Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

I CRIED when my favorite Queen Elizabeth 2, made her final voyage. It was in 2008. This venerable ship languished for a decade before being converted to a floating hotel in Dubai's Port Rashid in 2018. I'd crossed the Atlantic five times on QE2, sailed the Norwegian fjords in her penthouses, and played piano in her elegant bars. I cried again -- tears of joy -- aboard Queen Mary 2, which revives the stylish tradition of the world's grand ocean liners. Grandeur lives

Crowds on our recent crossing of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence illustrate the overcrowding which is taxing the patience and pocketbooks...

Unlock Europe for less with tourist cards that bundle transport, museum entry, and skip-the-line perks. From Paris to Rome, these passes can save money, time, and stress while helping you see more in fewer days. Discover how to pick the right card for your trip, stretch your budget, and avoid common pitfalls so your itinerary flows smoothly across iconic cities and hidden gems.

Riding the Bernina Express to St. Moritz is one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. This scenic rail adventure climbs through the Swiss Alps, crossing soaring viaducts, gliding past glaciers, and winding through postcard-perfect villages. From dramatic mountain views to engineering marvels, the Bernina Express delivers an unforgettable travel experience on the way to glamorous St. Moritz.

A wide-ranging group of several hundred people watched a spectacular "Hamlet" in Fishtail Family Park. All ages make up the audience...

The most appealing aspect of Montevideo is the friendly, welcoming feeling one gets while strolling its streets, visiting a free museum or enjoying a beverage.

Veteran cruisers, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller have made travel and cruising the world a priority. They offer enthusiastic...

Discover the raw beauty of the American West with a journey through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks—where erupting geysers, roaming wildlife, and jagged mountain peaks create one of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the United States. From iconic landmarks to hidden scenic moments, this guide from WhereIsCookie.com reveals why these neighboring parks deserve a top spot on your travel list.

From playful dolphins to ancient sea turtles gliding through turquoise water, Hawaiian marine life encounters are unforgettable. Snorkeling reefs, watching whales offshore, and respecting the fragile ocean ecosystem reveal the magic beneath the waves. In this WhereIsCookie.com story, discover the sea creatures and coastal moments that make Hawaii’s waters truly extraordinary.

From the rhythm of late-night tango to the aroma of sizzling steaks, Buenos Aires captivates travelers with its unmistakable blend of European elegance and Latin passion. In neighborhoods like San Telmo and La Boca, colorful streets, historic cafés, and lively plazas reveal the city’s artistic soul. Whether you’re strolling grand boulevards, savoring a perfect Argentine steak, or watching dancers glide through a passionate Tango, Buenos Aires invites you to slow down, stay ou

At Palm Springs Tram, the Coachella Valley spreads out in the far distance, looking from the mountain-top vista. Far below is the city of Palm Springs The tram is a great escape when temperatures in Palm Springs can climb to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It's 35-40 degrees cooler at this lovely vista. TRAM RIDE YIELDS GORGEOUS VIEWING PLEASURES HIGH ABOVE PALM SPRINGS Layers are appropriate for Bruce Keller & Christene "Cookie"Meyers in late spring. By early May, the park is war

Our lovely Uruguayan guide, Paulo, takes a mate break at one of our stops. NATIONAL DRINK HAS ANCIENT HISTORY, GIVES JUST THE RIGHT BUZZ...

NOW A QUAINT little tourist town in southwestern Uruguay, Colonia del Sacramento has a rich and stormy history.

Cormorants abound off the tip of South America, with a motor boat trip from Ushuaia. From a distance they resemble penguins, which are...

Antarctica cruise takes travelers deep into the southern hemisphere to view hundreds of penguins

Palm Desert is a haven for sun seekers, hikers, bikers, lovers of the desert and its beauty. Since 1989, tourists and locals alike have...

Hawaiian Culture Tour Learn about ancient Hawaiian traditions, fishponds, and sacred sites while discovering the deep cultural roots of Kualoa. This tour offers valuable insight into the area’s historical significance. Part of the educational fun at Kualoa Ranch is watching workers prepare the harvest for sale in the store on the property, and for demonstrations during various farm tours of this working ranch. KUALOA RANCH OFFERS ADVENTURE, LEARNING ON HORSEBACK, BIKES, MOVIE

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Gratitude comes in family size for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, in center, surrounded by her clan of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted family and the next generation. GATHER TOGETHER, ROLL MERRILY ALONG, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, BE GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Editor's Note: Our annual Thanksgiving essay is dedicated to our American friends and family and extended clan and pals abroad who celebrate their thanks on other days. Cookie and Grandpa Gus on Thanksgiving Day

​WE HAVE long admired the world's railway system. We've logged thousands of pleasant train miles from Australia to the United Kingdom