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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


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


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


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


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


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


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


Honolulu's Spam Jam fest celebrates canned treat beloved in Hawaii
Four happy Spam Jam patrons head for a picnic table after choosing their dining fare SPAM, SPAM, SPAM....CELEBRATING POPULAR PRODUCT IN HAWAIIAN FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND FUN STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Even Honolulu's doggies get in the "Spam Spirit." SAY WHAT you will about Spam, that pink, salty staple of soldiers in World War II, and a favorite part of every Hawaiian's diet. Spam has longevity, large appeal and love behind it. Nowhere is that affectio

Cookie & Keller
May 4, 20235 min read


Waikiki Trolley in Honolulu, happy place! and things to do - Explore it and have a blast with friends and family
Looking for one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to explore Honolulu? The Waikiki Trolley lets you experience Waikiki, Diamond Head, historic downtown, Pearl Harbor, and more without the hassle of driving, parking, or navigating unfamiliar streets. Hop on, hop off, and discover Oahu at your own pace while enjoying colorful open-air trolleys and entertaining local narration along the way.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 30, 20235 min read


Valenca offers charms of Portuguese village near Spanish border
Valenca, in the far north of Portugal, offers a relaxing, artistic place to visit for a few days. Sturdy, stunning buildings date back to...

Christene Meyers
Feb 2, 20233 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


Road Trip and Holiday delights: try fun and new foods whether home or on the road
Enjoy each day and celebrate holidays with a trip to the beach -- or a favorite restaurant. Here, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers kick holidays up a notch in Vietnam. FOOD, FUN, FINDING A NEW PLACE HIGHLIGHT HOLIDAYS ON THE ROAD and our recipe for holiday jambalaya This Vietnamese meal was prepared for a special holiday gathering at our hotel in then Saigon. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Shopping and schmoozing in the Caribbean, Cookie made a n

Christene Meyers
Dec 29, 20226 min read


Thanksgiving pledge: Let us give thanks for health, happiness, travel, family, food, nature
Thanksgiving pledge: Let us give thanks for health, happiness, travel, family, food, nature

Christene Meyers
Nov 24, 20224 min read


Spectacular Porto bridge climb yields uphill climb, stunning views
Take your Porto visit to new heights with the Porto Bridge Climb, an unforgettable adventure over the Douro River. Scale the iconic Arrábida Bridge for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, coastline, and vineyards. It’s a thrilling yet accessible experience that offers a unique perspective on one of Portugal’s most scenic destinations.

Cookie & Keller
Oct 27, 20224 min read


Porto Food Tour - Eating a scrumptious trail 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, and offering bits of history, architecture and favorite dishes. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers explore the streets of Porto in a pleasant food and walking tour with top-ranked "Taste Porto." Porto Food Tour - GLORIOUS FOOD! TOUR INCLUDES TASTINGS, HISTORY, WA

Cookie & Keller
Oct 20, 20224 min read


Glorious food enhances a road trip, creates indelible, lasting memories
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you combine open asphalt, a curated playlist, and a cooler packed with delicious secrets. Sure, you can survive on gas station snacks, but why just travel when you can feast? On our latest road trip, we ditched the drive-thru and turned every stop into a culinary discovery—from the best local BBQ tucked away in a tiny roadside trailer to artisanal treats foraged at a farmers market miles from anywhere.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 29, 20224 min read
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