Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

San Francisco: Where Every Hill Leads to a Story Few cities capture the imagination of travelers quite like San Francisco. Perched between the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and the vast expanse of the San Francisco Bay, the city offers a blend of history, culture, and iconic scenery that feels almost cinematic. For visitors arriving for the first time, the moment the red towers of the Golden Gate Bridge appear through the morning fog is unforgettable—a welcome to one

A visit to Alcatraz Island is more than just a trip to a former prison—it’s a journey through history, mystery, and unforgettable views of San Francisco. From the scenic ferry ride across the bay to the immersive cellhouse tour, discover why Alcatraz is one of the most unique and essential stops for any San Francisco itinerary.

Not every cruise is right for every traveler. From large resort-style ships to intimate luxury vessels, choosing the right cruise line can make the difference between a good vacation and an unforgettable one. Here's how to decide which cruise line, ship, and itinerary best fits the way you like to travel.

Arslan's plates are pretty, the prices are reasonable, and the quality remains high.This is a place where the chef talks to you while he warms your lamb, sautes your onions and heats your pita bread!

Dreams inspire trip, tattoos; roadies set off with a poem POEM by CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS by BRUCE KELLER This week, twin dreams came down to us with travel forecasts bold. Our vision puts us on the road (We're doing what we're told.) Midlife crisis? Call us nuts. For sticks and stones don't phase us. We're grabbing gusto, bucket listing, singing, playing, praise us! We've bought twin Harleys, new tattoos so on the road we

Pansies are perennial favorites in Ashland, Oregon, and this one was part of a shop windowbox display. STORY by Christene Meyers ...

All roads lead to Rome for her grandeur and gaudiness, her enticing ethnic mix, her intoxicating blend of elegance and bawdiness. Here is a city which hosts the Pope and more women in tight pants than anywhere else in the world. So a salute to Francis and sexy women. Why should they be mutually exclusive? Where else can you admire hundreds of statues and monuments paying homage to the human form, then round a corner to come face to face with a $12-shop-window apron

A flurry of birds is caught in motion at a feeder at High Chaparral on the West Fork of the Stillwater River in Montana . Story by Christene Meyers Photos by Bruce Keller AS LONG as I can recall, birds have flitted around me, delighting and entrancing. In the mountains of Montana, the countryside of Tuscany, hiking trails in Ireland and Scotland, desert treks in Arizona, rain forests in Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil, I've always stopped to look, admire and a

Days ago, we went down the rabbit hole. We happened upon Queen Califia's Magical Circle on a driving trip. The magnificent creation of the late French artist Niki de Saint Phalle is quietly dazzling.

Story by Christene Meyers Photos by Bruce Keller Cookie and Keller enjoy sunset. IF THE airlines awarded miles for doggie travel, Nick and Nora would have logged over 50,000 miles each in their action-packed seven years. Mostly, they go where we go, by plane or car. They're happy little road-trippers. So we've started keeping track of the best of the "dog friendly" hotels we've visited recently. We estimate that Nick and Nora have bedded down with us in

The Ashland Springs Hotel holds center stage on Main Street. Writing by Christene Meyers Photos by Bruce Keller One of my favorite William Holden movies is "Shangri-la." It's set in a Utopian village in the Himalayas and director Frank Capra captures beautiful mountains, soothing forests and low-hanging clouds that seem to say "touch me, come in, enjoy." It is a magical place. Shangri-la lives! The hotel's gracious lobby is artfully decorated in the styl

Planning the perfect San Diego getaway? This San Diego waterfront itinerary highlights sun-soaked coastal adventures, must-see attractions, and unforgettable experiences along one of California’s most beautiful shorelines.

THE SUMMER of 1968 was a memorable one for this reporter. I was not yet 20, but that year I fell in love with my writing professor, traveled to Europe with a girlfriend, covered the Miss America pageant, joined a women's rights protest, interviewed Playboy Bunnies and danced with Diane Keaton on the stage of "Hair."

I miss them. On a recent, rare melancholy rainy San Diego day, I thought of them: Of all the plays they’ve missed since they died – mum in 2008 and Robbie two years later in 2010. Of how much joy they received from travel – we had many trips together. Thinking how they'd both have voted

Editor's Note: This story was written a few years before Meyers and Keller were married in a pop-up ceremony during a family reunion in her native state, Montana. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS: VINTAGE and BRUCE KELLER The famous photo taken on VJ Day at Times Square,1945, inspired the "Kiss" sculpture that inspired this column. Top photo: Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers on a date in San Diego. THIS VALENTINE'S week, with "The Kiss" statue back in San Diego, I'm taki