Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

SMALL BUT MIGHTY La JOLLA AQUARIUM CHARMS WITH ITS FINE COLLECTION, EXCELLENT DISPLAY, WITH USER-FRIENDLY CONSERVATIONISM SHOWING OFF LOCAL SEA WONDERS

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.

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.

When the grey whale "breathes," it's through his blowhole, the equivalent of a nostril, a magnificent sound and sight. SETTING SAIL IN...

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

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

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

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.

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

In the title role of Marjorie is Dee Maaske, whom we've followed in two decades at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The versatile Maaske moves skillfully in OSF's Repertory format from contemporary drama and comedy to the classics. It is a treat to have this globe-trotting talent in California for the run of "Marjorie Prime" through Feb. 5. Actors Dee Maaske and Steve Froehlich form a charming couple -- with a futuristic theme -- in "Marjorie Prime." BRILLIANT WRITING, EMPATHIC D

SeaWorld's popular Orca show will no longer be part of the offerings at the internationally famous nature and amusement park. In its...

Remembering famous show biz mama and daughter, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. More on interviews.

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.

Horton Grand Theatre is a perfect venue for the delightfully rendered radio play version of "Miracle on 34th Street." Jennifer Grimm,...

A splendid Georgia mansion built of rare pink marble, known as "Etowah Pink Marble" is decked out for the holidays. Through Dec. 21, the Tate House offers holiday tours, with a delightful luncheon or hors d'oeuvres presentation. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" STELLAR CREATION OF a land baron, philanthropist and tycoon, Tate House -- "the Pink Palace" -- is known throughout the south for its gorgeous pink marble patina and its exquisit