Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

GLORIOUS CONCERT HALL, SCULPTURES, WORLD CLASS ARTISTS COMPLEMENT NATURE'S OWN GRAND STAGE AT TIPPET RISE

A few blocks from Las Ramblas, tourists usually take in Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia. GLOBAL CITIZENS MUST STAND TO HALT TERRORISM,...

What do a bell, a wheel and a pendulum have in common? You'll find out at the Exploratorium. Sights and sounds merge and dance as Steve Ganner shares the wonders with his mesmerized daughter Penelope. KIDS OF ALL AGES ENJOY EXPERIMENTATION, DISCOVERY AT UNIQUE INTERACTIVE MUSEUM ON SAN FRANCISCO'S WATERFRONT James Brian Ganner and sister Penelope Margaret have fun with a magical spinning cloud chamber. Bruce Keller has fun with invisible forces and spinning effects in o

What if an entire island were curated like an art gallery? In Lanzarote, César Manrique’s influence turns every stop into a stunning blend of design, culture, and raw volcanic beauty.

A theatrical Valentine awaits in "Freaky Friday," at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Wherever on the planet you are, consider a play or concert to create an artful, memorable Valentine's Day Make your Valentine happy at a play -- here approaching La Jolla Playhouse's beautiful Mandell Weiss Theater. "Freaky Friday" is the current production. BE ARTFUL ON THE DAY OF ROMANCE: THINK THE ARTS, WATER, SKY how about a wonderful musical, dinner on the water, picnic, reaching for

Discover why the Welk Theater in Escondido delivers one of the most charming and intimate live performance experiences in Southern California, blending nostalgia, talent, and comfort.

Horton Grand Theatre is a perfect venue for the delightfully rendered radio play version of "Miracle on 34th Street." Jennifer Grimm,...

A splendid Georgia mansion built of rare pink marble, known as "Etowah Pink Marble" is decked out for the holidays. Through Dec. 21, the Tate House offers holiday tours, with a delightful luncheon or hors d'oeuvres presentation. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" STELLAR CREATION OF a land baron, philanthropist and tycoon, Tate House -- "the Pink Palace" -- is known throughout the south for its gorgeous pink marble patina and its exquisit

Nestled beneath the towering granite walls of Yosemite National Park, the legendary The Ahwahnee—now known as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel—has welcomed presidents, royalty, and Hollywood icons for nearly a century. Opened in 1927, this grand mountain lodge blends Native American, Art Deco, and Arts and Crafts design with breathtaking views of the valley’s soaring cliffs and waterfalls. From elegant dining to fireside storytelling, a stay or visit here offers a glimpse into the

Still packing concert halls and receiving standing ovations, Tony Bennett gives a gracious nod to his music director and accompanist,...

Stunning sunset over Vancouver from the Blue Horizon Hotel, which offers small, enticing balconies with splendid views. TOURISTS CAN HIKE, BOAT, WHALE WATCH, DINE, HOP A TROLLEY, SAIL, STROLL, RELAX, ROW A BOAT! Vancouver's night skyline is beautiful in the water's reflection. Harbour Cruises offers a splendid sunset dinner cruise with this view. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Cookie and Keller enjoy Harbour Cruises' sunset dinner cruise, which offers a lo

Old Piney Dell grew from a mountain cabin to a world class restaurant with old world European service and offerings. WOULD RESTAURANT HOLD UP TO MEMORIES OF YORE? YES, RECENT TASTY TRIP PROVED Rock Creek Resort grew up around Old Piney Dell restaurant. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The rustic charm of Old Piney Dell remains through the decades. WHEN OLD PINEY DELL was becoming the legendary Carbon County eatery it is today, I was a youngster growing up i

From Sugar Loaf to Ipanema, Latin city serves up samba, sports, scenery and scanty clothes

The people of Oplontis, near Pompeii, lived well in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, until 79 AD, when they were buried by tons of falling...

Nick and Nora love huckelberry ice cream, a roadie treat in Julian, California which they visit twice a year. "Charley is a mind-reading dog. There have been many trips in his lifetime.....he knows we are going long before the suitcase comes out, and he paces and worries and whines, and goes into a state of mild hysteria. - John Steinbeck,'"Travels with Charley." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" WE CAN'T imagine a road trip without Nick a

The Point Arena Lighthouse has history dating back to 1870 when the original lighthouse was erected. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL TOWN OFFERS HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE, FUN FOOD, ZEBRAS AND WELCOMING COTTAGES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Point Arena Lighthouse includes lodging and a nice gift shop with handmade aquatic-life magnets. The views are stunning. PEOPLE COME from cross-country and overseas to visit the historic Point Arena Lighthouse in California's p

A beautifully acted comedy drama at North Coast Repertory Theatre features Anabella Price and Mark Bramhall as Dubliners Betty and Dan....

The new Tower represents endurance and recovery, while honoring lives lost. Its mission is "to preserve freedom and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance." NEW YORKERS, GLOBAL VISITORS PAY HOMAGE TO THE FALLEN AT NEW, ELEGANT TRADE CENTER MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM Names of victims are placed near names of people with whom they worked. The names are inscribed in bronze around waterfalls and two beautiful pools. This family visited the memorial after a subway ride with

TIME IN THE COUNTRY YIELDS CONNECTION WITH FAR-AWAY COUSINS IN SETTING OF RURAL BEAUTY

Rock Creek Resort has an Old World charm, enhanced by its owners' European roots and sensibilities. ROCK CREEK RESORT OFFERS OLD WORLD CHARM, REVISITS A GENTLER TIME OF HOTEL HOSPITALITY A columbine at the lobby entrance trumpets your arrival. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Bikes are a leisurely way to enjoy the scenery at Rock Creek Resort. WHEN ROCK CREEK Resort began to create the legendary place it is today, owner Pepi Gramshammer drew from childhood m