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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Scottsdale Segway Tour for a fun tour showing off the city in new light
A Scottsdale Segway tour is the best way to see the town's historic
Old Town, learn about local landmarks and soak up desert scenery.

Cookie & Keller
Jan 294 min read


Fort Lauderdale Segway for fun, frolic and adventure
Glide along sun-soaked streets and oceanfront paths on a Fort Lauderdale Segway tour, one of the most fun ways to explore this laid-back Florida city. Cruise past beaches, marinas, and scenic waterways while learning local history on easy, breezy adventure perfect for first-time visitors

Cookie & Keller
Mar 13, 20254 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 29, 20234 min read


Spectacular Sydney: harbor, port, restaurants, bridge, Opera House
Sydney, Australia: sparkling in early evening, from a climb atop the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge. It's fun to look for your cruise ship...

Christene Meyers
Apr 20, 20236 min read


San Francisco sail: Adventure Cat is purr-fect way to see the bay
Adventure Cat is a beautifully designed, smooth sailing vessel available for a variety of sailings. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By...

Christene Meyers
Sep 22, 20224 min read


A general's dream: When and If' sails smoothly into immortality
When and If is a beautiful sailing vessel combining the best characteristics of a racing boat with the comforts of a sturdy yacht built...

Christene Meyers
Sep 15, 20224 min read


travel tips 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" Meyers. They travel with joy in each new surrounding. PLAN BUT BE FLEXIBLE, EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY, ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, LEARN, MAKE NEW FRIENDS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Plan, but be open to surprise and a spontaneous event. In Tokyo we borrowed umbrellas at a shrine to stroll the gardens in light rain. “I haven't been eve

Christene Meyers
Sep 8, 20226 min read


Zion National Park: A memorable merging of rock, water, sky, light and history
Zion National Park is a mix of brand-new luxury, restored access, and unique milestones that make it the ultimate time for a Southwest escape.

Christene Meyers
Aug 18, 20224 min read


A dog's long, lively life : Nicky lives on as a fearless, loving Yorkie
Nick is surrounded by flowers on his 16th birthday. Even though he was virtually blind and had painful spinal and rear leg issues, he was still game for a walk, a snuggle, a kiss for his people. BRAVERY, LESSONS, LOVE, JOY FROM AN ENDEARING YORKIE NAMED NICK STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Nothing like a Yorkie kiss, and Nicky was a generous kisser, here with his appreciative mama, Cookie. FOR THE first time in 17 years, I sit at the computer with no doggie

Christene Meyers
May 26, 20226 min read


Hotel La Casa del Zorro offers desert pampering, scenery and fine food
This is your world for a few treasured days at La Casa del Zorro, a true find if you're looking for a place to unplug, enjoy and indulge your senses. The light is lovely in this jewel of southern Coachella Valley. Each sun dappled corner of this well managed place welcomes you to picturesque surroundings.

Christene Meyers
Apr 28, 20224 min read


Yellowstone National Park turns 150 this week
One hundred fifty years ago, Yellowstone was created, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. Happy Birthday, wonderful Yellowstone.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 3, 20225 min read


The return of cruising: what to expect and when we might set sail again
Cruising is making a slow comeback, since this popular mode of travel was abruptly halted in the early days of the COVID-19 virus. Here,...

Christene Meyers
Jul 10, 20205 min read


Legoland - Some, not all, Southern California parks, zoos reopen for July tourism
Part of Legoland is open for business and family fun. The park's popular Sea Life Aquarium is reopened, and the rest of the park is planning to announce its reopening soon. Reservations are required, admissions are limited and masks are required. COVID CONSTRAINTS INCLUDE MASKS, DISTANCING, LIMITED NUMBERS, SANITIZING STATIONS AND MORE STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The new cubs are a big hit at the reopening of San Diego's world renowned zoo, now once aga

Christene Meyers
Jul 3, 20204 min read


Flower power by bike: hobby puts a bloom on the isolation of Covid
Ocotillo, or "little torch" in Spanish, is usually a desert plant. This one, outside our home, brings forth bursts of bright red blooms...

Christene Meyers
May 22, 20204 min read


Transplant triumph: Three years after brings reflection, change, gratitude
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers with their elderly Yorkshire terrier, Nick, ready for a spin on their bikes. Leaving Scripps...

Christene Meyers
May 15, 20204 min read


Windmills - Finding beauty, peace, comfort as virus sends our world into a tailspin
The village of Zaanse Schaans on the banks of the Zaan river, features tidy houses, working windmills. If you've always wanted to visit...

Christene Meyers
Mar 20, 20203 min read
Love affair with dogs has long, proud history of travel, unabashed love
Nick, left, and Nora, dry off after a swim in their "Auntie Robbie's" pool, in spring of 2006. They were born in fall, 2005. Nora, left,...

Christene Meyers
Jan 10, 20204 min read


Transplant saga Thanksgiving week: another life saved at Scripps
BROTHER'S DONATION SAVES HIS SISTER'S LIFE AS WE CELEBRATE 30 MONTHS FROM OUR SCRIPPS TRANSPLANT Emotions run high as a donor is wheeled Tuesday to surgery, to cheers balloons, whistles and applause from Scripps staffers. (patient's face is blurred to respect his privacy. ) STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and CM Checking the donate box on your driver's license could make a difference to someone. WE THANK the gods every day that we are on the planet. This

Christene Meyers
Nov 22, 20194 min read


Soothing surroundings of artists' home sets the tone for a creative day
The home of architect Wayne Gustafson and his artist wife Pamela is an oasis of calm and inspiration. INSPIRATIONAL HOME OF ARCHITECT AND...

Christene Meyers
Sep 6, 20193 min read


Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden rises grandly from a man's vision
Bromeliad, heliconia, anthurium, ginger, mango, spider lily and more await viewers at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. A gecko suns...

Christene Meyers
Aug 9, 20193 min read
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