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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Arizona Food Tours: Eating Your Way Through Old Town Scottsdale in a Fun, Flavor-Packed Adventure
Scottsdale is a standout in foodie towns, for it has hundreds of restaurants. This spirited Arizona city offers a delightful range of dining options, here a luscious roasted corn salad and chicken and avocado salad. Story by Christene Meyers Photos by Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" Visiting Scottsdale, Arizona with Arizona Food Tours If you believe the best way to understand a destination is through its food, then Scottsdale, Arizona, is about to become one of your favo
Keller Keller
Jan 226 min read


Discovering Paradise Point a Hidden Gem in Mission Bay Park San Diego
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Nestled within the expansive Mission Bay Park in San Diego, Paradise Point offers a unique escape blending natural beauty, recreational activities, with a touch of luxury. This hidden gem is a destination beloved by locals for years. It offers a wealth of experiences for all tastes -- both for those seeking a peaceful, inexpensive retreat and those in search of an active day by the water with all the resor
Keller Keller
Jan 65 min read


Grand Hotel in Big Timber, Montana, undergoes facelift to glory days
Grand Hotel. Big Timber

Christene Meyers
Jul 23, 20255 min read


Take a tasty bite of Brisbane on a fun, enlightening food & history tour
Food tour Brisbane

Christene Meyers
Jul 10, 20255 min read


Jambalaya - Give thanks, share and kick your meal up a notch with something new
Jambalaya is a tradition for Thanksgiving in many southern homes. Cajun appetizers also make Thanksgiving special. We'll share an easy...

Christene Meyers
Nov 28, 20244 min read


Tirano's treasures: a charming inn, gourmet restaurant, mountain views
The view from our room at the lovely Ostello del Castello, where we spent a few peaceful nights before boarding Bernina Express for a...

Christene Meyers
Aug 14, 20243 min read


CityPASS offers an economical fun way to enjoy a city's attractions
Put yourself in the center of the action with CityPASS, a great money-saving concept available in many U.S. cities and Toronto. Here,...

Christene Meyers
Jan 11, 20245 min read


Good grub includes barbecue, gator bites on Cocoa Beach foodie trek
Cocoa Village boasts a super food tasting experience with entrepreneur Halim Urban, who runs his popular tour with wife Jessica. With 20...

Christene Meyers
Oct 25, 20233 min read


NCL's Viva inaugural offers classic ports, artful design, dining delights
Norwegian Cruise Lines is known for its flashy artwork and distinctive designs on the ship. Here, NCL's Getaway is photographed on a...

Christene Meyers
Jun 28, 20234 min read


Busy Brisbane: bustling, booming, fun, and a nighttime wonderland
Brisbane's majestic skyline is an impressive, sky-high mix of contemporary architecture, artfully set off by well established trees, and...

Christene Meyers
Mar 22, 20237 min read


Vegas food tasting tours offer a royal flush of fun, history, yummy bites
A Taste Buzz Food Tour of the Arts District in Las Vegas offered a fun outing for Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers. Consider...

Christene Meyers
Jan 19, 20234 min read


Eating a scrumptious trail through Porto with history lesson on the side
Our lively "Taste Porto" food tour guide, Ines, walks us through a colorful market, pointing out a bounty of fruits grown near the city,...

Christene Meyers
Oct 19, 20224 min read
Ten Commandments of Travel: Savvy tips to help you savor, remember
A hike above Malta's Blue Grotto offered an opportunity for a picnic and lovely afternoon for Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie"...

Christene Meyers
Sep 7, 20226 min read


'Taste of Victoria' food tour takes the cake for fun, history, variety
Victoria, British Columbia, is a wonderful place to stroll, look and eat! The top-ranked food tasting tour in Canada is waiting for you on your next visit to this charming, ethnically varied city. CULINARY WONDERS AWAIT -- FROM HISTORIC PUB TO FRENCH PATISSERIE TO A GOURMET HOLE IN THE WALL STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Our tasting tour began at Roast Meat and Sandwich Shop, where we devoured delectable meatballs in a satisfying sauce. WE ALWAYS look for

Christene Meyers
May 18, 20225 min read


Hilo's Tsunami Museum packs a powerful punch with frightening exhibits, films, commentary
The dreaded tsunami was the focus of an interesting afternoon for Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers, who visited the engaging...

Christene Meyers
May 11, 20224 min read


Celebrate each day, take the trip, book the train, take the cruise
Cruises to her ancestral homes -- Norway and Ireland -- were gifts to Ellen Cosgriffe from her daughters, Robbie, standing, and Christene...

Christene Meyers
Mar 16, 20223 min read
Giving thanks: Family, friends, fitness, travel, the arts and vaccinations
Montana's most recent "gathering of the clan" -- 50 people for Cookie's birthday celebration before Covid. Today, we give thanks for...

Christene Meyers
Nov 25, 20214 min read


Magnificent mariachi band tours, delights, breaks ground for LGBTQ
Founder and band leader of Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, Carlos Samaniego, is a talented, classically trained musician who formed the...

Christene Meyers
Nov 18, 20214 min read
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