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.

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

If you think cruising means giant ships, thousands of passengers and international ports, American Cruise Lines offers another way to travel. Its small ships and riverboats explore America's rivers, coastlines and waterways, bringing travelers closer to historic towns, beautiful scenery, local culture and some of the country's most memorable destinations.

THERE'S GOOD NEWS for lovers of ships and cruising. But it's slow to emerge. When the industry lurched to a halt in March, a result of COVID-19, millions of dollars were lost, thousands of cruises cancelled and legions of travelers were nervous and disappointed at radically changing travel plans. Slowly, the world's embattled cruise lines are making a comeback and passengers will again be riding the waves -- as soon as this weekend.

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

IT'S TIME TO admit I've led a doggedly delightful life. I came home as a newborn to a cocker spaniel and a pomeranian. My late sister Robbie brought the Yorkies to me so they are a link with a beloved sibling. I've had bassetts and bouviers, retrievers and labs, airedales, beagles, Saint Bernards, loveable rescue mutts and many kinds of terriers. In all my decades on the planet, I've never been dogless.

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

"Cambodian Rock Band" is like no other musical. The writers of this column saw it recently at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The fine...

In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono turned a honeymoon suite at the Hilton Amsterdam into a global stage for peace inviting the world to watch, listen, and rethink protest.

Autumn arrives in the northern hemisphere. Here, Norway's gentle slopes and hills resemble parts of Montana. FIND BEAUTY IN THE INEVITABLE CHANGE OF SEASONS “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. “ – Albert Camus STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The grass was just beginning to turn as autumn began earlier this month with Cookie and Keller in the Netherlands. WE LOVE to travel in autumn. The kids are back in school, the evening air is crisp a

The home of architect Wayne Gustafson and his artist wife Pamela is an oasis of calm and inspiration. INSPIRATIONAL HOME OF ARCHITECT AND...

San Diego in spring is a sight to behold -- with blue skies, feathery clouds and a dinner or lunch cruise aboard Hornblower. "To what...