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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


San Diego theater moves, challenges, enlightens, amuses, engages
The colorful Lyceum Theatre houses San Diego Rep in Horton Plaza. A PLAY-LOVER'S BRAVO! SALUTING FOUR RRIFIC SAN DIEGO COMPANIES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS ART By BRUCE KELLER & THEATER COMPANIES SAN DIEGO'S year-round growing season produces more than lush landscaping. Our city offers a lively and varied theater crop. San Diego theater can't be beat for quality and diversity. I spend time in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, St. Louis, San Francisc

Christene Meyers
Jan 22, 20143 min read


Theater's powerful impact stays in the heart and mind
BEAUTIFUL 'BUTTERFLIES' prompts look at what makes great theater Fabulous acting, subtle direction and a wonderfully rich story make "In the Time of the Butterflies" a class act. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS FILE PHOTO and BRUCE KELLER PHOTO IF YOU'VE seen a play that moved you to tears, a play that you couldn't stop thinking about, you've been "socked in the kisser by art." The San Diego Repertory Theater is producing a fabulous play, "In the Time of the Butterflies," a lyrica

Christene Meyers
Jan 21, 20141 min read


Seville Spain seduces with its architecture, tapas, flamenco and orange trees
Discover the vibrant soul of Andalusia with a journey to Seville, Spain—a city where history and modern life move to the same rhythm. From the haunting passion of flamenco to the intricate beauty of the Alcázar, Seville delights at every turn, offering a rich and unforgettable experience for every traveler.

Cookie & Keller
Jan 17, 20143 min read


New Orleans celebrates life with food, fun, jazz on the river
New Orleans celebrates life with food, fun, jazz on the river

Christene Meyers
Jan 8, 20144 min read


Paella por favor: how about making it a tradition!
This New Year's paella features shrimp, but you can add other seafood, sausage or chicken! Be creative. Happy 2014. PAELLA WILL PLEASE -- PUT YOUR OWN SPIN ON IT FOR A NEW YEAR'S WEEK FEAST This paella, prepared by Ecuador born Carlos Montero, features seafood. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER NOTHING SAYS "eating" in Spain the way the paella pan does. A celebration is underway the moment the pan is placed on the grill. Our favorite paella has plenty of se

Christene Meyers
Jan 4, 20142 min read


Costa Brava Parador Aiguablava offers old world service, sea views, fine food, art, flair
OLD WORLD hospitality meets contemporary design and artful flair in Spain's Parador Aiguablava on the spectacular Costa Brava.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 24, 20134 min read


Costa Brava medieval road trip unveils Spain's pleasures including thousand-year-old villages, furrowed fields and a hardware store!
Step inside Peratallada, a medieval village near Girona where cobblestone streets, ancient stone architecture, and tucked-away dining spots create one of the most enchanting stops on a Costa Brava road trip. Discover why this hidden gem deserves a place on your Spain itinerary.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 20, 20134 min read


Dali Museum Figueres: Road trip delights with originality, love of landscape, analytical thinking, playful theatrical sense
Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí at his most personal and imaginative creation—the Dalí Theatre-Museum. Located in his hometown of Figueres, this museum is more than a gallery; it’s a living work of art that blurs the line between dream and reality.

Christene Meyers
Dec 17, 20135 min read


Salvador Dalí Museum Figueres travel guide: he lived, loved, created with a larger than life approach
Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí in Figueres, Spain, where imagination spills into reality at his iconic museum. This travel guide explores the dreamlike creations, fascinating life, and must-see highlights of the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 13, 20134 min read
Performing arts center has proud history hosting world's top performers
FOX RENOVATION TOOK A LONG AND WINDING ROAD WITH A NAME CHANGE TO HONOR ALBERTA BAIR STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS from archives and...

Christene Meyers
Dec 11, 20133 min read
Performing arts hall appealed to pioneering philanthropist Bair
Corby Skinner and the writer, aka Cookie, were instrumental in the saving and resurrection of the programming at the "old Fox", now ABT....

Christene Meyers
Dec 7, 20133 min read
Flying soon? Tips to help you have the best flight possible
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

Christene Meyers
Nov 30, 20135 min read
Streamline airport security for faster boarding
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

Christene Meyers
Nov 27, 20133 min read
Dine and drink well, but preserve your liver and waistline
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

Christene Meyers
Nov 16, 20133 min read
Documentation, fake jewels and ruthlessness make for savvy packing
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

Christene Meyers
Nov 8, 20134 min read
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