Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

The Elvis Presley home in Palm Springs is a major attraction and a striking presence, with its unusual modern design. DESERT RATS: TAKE THE STARS TOUR, SEE WHERE THEY LIVED AND PLAYED IN PALM SPRINGS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS Palm Springs and its star-studded list of residents came about because the studios wanted to keep stars close to L.A. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THE STARS come out in Palm Springs. Or at least star-gazers do. Many of the greats who once luxuriated in t

Fort Lauderdale's beautifully renovated Hilton Double Tree Gallery One offers all-suite accommodations, gorgeous views of the city's famous waterways, a handsomely designed patio for relaxing and dining, fine contemporary artwork and easy access to the city's famed Water Taxi service which makes a regular stop here. Here's the view from our suite. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER On a recent sunny day, Fort Lauderdale's popular Water Taxis were enjoyed by an

A fine place to start your tour of Madrid is at the Royal Palace, where nearby is an 8th Century Arab wall. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS...

Toledo stands proud on the plains of La Mancha, a testimony to the possibility that three cultures can coexist in peace. HISTORIC CITY IS...

Donkey Tours of Barcelona boasts one of the most engaging guides two veteran travelers have experienced in decades of globe trotting. ...

When Vesuvius erupted, the explosion covered nearby Pompeii, but not as deeply as Ercolano, thus the preservation. ANCIENT RUINS OFFER...

The glories of the Amalfi Coast come alive with Can't Be Missed Tours, known for intimate exposure to the landscape. The personalized...

Each room of Filoli is artfully decorated for the holidays. This one showcases a painting of the flower-loving second owner. UNIQUE...

Here in late November, Paris streets are not jam-packed as in the summer. Here, the boulevard by Notre Dame Cathedral is sparsely...

With her sails unfurled, the world's oldest still functioning sailing vessel will soon take to San Diego Bay. WORLD'S OLDEST STILL...

The Dukes of Dixieland have been around New Orleans for decades. They specialize in traditional New Orleans jazz. THE BIG EASY SURVIVES...

The view from a high room at Harvey's Lake Tahoe is stunning. Snow remains on the mountain tops most of the year, and that will increase...

Internationally known sculptor Mark Di Suvero 's brightly colored "Proverb" has a pendulum element that moves. Happy after a recent...

Elliana Broscious, eight, had never touched a cello, but was making a pleasant sound by the end of an impromptu lesson. FAMILY CONCERTS...

Climbing aboard the San Diego Old Town Trolley feels a bit like stepping into a rolling postcard of the city. The bright orange and green trolley rumbles away from the historic streets of Old Town, its open-air sides letting in the salty breeze drifting up from San Diego Bay. As the conductor shares colorful stories from the city’s past, the route winds past Spanish-era landmarks, Victorian homes in the Gaslamp Quarter, and palm-lined waterfront views near the Embarcadero. Fr

AS THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL GEARS UP, A LOOK AT THIS SEDUCTIVE, SUNNY, PRICEY CITY Water is central to life in Cannes, and every manner...

The Bluewater Boathouse, near Hotel del Coronado stands stately on a recent rainy evening. The restaurant mimics the beautiful Hotel Del architecture, lovely by day or night. Hornblower Cruises offers a lovely dinner cruise, passing under the majestic Coronado Bridge with a view of The Del and the Boathouse. Consider Hornblower for its popular Sights and Sips. 'THE ISLAND' HAS CHARM, EXCITING DINING, GREAT THEATER, A CLASSIC CALIFORNIA HOTEL STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS

The Louvre Museum stands proud into the centuries, photographed from the Seine on a recent trip. And don't miss our favorite Musee d"orsay nearby. Housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900, it houses many well known works of a more contemporary vein. The Pont Alexandre is one of the world's most lavish bridges, and a much photographed Paris icon. MONUMENTS, MUSEUMS, MUSIC AND MEMORIES LURE LOVERS BACK TO THE LORE, ROMANCE,

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is known worldwide for its dramatic bridge towers. Since 1941, it has been featured in a wide range of movies -- from suspense dramas to family fare and science fiction. WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BRIDGE CELEBRATES 81 YEARS WITH DOZENS OF FILM APPEARANCES -- CAMEOS TO STARRING ROLES Tourists and locals alike traverse the bridge on foot, by car, bike and even aboard a vintage fire truck. Hollywood has shot many pictures on and around her. 'San F

Step onto the sacred island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where mythology, ancient ruins, and Aegean beauty converge. Wander through marble streets, crumbling temples, and the legendary birthplace of Apollo, just a short boat ride from Mykonos.