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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Best Food Tours in Japan: Exploring Kyoto's Cuisine and Culture with Ninja Food Tours
Kyoto is known around the world for ancient temples, quiet gardens, and centuries of tradition — but after sunset, the city reveals another side entirely. Narrow lantern-lit alleys fill with the aroma of sizzling yakitori, steaming ramen, handcrafted sweets, and dishes that most visitors would never discover on their own. That’s where Ninja Food Tours transformed our evening from a simple dinner outing into one of the most memorable travel experiences of our Japan journey.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 45 min read


Best Circle Island Tour of Oahu by E Noa: Culture, Coastlines & Pure Aloha Spirit
Best comprehensive Oahu tour blends scenery, history, cultural landmarks, island food, personal in an unforgettable day

Cookie & Keller
Apr 167 min read


Las Vegas shows - Ticket Tips, Highlights, Discount Ideas for Sin City's Greatest
Las Vegas shows - Ticket Tips, Highlights, Discount Ideas for Sin City's Greatest

Cookie & Keller
Feb 196 min read


Arizona Food Tours: Eating Your Way Through Old Town Scottsdale in a Fun, Flavor-Packed Adventure
Old Town Scottsdale is a food lover’s playground, blending Southwestern flavors, modern culinary creativity, and vibrant desert culture. On an Arizona food tour, you’ll stroll historic streets while sampling Sonoran specialties, chef-driven small plates, and local sweets. From lively taco spots to craft cocktail bars, each stop reveals a taste of Scottsdale’s past and present one delicious bite at a time

Cookie & Keller
Jan 226 min read


Discovering Paradise Point a Hidden Gem in Mission Bay Park San Diego
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 resort amenities

Cookie & Keller
Jan 65 min read


Brisbane food tour - Take a tasty bite on a fun, enlightening & history tour
Brisbane’s food scene is a vibrant blend of fresh local ingredients, global influences, and relaxed riverside charm—making it one of Australia’s most underrated culinary destinations. On a Brisbane food tour, every stop feels like a discovery, from bustling markets filled with tropical produce to tucked-away eateries serving everything from modern Australian cuisine to authentic Asian flavors. What makes this experience special is the food and stories behind it, shared by pas

Cookie & Keller
Jul 10, 20255 min read


Make Christmas dreams come true with new food, fun, traditions
Christmas morning on Hawaii, "the Big Island," presents a double rainbow to passengers aboard a Body Glove trip down the Kona coast....

Christene Meyers
Dec 19, 20246 min read


Shakespeare in the Parks presents top theater touring the Rockies
A wide-ranging group of several hundred people watched a spectacular "Hamlet" in Fishtail Family Park. All ages make up the audience...

Christene Meyers
Aug 1, 20244 min read


Make it a carpe diem summer: go camping, take the cruise, plan a trip
Veteran cruisers, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller have made travel and cruising the world a priority. They offer enthusiastic...

Christene Meyers
Jun 13, 20245 min read


Exploring Buenos Aires with a native son yields touring at its best; Official Tourist Card is fine option, too
From the rhythm of late-night tango to the aroma of sizzling steaks, Buenos Aires captivates travelers with its unmistakable blend of European elegance and Latin passion. In neighborhoods like San Telmo and La Boca, colorful streets, historic cafés, and lively plazas reveal the city’s artistic soul. Whether you’re strolling grand boulevards, savoring a perfect Argentine steak, or watching dancers glide through a passionate Tango, Buenos Aires invites you to slow down, stay ou

Cookie & Keller
May 9, 20246 min read


Mate magic: Uruguay's national drink infuses energy, ritual, tradition
Our lovely Uruguayan guide, Paulo, takes a mate break at one of our stops. NATIONAL DRINK HAS ANCIENT HISTORY, GIVES JUST THE RIGHT BUZZ...

Christene Meyers
Apr 11, 20243 min read


Palm Springs drag show marks six years of fun, community service
Oscar's is a fun gig for both full-house audiences and performers, who rake in tips and work hard for them. The "Bitchiest Brunch"...

Christene Meyers
Mar 6, 20244 min read


Savannah food tour mixes history, tastings, parks, monuments and more
SAVANNAH FOOD TOUR OFFERS DELECTABLE TASTINGS, LIVELY COMMENTARY, HISTORY, FACTS, AND WALKING TO WORK IT OFF

Cookie & Keller
Feb 4, 20244 min read


Cruising the light fantastic on NCL's Viva, a floating resort, a fun 'city' with so much to do
VIVA HAS IT ALL: VITALITY, GLITZ, STYLE, OLD WORLD DECORUM, WITH SPIRIT AND MODERN TOUCHES TO APPEAL TO FAMILIES, ROMANTICS OF ALL AGES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" EACH TIME we book a ship, we research the architecture, art and design. It's important for us to be surrounded by intriguing artwork and inviting spaces to explore on these floating resorts. Set your sights on something new, daring and exciting for the new year. Here we

Christene Meyers
Jan 4, 20244 min read


Fun new food, fireworks, family ring in New Year in celebrations around the world
This recipe for Char Siu came from a sweet old Vietnamese woman we met on a bike tour in Vietnam. Ba Diem didn't have specific measurements (like my Irish grandmother.) So improvise and use your best judgment. Here's her ancient and delicious recipe.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 28, 20234 min read


Thanksgiving blessings abound; be grateful, loving, generous all year
Gratitude comes in family size for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, in center, surrounded by her clan of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted family and the next generation. GATHER TOGETHER, ROLL MERRILY ALONG, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, BE GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Editor's Note: Our annual Thanksgiving essay is dedicated to our American friends and family and extended clan and pals abroad who celebrate their thanks on other days. Cookie and Grandpa Gus on Thanksgiving Day

Christene Meyers
Nov 23, 20235 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 26, 20233 min read


Madeira: gardens, parks, artwork beckon visitors to Portuguese island
The drama of Madeira is partly because it rises from sea level to 6,000 feet. One can drive it in less than an hour, experiencing the...

Christene Meyers
Sep 7, 20234 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


Oahu Circle Island Tour delivers splendors, views, food, sacred sights
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy one of many splendid views on a day-long circle tour of Oahu, which takes tourists around the island with many interesting stops. OAHU CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR FEATURES BEST OF A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND, FROM SCENIC STOPS TO CULTURE, ART, FOOD, SHOPPING, FUN Oahu's much visited Byodo-In Temple is part of the tour and one of its most popular stops. Take time to ring the gong. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IF YOU'VE been to

Christene Meyers
Jun 8, 20234 min read
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