Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

The season carries many meanings whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, or simply the turning of the year.

Introducing our family to the pleasures of our much loved Hawaii added pleasure to the trip in many ways. Here we are -- Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers, at left, with our Bay Area family, the Ganners: Steve, James, Amarylla and Peny, on the shores of Hilton's Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island. Story By Christene Meyers Photos By Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" WE LOVE to travel with our niece, nephew-in-law and their kids. Seeing a new place with a youngster g

The Barcelona Card is one of the easiest ways for visitors to explore the vibrant city of Barcelona while saving both time and money. Designed for travelers who want to see more and stress less, this official tourist card bundles free public transportation with discounted or free entry to many of the city’s top museums and attractions. Instead of juggling tickets and waiting in lines, the Barcelona Card lets you focus on what matters most—wandering historic neighborhoods, adm

The Lisboa Card includes free admission to many of the buildings reflecting the city's rich history -- the Jerónimos Monastery, Saint Jorge Castle, and many more. The Lisboa Card includes transport to and from Lisbon Airport via metro

Guy Fawkes Day in Yorkshire celebrates a plot's failure with bonfires, fireworks, plot toffee and fun.

A pumpkin carving contest on Queen Mary 2, offered a mix of spooky and amusing results, some irreverent, some ghoulish. Travelers find Halloween displays along with Day of the Dead and All Saints Day decor in hotels in Europe, Mexico, and other countries around the world as autumn holidays and celebrations merge and overlap. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" ALL THE WORLD seems to enjoy a celebration, be it pagan inspired or religious bas

Autumn in New York Central Park with Cookie

WE'RE BUS junkies. We've toured dozens of the world's great cities by bus and for our time and money, there's no better tour operation. It's a reliable, pleasant, economical choice. The worldwide company Big Bus Tours offers sightseeing tours in many cities around the globe. We've hopped on and off Big Bus in Sydney, Singapore, London, Paris, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles and recently in Vancouver.

We are working to update and transfer more than 800 articles and thousands of photos. Whereiscookie.com our new website, will offer the same tips and insights you've come to enjoy in 13 years and more than 150 countries, dozens of performances and nature stories.

Tippet Rise nature and music converge

Vancouver: bustling, busy city with multiple attractions including a splendid museum with Canada's finest artists

Discover North America’s top cities with Big Bus Tours. Hop-on hop-off buses make sightseeing easy while visiting famous landmarks and neighborhoods with a popular hop-on, hop-off format that operates open-top double-decker bus tours in many of the world’s top travel destinations. The flexible routes stop at major landmarks and attractions, allowing visitors to explore cities at their own pace while listening to guided commentary about the history, culture and highlights

World class San Diego Maritime Museum offers ships, subs, displays, nautical history and a fun cruise on San Diego Bay

A men's bathroom in Singapore offers greenery along with sparkling clean urinals. Not all bathrooms abroad are as clean or nicely...

Seeing a whale's fluke, as we've done off the coast of San Diego, is a thrill to remember EPIC WHALE WATCHING SEASON CONTINUES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller about to board City Cruises' Hornblower Adventure for a thrilling whale watching time. ONCE YOU'VE thrilled to the sight of a whale's fluke, or heard the whoosh of air from his blow hole, you're hooked. Seeing a mom and calf, even better

Dolphin bonanza: we happened to be on the water when a pod of 5,000 dolphins hit the coast off southern California. This close-up of one of them shows what spectacular creatures they are. THIS WEEK'S FEATURE: Whale watch! WHALE OF A TALE IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS WHERE DOLPHINS ARE THE MAIN EVENT ON DELIGHTFUL ADVENTURE STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Whale watching in Ventura THE MIGRATION of the whale is one of nature's most impressive odysseys. Being on

Dream big and start checking off that travel bucket list idea. From gliding across continents on sleek trains to drifting along storied rivers by boat or soaring over oceans by plane, the world is waiting. Promise yourself one unforgettable journey this year—ride a legendary rail line, cruise a hidden waterway, or fly somewhere you’ve always dreamed of. Adventure begins the moment you decide to go.

Sail in style with Celebrity Cruises, where modern luxury meets exceptional value. From world-class dining and chic design to attentive service and curated shore experiences, every detail feels elevated—without the ultra-luxury price tag. Discover why savvy travelers choose Celebrity for a refined cruise that delivers more for your money

Autumn is a perfect time to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota's Black Hills. Fine fall weather is predicted for the...

Gondolas line the canals of Venice, offering rides with serenades and views you won't see anywhere else. SAVOR THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST ELEGANT CITIES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" VENICE MAY be sinking inch by inch, but her allure rises each year. So popular is the classic Italian destination -- with its gondolas, piazzas and bridges -- that the city started charging an entry fee -- a so-called tourist tax. B