Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

THREE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES IN HISTORIC ISRAELI CITY Cookie takes a moment to meditate and give thanks for her return to a favorite city at the Western Wall, Jerusalem. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS The Dome of the Rock , sacred Muslim shrine, circa 685, offers gorgeous mosaics and is an Islamic architectural monument. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER NO CITY on the planet makes such an emotional impact on so many people. Jerusalem, the proud capital of Israel,

Contented cows, here near Jacksonville, are a must for good cheese! Blue cheese and red wine -- say ahhh! WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN...

CRUISE FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD TAKES HUGE EFFORT, METICULOUS PLANNING Dozens of cheese plates in the Serenade's galley will be paired with nuts, crackers and veggies for pretty appetizers. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER These edible appetizers were created for a special party on board. This happy worker prepares peppers for shipboard stir fry. WHEN THE waiter delivers your dinner to a beautifully set cruise table, or the room steward presents you with

It's a sweltering day on stage, he's loaded down with an elaborate costume. The temperature is climbing. He's sweating. It's still act one and the temperature is climbing. But wait. The actor has a brief moment off stage and gets relief from tiny ice packs dropped into his garb. Thanks to clever costumers and seamstresses, the show goes on. The actor is much cooler. This is only one of the little known facts revealed by actor Jeffrey King, who took a couple dozen the

SAMPLE TOP ACTING AT OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, LIVELY CABARET, THEATER, FINE RESTAURANTS, CLASSIC HOTEL, CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE!...

B&Bs, shopping and attractions, including a vintage trolley which will take you around in leisurely and colorful fashion. ONE OF THE town's stand-outs, perhaps its most colorful offering, has put Jacksonville on the map. It's the Britt Festival

St. Patrick's Day delights: corned beef, music and a bucket list with mum

Beautifully crafted metal sculptures including elephants, eagles and even a desert jeep with passengers are positioned to suggest roaming the deserts of San Diego County, near our home here in southern California. Outside of the town of Borrego Springs lies Galleta Meadows, inspiration of the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Dennis Avery.

The Queen Mary has a long, proud history and was saved from the scrap heap by the city of Long Beach. The revelry aboard the Queen Mary includes vintage dress for special events. WORLD'S ONCE GRANDEST LINER LIVES A LIVELY LIFE IN LONG BEACH Keller and Cookie flank Commodore Hoard on Queen Mary. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ABOARD the Queen Mary, there's always adventure. If you want to schedule it, you can, on a series of entertaining tours which take in

VISIT TO GRAND DAME SHIP REKINDLES DREAMS OF HER GLORY DAYS The Queen Mary is aglow with lights and a special Diana Exhibit, along with her hotel and dining options. Parties are a Queen Mary tradition; these two "put on the Ritz." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IN MY DREAMS , I'm holding my grandmother's white-gloved hand as we enter the reception area of the Queen Mary. It's the 1950s and I'm a little girl. We're setting off on a glamorous Atlantic cro

Discover the vibrant soul of Andalusia with a journey to Seville, Spain—a city where history and modern life move to the same rhythm. From the haunting passion of flamenco to the intricate beauty of the Alcázar, Seville delights at every turn, offering a rich and unforgettable experience for every traveler.

New Orleans celebrates life with food, fun, jazz on the river

This New Year's paella features shrimp, but you can add other seafood, sausage or chicken! Be creative. Happy 2014. PAELLA WILL PLEASE -- PUT YOUR OWN SPIN ON IT FOR A NEW YEAR'S WEEK FEAST This paella, prepared by Ecuador born Carlos Montero, features seafood. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER NOTHING SAYS "eating" in Spain the way the paella pan does. A celebration is underway the moment the pan is placed on the grill. Our favorite paella has plenty of se

OLD WORLD hospitality meets contemporary design and artful flair in Spain's Parador Aiguablava on the spectacular Costa Brava.

Step inside Peratallada, a medieval village near Girona where cobblestone streets, ancient stone architecture, and tucked-away dining spots create one of the most enchanting stops on a Costa Brava road trip. Discover why this hidden gem deserves a place on your Spain itinerary.

Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí at his most personal and imaginative creation—the Dalí Theatre-Museum. Located in his hometown of Figueres, this museum is more than a gallery; it’s a living work of art that blurs the line between dream and reality.

Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí in Figueres, Spain, where imagination spills into reality at his iconic museum. This travel guide explores the dreamlike creations, fascinating life, and must-see highlights of the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

UP, UP AND AWAY WITH SOME TIPS FOR A QUIETER, HEALTHIER TRIP STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Once you're up, up and away, a few pointers can help you arrive not terribly exhausted, and perhaps even rested! NOW THAT we can work on our tablets and read our e-books during many phases of flight, the airways are increasingly user friendly. But if you're flying "across the pond" -- over either ocean, East or West -- or over the Rockies, mayb

NEW 'PRE-CHECK' OPTION LETS YOU THROUGH WITHOUT REMOVING SHOES! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Options DID YOU know that you can greatly simplify your transit through the airport TSA by purchasing a pre-check screening option? It costs $85 but lasts several years and is worth its weight in platinum. NEARLY 100 airports participate in this expedited arrangement. We found out about this by chance, when we were randomly selected to t

A BIT OF CONTROL HELPS AND YOU STILL INDULGE ON YOUR HOLIDAY Dining and drinking are pleasures of travel, here new friends! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" SO YOU'RE loving your Caribbean cruise, Spanish parador, Rio hotel, Mexican casita, or Cotswolds B&B. Maybe you're with your favorite cousins exploring San Francisco. Hiking across Spain. Or enjoying a theater marathon in New York. Eating is one of the great pleasures of life, and