Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

LAS VEGAS is always lit up and ready for action -- especially during the holidays.Then the nation's showiest city rolls out more shows and lights than ever.

Adventure Cat is a beautifully designed, smooth sailing vessel available for a variety of sailings. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By...

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers aboard a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch vessel. The well run company is family owned and prides...

A VW bus is painted in colorful fashion as Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller enjoy a tour down memory lane to the summer of love...

There’s no better way to greet the Pacific than aboard a Flagship Cruises whale‑watching adventure. Departing from Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego, the 3.5‑hour tour follows the gray whale migration route between Alaska and Baja California—one of nature’s great spectacles. From December through April, thousands of whales cruise just offshore, often accompanied by playful dolphins and sea lions. Flagship launched the world’s first commercial whale‑watching cruise back in

One hundred fifty years ago, Yellowstone was created, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. Happy Birthday, wonderful Yellowstone.

The new, streamlined ships of American Cruise Lines are luxurious and beautifully designed to accommodate small passenger loads,...

NATION'S FIRST AND OLDEST NATIONAL PARK TREASURE DRAWS NATIVE DAUGHTER BACK AGAIN Bison grazing and the steam of geysers in the...

Cruising is making a slow comeback, since this popular mode of travel was abruptly halted in the early days of the COVID-19 virus. Here,...

Part of Legoland is open for business and family fun. The park's popular Sea Life Aquarium is reopened, and the rest of the park is planning to announce its reopening soon. Reservations are required, admissions are limited and masks are required. COVID CONSTRAINTS INCLUDE MASKS, DISTANCING, LIMITED NUMBERS, SANITIZING STATIONS AND MORE STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The new cubs are a big hit at the reopening of San Diego's world renowned zoo, now once aga

The view from Channel Islands Hampton Inn is one of a lovely marina, offering spectacular sunsets. The hotel is open for business, minus...

SO MUCH has changed since last May Day. We celebrated the holiday in Denmark, then toured the Baltic and other countries of Northern Europe. We looked forward to treasured time in Montana with family and friends, and back in southern California, went about our busy routine of plays, concerts, fund raisers, dinners out.

Lovely hotels are part of the allure of Palm Springs, here the pool area of the Hilton Palm Springs in the heart of downtown. MORE LAID...

The Yorkshire terrier's small size belies its personality: energetic, spirited, domineering. Yorkies are affectionate. They love attention, a good choice for one who wants to dote on a dog with tenacious personality. Beneath the glossy coat beats the heart of a feisty terrier.--AKC's "Dog Breeds, What Dog For Me?"

England-born Sue Speight and American Christene "Cookie" Meyers in York Minster, go back to back in an ancient part of the...

During a period of challenge, loss and tragedy, a fine production of "A Chorus Line" at Welk Theatre, buoys the writer's spirit and gives her hope as she remembers a talented friend and colleague. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" This week's column bids farewell to a longtime treader of the boards and theatrical talent while saluting new productions. Our late friend, Karen Jackson, could have played several roles and sung "Tits and Ass" o

Nick, left, and Nora, dry off after a swim in their "Auntie Robbie's" pool, in spring of 2006. They were born in fall, 2005. Nora, left,...

New Year's Eve lights are spectacular in Bangkok, from the beautiful hotels and a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Times Square in...

BROTHER'S DONATION SAVES HIS SISTER'S LIFE AS WE CELEBRATE 30 MONTHS FROM OUR SCRIPPS TRANSPLANT Emotions run high as a donor is wheeled Tuesday to surgery, to cheers balloons, whistles and applause from Scripps staffers. (patient's face is blurred to respect his privacy. ) STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and CM Checking the donate box on your driver's license could make a difference to someone. WE THANK the gods every day that we are on the planet. This

Since England's first steam locomotives chugged out of Stockton and Darlington in 1825, England has held rail travel close to its heart.