Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Cadiz is known recently for shopping and surf, plus history! ANCIENT PORT CITY OFFERS GARDENS, CHURCHES, PARKS, PEACE, FLAMENCO PLUS...

The New Orleans skyline is bathed in light as Natchez departs the dock. Lively evening on the Mississippi harkens back to Mark Twain days...

The Dukes of Dixieland aboard the steamboat Natchez are a top band. Every day's a holiday in colorful, tuneful  Big Easy N'Awlins STORY...

CLIFF DWELLERS DANCE and TECHNO-STRETCH AS WE TRY TO ADVANCE BLOG SCHEDULE!                                                              ...

TRAVEL LIGHT: DON'T LUG BOTTLES OR TAKE WHAT YOU CAN EASILY BUY 'OVER THERE' Nearly everything you might forget can be easily purchased,...

Economize, pack light, think layers, develop a color theme STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER You'll want clothes that look...

LINE UP YOUR LODGING BEFORE YOU LEAVE, BE OPEN TO ADVENTURE Memories come in small moments, here on Portugal's Belem Castle bridge. STORY...

Escape to a world of dreams, moonlight and indulgence on a barge trip or cruise. We celebrated our 100th cruise on Carnival Miracle. Try a relaxing week on the water for a rejuvenating break I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders, from the Dardanelles to the mountains of Peru..... --from "Sweeney Todd" and the song, "No Place Like London" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER One of the world/s prettiest harbors is in St. Thomas. LIKE  Anthony in "Sweeney Tod

Some of the world's most rugged terrain challenged engineers who built this trestle on the steep hillside. RUGGED RAIL RIDE TAKES...

Seattle is at its best viewed from the water. Options include ferry, Argosy boat or private sail on lovely Far Niente yacht. FAR NIENTE...

Cruising's pleasures heightened by exilirating Alaskan adventure The wonders of Alaska unfold for Cookie, above, snug in her layers,...

The harbor at Avalon, the major village in Catalina, is a colorful place to park your boat. California island offers restful, scenic time...

Throughout Egypt, handsome and friendly children greeted American visitors who wonder if they are safe now. Friendship with brilliant...

This birthday, Keller takes Cookie sailing off La Jolla Shores. Ringing in another year brings time for reflection, joy, humor and...

We've borrowed many terms from life aboard ships; whether you "know the ropes" or not, come have fun  If you "know the ropes" you have...

"The water's running free and it's waiting there for me.... cool, clear water." Here, at Black's Beach in northern San Diego County, a...

The writer and photographer say "ship ahoy, mates" on a Jada lark.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Many people dream...

Framed by the glitzy hotels of the world's greatest gambling city, Cookie and Keller enjoy a night out!  STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS ...

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "Cap'n Cookie" takes the wheel. Whee! Keller, Cookie, Melody and Larry Cogsdill sail at...

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Sailing on the Californian is as close as I'll get to "going down to the sea in ships." Fortunately, we went "down" in the best sense of the word:  out into the Pacific Ocean and safely back. For this sailor -- with hundreds of hours on small sailing vessels and nearly 100 large-ship cruises -- the pride of San Diego's Maritime Museum feels like the real sailing deal. Getting the sails ready then putting them back after the sai