivalent of a nostril, a magnificent sound and sight. SETTING SAIL IN...

Christene Meyers
Mar 3, 20174 min read


Malaga Automobile museum rides high with fashion, fun, flair
Malaga Automobile museum rides high with fashion, fun flair. Luxury meets art and fashion in Malaga's unique car and gown display.

Cookie & Keller
Feb 24, 20173 min read


King's Highway hike is one of Spain's finest and most challenging
When Cookie first set eyes on this bridge -- one of several on King's Walkway, not far from Malaga -- she nearly turned back..... ...but Cookie persisted and joined Bruce Keller and our amiable Viator guide Jose to scale the walkway and survive to climb again. Kings Highway hike near Malaga We recommend the fun and safety of Viator's tour of this astonishing place. RECOVERING COWARD FINDS HER METTLE TESTED HIGH ABOVE THE TREES IN SOUTHERN SPAIN STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHO

Christene Meyers
Feb 17, 20174 min read


Treat your sweets to a play, concert, cruise, balloon for Valentine's Day
A theatrical Valentine awaits in "Freaky Friday," at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Wherever on the planet you are, consider a play or concert to create an artful, memorable Valentine's Day Make your Valentine happy at a play -- here approaching La Jolla Playhouse's beautiful Mandell Weiss Theater. "Freaky Friday" is the current production. BE ARTFUL ON THE DAY OF ROMANCE: THINK THE ARTS, WATER, SKY how about a wonderful musical, dinner on the water, picnic, reaching for

Christene Meyers
Feb 10, 20174 min read


Andalusia road trip features parador's charms with a magical mix of music, nature, history, art, bull fights and fine dining
Discover one of the most scenic stays in southern Spain at the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro. With panoramic views over Málaga and easy access to historic landmarks, this stop is a highlight of any Andalusia road trip itinerary.

Cookie & Keller
Feb 3, 20175 min read


Mary Tyler Moore's fictional newsroom had real Montana counterpart
Mary Tyler Moore's show featured an independent, confident, funny woman. GROUNDBREAKING TV SERIES CHANGED THE WORLD'S TAKE ON CAREER WOMEN STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS courtesy Larry Mayer, Billings Gazette and CBS THE DEATH this week of Mary Tyler Moore brought a flood of bittersweet memories of the early 1970s when I was establishing my career as a journalist. While Moore's fictional Mary Richards was fighting for the modern woman, I was a young reporter in Montana, on

Christene Meyers
Jan 27, 20176 min read


Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The versatile Intriguing, endearing theater takes the chill out of soggy January days
In the title role of Marjorie is Dee Maaske, whom we've followed in two decades at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The versatile Maaske...

Christene Meyers
Jan 20, 20174 min read
Changes at Sea World include a natural 'encounter' for Orca lovers
SeaWorld's popular Orca show will no longer be part of the offerings at the internationally famous nature and amusement park. In its...

Christene Meyers
Jan 13, 20174 min read


Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher: a tribute to two blazing talents
Remembering famous show biz mama and daughter, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. More on interviews.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 30, 20165 min read


Welk Theater Escondido visit brings nostalgic memories of 1950s childhood
Discover why the Welk Theater in Escondido delivers one of the most charming and intimate live performance experiences in Southern California, blending nostalgia, talent, and comfort.

Christene Meyers
Dec 23, 20163 min read
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