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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Waikiki Trolley in Honolulu, happy place! Explore it and have a blast with friends and family
The best hotdog in Honolulu is one of the treats you'll discover aboard the Waikiki Trolley, which offers various tours for discovering this exciting east-meets-west city and Oahu's capital. Here, John's World Famous Hawaii hotdog stand is popular with locals and tourists alike. TAKE THE SCENIC TOUR: HOP ON, OFF WAIKIKI TROLLEY FOR FUN TIME SOAKING UP BEST OF HONOLULU Even on a slightly cloudy day, Waikiki Trolley brings a sunny spin to Honolulu sightseeing. We recommend our

Christene Meyers
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 Carpe Kiem 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, WALKING,

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


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


Victoria food tour takes the cake for fun, history and variety
Taste your way through Victoria, BC on a guided food tour featuring local favorites, fresh seafood, and hidden gems. This walkable culinary experience blends history, culture, and unforgettable flavors—perfect for first-time visitors and food lovers alike

Cookie & Keller
May 19, 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 12, 20224 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


Key West Food Tour: Dining delights in munching our way on a tasty, Cuban inspired path through a colorful town
ONE CAN dine like a king, snacking your way through a leisurely few hours in Key West, where the scents and tastes of Cuba and the Caribbean are a very real part of life.
We took a fun foodie's walking and tasting tour and we're going back for seconds!

Cookie & Keller
Jan 20, 20224 min read


Holiday happiness with Family fun and a cherished recipe
Holiday happiness: food, fun, family and a cherished recipe

Christene Meyers
Dec 23, 20213 min read


Honoring Sacagawea's starring role in the Lewis and Clark expedition
The Sacajawea Inn in Three Forks, Montana, honors one of the most revered women in the history of the United States. Whether spelled with...

Christene Meyers
Oct 14, 20214 min read


Fox now ABT celebrates 90 years with grand re-opening this weekend
Finishing touches are complete as the Alberta Bair Theater, formerly the Fox Theatre, opens its doors once again. The 1931 building...

Christene Meyers
Sep 16, 20215 min read


North Lake Tahoe: Mountain towns of Tahoe, Truckee lure with scenery, sport, dining
WHETHER YOUR ideal holiday is action packed, or simply soaking up the scenery with a cup of tea or glass of wine, you'll find both options -- and everything in between -- in the towns of Lake Tahoe and Truckee

Christene Meyers
Aug 26, 20213 min read


Oregon Cabaret Theatre: toasting a theatrical institution in Ashland
A lovingly restored 1911 church is home to Oregon Cabaret Theatre, a mainstay in Ashland, Oregon's cultural scene. After surviving the...

Christene Meyers
Apr 8, 20215 min read


Farm to table: California's fertile central valley feeds the country
Cookie shops for produce on an annual autumn road trip, here at a stand in the San Juaquin Valley. THANKS TO FARMERS, WORKERS, FINE WEATHER, IRRIGATION FOR YEAR-ROUND BOUNTY OF PRODUCE STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Rows and rows of farmland being worked meet the eye near Bakersfield. DRIVING THROUGH California's Central Valley gives the tourist time to reflect on the importance of this fertile stretch of land and the hard working m

Christene Meyers
Nov 6, 20203 min read


Sample a taste of Europe right here on the North American continent
A mother whale and her calf in flowers draw the eye to Victoria's famous Hotel Fairmont Empress. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By...

Christene Meyers
Sep 18, 20204 min read
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