Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

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

WESTERN HEMISPHERE"S OLDEST FULL-SCALE ELIZABETHAN STAGE HAS HIDDEN LIFE The Allen Elizabethan Theatre opens for summer shows, this year...

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

Jacksonville, Oregon, may be a small town known but it's known for its large atmosphere and broad appeal. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS...

CREATIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM AT ASHLAND HOTEL Ame and James Beard are co-owners of Sweet Thang...

COOKIE, KELLER GIVE THANKS TO NEW FRIENDS AND A DIVERSE, LIVELY SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY Boxes galore came from Arizona to southern California...

GRANDMOTHER JIGGED AND COOKED CORNED BEEF, MUM DYED THE RICE GREEN AND WEPT AS SHE SAW IRELAND Cookie and her mother, Ellen, wearing the...

VISIONARY PHILANTHROPIST AND HIS ARTIST PARTNER CREATE DESERT ART Bighorn sheep, who roam on the desert, are perched playfully for a...

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...

QUINTESSENTIAL ANDALUSIAN CITY THRILLS GUESTS WITH GORGEOUS BUILDINGS, ROMANCE, STIMULI    Cookie and Keller enjoy the lovely grounds of...

Wood, stone, water plus lovely artwork and tasteful rooms The Viejas' artsy entrance. offer soothing counterpart to casino action, fine...

The Dukes of Dixieland aboard the steamboat Natchez are a top band. Every day's a holiday in colorful, tuneful  Big Easy N'Awlins STORY...

This New Year's paella features shrimp, but you can add other seafood, sausage or chicken! Be creative. Happy 2014. PAELLA WILL PLEASE --...

Young boys play peacefully in many parts of the Middle East. Here, Christian, Jewish and Muslim pals mingle.   Hatred is not part of the...

Chef Carlos Montero's paella for his sweetheart Gloria's birthday features a seafood medley. SPAIN TAKES EATING TO NEW LEVELS OF DELIGHT,...

"Paradores Spain"  include the lovely Aiguablava which looks out on the Mediterranean.  Steps lead to the sea. Parador Aiguablava's...

Late autumn is a delectable time to enjoy the hospitality, light, architecture of Catalonia A field glows in the mid-day sun near the...

Today's Figueres is an average European town, except for the stunning Dali museum. Dali pushed the envelope, liked layers, analyzed...

The  Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain, sets the tone for a magical day, with its egg-topped facade. NOT ONE, BUT THREE MUSEUMS PAY...