Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

UP, UP AND AWAY WITH SOME TIPS FOR A QUIETER, HEALTHIER TRIP STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Once you're up, up and away, a few pointers can help you arrive not terribly exhausted, and perhaps even rested! NOW THAT we can work on our tablets and read our e-books during many phases of flight, the airways are increasingly user friendly. But if you're flying "across the pond" -- over either ocean, East or West -- or over the Rockies, mayb

NEW 'PRE-CHECK' OPTION LETS YOU THROUGH WITHOUT REMOVING SHOES! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Options DID YOU know that you can greatly simplify your transit through the airport TSA by purchasing a pre-check screening option? It costs $85 but lasts several years and is worth its weight in platinum. NEARLY 100 airports participate in this expedited arrangement. We found out about this by chance, when we were randomly selected to t

A BIT OF CONTROL HELPS AND YOU STILL INDULGE ON YOUR HOLIDAY Dining and drinking are pleasures of travel, here new friends! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" SO YOU'RE loving your Caribbean cruise, Spanish parador, Rio hotel, Mexican casita, or Cotswolds B&B. Maybe you're with your favorite cousins exploring San Francisco. Hiking across Spain. Or enjoying a theater marathon in New York. Eating is one of the great pleasures of life, and

TRAVEL LIGHT: DON'T LUG BOTTLES OR TAKE WHAT YOU CAN EASILY BUY 'OVER THERE' Nearly everything you might forget can be easily purchased, usually cheaply, while on holiday. So don't stress. This ship stateroom may be furnished with duty free beverages, so avoid bulky, heavy bottles in your baggage. Pick up a bottle or two of wine at your destination. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" REMEMBER , the globe is shrinking with technology and t

Economize, pack light, think layers, develop a color theme STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER You'll want clothes that look...

It was late November when Keller and Cookie toured Lisbon last. LONDON IN SPRING, LISBON IN FALL MAKE SMART SENSE FOR THE ENTERPRISING TRAVELER STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS, PHOTOS BY BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" It's a lovely feeling to arrive in a foreign destination and not feel crushed, crowded or surrounded by other tourists. The harbor in Toulon, France, off season in early December. HERE ARE more tips on making the most of your time and money, thinking outside th

Europeans love the Alpenhof Lodge, tucked against the spectacular Grand Teton Range in Wyoming. The inn has the ambiance of a Swiss or Austrian chalet, with flowers in the window boxes, a full hot breakfast, and Old World hospitality. It even has a yodeling website!

Oversized European soaking tubs, eco-friendly products, robes and slippers await at Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle. Room with a view,...

When the hotel siren sings seductive songs, answer the call and book yourself in! Las Vegas has some of the world's top hotels, and the...

Escape to a world of dreams, moonlight and indulgence on a barge trip or cruise. We celebrated our 100th cruise on Carnival Miracle. Try a relaxing week on the water for a rejuvenating break I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders, from the Dardanelles to the mountains of Peru..... --from "Sweeney Todd" and the song, "No Place Like London" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER One of the world/s prettiest harbors is in St. Thomas. LIKE Anthony in "Sweeney Tod

Riding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad from Skagway is one of Alaska’s most scenic excursions. Built during the Klondike Gold Rush, the historic train climbs steep mountain passes, crossing trestle bridges and waterfalls on its way to White Pass Summit. It’s a breathtaking journey through gold rush history and rugged wilderness.

A HOTEL WITH HEART, AMBIANCE, SOCIAL CONSCIENCE, TOP-NOTCH SERVICE The Pan Pacific Hotel's appointments are artful and Asian inspired, creating an atmosphere both soothing and stimulating. Above, a view from the 10th floor elevator and at right, the tastefully decorated lobby. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THROUGH MY years of travel, I've developed two hotel ratings lists -- "top ten" and "ten worst." It changes with new finds -- sublime inns and gu

Seattle is at its best viewed from the water. Options include ferry, Argosy boat or private sail on lovely Far Niente yacht. FAR NIENTE...

Cruising's pleasures heightened by exhilarating Alaskan adventure

Take a walk in a garden to cure what ails you Dahlias recall the photographer's childhood with his mother painting and arranging flowers and his dad growing them. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Apples and sunflowers glisten in September sun. MY PARTNER and the photographer for our essays has a soft spot in his heart for flowers. No surprise. His mother, Jean, painted them -- lilies, tulips, chrysanthemums, daisies, the exotic orange