Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Discover the serene beauty of Portland’s Oregon Grotto, a hidden spiritual oasis with gardens, art, and peaceful views perfect for your next Portland visit.

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.

Step into the pages of American literature with a journey through Salinas and Monterey, where the spirit of John Steinbeck still lingers. From the agricultural heartland that shaped his stories to the historic waterfront of Cannery Row, this coastal California adventure blends literary history with seaside charm.

Road trip wonders -- stopping to 'smell the roses' from Montana to California. We relish stopping to admire the landscape, perhaps exploring a bluff or bridge we haven't noticed before. We smell the roses, as Keller says, "as we stroll through the garden of life." Often we pull over to give ourselves and the dog a break. This leads to taking a few photos, studying a roadside plaque or grabbing a milkshake at a newly discovered diner. 

Whether you're headed east of west, it's freeing to be off and driving on a road trip, Tips and recommendations included below While our American goldfinches have fled Montana, we found this one in a rest stop farther south in Nevada.

Discover the magic of an Oregon Coast road trip as Where Is Cookie explores stunning lighthouses, scenic overlooks, and charming seaside stops. From dramatic cliffs to historic coastal beacons, this guide highlights the best lighthouse views and must-see destinations along one of America’s most breathtaking drives

Discover one of the most scenic stays in southern Spain at the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro. With panoramic views over Málaga and easy access to historic landmarks, this stop is a highlight of any Andalusia road trip itinerary.

NONE OF US knows what's around the corner -- or how long we have on this treasured Earth.  Thus we must continue to try, if we have any sense at all, to roll with the punches, be thankful, relish each day.. Take a road trip to explore and learn

A drive up the California coast from southern California includes plenty of stops so the Yorkies can be exercised and kept to a routine. Traveling with pets means being sensitive to their needs, to help them adapt and enjoy the journey, too.

Ghost town CASTLE Montana became a map dot in 1884, when the North Carolina Mine opened, according to a U.S. Forest Service interpretive sign.

IF YOU have not visited Grand Teton National Park in a while, or taken a day or two in Yellowstone or Glacier, get yourself there now if you're anywhere near!  Prime fall colors, an abundance of birds and wildlife,  and an absence of crowds make this my favorite "park time."

Road trip to the top of the world:  last week, up the Beartooth Pass on the famed Cooke City Highway. John Steinbeck had Charley, and Keller has Nick and Nora, below. TRAVEL THE COUNTRY, SEE NEW TERRAIN, ENJOY SURPRISES, AS THE CAR IS YOUR COCOON! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER JOHN STEINBECK  described, when beginning a trip, that delightful sense of the unknown in his engaging "Travels With Charley." He said, “A journey is like marriage. The certain way t

The ranch, located on the banks of the Clark's Fork River, provides a peaceful escape from the challenges of a busy life. A family-operation for over seventy years, the Cary's pride themselves in a well-kept and clean facility, amazing food, a relaxing atmosphere, and clients who return year after year, inviting their friends and family to join.

You might not expect a northern California wildlife preserve along the rugged coastline. But B Bryan Preserve has been actively committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof stock for over a decade.

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.

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.

Days ago, we went down the rabbit hole. We happened upon Queen Califia's Magical Circle on a driving trip. The magnificent creation of the late French artist Niki de Saint Phalle is quietly dazzling.