Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

THREE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES IN HISTORIC ISRAELI CITY  Cookie takes a moment to meditate and give thanks for her...

Contented cows, here near Jacksonville, are a must for good cheese! Blue cheese and red wine -- say ahhh! WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN...

Cookie and Keller take time for a quick cocktail during their guided tour of The Royal Suite on Serenade of the Seas. Would Queen Elizabeth and President Obama join Cookie? WHAT DO THE SIMPLE FOLK DO? LET'S BOOKA ROYAL SUITE TODAY Top penthouses offer luxury.  Cookie covets the "Royal" suites. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS,  PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and archives WHY CAN'T  I stay in the presidential suite every time I cruise? (Or at least in the palatial owner's suite or the spaci

WESTERN HEMISPHERE"S OLDEST FULL-SCALE ELIZABETHAN STAGE HAS HIDDEN LIFE The Allen Elizabethan Theatre opens for summer shows, this year...

SAMPLE TOP ACTING AT OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, LIVELY CABARET, THEATER, FINE RESTAURANTS, CLASSIC HOTEL, CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE!...

CREATIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM AT ASHLAND HOTEL Ame and James Beard are co-owners of Sweet Thang...

A VISIT AND OVERHEARD CONVERSATION BRING REVELATION OF THE PLACE'S HISTORIC IMPORTANCE With the grandeur of Tara in "Gone with the Wind,"...

This happy reveler resides in Harrah's, a popular New Orleans casino, completely decorated in Mardi Gras motif. Cookie and keller take...

Trio of venues about relationships offers home run for buffs of the boards   San Diego's gorgeous location between sea and mountains is fertile ground for cutting edge theater. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SAN DIEGO THEATER's March offerings are as fresh, varied and welcome as our recent weather. Translate coastal sun, imposing skyline and rejuvenating breezes to the stage. You have a hint of the pleasures awaiting theater buffs. Our theaters deliver -- f

VISIONARY PHILANTHROPIST AND HIS ARTIST PARTNER CREATE DESERT ART Bighorn sheep, who roam on the desert, are perched playfully for a...

The Queen Mary has a long, proud history and was saved from the scrap heap by the city of Long Beach. The revelry aboard the Queen Mary includes vintage dress for special events. WORLD'S ONCE GRANDEST LINER LIVES A LIVELY LIFE IN LONG BEACH Keller and Cookie flank Commodore Hoard on Queen Mary. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ABOARD  the Queen Mary, there's always adventure.  If you want to schedule it, you can, on a series of entertaining tours which take in

VISIT TO GRAND DAME SHIP REKINDLES DREAMS OF HER GLORY DAYS   The Queen Mary is aglow with lights and a special Diana Exhibit, along with...

For this couple, the world's great cruise ship lines offer opportunity to perform magic, dancing, and other treats. SINGERS, HOOFERS, MAGICIANS ANSWER SEA'S SIREN CALL TO ENTERTAIN PASSENGERS Gowns, boas, beautifully pressed and stored, await their time  in the spotlight.  A stage hand does inventory. An actor's life for talented singers and dancers aboard Royal Caribbean.   STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SPACE IS SMALL , but spirits  soar  for thousands of

The Pyramids of Guimar convinced famous Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl of a connection between Tenerife's ancient Guanche people...

The colorful Lyceum Theatre houses San Diego Rep in Horton Plaza. A PLAY-LOVER'S BRAVO! SALUTING  FOUR RRIFIC  SAN DIEGO COMPANIES     STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS ART By BRUCE KELLER & THEATER COMPANIES SAN DIEGO'S  year-round growing season produces more than lush landscaping.  Our city offers a lively and varied theater crop. San Diego theater can't be beat for quality and diversity. I spend time in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, St. Louis, San Francisc

BEAUTIFUL 'BUTTERFLIES' prompts look at what makes great theater Fabulous acting, subtle direction and a wonderfully rich story make "In the Time of the Butterflies" a class act. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS FILE PHOTO and BRUCE KELLER PHOTO IF YOU'VE  seen a play that moved you to tears, a play that you couldn't stop thinking about, you've been "socked in the kisser by art." The San Diego Repertory Theater is producing a fabulous play, "In the Time of the Butterflies," a lyrica

Wood, stone, water plus lovely artwork and tasteful rooms The Viejas' artsy entrance. offer soothing counterpart to casino action, fine...

This New Year's paella features shrimp, but you can add other seafood, sausage or chicken! Be creative. Happy 2014. PAELLA WILL PLEASE --...

Young boys play peacefully in many parts of the Middle East. Here, Christian, Jewish and Muslim pals mingle.   Hatred is not part of the...

Chef Carlos Montero's paella for his sweetheart Gloria's birthday features a seafood medley. SPAIN TAKES EATING TO NEW LEVELS OF DELIGHT,...